Sharon Chalmers Melvin, RN, MPH
2012-2013

Dear Members, Valued Supporters, and Guests,

Greetings! Welcome to the official website of the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association, Inc. (ANMA). It is indeed a pleasure and an honor to serve as the 74th president of this great organization. Throughout our 75 years of history, the ANMA has a rich and proud legacy of providing community based health education and advocacy initiatives to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities as well as to increase workforce diversity in research and health related professions. For example, the ANMA has provided initiatives on HIV/AIDS, childhood obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health, women’s health, hypertension, healthy children, and disaster and emergency preparedness. In addition, the ANMA has provided the National African American Youth Initiative (NAAYI) Health Policy Development Scholars Program that encourages, prepares, motivates, and empowers high school students to stay in the academic pipeline and pursue careers in research and health related professions. Since 1992, approximately1200 high school students across the nation, including the US Virgin Islands have participated in this program. Furthermore, the ANMA has provided over half million dollars in medical and nursing scholarships to worthy students. Likewise, the ANMA is dedicated and committed to improving the overall health, social and economic conditions of African American women, men, and children who are underserved and live in disadvantaged communities.

As we experience economic challenges worldwide, let us be inspired by the ability of our ancestors to move mountains with very little---they had no choice. They understood all too well the value and necessity of community service and volunteerism---they called it “Helping each other to survive.” It is with that spirit that the agenda for the 2012-13 program year is presented. I have chosen as my theme:

“BUILDING A HEALTHIER AND SAFER WORLD THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM—A CALL TO SERVICE.”

Whether you are a member, a valued supporter, or a first time visitor to our website, please join the ANMA and me in implementing the following agenda:
 

  • Provide support to over 30 local and state affiliated auxiliaries to implement evidence-based public health initiatives in their respective communities, with a special focus on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Maternal Health. African American women are disproportionately impacted by this type of breast cancer as well as maternal deaths and injuries during pregnancy and childbirth. The ANMA is committed and dedicated to partnering and collaborating with other organizations across the nation to reach at least 10,000 African American women in regards to these public health concerns.
  • Provide initiatives on HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, and underage drinking targeting the teen population.
  • Provide support to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Programs.
  • Provide training workshops for the ANMA membership and conference attendees on Healthy People 2020 Goals and Objectives, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Maternal Health, Accessible and Affordable Medicines and Vaccines Worldwide, and Community Service and Volunteerism.
  • Continue to provide and expand medical and nursing scholarships.
  • Provide support and advocate on behalf of the Guardian Ad Litem or Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program® for neglected and abused children.
  • Provide support to local and state affiliated auxiliaries to implement mentoring or tutoring programs for our youth, to reduce the high school dropout rate and increase entrance in post secondary or vocational schools.
  • Promote healthy behavioral choices among our youth as well as youth development.
  • Support and promote excellence in our public schools through the Donor’s Choose® or Communities in Schools® Programs.
  • Partner with businesses and organizations to provide initiatives on career exploration, job readiness skills, and character education to promote academic and workforce success—respect, responsibility, self-discipline, courage, good judgment, kindness, integrity, and perseverance.
  • Partner with Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) across the nation and other organizations to promote workforce diversity in healthcare, public health and research professions.
  • Support global public health initiatives and social equality (i.e., children living in poverty, hunger, epidemics, climate change, natural disasters, etc).
  • Support public health policies that seek to reduce racial and ethnic health and healthcare disparities.
  • Continue to provide our signature program, the National African American Youth Initiative (NAAYI) Health Policy Development Scholars Program.

In closing, the spirit of service to others is intrinsically embodied in all of us---we have no choice because the need is too great. Remember, we are God’s greatest creation----“Let us help each other not only to survive, but to be healthy and successful.”

Yours in service,

Sharon Chalmers Melvin, RN, MPH
President