Iranian American Medical Association: Improving Lives and Shaping Futures

When the historic Iranian city of Bam was devastated by a massive earthquake five years ago, the international community and the Iranian diaspora joined the effort to provide much-needed relief assistance to the tens of thousands of victims of one of Iran’s worst natural disasters. Today, five years later, Bam’s infrastructure remains decimated, and the wounds of that tragic day remain in both the city’s hospital facilities and its stricken residents.

A group of Iranian-American doctors have not forgotten the residents of Bam, and have embarked on an ambitious effort to build a free clinic in the recovering city.  With thirteen-thousand square meters of land donated by the city council of Bam, the clinic will be comprised of four major sections: an advanced general medical facility, a building for specialty services, a same-day surgery unit and a residential unit for physicians and visiting specialists from around the world. The center will provide greatly-needed care for Bam’s impoverished residents.

The Bam clinic represents only one aspect of a wide range of activities initiated, supported, and created by the Iranian-American Medical Association (IAMA). Founded in New Jersey in 1993 by seven Iranian-American doctors, the Iranian American Medical Association has eight chapters across the United States and provides a multitude of charitable and educational services. Its mission is to support Iranian-American healthcare professionals and provide assistance to the Iranian-American community in need. In the last sixteen years, IAMA has organized educational courses for medical students and professionals, published a regular bulletin for the Iranian-American medical community and has advised medical students and graduates in their career paths. The organization also provides financial assistance to medical students and also hosts a service to assist them in gaining admission into highly competitive residency programs.

Each year, IAMA holds meetings and conferences throughout its chapters, including an annual symposium and accredited CME seminars. These events help unite Iranian-American health professionals from all over the United States, with over 6,000 people invited each year. IAMA promotes education at these events by offering up to 10 hours of AMA (American Medical Association) category CME (continuing medical education) credits at the annual seminar, an invaluable asset for IAMA members.

IAMA’s local chapters organize free lectures and medical tests as part of their individual initiatives. For example, the Texas chapter of IAMA recently offered a screening event for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose. This invitation was extended to the entire local community and benefited those in need of medical testing.

One of IAMA’s newest initiatives is IAMA-JAVAAN, which aims to mobilize young Iranian-American medical students and residents. This special chapter of IAMA is carrying the torch for the next generation of brilliant Iranian-American health professionals through organizing fundraisers, meetings and networking events. According to IAMA President Dr. Barry Sadegi, IAMA-JAVAAN is the “main connection to future members” and an “invaluable asset” to the organization.

IAMA has also made significant strides in medical diplomacy. In a groundbreaking project, IAMA worked with the Aspen Institute in 2006 to select over twenty Iranian physicians in the fields of addiction, infectious disease, public health, cardiology and gastroenterology to visit the United States. These physicians attend American universities and learn about the latest breakthroughs in fields such as HIV research, organ transplant, and combating drug addiction. Thanks to the generous efforts of IAMA and the Aspen Institute, this program is free of charge for the participating Iranian physicians. With the knowledge gained, these physicians are well-poised to become leaders in their respective medical practices in Iran.

In a field where so many Iranian-Americans have excelled, it seems only fitting that IAMA is raising the bar not only for the medical community, but for the Iranian-American community as a whole. Through pooling the resources of leading Iranian-American medical professionals, IAMA is strengthening the medical community’s ability to improve lives and shape futures both in the U.S. and in Iran.  

To learn more about the Iranian American Medical Association, please visit www.iama.org.