Minority Healthcare Associations

Minority healthcare associations have a mission to provide a forum for healthcare professionals concerning education, networking, healthcare research, certification and resources. In addition, many of these organizations seek to improve the quality of healthcare delivered to minorities, especially in under-served communities. Some organizations have memberships that extend outside the boundaries of the U.S.

Black Nurses Association (NBNA)

• The nonprofit NBNA has operated since 1971. This organization represents over 150,000 African American members including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing retirees and nursing students. Its primary mission focuses on providing a platform for group action to conduct research into the needs of African Americans and to promote changes in the system of delivery to make health care as readily accessible as to the general population. The NBNA has 80 chartered chapters in the Caribbean, Africa and in 34 states.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

• Since 1964, SNMA, the oldest and largest U.S. organization, has been committed to the needs of students of color interested in the medical profession. Founded by medical students at the Howard University School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College, SNMA membership consists of over 5,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and doctors. One of the organization's major initiatives revolve around helping areas that have insufficient access to quality healthcare services. The SNMA also has the goals and objectives of making certain educational programs and services consider the needs of Latino, African American and other minority healthcare students.

The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA)

• This organization represents a coalition of five ethnic nurse associations. It has a total membership of about 350,000 nurses. The NCEMNA membership roll includes nurses of Asian American, Hispanic, African American, Philippine, and Alaska and American Indian heritages. NCEMNA focuses on expanding opportunities for minorities interested in nursing careers. NCEMNA also supports affordable health care and access to educational programs for ethnic nurses. In addition, the association actively promotes consumer health education and lobbies healthcare executives and policy makers regarding healthcare issues for the minority populations.

Hispanic Healthcare Executives (AHHE)

• The Hispanic Healthcare Executives began sponsoring programs and policies to advance the welfare of Hispanic healthcare executives in 1988. The AHHE has 11 chapters in the U.S. and about 155 members. Besides seeking to help the career development of Hispanic professionals, the AHHE seeks to increase public awareness about Hispanic healthcare issues and increase the number of Hispanics involved in health and medical-related academic fields. It also works to enhance career growth and networking opportunities.

National Medical Association (NMA)

• Although the National Medical Association primarily advocates on the behalf of African American doctors and patients, the NMA has open membership to all physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine who have licenses to practice in the United States, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories. The NMA has 112 affiliates; its membership base exceeds 30,000 doctors and patients. The mission of this more than 100-year-old organization focuses on improving the quality of healthcare delivered to all people, including minorities. It supports strong public education as a critical component of preventive medicine. The NMA also encourages scholarly exchange of scientific and clinical knowledge, biomedical research and representation, and recognition of minorities in the medical profession.