Message from the Board Assalaamu Alaikum,
 
As many of you are aware, AMHP has been engaged in the healthcare reform debate that has been going on for over a year.  In this time, and even prior to President Obama taking office, we have been passionately working for change in the American healthcare system.  This effort, which culminated earlier this week with the passage of the healthcare bill, was spearheaded by the Health Affordability Taskforce (now Health Policy Taskforce).  Members of this taskforce and others have been working tirelessly on educating members about healthcare reform and encouraging civic engagement, as well as directly engaging with decision makers to make our positions known. 
 
As recognition of AMHP's support for change, we were invited by the White House to attend the celebration that followed the signing of the bill.  Dr. Faisal Qazi, who has been instrumental in public engagement around healthcare reform, attended this historic event.  With healthcare reform legislation passed, now the real works begins and we hope that AMHP will have a seat at the table.  This year the Health Policy Taskforce, led by Sameer Siddiqi, will continue to engage in developing policy positions as well as engage various governmental agencies in the implementation phase of healthcare reform.  For those interested in this taskforce, Sameer can be reached at ssiddiqi@amhp.us. 
 
With all of the work ahead of us, AMHP realizes that we cannot do it without your support. Therefore, AMHP's leadership hopes that you will join us to continue our work toward achieving our vision "to be a leader in improving public health, through efforts inspired by faith." I would ask that anyone who believes in our vision to become actively engaged in the organization and provide whatever assistance you are able to. As Muslim health professionals, we need to fulfill our civic responsibilities in improving the health status of the communities we live in.
 
Walikum Assalaam,

Rabia Akram, MBA, MPH
President, AMHP
rakram@amhp.us