American Muslim Health Professionals
AMHP Newsletter                                            November 2009   
 
Message from the Board
 

Assalaam Alaikum AMHP Members

 

Last weekend, the House of Representatives voted in favor 220-to-215 for the passage of The Affordable Health Care for America Act.  The bill, which seeks to expand healthcare coverage and cease insurance practices such as declining coverage for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, is considered the biggest overhaul of the country's healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid Act of 1965.  Despite the landmark passage of this bill, we are urging all AMHP members to call their Senators and stress the need to include public option for true meaningful health reform.  Our broken healthcare system will not be fixed unless any healthcare legislation passed in the Senate includes public option.  Elected officials need to hear your voice now in achieving the ultimate goal of a healthcare system that provides affordable and quality healthcare to all.

 

While AMHP will continue to work with community and faith-based partner organizations to build upon the existing grassroots momentum for health reform, we are also focusing on revamping the current governance structure.  For the upcoming year, we will focus our efforts on Policy, Prevention and Education and are seeking three dedicated and qualified project managers to lead each initiative on a volunteer basis.  Simultaneously, we are looking to hire a Program Manager on a part-time basis to oversee these initiatives as well as work with the Board of Directors in launching other projects.  This past year, we have made great strides for the organization, and we want to continue with this great momentum for the upcoming year.

 

Last but not least, AMHP does not charge any membership fee for any services provided.  We rely strictly on generous donations from our supporters to cover operational expenses.  Please consider donating online at http://www.amhp.us/donations.php to help us continue our strong work in serving the community.

 

For more information on current activities and position description of Project Managers and Program Manager, plesae visit our website at www.amhp.us or email us at contact@amhp.us 
 
Sincerely,
Hasan Chughtai, DO, MS
Board of Directors, AMHP

 
please visit the website http://www.amhp.us  or contact us. 
SAPHA Healthcare reform and its impact on South Asian communities
by Rabia Akram and Faisal Qazi
 
 Healthcare reform efforts have now entered their last stages as both chambers of congress aim to integrate their respective bills hoping to conference on them soon.  This point, by far, is the farthest any substantive health reform push has reached in recent history and all constituencies are exploring the future of healthcare post reform.  As a result of these efforts, The South Asian community also faces both opportunities and challenges that may have direct impact on the community as a whole and the many South Asian healthcare providers. 
 
The centerpiece of all of the current legislation and of upmost importance to the South Asian community is access to affordable care.  In the Senate proposals, specific provisions are being discussed that would make it difficult for legal immigrants or visa holders to be able to purchase from the newly formulated Health Exchange.  The so called "Public Option" that is likely to offer significantly lower premiums will only be offered through this Exchange.  In addition, most government subsidies provided to all those below 400% Federal Poverty Level are also likely to be offered via this Exchange.  The limitations on Permanent Residents or other legal immigrants restricting participation for up to five years as mentioned by some lawmakers during the negotiations will have a significant impact on immigrant communities including South Asians, where many may still find adequate coverage lacking as a result.
 
To access the full article, please click here
 
http://www.sapha.org/faq.php 
 
 
Originally published in the SAPHA Newsletter.

b 
Free Clinic Profile: Mariam Clinic

 In May 2004, the Trent Foundation at Duke awarded a $4,000 seed grant to a group of Duke physicians: Dr. Sumera Hayat, Dr. Jeffrey Wilkinson, Dr. Evan Myers, and attorney Sham-e-Ali al-Jamil. Their goal was to research the health needs of Muslim women in the Triangle, and in late 2004 to early 2005, Dr. Hayat conducted a number of focus groups with a diverse selection of women and health care professionals living in Durham, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas.

In January 2005, a group of students from Duke and UNC  joined the project. They organized community forums in both Durham and Cary in order to gain feedback from local women about what they needed and wanted from the proposed women's health care center. A $15,000 private donation enabled the group to continue their work over the summer and refine their goals and plans for the Mariam Clinic. The clinic opened its doors in early February 2006.

Tell us, briefly about your clinic:
Mariam Clinic is a free clinic that provides services to people between the ages of 18-64 who fall within 200% of the poverty level. The following services are offered to our patients.
Acute care (for illness and injury) 
ˇ Short-term chronic care (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) 
ˇ Physician and social service referrals 
ˇ Discounted lab and radiology services 
ˇ Psychiatry and counseling 
ˇ Interpreters (Spanish, Arabic, Hindi/Urdu, Bengali, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) 
 
What are your current projects?  
Currently the clinic is growing leaps and bounds due to the current state of the economy. As the clinic Administrator, I am working on helping patients to get more efficient care and for the clinic to provide more services to help those who don't qualify for our services but still need assistance with medical care. 

How can the clinic be contacted?
For appointments, call 919-824-4672 on Thursdays between 2-5 PM.  The Clinic Administrator can be reached at 919-332-0834 anytime or by email at clinic@mariamclinic.org.
Mariam Clinic
3126 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
 
AMHP Newsletters will feature a Free Clinic profile each month.  Please submit your clinic's information to mqureshi@amhp.us
Job/Volunteer Postings
 
Program Manager:
 
AMHP is seeking a program manager to help shape the organization as it expands and grows into different arenas. This is a tremendous opportunity to be a part of a large national organization that is involved in many facets of the healthcare industry.  This is an opportunity to build your resume all the while gaining real-world experience leading a large non-profit organization.
 
This is a paid position that requires a, minimum, 1 year commitment with a 90 day, unpaid, probationary period.
 
The program manager needs to be able to participate in:
 
Strategic Planning:
ˇ Encourages Board's role in strategic planning
ˇ Appoints the project managers of committees, in consultation with other Board members.
ˇ Oversees the work of the project managers and uses standardized metrics to ascertain success.
ˇSteps in to fill the role of the project manager as necessary.
 
Finance:
ˇ Monitors financial planning and financial reports.
ˇ Plays a leading role in fundraising activities
 
Infrastructure:
ˇ Allocates funding to project initiatives and follows up on each implementation.
ˇ Works with 3rd party vendors
 
Requirements:
Bachelors in Public Health; relevant work experience; graduate work preferred; motivated, confident individual with excellent interpersonal communication and experience leading a team; ability to communicate through multiple tools; 
 
 
 __________________________________________
Project Manager:
 
AMHP is seeking 3 project managers to lead teams in its core mission.  We are looking for individuals to lead our policy, education and prevention initiatives.  These are strictly volunteer positions but give a breadth of experience and networking opportunity for the right individual.  You will gain the opportunity to meet people in the health care industry, lead a note-worthy initiative as well as build your resume.

Manage:
ˇ Work with team members to develop scopes of work
ˇ Develop and oversee project budgets
ˇ Work with program manager to obtain project financing and prepare on-going reporting
 
Delegate:
ˇ Delegate tasks to appropriate team members
ˇ Strategize and implement solutions relating to project, budget, management, etc.
ˇ Develop and maintain communication pipeline with key people (President, program manager, board and members of the team)
 
Networking:
ˇ Work with local organizations and officers as needed in the development process
 
Coordinator:
ˇFacilitate meetings
ˇ Submit required paperwork to program manager and the board
Monitor project schedule and oversee details such as plan selection
 
Requirements:
Bachelors in Public Health/related field or in the process of completing; motivated, confident individual with excellent interpersonal communication and experience leading a team; ability to communicate through multiple tools. A 9-month commitment is required.
For more information please contact:
 
Faisal Qazi
fqazi@amhp.us
 


Healthcare Reform and South Asians

Free Clinic Profile

Business Profile

Monthly Member Profile

Support AMHP

 
dMember Profile:
Sajid Majid

Sajid is an AMHP intern who is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health Administration, with interests in International Public Health,Public Administration and Healthcare consulting.
 
Along with his AMHP internship,  locally Sajid interns with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL to practice his skills and expand his knowledge. With hands on experience in health administration, Sajid hopes to become a successful health care advocate by working closely within his community to assist underprivileged individuals access healthcare.
 
You can contact Sajid at:
SajidMMajid@gmail.com

 
cBusiness Profile:
AmeriClerkships
Medical Society, Inc.
 
AmeriClerkships Medical Society (AMS) assists International Medical Graduates in finding willing attending physicians, hospitals, and residency programs to facilitate clinical experience in various primary care specialties. 
 
How did you get started?

Nearly 10 years ago,
Dr. Pedram Mizani, an International Medical Graduate from St. Matthews, had a vision. He encountered firsthand the trials and tribulations of getting into a U.S. residency program; mass confusion and no standardized approach. During this time Dr. Mizani knew that he and his peers had an incredible disadvantage even though they were highly qualified & talented individuals. After getting into Residency, he partnered with his colleagues in Atlanta to create the industry that would place IMGs and International Medical Students into clinical rotations.  In 2007 he came to Irvine, CA, & founded AmeriClerkships Medical Society.
 
Who is your target market? 

There are two specific target markets that AMS focuses on. On the front end we assist International Medical Graduates who are looking to increase their likelihood of getting into a U.S. Residency program. These IMGs are from schools listed on the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) & World Health Organization (WHO) directory & have completed their USMLE Step 1. On the back end, we affiliate with U.S. attending physicians of all specialties & Hospitals. The attending physicians become paid preceptors and the Hospitals provide an opportunity to host in-patient rotations & receive grants for their areas of need. This group of attending physicians & hospitals become the foundation for clinical rotations.

What is you current project?

With an incredible demand from IMGs lately, we are focused on expanding our Attending Physician & Hospital base. We are currently affiliated with 450 U.S. Attending Physicians, 10 Hospitals, numerous organizations & the Saudi & Libyan embassies.

How can you be contacted?

Omer Malik
Medical Development Specialist
AmeriClerkships Medical Society, Inc - Irvine, CA
Office: 949.579.8087
Omer.Malik@AmeriClerkships.org
www.AmeriClerkships.org
 
fSupport AMHP!

Since its inception in 2004, the American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) has been actively engaged in public health initiatives to better the health of all Americans. 
 
As a 501 c3 non-profit charitable organization, AMHP relies solely on the generosity of those who wish to improve the quality and delivery of health services and increase access to care.

Donate online using the link below or mail checks payable to AMHP to:
1284 S. Vermont Street
Palatine, IL 60067 

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