I offer congratulations and thanks to our Immediate Past President, Maria A. Bright, on a New
York State of Mind 2024 Convention. Every event from the Pre-Board Meeting, Prayer
Breakfast, Opening Session of the House of Delegates, Scholarship Dinner Cruise, City Tour, the Magnificent Market Place and up to the Post Convention meeting, were truly exceptional experiences. Much time, dedication, effort and heart were placed in the execution of the convention, and it was apparent every step of the way. The Convention Committee chaired by Vivienne Hewitt, Esq. were instrumental in bringing the Bright vision to fruition. Hats off to all!
At the conclusion of the 2024 Convention, I gratefully accepted the torch to serve as the 86th President of the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association (ANMA). First, I want to offer my thanks to the members of this organization. Not only for your trust and confidence that I will uphold the duties and responsibilities of this honored position, but your unwavering support and patience as I reshaped a few of the time honored traditions. While serving as President-Elect for the 2023-2024 program year, the focus on organizational sustainability included the areas of operations, membership, and community outreach. Membership was one of the most pivotal components to revitalize the organization. In order for the ANMA to operate at full capacity, meet the needs of the community, and deliver enhanced member services and engagements, the organization needs to grow through membership. We accomplished our goal of increased membership by extending our hand to new members and while reclaiming past members.
After traveling to each region, listening to the concerns of our members, and hearing the sentiments of the communities as it relates to quality healthcare, we are prepared to work in each of the six regions under the theme of Ensuring Health Equity in African American Communities Through Mentoring, Advocacy, Scholarship and Service. In order to achieve equality in health, we must continually support medical and allied health students from underrepresented communities disproportionately affected by health disparities such as racial and ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and individuals from rural areas. Since the inception of the ANMA, we have committed to a mission of improving the health, social, and economic conditions of African Americans in underserved communities. During this administration, we will strive to develop programs that concentrate on fostering and supporting student interest in science and medicine. In addition to our scholarships for medical students at Historically Black Medical Schools through our Alma Wells Givens Scholarship and nursing students with our Omega Mason/Maude Bisson Scholarship, we will cultivate new ideas and seek other means of supporting minority medical school students with review courses and mentoring programs to pour into the next generation of health professionals. Furthermore, we will implement initiatives to increase awareness, including the obligation and the opportunity to educate legislators and others responsible for making laws and creating policies as it relates to healthcare. This is also where we take advantage of collaborating with our stakeholders, community partners, and others to voice our individual concerns as well as ANMA members.
An equitable society is one in which we all can participate and prosper. The goals of equity must be to create conditions that allow everyone to reach their full potential. In short, equity creates a path from hope to change. Policy advocacy can bring tangible outcomes for equity. The obstacles that our communities we serve are facing are great, but through mentoring, advocacy, scholarship, and service, we can tangibly direct change.
I will strive each day during this program year to “Build Today For A Better World Tomorrow”
In Service
Sharon Phillips Wofford
86th President
Auxiliary to the National Medical Association
