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National African-American Youth Initiative (NAAYI)

Program Overview

The ANMA/NAAYI was developed to address the under representation of African-Americans in the health professions, the lack of mentors and role models, and to support and encourage social responsibility among African-American youth. It is designed to address the paucity of African-Americans in healthcare, and in the scientific workforce. Thus, the need to increase the number of African-American health professionals. The ANMA/NAAYI facilitates the process by encouraging, motivating, preparing and empowering African-American youth to remain in the academic pipeline and to pursue jobs in the scientific and health arenas.

Goals and Objectives

Prepare, motivate and encourage young African-Americans to actively pursue a career in the health profession.
Get in-depth information on critical health issues that affect the African-American communities.
Introduce African-American youth to national health and scientific organizations and to the role of these organizations in the delivery of health care.
Meet with prominent African-American leaders and role models to discuss their role in the health care process.
Meet with Congressional and Senatorial Representatives, including members of the Black Caucus and with others who have an impact on health policy and decision.
Develop an awareness of health and science careers and educational opportunities in the government and in the private sector.
Enable African-American youth who exhibit leadership and academic potential to advance their academic skills.
Expand cultural awareness.
Meet with youth from all over the United States and the U.S.V.I. and to share individual talents and skills.
Partner year round with a nearby NMA physician mentor or other health professional.
Gain an insight into College living and responsibilities.

The NAAYI program is designed for highly motivated youth who have an interest in pursuing a career in health or who wish to know more about health careers, who have the ability to work in a group setting with teenagers from around the country. Selection of participants is competitive and is based on Grade Point Averages and a written statement on career goals. Participants are nominated or recommended by financial and active members of the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association or by a financial and active members of the National Medical Association. Call (301) 495-3779 for further information.

Program Director Mrs. Pam Freeman Fobbs
Program Co-Director Mrs. Mae Walton
Project Directors Mrs. Alice T. Davis, Mrs. Dolores Caffey Fleming, Mrs. Sarita Cathcart-McLarin, Mrs. J. Dolores Dalton, Mrs. Sandra Murdock

About ANMA

The Auxiliary to the National Medical Association is a 501(c) 3 service organization comprised of the spouses (and widows and widowers) of active members of the National Medical Association (NMA). The Auxiliary was founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1977.

Since its inception, the members of the Auxiliary have been guided by specific purposes and objectives that have led them to establish and maintain health related programs and educational scholarship assistance projects specifically aimed at addressing health issues affecting African Americans and other minorities. The Auxiliary through the work of its members and the national network of its affiliated auxiliaries has played a vital role in influencing healthy living in this country and abroad.

As a further extension of its role in the progress of health for African-Americans, the Auxiliary has collaborated with a variety of organizations to develop and fund the National African-American Youth Initiative (NAAYI) in Health and Policy Development Scholar’s Program. From the public sector, ANMA has worked with: Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM), Howard, University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA), The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHHD), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Office of Minority Health (OMH), Health Resources and Services Administration(HRSA), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and other health agencies. A primary purpose of the program is to expose youth participants to scientific research and the health public policy and decision-making process. As a result of this exposure, African-American youth gain insight and understanding of the role and impact of the federal government in the development of health policy.