The Rotation is proud to kick off its observance of Black History Month by taking a look at the multitude of organizations in healthcare which represent African American professionals in the United States. Regardless of your professional affiliation, you will likely find an association to support you. Many of these organizations have long histories, while some were established more recently. Browse our list to discover an organization for you! And please feel free to use the comments section to add links to any African American healthcare organizations which haven’t been mentioned in this post.
For nurses, the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), which was founded in 1971, supports its members through career networking, conferences, advocacy, and two podcasts, to name just a few features. The National Black Nurse Practitioner Association was established in 2010 and provides a career center, as well as a Provider Directory and a Preceptor Directory.
Mental health practitioners of all types will likely find a professional home within one of these organizations: the National Association of Black Counselors, the Association of Black Psychologists (est. 1968), and Black Psychiatrists of America (est. 1969). Those working within mental health will also want to know about Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM), which is focused on removing barriers to mental healthcare that Black people experience.
Within medicine, the most established general association supporting Black physicians is the National Medical Association, established in 1895. The NMA publishes the Journal of the National Medical Association and is involved in many areas, including advocacy and education. Black women in medicine also may find their professional home at the Association of Black Women Physicians, established in 1982. One initiative of the ABWP is the Sister-to-Sister mentorship program, which matches Black women physicians in training with physician mentors. Black doctors of Osteopathic Medicine can affiliate with the National Osteopathic Medicine Association, which was established in 1992.
African American physicians are also served by organizations focused on specialties, including the Society of Black Academic Surgeons (est. 1989), the Association of Black Cardiologists (est. 1974), and more recently, the Association of Black Family Medicine Physicians, which was established by Black fourth-year medical students in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physician assistants can join the National Society of Black Physician Assistants, which hosts a job board, a mentorship program, and lists upcoming events.
Black public health professionals should consider affiliating with the Black Caucus of Health Workers, which was founded in 1968 as an entry point to the massive American Public Health Association. The Consortium of African American Public Health Programs (est. 1999) is a coalition of public health programs and schools housed at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The collaborations in which the consortium is involved encompass Health Equity and Maternal, Child, and Family Health.
For those training for careers as health services executives, there is the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), founded in 1968 to promote the advancement and development of Black healthcare leaders, improve the quality of healthcare for minorities and the underserved, and ensure greater participation of minorities in healthcare.
For those training in allied health fields, organizations for African Americans that represent particular disciplines include the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (established in 1974), the National Association of Black Physical Therapists, and the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (established in 1977).
Finally, the Black Healthcare and Medicine Association is an interdisciplinary organization that organizes educational events, workshops, and networking and recruiting opportunities for African Americans across the healthcare and life sciences industries.
As our brief overview makes clear, there are multiple opportunities for African Americans to become involved in professional healthcare associations. If you are currently a student, consider joining organizations now to take advantage of a student rate (where available). Professional organizations afford opportunities to find mentors, career opportunities, and fellowship – all of which are crucial during challenging times.
