The National Medical Association (NMA) is a national professional and scientific organization representing the interests of more than 25,000 physicians and their patients of African descent. Established in 1895, the collective body is committed to: 1) preventing the diseases, disabilities and adverse health conditions that disproportionately or differentially impact African American and underserved populations, 2) supporting efforts that improve the quality and availability of health care to poor and underserved populations, and 3) increasing the representation and contribution of African Americans in medicine. The NMA has divided the country into six geographic regions. Members who are not able to attend the national meeting often attend regional or state level meetings.

The NMA, at the national and regional levels, has collaborated with the NLM to conduct online database training at the six NMA regional meetings held each year. The objective of this project is to improve the ability of NMA's members to use NLM's resources to 1) remain current in their area of specialty, 2) conduct medical research, 3) involve their patients in clinical trials, and 4) provide consumer level information to their patients. NLM staff and contractors will conduct training at these meetings.

The National Medical Association is on the web at: http://www.nmanet.org