These articles are editorials by William B. Lawson MD, PhD when he was Editor in Chief during the 2000’s. The journal at that time was published by the parent organization, the National Medical Association. Dr. Lawson, along with Dr. Chile Ahaghotu MD, MA, EMHL, FAC, negotiated with Elsevier, one of the largest academic publishers in the world, to become the journal publisher. As a result, the Journal Received the financial foundation to continue, and through the added expertise recruited quality manuscripts that continued the mission of the National Medical Association.
The National Medical Association (NMA) as stated on its website is the collective voice of African American physicians and the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health. The NMA is a 501(c) (3) national professional and scientific organization representing the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians and the patients they serve. NMA is committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and disadvantaged people through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research, and partnerships with federal and private agencies. Throughout its history, the National Medical Association has focused primarily on health issues related to African Americans and medically underserved populations; however, its principles, goals, initiatives, and philosophy encompass all ethnic groups.
