| Background/History
The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) is a national
nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of more than 1500 African-American
cardiologists and medical professionals.
In 1974, Dr. Richard Allen Williams and sixteen other
cardiologists founded ABC.
Mission
The ABC believes that good health is the cornerstone
of progress. They are firm in their resolve to make exemplary
health care accessible and affordable to all in need, dedicated
to lowering the high rate of cardiovascular diseases in
minority populations and committed to advocacy and diversity.
ABC is guided by high ethics in all transactions and strives
for excellence in their training and skills.
Organizational
Infrastructure
ABC is governed by a 20 member Board of Directors (3 from
California) and a 5 member executive board (2 from California).
Membership in the ABC is not limited to physicians but
open to anyone interested in fighting cardiovascular diseases
in African-Americans.
One-half of the states of the United States have less
than four African American cardiologists. In recognition
of the fact that eighty percent of African American cardiac
patients receive their care from non-African American
cardiologists, ABC membership is best characterized as
"Physicians who are primarily involved in providing
cardiovascular care for African American patients."
ABC now has over 500 members from a potential pool of
approximately 600 African American cardiovascular specialists.
ABC has both a web site (www.abcardio.org)
and a newsletter.
Activities
- Legislative advocacy in Washington, DC
- CME Accredited programs
- Digest of Urban Cardiology (bi-monthly publications)
- ABC Newsletter (quarterly publication)
- Scholarships for medical students and fellowships
for cardiologists in training
- Physicians Placement Services
- Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials
- Speakers Bureau
- Center for Patient Education Initiatives
- Demonstration Center for Community Public Health Programs
- Cultural Sensitivity Training for Physicians
- Blood Pressure and Health Promotion Programs at Churches,
Barbershops, and Beauty Salons
- Legislative Initiatives on African-American Health
- Center for Women's Health
ABC is a catalyst to:
- Encourage industry, government and on-governmental
organizations to support the training of minority physicians
and cardiologist;
- Sponsor projects that will meet the health care needs
of minority patients;
- Provide quality continuing medical education and sensitivity
training for physicians;
- Champion cardiovascular research that will benefit
mankind.
Important healthcare issues include:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Stroke
- High Blood Pressure
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Smoking
- Cholesterol
Diversity is a part of the ABC mission. They provide
scholarships and cultural sensitivity training.
|
Ethnic Physician
Organization Descriptions
