Houston Medical Forum Goes High-Tech

The Houston Medical Forum, the local branch of the National Medical Association, represents approximately 300 African-American physicians in Harris, Galveston and Fort Bend Counties. As one of the country’s largest NMA affiliates, its members are comprised of physicians from all spectrums of medical specialties.

Last month, the organization launched its Web site at http://www.hmfonline.org. This site will enable patients and local citizens to locate and identify black physicians in the Greater Houston metropolitan area. The physicians are listed by medical specialty, making it easy to seek those doctors in different areas of the community who can serve the patient’s needs.

In addition to the new Web site, the Houston Medical Forum has begun a mentoring program for black students in the three local medical schools. This mentoring provides additional support for these students. The Forum is working to increase the number of black medical students and minority staff physicians in the Texas Medical Center, as the number remains under the 4 percent level. The group hopes to accomplish its goal by increasing its visibility within the community, and working with other community groups to assure adequate medical care for the underserved population in the Houston vicinity.

To offset the expenses for African-American students wishing to attend one of the local medical schools, the Forum has established a fund to raise money for those who have been accepted at these schools. To raise money, a first-ever scholarship brunch will be held at the Ensemble Theater on Dec. 2. All proceeds will be used to assist medical and allied health students.

For more information on the Houston Medical Forum or the scholarship brunch, contact Dr. Joye M. Carter, Houston Medical Forum president, by phone at (713) 796-6789, by fax at (713) 799-8078, or by e-mail at Jcart0603@aol.com.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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