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American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), a national non-profit organization, plans to host a networking event for Georgia’s Muslim health care providers and public health advocates on Aug. 15 in Norcross. The event marks the first time that AMHP National is hosting in Atlanta, bringing together health professionals and local students.

“Since the organization’s founding almost a decade ago, AMHP has been at the forefront of public health and policy issues—mobilizing Muslims during the health reform debates at the start of the Obama Administration, championing community-based anti-obesity measures, creating resources for Disabled Muslims and elevating the discussion on mental health,” said Arshia Wajid, founder and president of AMHP, which started in 2004.

AMHP has already experienced success on the national level, meeting President Obama during a private roundtable discussion earlier this year. Two of its members have also won White House recognition as Champions of Change.

But AMHP has not had an official presence in Atlanta--until now.

“We hope AMHP-Atlanta can provide opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and empowerment of Muslims who are seeking to advance public health, social justice, and civic engagement within their communities,” Wajid said. “AMHP has been working on professional development, disability, mental health and access to health insurance on a national level. We hope to expand these initiatives locally in Atlanta.”

The idea of founding a local AMHP chapter arose earlier this year, Wajid said, when a Muslim health professional at Emory University contacted AMHP leadership to plan a networking event for Atlanta Muslim health care providers.

“There is no entity currently in Atlanta that brings together Muslim health professionals and students from diverse sectors of healthcare to work on public health initiatives for the community,” the AMHP president said.

So far, she added, feedback from Atlanta’s Muslim health professionals has been positive. But AMHP is not limited to health workers.

“We also have non-health professionals who are interested in issues of public health,” Wajid said. “Whether it is disability, mental health, or access to health insurance, there are many community members who are touched by these issues and have been working in their own limited capacity. We hope AMHP can bridge the gap between individuals and organizations working independently and provide a platform so they can share resources and collaborate.”

AMHP has held networking dinners in other cities with large Muslim populations, including Chicago, Washington, DC, New York and Detroit.

“The networking dinner...provide[s] an opportunity for professionals and students to collaborate and share ideas for projects and activities to improve the health status of our communities,” AMHP said in a statement announcing the Aug. 15 event, which is scheduled to occur at 7 pm in Taste of Chai at 5775 Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross.

The scheduled keynote speaker is Dr. Isam Vaid, Ph.D., MPH, Health Scientist, Division for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention at Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) & Co-Chair for CDC Workgroup for the Health of Muslim Populations.

Anyone interested in registering to attend the event can do so by visiting AMHP Events page.

Anyone interested in joining AMHP-Atlanta’s listserv can send a blank email to amhp-atlanta+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

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