NAAMA Joins the iCons in Medicine

On May 23, 2008, the Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR), together with the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA), Chicago Medical Society (CMS) and the Iraqi Medical Sciences Association (IMSA) launched International Consultants in Medicine (iCons in Medicine), a telemedicine program that uses the Internet to connect health care providers in remote and medically under-served areas with a network of committed volunteer specialty physicians who act as consultants on difficult cases.

iCons in Medicine expands treatment options for patients who otherwise would not have access to specialty care. The collaboration is made possible by a special computer software and social networking web site. The software allows health care providers in remote areas to upload a case consultation form including digital images. Cases are then routed to all available Volunteer physicians according to specialty. These Volunteers use the web site’s built-in communication tools to respond with clinical advice, from the convenience of their home or office.

The official program unveiling took place at a meeting entitled "Telemedicine Support for the Iraqi Health Sector: Building Bridges Through Humanitarian Relief". The daylong conference, organized by a committee of worldwide leaders in the telemedicine field, was an appropriate venue to introduce iCons in Medicine given that a special focus for outreach during the program’s first year will be Iraq and other countries in the Arab World.

Presenting the program at the meeting was CIR and iCons in Medicine founder, William Kennedy Smith, MD and NAAMA’s president, Nabil Khoury, MD. (shown in photo)

The program expects to provide more than 1,000 free consultations, within the first year, to physicians in the Middle East and around the world. NAAMA has become a charter chapter of iCons in Medicine and is encouraging its membership to become Volunteers.

To register please follow these instructions:
1- Go to http://www.iconsinmed.org.
2- On the Welcome to iCons in Medicine page, click on the link, "Join iCons in Medicine".
3- Follow the directions to register a "General Member" and submit the form. Once submitted, you will see "Registration Success!"
4- Register as an iCons in Medicine Volunteer by selecting "Register to Participate in the iConsult Telemedicine Program" at the top of your individual member page.
5- Select Become an iCon Volunteer. Now you have the choice to join an existing Chapter. Use the drop-down menu and select "NAAMA". 

Thank you for your support.