The Caribbean American Medical & Scientific Association (CAMSA) was incorporated in May 2003 as a non-profit entity whose primary goal is to promote improvements in health care for Caribbean peoples.

CAMSA came about because of the perceived health care needs of the local Caribbean population and those at  home and the desire of the founding core group to give back to the home countries from which they have derived so much.

CAMSA s membership reflects the rich diversity of the Caribbean Basin with members hailing from the English, French, Spanish and Dutch Caribbean. Likewise, CAMSA s board is similarly diverse.

CAMSA is cognizant of the fine work of various local organizations that already provide medical support to the immigrant Caribbean population as well as outreach work to the Caribbean region. CAMSA will seek to develop new initiatives and strategies thus ensuring that its activities not compete with these organizations. CAMSA intends to collaborate with likeminded bodies for the common good.

CAMSA will expand its database of Caribbean-competent experts in health and scientific matters, which will be made available to Caribbean governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on a volunteer basis. In addition, the local community as well as Caribbean based patients and physicians can access our referral service telephonically or through our web site.

CAMSA looks forward to many years of service.

The mission of CAMSA is to foster improvements in the health of Caribbean peoples through medical, educational, scientific and charitable activities.

To this end, the organization seeks to:

1. Address the significant health problems and concerns of Caribbean peoples through appropriate research and the development and implementation of culturally based solutions to these problems and concerns.

 
2. Support the medical and scientific research, and health promotion activities of Caribbean governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).



3. Develop, maintain and make available for use by Caribbean governments and NGOs, a database of Caribbean-competent experts in health and scientific matters.



4. Foster professional growth among medical professionals and scientists of Caribbean background.

 
5. Develop and maintain professional alliances with non-Caribbean personnel to strengthen the organization and provide complimentary related services.

Regular Members

Regular membership in the association is open to health care professionals and scientists of Caribbean background resident in North America.

Regular members shall have the right to make motions, vote, or hold elective office.

Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors and are subject to change.

Student Membership

Students of Caribbean background in the health professions or the sciences are eligible for membership but shall have no right to make motions, vote, or hold elective office.

Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors and are subject to change. Dues for students may be waived at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Affiliate Membership

Health care professionals and scientists resident in the Caribbean are eligible for affiliate member status.

Health care professionals and scientists in the US who work with Caribbean populations or in areas of relevance to the Caribbean are also eligible for Affiliate Membership.

Other professionals who have expertise relevant to the aims and mission of the organization are also eligible for membership with approval of the Board of Directors.

Affiliate members shall have no right to make motions, vote, or hold elective office.

Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors and are subject to change.

Honorary Membership

The Board of Directors may elect as honorary members (on the basis of position, honor or eminence in the community) persons who would not ordinarily qualify for membership in the association.

Organizations are also be eligible for honorary membership based on similar criteria.

Honorary members shall be designated as  Honorary members of the Caribbean Medical and Scientific Association and shall have such privileges as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Honorary members shall have all the rights of regular members except the right to make motions, vote, or hold elective office.

Lifetime Membership

Individuals and corporations may apply for lifetime membership under criteria to be developed by the Board of Directors.