The Korean American Medical Association was initially called the Korean Medical Association of America (KMAA). It was established on October 23, 1974 by the representatives of three regions which had a significant number of Korean physicians:

The first president of the KMAA was Dr. Chai Chang Choi.

Coincidentally, unaware of the existence of the KMAA, the alumni associations of the 8 Korean medical schools in New York area gathered to form the North American Korean Medical Association. They planned to meet on November 23, 1974 to formally establish this organization. In fact, the president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) was invited to New York to participate in this momentous occasion.

When Dr. Choi from KMAA learned of this, he contacted all parties involved and was invited to address the general meeting of the North American Korean Medical Association. At this meeting, Dr. Choi explained the existence of the KMAA and recommended that the New York area physicians join KMAA rather than forming a separate organization. Thus, on November 23, 1974, the New York area Korean physicians joined the KMAA.

The KMAA held it first general assembly on February 15, 1975 in Washington, D.C. At this meeting, following significant decisions were made:

1. Election of officers

a. President: Chai Chang Choi
b. Vice Presidents: Kwang Soo Lee, Kyung Jin Ahn, Young Il Hahn
c. Secretary General: Hyo Keun Lee
d. Scientific Committee Chairman: Bong Hak Hyun

2. Establish KMAA as a non-profit organization.

3. Ratify the Bylaws of KMAA.

4. Publish KMAA newsletter.

5. Approve the budget for the year 1975.

6. Hold a combined medical conference with KMA in Seoul, Korea on October 10 - 12, 1975.

The combined medical conference of 1975 was quite a success. About 160 Korean physicians and family from the United States attended the meeting. Among them about 20 physicians made scientific presentations. In addition to scientific sessions, the members had several tours including the tour of Pan Moon Jum and Korean medical schools.

In 1976, the combined medical conference was named “The first combined medical conference” and was held on June 24 - 25, 1976 in Seoul. About 119 members and families attended from the United States. The second combined medical conference was held on June 21- 22, 1977 in Seoul. Over 340 members and family attended this meeting from the United States. The third combined medical conference was held on October 12 - 14, 1978 in Seoul. Richard Palmer, the former president of the AMA gave the Keynote speech. The fourth combined medical conference was held on July 2 - 4, 1979 in Seoul. It had the best ever attendance with over 480 members and family from the United States attending the meeting.

The fifth combined medical conference was the first combined medical conference held in the United States. It was held on July 5 - 8, 1980 in New York City. Over 430 physicians and family attended this meeting with 150 from Korea and 280 from the United States. Dr. Robert Good of the Sloan Kettering Institute gave the Keynote speech titled “New Initiative in Cancer Research.”

In the mid to late 1980’s, the combined medical conference between the KMAA and KMA was discontinued due to a decreased participation of the KMA members. As a result, the KMAA held its first convention and scientific meeting without the participation of KMA in 1984 in Puerto Rico. In addition to providing a scientific atmosphere, these conventions were designed to help the children of the members meet each other. These meetings also addressed the difficult issues such as adaptation to American culture.

In 1987, the KMAA established its central office for the first time to allow continuity of business and financial aspects of the organization. Mrs. Taeja Kim Lee served selflessly from 1987 through 1997 as the executive administrator. In 1993, the KMAA changed its name to the Korean American Medical Association (KAMA). In 1998, the KAMA moved its central office to New York City and hired Mr. Kwangho Lee as the executive director.

In 1995, the first issue of the Journal of KAMA was published. In 1996, Dr. Changyul Oh memorial lectures were begun with Dr. Arthur Aufes from Mount Sinai Medical School giving the first lecture. In 1998, the Newsletter was upgraded to a News Magazine. Also in 1998, an updated membership directory of KAMA was published.

Thus, KAMA has evolved in the past quarter century. Many thanks go to countless members and family who have helped over the years to make KAMA what it is today. Unfortunately, KAMA is now experiencing its greatest challenge: how to survive when Korean physicians no longer immigrate to the United States. To meet this challenge, the KAMA has been recruiting U.S. graduates to join as members.

There are many Korean-American physicians in the United States who attended medical schools in the US. These 1.5th and 2nd generation physicians are the future of KAMA. In the past several years, the KAMA has established a US graduate committee and Dr. Byungse Suh and Dr. Jeffrey Ahn have served as chairmen. The official language of the KAMA convention is English, again to encourage the participation of the US graduates. Furthermore, in preparation for the new Millennium, the KAMA is establishing a web site to allow easier access to KAMA. It will allow easier updating and maintenance of membership information and convention information. It will also allow easier and faster dissemination of information that affects the entire membership.

This history of KAMA was modified and translated into English from that written by Dr. Chai Chang Choi by Dr. Matthew Whang.