ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Former Maryland congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume (kwah-EE’-see oom-FOO’-may) says is taking a position with a national group that represents the interests of more than 30,000 African-American doctors and their patients

The National Medical Association announced Thursday morning that Mfume will become their new executive leader effective March 29. NMA leaders say they approached Mfume because they wanted somebody with a “proven background in mission-based work” who is a “seasoned health policy expert.”

While serving as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1996-2004, Mfume established the organization’s Office of Health Advocacy to fight for access and affordability in health care. He says he hopes to increase the number of minority health care workers and end racial disparities in disease diagnosis and treatment.

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