University Muslim Medical Association

[Nu Kua]

The History and Story of UMMA

Our mission is to promote the well-being of the underserved by providing access to high quality healthcare for all, regardless of ability to pay.

UMMA envisions itself as part of a larger network of institutions addressing the health and wellbeing of the underserved and indigent, mindful of the cultural, spiritual, social and economic realities that impinge upon them and the traditional barriers to accessing care...

...UMMA was established initially as a student organization based at UCLA by medical and graduate students at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University with the purpose of establishing a clinic.

UMMA is not a religious organization. Rather, it was conceived as a vehicle for the Muslim American community, as well as people of all backgrounds, to provide community service to the public at large. It sought to do this by collaborating with other institutions and organizations. The group of students garnered the administrative and logistical support of the UCLA and Drew schools of medicine as well as LA City Councilperson Rita Walters. The clinic has now been operational since 1996.

Located in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, the clinic serves an impoverished but culturally rich population comprised of 73% Latinos and 25% African-Americans. The clinic serves the unemployed, working poor who do not receive insurance or qualifiy for Medi-Cal, and the homeless. It is one of the poorest and most medically underserved areas of the region.

I caught this yesterday on Link-TV's
One Nation Many Voices Filmmaker Awards: 2007 Winners program, where independent film artists submitted a 5 minute clip on the theme of living as a Muslim in today's world. You can view all of the winners in various categories at the link.

The documentary shown was cut to conform to the 5 minute restriction of the contest; this is the complete documentary here, about 8 minutes.

UMMA Community Clinic

Amazing in its own right is the work they did to convert a toxic, dangerous, unused eyesore of a building into the clinic. Just goes to show you the possibilities are all around us.

A very moving speech by
Representative Maxine Waters as she recognizes Umma Community Clinic's achievements on its 10th Anniversary.