Associations and Societies

National Independent Physician Association The National Independent Physician Association is the leading resource for physician organizations who manage risk contracts. The site offers access to tools, education and training programs, as well as the latest innovative information to enhance physician-directed healthcare.

The National Commission of Quality Assurance The Commission offers a web site table of multiple topics regarding health care staff, consumers and employers, quality assurance programs and guidelines, as well as accreditation standards, products, education, and other services.

National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases *** This NIDDK site presents clinical research findings and education on the diseases of internal medicine and related sub-specialty fields. Very timely information is available at the sites "News Briefs" and "News Releases" links. Related upcoming NIDDK and National Institute of Health educational meetings and events are also posted.

 Doctor's Guide To The Internet *** Well presented, fresh information with easy to use links direct you to medical information and resources, patient education materials, and financial and business Internet sources. This site also advises when a link was last updated.

Neoforma Virtual Medical Facility Model *** Most useful for those interested in planning a new medical building, this site allows a virtual tour of a state-of-the-art medical facility. The virtual tour provides information on every product and device within the medical building rooms.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan *** This web site provides an excellent forum for communication with staff members of the Foundation. Special sections are also provided for subscribers (individuals or groups), providers, agents, the media and those just interested in staying healthy. Further resource related links are provided for each of these categories. Special features include online versions of newsletters/communications provide linking to allow for more in-depth information than is available within the original mailings.

Phoenix Healthcare *** This site is a good example of a provider sponsored management services organization providing their contracting hospitals and related physician organizations with information, purchasing and business services. Worth the time to visit a site that has gone the extra mile past just shared hospital services.

American Association of Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems **** The American Association of Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems (AAIHDS) site is intended to educate IPA, PHO and MSO executives, medical directors, physicians and other health system professionals in the development, support and refinement of IHDSs. The site provides research, monographs and information on publications and upcoming conferences. Additional links to associated organizations and other resources are also available.

The IPA Association of America **** The IPA Association of America (TIPAAA) web site provides a listing of resources, publications, manuals, surveys and statistics for physician organization leadership. A listing of TIPAAA annual and regional meetings and educational symposiums is also included. A link to the HCFA site for PSO information related to Medicare+ Choice requirements and regulations for implementation is provided. A unique web feature is the "Ask The Expert" service which allows anyone to submit on-line a question or problem.

National IPA Coalition **** The National IPA Coalition (NIPAC) web site is intended to present NIPAC's history and methods of serving the needs of physician organizations in managed care markets. The site provides an outline of available resources including publications, tools, education and training. Updates on advocacy initiatives and industry related news are also featured. This site provides an excellent source for links to other organizations and governmental agencies.

Integrated Healthcare Practice Society *** This site offers integration information and support for PHO, MSO, IDN and IPA interested parties including integration related literature, a discussion forum, and educational opportunities. Special services include a link to MGMA's ONLINE services.

American Association of Healthplans *** The American Association of Healthplans (AAHP) site provides information on how the AAHP can serve its members with a calendar of educational programs, related services and products, as well as excerpts from and an archive for the Healthplan periodical. In the "What's New" section, recent related initiatives and progress are listed including hyperlinks. The online research library provides selected biographies as well as AAHP reports and statistics.

Healthcare Financial Management Association **** The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) site provides both visitors and members with excellent services including an extensive on-line resource guide of financial oriented products and services. Excerpts from HFM magazine, a listing of upcoming seminars and conferences, and suggested publications and books are also available. Members can partake in chat rooms and several forums, i.e., managed care, CFO and compliance. The site is personalized by offering contacts for each local chapter to further support the site visitor.

American Cancer Society *** LOTS of information about cancer, as well as the society itself, is contained here. They offer a frames or no frames option - very nice! The site is laid out nicely and includes a journal for clinicians and MANY cancer-related links.

American College of Physicians *** The nation's largest medical specialty society. Very comprehensive information, mainly geared towards internists, with many features for members only. Features a Zebra Cards section and many articles.

American Gastroenterological Association ** Website to the oldest non-profit specialty medical society in the country. Good information on their society and gastroenterological health, in general (both for patients and physicians).

American Heart Association **** A source of information about healthy living, nutrition, and fitness. This site contains VOLUMES of useful information, especially the Stroke Guide A - Z section; includes a heading titled Healthcare Professional, also containing LOTS of items, including journals and links. An excellent site!

American Medical Association **** The American Medical Association (AMA) site contains a myriad of information, resources and links available to both visitors and members alike. In addition to listing upcoming events, products and services, details of pertinent issues affecting AMA members and healthcare providers in general are included, along with links to both clinical and general interest sites and resources. An on-line "Doctor Finder" includes virtually every licensed physician in the U.S., a search section provides easy access for searches, and "Members Only" forums are also available.

American Red Cross * This site contains information on the Red Cross, its programs, and how to get involved or donate. It also includes personal stories and a Virtual Museum that guides you through the history of this organization. Nice graphics.

Arthritis Foundation ** This features many pages about the foundation and arthritis itself. It includes juvenile arthritis, research, new information, and links to arthritis-related web sites. Of use to anyone with, or interested in knowing more about, arthritis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention *** Lots about the CDC, as well as many different diseases. A great section on Travelers' Health and many links to other resources. Well organized but not real pretty to look at.

ConcordeGen * A group of physicians, mainly from the NYU School of Medicine faculty, that have joined together to provide medical care. The goal of their web site is to provide information - about themselves, medicine, and disease. Not much to this site - a list of physicians and their specialty, a map, an e-mail form, and a few links.

Doctor's Council * A group of 3000 NY doctors of different specialties that represents its members in negotiations and grievances with employers. Easy to use site; however, the information is probably only useful to members, or potential members. Includes some links.

Doctors Without Borders ** Information about an agency that delivers medical relief to populations in danger due to war, civil strife, epidemics, or natural disasters. Lots about this non-profit agency, including how to donate and/or volunteer, a directory of diseases, and links to numerous sites designed to help non-profits. Easy-to-follow format.

Institute for Urban Family Health * Non-profit corporation dedicated to the development of primary care services and education in communities of high medical needs in New York City. General information is presented here. Useful to those interested in the program.

Michigan State Medical Society Home Page ** Provides leadership for physicians and advocacy for patients in Michigan. HUGE site with lots to see and do -- includes hundreds of links and Fun Stuff, which actually lives up to its name. The links are useful to just about anyone, but the meat and potatoes are mainly for medical professionals in Michigan.

The American Lung Association ** On-line resource for information on asthma and other lung diseases, tobacco control, and environmental health. Lots of articles in all of these areas - very easy to understand and follow. Nicely laid out.

United Hospital Fund of New York * A health service research and philanthropic organization addressing critical issues affecting hospitals and healthcare in New York City. Lots about this charitable organization - of use to anyone interested in their mission. Also, provides lists of hospitals (several with links) in and around New York City.

University Physicians Group * A for-profit corporation of physicians established to provide opportunities to residents within the Staten Island University Health System. Nice graphics, but just the basics here.

World Health Organization ** More information than anyone would probably ever need on this global organization. This site is organized well, considering the volumes contained within it, but can be very slow.

YAI Entrance *** A group dedicated to building brighter futures for people with disabilities of all ages and their families; serving New York City and the surrounding area. Beautiful graphics, succinct information, and a unique General Store with great gift ideas for anyone on your list!

Pennsylvania Medical Society *** This site has very good organization. It has features such as: physician's information center, Doctor's Internet, and much, much more. Exclusively for doctors.

California Medical Association *** This site includes features such as: breaking news, community doctor finder, personal health library of links, CMA now, Media kit, and practice information. A great site exclusively for doctors and other medical professionals.

American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers ** This site includes features such as: announcements, a library, employment opportunities, membership, discussion groups, and links to many places on the World Wide Web. This site is great for medical professionals, but it can be very informative for anyone interested.

Centers for Disease Control *** This site has information about the group and what it does, what's new, traveler's health, health information, products, data and statistics, training and employment, and funding. This site is very well-organized and colorful. It is wonderful for anyone seeking information on disease prevention.

Food and Drug Administration *** This site includes an overview, information on program areas, special interest areas, interacting with the center, and other sources of food information. It is good for anyone.

The Occupational Safety Health Administration ** This site includes information about assistant secretaries, information, what's new, media releases, publications, programs and OSHA services, and compliance assistance. Good for anyone.

American College of Physicians *** This site is great for doctors. It has information about internal medicine. On the inconvenient side, a lot of information on this site for college members only. However, the site has ways anyone can join. It also has information about the college, ACP chapters, and how to become a member.

American Diabetes Association *** This site is helpful to anyone who wants to know more about diabetes. It includes a calendar of events for every month of the year, an update on new and upcoming American Diabetes Association events, and low-fat recipes that prevent diabetes. You can also join the association and learn about it and what it does. Learn if you are at risk by taking the Are you at risk? quiz. Shop the bookstore, which has books on diabetes and other heath-related topics. Also, a place for heath professionals to go. Includes practice recommendations, journals, councils and forums, awards and grants, plus patient information.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases *** Most of this site is businesslike, but check the fact sheets out for info on many diseases, like AIDS and Lyme disease. There are also facts sheets on many other maladies and vaccine updates on diseases. This Website is good for patients as well as doctors.

The American Dental Association *** Updated daily, this is a full-service multimedia extravaganza covering all areas of American dentistry under four main headings: News, Practice and Professionals, Products and Service, and Consumer Information. These topics are packed with information and can be easily accessed by anyone interested. This is great for medical professionals as well as families interested in their dental health.

American Public Health Association **** APHA is one of the best health sources on the Internet. The group is committed to bringing people together in a multi-disciplinary environment, so this home page contains a huge array of information for everyone form the scientist to the activist. For those interested in getting more specific, links abound. APHA members can obtain access to a range of discussion groups as well as a fax-on demand-service.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society ** This site has information on what's new, ms information, local resources, how to get involved, about NMSS, and links. This site does not win for design, but the information presented is okay. There is not a lot of information on this site, however. It is very helpful for MS patients, families, and possibly doctors of many kinds.

American Lyme Disease Foundation This site provides a homeowner's guide which outlines how to prevent the disease. It also shows pictures of the rash caused by these ticks. It helps diagnose the disease, and includes a support link for sufferers. This is a good website for anyone, and there is a kids corner. This is worthwhile to visit. There is something for everyone.

Lupus Foundation of America *** This site is titled Living With Lupus. It includes the group's current information, a health forum, chapters, calendar, research library, causes, symptoms, testing, and treatment. This page also includes a list of frequently asked questions. Overall, a very worthwhile and informative site for patients and doctors.

National Incontinentia Pigmenti Foundation ** This site has everything anyone would want to know about the Incontinentia Pigmenti disease. It includes their mission, research goals, family support, education, a description of the disease, research, programs, centers of excellence and clinical care centers, and NPF support and membership. Very helpful for patients.

National Stroke Association This site contains information on volunteering, a stroke-risk-factors quiz and the regional resources available. It is very helpful for anyone who has experienced a stroke or has a loved one who has just had a stroke. It is even good for people who just want to know if they are at risk or not.

National Kidney Foundation of Indiana Home Page This page is to update you on the group's latest doings. It includes what's new, kidney computer campaign, resources/scholarships, a calendar of events, volunteer opportunities, other NKF affiliates, organ transplantation, and membership information. It is for patients as well as medical professionals.

American Liver Foundation *** With topics such as Your liver, a vital organ and living with liver disease, this site aims to educate. FAQs are all cross-referenced with topical material for in-depth help on everything form gallstones to transplants. Sufferers of hepatitis and other liver diseases can also obtain updates on treatment and research. This site is for patients as well as families and medical professionals.

NCSLnet: Intergovernmental Health Policy ** This site has features such as: IHPP, state health notes, state health policy research, Forumnet, publications, staff, and other good links. It is good for anyone interested.

National Cancer Institute Just the facts. The NCI provides everything form tables and graphs on cancer statistics like survival rates for various cancer sites and the relationship of cancer to the leading causes of death in the U.S., to the NIH's budget for cancer for the last fiscal year, to organizational charts and a directory of personnel.

American Association on Mental Retardation ** This sight has many links, information about the group, how to join, their mission statement, and a summary of their programs and services. This site is not much. It just basically has what this organization does. It can be of use to families whose members are mentally retarded, but medical professionals will not find this site useful.

The National Psoriasis Foundation *** This great page has information on press releases, N.F. online membership drive, general information about psoriasis, therapies, research, member networks, programs and events, services and publications, membership, mission statement, mission, history, state, feedback, and other pages. A very informative and worthwhile page.

The Global Health Network ** This site includes information on support, awards, Global Health Network initiative, Global Resources, today's health, related health networks, opportunities in public health, newsletters, feedback, and the University of Pittsburgh WWW. This site has cute graphics and is for really anyone.

National Coalition on Health Care *** The National Coalition on Health Care provides information and statistics focused on improving the nations health care system through research, communication and education. Special features include health care topics for business, children, senior citizens, and for public health.  Upcoming educational meetings and conferences, press releases, articles and outlines of speeches related to quality and access to healthcare are also available on-line.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation  **** Results of studies being conducted and funded by the Foundation. Additional work beyond the norm is required as most of the information must be sought using the sites search engine.  Special features include how to apply for a Foundation grant, news and health tracking is worth the visit.