Syrian American Medical Society

The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) is a nonpolitical, nonprofit, professional and medical relief organization that represents hundreds of Syrian American medical professionals across the United States. SAMS is working on the front lines of crisis relief in Syria and neighboring countries to alleviate suffering and save lives. SAMS was founded in 1998 as a professional society, working to provide physicians of Syrian descent with networking, educational, cultural, and professional services. SAMS facilitates opportunities for its members to stay connected to Syria through medical missions, conferences, and charitable activities.

When the conflict in Syria began in 2011, SAMS expanded its capacity significantly to meet the growing needs and challenges of the medical crisis. SAMS has since supported healthcare throughout Syria, sponsoring field hospitals and ambulances, training and paying the salaries of Syrian medical personnel who are risking their lives to save others, and sending lifesaving humanitarian aid and medical equipment to where it is needed most. SAMS also supports Syrian refugees in neighboring countries with critical psychosocial support, medical and dental care, and art therapy programs. SAMS currently has offices in Washington DC, Ohio, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria. SAMS has over 500 grassroots members in the United States, who help lead 19 chapters nationwide. SAMS is governed by an elected Board of Directors, and its work is overseen by several volunteer committees and dedicated staff.