The Vietnamese American Medical Association (VAMA) was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization for physicians of Vietnamese heritage who live and practice in the United States. From 1987 to 2005, the VAMA has grown and matured rapidly. The VAMA serves as a centralized forum for Vietnamese health care professionals, including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals, who live and practice in the United States. The VAMA establishes a venue for members to participate in continuing education programs related to public and private health care issues, diagnoses and treatments of diseases, and community outreach programs.