{"id":14401,"date":"2026-01-31T01:01:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T01:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bamausa.org\/?page_id=14401"},"modified":"2026-02-03T23:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T23:46:41","slug":"about-us-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bamausa.org\/?page_id=14401","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

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History of Burmese American Medical Association<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n

Burma, also known as Myanmar,<\/strong> is a country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Laos, and China to the east, and by India and Bangladesh to the west.<\/p>\n

Beginning in the 1960s, physicians who had completed their medical education in Burma began migrating to the United States to pursue postgraduate training. At that time, opportunities for connection were limited, and these physicians met one another only sporadically at social gatherings. As their numbers grew, so too did the recognition of a shared need for a structured and enduring organization\u2014one that could facilitate regular interaction, preserve professional and personal connections, and provide a platform for the exchange of information, experiences, and mutual support as members navigated medical training, professional practice, and settlement within their respective communities.<\/p>\n

In 1982, Dr. Michael Ko Lay Maung, together with a group of colleagues, initiated the formation of the Burmese-American Physicians Association (BAPA)<\/strong> as an informal professional network among Burmese physicians in the United States. The association served as an important forum for connection, collaboration, and mutual support during a period when such professional linkages were limited.<\/p>\n

In 1988, under the leadership of then-President Dr. Desmond Chiang, BAPA was formally incorporated and registered with the State as a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. This official establishment provided a legal and organizational framework that strengthened the association\u2019s ability to convene members, coordinate activities, and promote the exchange of medical knowledge and professional experience among Burmese international medical graduates.<\/p>\n

A decade later, in 1998, Dr. Patrick Paik and Dr. Michael Wan led a pivotal transformation of the organization. Through amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, the association was renamed the Burmese American Medical Association of Southern California (BAMA)<\/strong>. Concurrently, its organizational structure was redefined as a nonprofit public benefit corporation under Section 501(c)(3), reflecting an expanded humanitarian and educational mission. This transition enabled BAMA to provide scholarships to students and to deliver medical supplies, equipment, and professional medical expertise through the volunteer efforts of its members to underserved Burmese communities.<\/p>\n

The following individuals have served as Presidents of BAMA, each contributing to the growth and continuity of the organization\u2019s mission and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1982<\/td>\nDr. Michael Ko Lay Maung M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1983<\/td>\n(Dr. Hoke N. Ho M.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1984<\/td>\nDr. Thomas Lee M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1985<\/td>\n(Dr. Harry Chew M.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1986<\/td>\n(Dr. Michael A. Sein M.D. )<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1987-1988<\/td>\nDr. Desmond B. Chiong M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1989<\/td>\nDr. Eugene Taw M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1990<\/td>\nDr. Eng Moy M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1991<\/td>\n(Dr. Thomas Hwee M.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1992<\/td>\nDr. Constant Chan M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1993<\/td>\nDr. Rosie Tan Yeo M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1994<\/td>\nDr. Calvin Tint M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1995<\/td>\nDr. Daisy Tint M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1996<\/td>\n(Dr. Gary Lim M.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1997<\/td>\nDr. Soe Myint M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1998<\/td>\n(Dr. Patrick Paik M.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1999<\/td>\nDr. Khin Maung Tint M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2000<\/td>\nDr. Phillip Kaw D.D.S.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2001<\/td>\nDr. Kevin Kyaw Win M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2002<\/td>\nDr. Eric Chwa M..D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2003<\/td>\nDr. Zaw Win Lwin M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2004-2005<\/td>\nDr. Anthony Lee M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2005-2007<\/td>\nDr. Thant Zin D.D.S.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008-2010<\/td>\n(Dr. Tin Ngwe M.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011-2012<\/td>\nDr. Leonard Liu M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012-2013<\/td>\nDr. May Kyi Nyein M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013-2014<\/td>\nDr. Su Su Hline M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014-2015<\/td>\nDr. Thein Oo M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2015-2016<\/td>\nDr. Khaing Myint M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016-2017<\/td>\nDr. Sandar Kyi M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017<\/td>\nDr. Ohnma Win M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/td>\nDr. Kyaw Moe M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nDr. Cho Lwin M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nDr. Wai Wai Soe M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nDr. Mya Myo Aye M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2022<\/td>\nDr. Htun Tin M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nDr. Edna Taikwel M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nDr. Than Saung Lin D.O.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2025<\/td>\nDr. Sanda Win M.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div> [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”14683″ img_size=”medium” css=”” title=”Burma (Myanmar)”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”14520,14646,14687″ onclick=”” css=”” title=”BAMA Logos”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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