Rouba Ali-Fehmi, M.D., professor of Pathology for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been elected president of the National Arab American Medical Association.

With its headquarters in Troy, Mich., the NAAMA is the largest international organization of Arab American physicians and medical students based in the United States.

Dr. Ali-Fehmi will serve as president through 2020.

"Connecting with the future will be the overarching theme that will guide me as I assume the helm of president of NAAMA," she said. "I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of remarkable leaders who laid a solid foundation. My goal is to position this organization to remain relevant and prosperous in the hands of our future NAAMA leaders."

She said she will focus on building up the organization's ranks by attracting "young and aspiring Arab American health care professionals who believe in the mission and vision." That includes establishing chapters that engage younger physicians and medical students to take up leadership roles and establishing NAAMA groups in academic institutions.

The National Arab American Medical Association is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, educational and humanitarian organization of medical professionals of Arab descent. NAAMA was established in 1975 and includes 27 chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

Dr. Ali-Fehmi also served as president of the Michigan Society of Pathologists from 2013 to 2015.