Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Foundation

Background

In 1998 the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) was founded in the United States by Syrian-American medical professionals in Washington D.C. The group claimed it initially formed to provide networking opportunities and expertise between American physicians of Syrian descent. It later expanded its focus to providing medical and humanitarian services to communities in Syria following the Syrian Civil War in 2011. In addition to its office in Washington, D.C. the group has opened regional offices in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq. ^{3 4}

In 2007 the SAMS Foundation was founded to serve as the charitable arm for SAMS. It focuses on funding the delivery of medical services, medical training and financial support to healthcare professionals in Syria and neighboring countries, as well as the establishment of medical facilities in these areas. It also organizes medical missions to Syria and its neighboring countries. ⁵ It provides services to Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Greece, Iraq, Ukraine, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey. ⁶

Work Areas

Following the Syrian Civil War in 2011 and the resulting humanitarian crisis in the region then, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and the SAMS Foundation have sponsored medical facilities, paid Syrian medical personnel, provided medical supplies and equipment, and supported Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. ^{7 1} In addition, the group sponsors scholarships for Syrian medical students and established residency and fellowship programs in Syria. ⁴

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks against the State of Israel, SAMS has been involved in relief efforts within Gaza due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the region. It partnered with the Palestinian American Medical Association and American Near East Refugee Aid to provide emergency medical support as well as the United Palestinian Appeal to deliver food and clothing to communities in Gaza. As of 2024, the organization is working with the Palestinian American Medical Association and the Jordanian American Physicians Association on medical missions to Gaza to provide medical services, equipment, and training to local medical personnel. ² In addition, as of 2024 SAMS has provided medical services to displaced communities Lebanon following the expansion of Israeli military response to the region. ⁸

Advocacy

Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) works to provide medical services by regularly meeting with policymakers, conducting research, writing reports and policy papers, and organizing online campaigns and public awareness events. SAMS has previously joined with coalitions and partner organizations, to advocate for the end of the conflicts in Syria as well as protecting hospitals, medical personnel, and civilians as well as supporting Syrian refugees within the United States. ⁹

According to its annual report, in 2022 SAMS met with members of the U.S. Congress, the White House National Security Council, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. Department of State. ⁶

In October 2023, following the Hamas attacks against the State of Israel, SAMS co-signed a statement sponsored by Save the Children entitled “Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to Prevent a Humanitarian Catastrophe and Further Loss of Innocent Lives.” The statement called for the delivery of lifesaving assistance, the freeing of civilian hostages, the passage of humanitarian convoys in northern Gaza, and medical evacuation from Gaza when needed. Other co-signers included the Action Corps, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, Democracy for the Arab World Now, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Global Justice Center, Mercy Corps, Plan International, the Foundation for Middle East Peace, and the United States Council of Muslim Organizations. ¹⁰

In February 2024, SAMS co-signed a statement advocating for more than $10 billion in global humanitarian assistance in the 2024 U.S. government budget. Other co-signers included Bread for the World, the Catholic Relief Services, the Global Health Council, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Zakat Foundation of America. ¹¹

In February 2024, SAMS issued a joint statement with the Palestinian American Medical Society condemning Israeli attacks on medical facilities in Gaza, claiming the attacks violate United Nations conventions. The statement further called for “all parties and the international community to adhere to Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which calls to protect civilian hospitals.” ¹²

Advocacy Partners

Syrian American Medical Society is a founding member of the American Relief Coalition for Syria which is focused on the delivery of aid and advocacy for Syria. ¹³ It is on the steering committee of the #WithSyriaCoalition, which is facilitated by Crisis Action and provides advocacy and public awareness of the crisis in Syria. It is a founding member of the advocacy group Syria Relief Network, a member of the Safeguarding Healthcare Coalition, and a member of InterAction, which is an alliance of nongovernmental organizations in Washington, D.C. ¹⁴

Funding

In 2022, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Foundation reported a total revenue of $40,363,018, total expenses of $40,023,091, and assets of $18,794,340. ¹⁵ SAMS Foundation has received funding via grants from European and U.S.-based agencies as well as individual donations. ⁴

The SAMS independent auditors’ report showed 2023 revenues of $102,124,776 and expenses of $85,268,444. ¹⁶

The group has received donations from left-of-center groups including the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties; the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation; the Boston Foundation; the San Francisco Foundation; the Chicago Community Trust; the Network for Good; the National Philanthropic Trust; and the Schwab Charitable Fund. ¹⁷

In 2023, SAMS received federal grants of $13,952,403 from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State. ¹⁶

Leadership

David Lillie is the executive director of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Foundation, becoming the first to hold the position in 2017. He earned a master’s degree of public administration in public and non-profit management from New York University (NYU).  Starting at the U.S. Peace Corps in 1991, he has previously held leadership positions with the American Refugee Committee, USAID, and the International Organization for Migration. ¹⁸

Board members include Abdulfatah Elshaar, Ismaail Aajoukah, Jihad Alharash, and Basel Termanini. ¹⁹