February 13, 2024
By Tasha Garayo, Coral Caceres and Ana Maria Barrero Barrera (all MD program class of 2026)
Drexel University College of Medicine’s Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) chapter takes great pride in the dedicated efforts we took in 2023 to advance the mission of LMSA within our academic sphere and the surrounding Latino community. We wish to highlight a few initiatives that encapsulate our dedication.
One of our most significant accomplishments lies in our commitment to our community. We hosted our second annual LMSA Community Health Fair at Centro Hispano, offering essential health screenings in Reading, Pa. Crucially, we provided care to over 200 community members, allowing our students to practice hands-on skills, communicate in Spanish and connect with the community that includes our future patients. Additionally, our school-wide empanada sale raised close to $800 for Centro Hispano. We take immense pride in our growing relationship with this organization and believe we have set up DUCOM LMSA with a strong community partner.
In alignment with providing academic and social support activities, we organized the Latin American Physician Lecture, designed to showcase ongoing initiatives by leading physicians in Latin America. The panel discussion, conducted entirely in Spanish, provided a unique space for dialogue about health concerns affecting our family members across Latin America. We also organized a mentorship workshop aimed at supporting our members in navigating the complexities of establishing meaningful mentorship connections, which are essential for personal and professional growth within the medical field.
In addition, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with many events that honored the vibrant histories and legacies of Hispanic communities, and also promoted unity and solidarity among people of different ethnicities. Our Latinx Physician Panel brought together a diverse group of accomplished Latino physicians who shed light on the influence their heritage has had on their medical practice. A significant portion of this panel was dedicated to offering medical practical advice for success, particularly in spaces where Latino medical students are underrepresented. This programming allowed us to make great strides toward bridging cultural gaps and empowering the current and future generations of Latino medical students to thrive as health care professionals.
Lastly, we want to emphasize our chapter’s contributions to the College of Medicine’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). During Diversity Week 2023, LMSA leaders orchestrated education, service and social initiatives to celebrate diverse identities and teach key information to provide culturally competent care. In addition, our co-president led a panel on Accepted Students’ Day, uniting leaders from various ODEI student groups, including LMSA, to highlight the support ODEI provides for all students, especially those from communities historically underrepresented in medicine. Our co-president's acknowledgment at the University’s Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Committee Panel and receipt of the university-wide Social Change Award for Equity underscored the impact of LMSA's work across our campus.
Drexel University College of Medicine LMSA organized numerous events throughout the year, which highlights our unwavering commitment to enhancing the education and support of our members and the health of our community. Notably, our efforts were acknowledged by the LMSA Northeast Board, resulting in our chapter being honored with the Joseph Lopez Travel Scholarship of $1,000. This generous scholarship facilitates our attendees' cost-free travel to the LMSA Northeast 2024 Conference. We are excited to transition our leadership to the incoming E-Board, confident that they will propel LMSA toward an even more exceptional year ahead.