LMSA National Scholarships

LMSA National Scholarships is sponsored by Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). The LMSA awards scholarships to current and future medical school students who have demonstrated outstanding work in LGBTQ+ health, particularly work that serves Hispanic/Latino patients in the U. S.

LMSA National Scholarships – The Latino Medical Student Association LMSA National Scholarships Welcome to the LMSA National Scholarships Page! Thank you for your interest in LMSA National scholarships. We are honored to support the next generation of Latino/a/e physicians, advocates, and leaders as they pursue their medical education and continue serving their communities.

Throughout the academic year, LMSA National offers scholarship opportunities during three application cycles: Fall, Winter, and Spring . Each cycle features a variety of awards designed to recognize students’ academic achievement, leadership, service, advocacy, and commitment to advancing health equity. You can explore the scholarships available in each cycle using the dropdown menus below.

We understand that the financial burden of medical education can be significant, and we hope these scholarships help alleviate some of that stress while celebrating the incredible work LMSA members are doing across the country. If you are an organization, institution, or individual interested in partnering with LMSA National to establish or support a scholarship opportunity, we would love to connect with you.

Please contact us at scholarship@lmsa. net . On behalf of LMSA National, thank you for your dedication to our communities and for allowing us to be part of your journey.

LMSA National Scholarship Chair, 2026–2027 use this form for all scholarships Fall Scholarships (Open: June 23—August 2 at 11:59 PM ET) LMSA National Distinguished Scholar Award LMSA National Distinguished Scholar Award The LMSA National Scholarship was established in 2009 to help alleviate the financial burdens associated with pursuing a medical education.

Medical students face significant expenses throughout their training, including tuition, housing, educational materials, standardized examinations, travel, and residency application costs. Through this scholarship, LMSA National reaffirms its commitment to supporting the next generation of physician leaders dedicated to advancing health equity and serving underserved communities.

Applications will be evaluated holistically, with consideration given to financial need, academic achievement, leadership, service, personal qualities, and contributions to the mission of LMSA. This year, LMSA National will award five (5) scholarships of $1,000 each to medical students who exemplify the values, leadership, and commitment to service that LMSA seeks to cultivate. Be a current LMSA National member in good standing.

Be currently enrolled in, or accepted for matriculation into, an accredited allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical degree program. Demonstrate a commitment to advancing healthcare, education, and advocacy for Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities through leadership, service, research, extracurricular involvement, and/or civic engagement.

Students are eligible to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, or immigration status. DACA and undocumented students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Application Materials Proof of enrollment in an accredited U.S. medical school Completed application form Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) JP Sanchez LGBTQ+ Health and Leadership Award JP Sanchez LGBTQ+ Health and Leadership Award If you are not applying for the JP Sanchez LGBTQ+ Health and Leadership Award, please proceed to the next section.

The JP Sanchez LGBTQ+ Health and Leadership Award recognizes a medical student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals within Latina/o/x, Hispanic, Spanish-origin, and related communities (LHS+) in the United States. Applicants must submit an essay describing their contributions to LGBTQ+ and LHS+ health.

Contributions may include, but are not limited to, advocacy, community engagement, leadership, education, research, scholarship, or other efforts that promote health equity and improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ and LHS+ populations. This year, LMSA will award one (1) scholarship of $1,000 to a medical student whose work exemplifies the mission and values of the organization. Be a current LMSA National member in good standing.

Be committed to pursuing a medical degree and serving Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and LGBTQ+ communities. Demonstrate a commitment to advancing healthcare, education, and advocacy for LHS+ and LGBTQ+ populations through leadership, service, research, extracurricular activities, and/or civic engagement. Be currently enrolled in, or accepted for matriculation into, an accredited allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical degree program.

Students are eligible to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, or immigration status. DACA and undocumented students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Application Materials - Completed application form - Personal statement (maximum 500 words) - Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) - Proof of enrollment in an accredited U.S. medical school - Optional letter of recommendation from a faculty, advisor, or mentor National Conference Travel Scholarship National Conference Travel Scholarship The NC2026 Travel Scholarship provides a $500 award to help offset expenses associated with attending the 2026 LMSA National Conference, including travel, lodging, registration, and related costs.

This scholarship aims to increase conference accessibility by supporting LMSA members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to leadership, community service, and advancing health equity. ⚠️ Important Disbursal Requirement: Recipients must attend the conference in person to receive funding. Scholarship disbursements will be processed on-site during the conference via check or electronic bank payment.

- Be a current LMSA National or LMSA Plus Member in good standing. - Be currently enrolled in, or accepted for matriculation into, an accredited allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical degree program; or planning to apply to medical school.

- Demonstrate a commitment to advancing healthcare, education, and advocacy for Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities through leadership, service, research, extracurricular involvement, and/or civic engagement. - Students are eligible to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, or immigration status. DACA and undocumented students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Application Materials - Completed application form - Completed short response questions (2) - Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) - Proof of enrollment or medical school acceptance letter Winter Scholarships (Now Closed) LMSA National – Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Scholarship https://form. jotform.

com/252777092572163 The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (MAPMG) is the nation’s leading physician-led medical group in the Mid-Atlantic region, representing more than 1,800 physicians across over 65 specialties. With Kaiser Permanente as our health care system, MAPMG physicians provide coordinated, team-based care with a strong emphasis on prevention, innovation, and long-term patient health.

MAPMG also supports education, research, and best practices to continuously improve health outcomes. The LMSA National – Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Scholarship was established to recognize medical students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, advocacy, and a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities across the United States.

Through this partnership with Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, LMSA aims to support future physicians—particularly those pursuing careers in primary care—who exemplify service, compassion, and cultural humility in their journey to advance health equity. Two recipients will each be awarded $1,250 to support their continued medical education and professional development.

To be considered for the LMSA National – Mid- Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Scholarship, applicants must be: ● Full-time medical students (MD or DO) currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school. ● In good academic standing, verified by a letter from your medical school.

● Committed to serving Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities in the United States, demonstrated through leadership roles, volunteer work, and/or active involvement in civic or community-based organizations. ● Interested in pursuing a career in primary care. ● Preference given to applicants from the Mid-Atlantic Region Applicants must submit the following materials: 2.

Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 3. Personal Statement (double-spaced, two-page maximum) — Choose one of the following prompts: ○ What inspired you to pursue medicine? ○ How has your background shaped your goals as a future physician?

○ How do you hope to address health disparities in your career? 4. One Letter of Recommendation — May be written by a professor, physician, mentor, community leader, or supervisor who can speak to your leadership, character, and commitment to serving underserved communities.

5. Letter of Good Standing from your medical school Applications are due by December 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Winners will be notified by the second week of January 2026.

LMSA Step/COMLEX Scholarship https://www. jotform. com/build/252776920343158 The LMSA Step/COMLEX Scholarship was created to alleviate the financial burden faced by medical students registering major board examinations, including USMLE Step 1, Step 2, COMLEX Level 1, and COMLEX Level 2 .

These exams represent key milestones in medical education and often require significant personal and financial investment. Through this award, LMSA seeks to support second- and third-year medical students who demonstrate resilience, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to serving Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities.

Each recipient will receive $750 to assist with expenses related to registration fees and study materials. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must be: Current second- or third-year medical students (MD or DO) enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. medical school. Registered or planning to register to take USMLE Step 1, Step 2, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2 between December 2025 and December 2026 .

In good academic standing , verified by a letter from your medical school . Committed to serving Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities through leadership, advocacy, or community service. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume Personal Statement (max one page, double-spaced) — Describe how this scholarship will help you and how your journey in medicine reflects your commitment to serving underserved communities.

Letter of Good Standing from your medical school Applications are due by December 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Winners will be notified by the second week of January 2026. LMSA Research & Community Impact Grants https://form.

jotform. com/252777018007154 The LMSA Research & Community Impact Grants support medical students leading initiatives that advance health equity and serve Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities. Each award provides $500 in funding to help students complete a research project or launch a community impact initiative at their institution.

These grants are designed to empower student leaders to turn their ideas into action—whether through clinical research, public health outreach, educational workshops, or other projects addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Preference will be given to LMSA chapter leaders who plan to organize a community impact event through their local chapter.

To be considered for the LMSA Research & Community Impact Grants, applicants must be: Full-time medical students (MD or DO) enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school. In good academic standing , verified by a letter from your medical school . Committed to advancing health equity through a proposed research or community impact project.

Preference will be given to LMSA chapter leaders proposing projects that engage their local communities or chapter members. Project Proposal Statement (max two pages, double-spaced) — Describe how you plan to use the funds, the goals and significance of your project, and the expected outcomes or impact.

Letter of Good Standing from your medical school Optional Letter of Recommendation from a chapter advisor, research mentor, faculty member, or community partner . Applications are due by December 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Winners will be notified by the second week of January 2026.

Spring Scholarships (Now Open – Closes March 31, 2026) LMSA National Scholarship – Letter to Your Future Self The LMSA National Scholarship – Letter to Your Future Self recognizes medical students who demonstrate leadership, resilience, and a sustained commitment to advancing health equity.

For the Spring 2026 Cycle, LMSA will award five (5) scholarships of $1,000 each to outstanding applicants who embody service, vision, and long-term commitment to strengthening the health of Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities. This scholarship invites applicants to reflect on their personal and professional journeys and articulate a 15–20 year vision for their impact in medicine.

Through this award, LMSA seeks to support future physician leaders who will shape a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system. To be considered for the LMSA National Scholarship, applicants must be: Current LMSA members with paid national membership. Note: proof of membership will be verified if selected.

Medical students currently enrolled in a DO- or MD-degree granting program (or accepted into such a program for entry in Fall 2026). Committed to advancing the state of healthcare and education in Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities, as shown through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.

Note: Qualified applicants are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of ethnic background or immigration status. Applicants must submit the following information: Updated Resumé/CV (1 page max.) As a medical student and member of LMSA, you are on a path toward becoming a physician leader who will shape the future of healthcare in your community.

Write a letter to your future self (15–20 years from now).

Your letter may address: Who you are at this stage of your medical journey and the values that guide you The long-term goals you hope to achieve in medicine The challenges you anticipate over the course of your career and how you plan to remain resilient How you intend to advance healthcare equity and support Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities The legacy you hope to leave within medicine and within LMSA Your letter should demonstrate reflection, maturity, and a forward-looking vision grounded in service, leadership, and sustained impact.

Responses exceeding 500 words will not be considered. Timeline: Applications are due March 31st, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Winners will be notified by April 30th, 2026.

Application: https://form. jotform. com/lmsanational/2026-spring-scholarships Questions and other inquiries should be sent to scholarship@lmsa.

net. We look forward to reading your application! Suerte y adelante!

LMSA & Canopy Innovations Medical Spanish Course Scholarship The LMSA & Canopy Innovations Medical Spanish Course Scholarship supports medical students committed to advancing linguistic competence in healthcare and improving care for patients who speak languages other than English.

Thanks to LMSA’s partnership with Canopy Innovations, Inc., this scholarship award provides 30 one-year subscriptions to the Canopy Medical Spanish course (a $595 value) to LMSA members. This course is an innovative platform designed to strengthen clinical communication skills and enhance patient-centered care.

This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, systems-level thinking, and a commitment to reducing language barriers in medicine. To be considered for the LMSA & Canopy Innovations Medical Spanish Course Scholarship, applicants must be: Current LMSA members with paid national membership. Note: proof of membership will be verified if selected.

Medical students currently enrolled in a DO- or MD-degree granting program (or accepted into such a program for entry in Fall 2026). Committed to advancing the state of healthcare and education in Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities, as shown through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.

Note: Qualified applicants are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of ethnic background or immigration status. Applicants must submit the following information: Updated Resumé or CV (1 page max.) You are on a special mission: to make healthcare more linguistically competent.

A hospital partner has expressed interest in working with your medical school to build a strong pipeline of bilingual graduates. Because of your vocal advocacy for Medical Spanish training, the Dean has appointed you to lead this initiative and pitch the hospital’s senior leadership for funding consideration. What project would you propose?

What would success look like if the project achieves its goals? Who would you invite from the hospital side to the table and why? Choose an actual hospital that you want to pitch to and create a one-page executive summary to win their support.

Timeline: Applications are due March 31st, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Winners will be notified by April 30th, 2026. Application: https://form.

jotform. com/lmsanational/2026-spring-scholarships Questions and other inquiries should be sent to scholarship@lmsa. net.

We look forward to reading your application! Suerte y adelante! Partner Organization Scholarships (Dates may vary) NHMA La Próxima Generación Scholarship (Now Open – Closes March 13, 2026) The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 NHMA La Próxima Generación Scholarship, a national opportunity supporting students committed to advancing health equity and serving Latino communities.

Selected scholars will receive financial support to attend the 2026 NHMA Annual Conference, taking place May 27–29, 2026, in Leesburg, Virginia. The conference provides scholars with exposure to national Latino physician leaders, policy discussions, and professional development programming. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a: Public health program (in the United States) Scholarship Information: https://bit.

ly/NHMANextGen Application Link: https://bit. ly/NHMANextGenApp This scholarship aligns closely with LMSA’s mission to support and develop future Latino healthcare leaders committed to improving health outcomes in our communities. Students with demonstrated interest in health equity, leadership, and service are encouraged to apply.

LMSA National Scholarship Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – East Lansing Hola LMSA Familia! My husband and I are originally from Bakersfield, California, and the plan is to go back to the West Coast for residency with our 4 children. I am passionate about patient education, advocacy, and equitable access in healthcare.

Being a parent in medicine has been the most rewarding and challenging experience of my life, but being a non-traditional student allows me to better serve our communities. I absolutely love my Mexican heritage, and I proudly use my bilingual skills to accommodate Spanish speaking patients. Together we are stronger, and staying motivated requires community, healthy relationships, and mentorship.

Si se puede! Penn State College of Medicine Dahlia Chacon, M. S.

, is a medical student at Penn State College of Medicine (Class of 2028) and served as 2025 President of the Penn State LMSA chapter. She is also a Community Outreach Lead with the student-run mobile clinic, SCOPE, and a Rural Health Scholar focused on expanding access to care for Latino, underserved, and rural communities.

Her academic interests include maternal–fetal health, end-of-life care, and culturally tailored community-based interventions. She earned a master’s degree in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Duke University.

This award supports Dahlia as she enters her clinical clerkships, allowing her to continue advancing health equity, leadership, and patient-centered care through advocacy, service, and scholarship within Latino communities. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Erika was raised in South San Diego near the U.S.-Mexico border.

As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, she witnessed the health disparities in her predominantly Latinx community and reflected on the challenges that her family and community experienced, including frequently crossing into Tijuana, Mexico to obtain more affordable and accessible care.

As a second year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and part of the PRIME Leadership and Advocacy (PRIME-LA) program (Class of 2029), she hopes to give back to her community as a future primary care physician. She is incredibly fortunate to be awarded this scholarship and is immensely grateful to LMSA National, as it will alleviate the financial stressors that come with paying for standardized tests.

Yanellis Bonano Savary, M. S. , is a second-year medical student committed to weaponizing mentorship as a pathway to health equity.

Having faced significant social, structural, and financial barriers throughout her journey to medicine, she understands the power of guidance and representation. She has dedicated herself to mentoring students through pipeline programs, including elementary to undergraduates, from underrepresented backgrounds, and fostering inclusive spaces within higher education and healthcare fields.

She believes mentorship should not only entail guidance, but also advocacy towards creating access, building confidence, and helping others see themselves in spaces where they have historically been excluded. She is grateful for the many opportunities granted by LMSA, including this scholarship, which have supported her continued commitment to uplifting future health professionals and strengthening underserved communities.

LMSA Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Scholarship The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (MAPMG) is the nation’s leading physician-led medical group in the Mid-Atlantic region, representing more than 1,800 physicians across over 65 specialties. With Kaiser Permanente as our health care system, MAPMG physicians provide coordinated, team-based care with a strong emphasis on prevention, innovation, and long-term patient health.

MAPMG also supports education, research, and best practices to continuously improve health outcomes. University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Kathryn Cama is a third-year medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She holds an MPH degree and is passionate about advancing health equity for Latino/a/x and underserved communities through culturally humble care, advocacy, and mentorship. In medical school, Kathryn has pursued leadership roles aimed at strengthening communication and trust in clinical settings, including her work as the ASA Medical Student Component’s Diversity & Inclusion Liaison.

This scholarship supports her continued commitment to service, leadership development, and building more equitable healthcare systems for marginalized populations. University of Kansas School of Medicine My name is Josaih Galdean, I am a second year at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

For me, this award represents my past growth facilitated by organizations advocating for underrepresented groups, namely the Kansas Hispanic Education and Development Foundation and the Henderson Scholars Program. These organizations have invested in me at various stages of my education.

This award from Latino Medical Student Association and the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group supports a continuation of this growth and learning through medical school and beyond. I will continuously apply this growth and knowledge to serving through leadership, advocacy, and improving the health outcomes for underserved communities.

“With great opportunity comes great responsibility; therefore, learning is an act of service” – Miles Kelly, HSP. UVM Robert Larner College of Medicine Jasmine (Jas) Macias is a fourth-year medical student at the UVM Robert Larner College of Medicine and a proud first-generation Ecuadorian-American.

Born and raised in Washington Heights in NYC, she witnessed firsthand the barriers her family and Latinx community faced due to lack of insurance, limited language access, and structural inequities in healthcare. This upbringing inspired her path to medicine.

Before medical school, she served as a NYC District Manager for the COVID-19 relief program, where she opened and ran vaccine and testing sites across New York City and New Jersey in underserved communities. In medical school, Jasmine has centered her work on immigrant and Latinx health equity through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

As the National Migrant Health Task Force Leader for LMSA, she launched the first national migrant health advocacy & leadership series, reaching more than 160 students nationwide, and created toolkits and resources shared with 150+ LMSA chapters that strengthened migrant health initiatives across the country.

Jasmine was honored as a finalist for the 2025 National Health Literacy Champion Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and commitment to this work. She aspires to continue building a career at the intersection of medicine, policy, and social justice.

Duke University School of Medicine UC Riverside School of Medicine Kriseira (they/she/elle/ella) is a second-year medical student at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. Their lived experience as a child of Mexican immigrants and first-generation college graduate from Los Angeles ignited their interest in pursuing an MPH in Urban Community Health prior to medical school.

After completing a healthy policy fellowship and placing third in the Partners for Better Health Reimagine Southern California: Building a Sustainable, Equitable, and Smart Future Policy and Innovation Challenge, they were inspired to pursue a career in policy and advocacy in addition to medical practice.

After medical school, they hope to work with their patients to advocate for positive changes in health policy, built environment, and beyond. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Clarence Perez-Mejia is a first-year medical student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Boston University with distinction by graduating from the additional Kilachand Honors College, the native New Yorker from Washington Heights came full circle by returning to his neighborhood to pursue his medical degree.

Having a first-generation low-income background and coming from a family of farmers and textile specialists who did not complete middle school and immigrated from Ecuador, Clarence aspires to incorporate his identity into the field of medicine to advocate for marginalized patient populations, underserved communities, and Latinx patients.

He understands that various social determinants impact healthcare access and wellbeing, and hopes to extend his care upstream to meet patients where they are. As part of the Daniel Noyes Brown Primary Care Scholars Program and the student-run clinic CHHMP at VP&S, he hopes to continue growing into a physician capable of providing the structurally and culturally competent care patients deserve.

Christian Fernando Guerrero-Juarez is a rising fourth-year medical student in the Physician-Innovator Training Program at Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is humbled to have been selected as a LMSA National Pioneering Scholar. Christian was born and raised in Morelia, Michoacán, México.

He emigrated to Southern California in his teen years. He received dual B. S.

/B. A. degrees in Biology/Biochemistry from California State University, San Bernardino, and completed dual M.

S. /Ph. D.

degrees in Biological Sciences at University of California, Irvine. He currently serves as Research and Grants Director of Avicenna Community Health Center and is the Founder and Director of the Dermatology and Wound Care Community Clinic – a clinic in Urbana, IL, that provides 100% free culturally-competent dermatology and wound care services for under- and uninsured patients in Champaign County, IL and surrounding areas.

He is an aspiring complex medical dermatologist and principal investigator – committed to a career in academic dermatology. Claudia Guerrero-Diaz is a rising 4th-year medical student at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, expected to graduate in May 2026. Originally from Venezuela, she moved to the United States nearly a decade ago and has since pursued her passion for global health and health equity.

Claudia has played a key role in organizing and leading medical missions to the Dominican Republic, delivering essential care to underserved communities. She also holds leadership positions on the Northeast executive boards of the Latino Medical Student Association, where she is dedicated to empowering the next generation of health professionals and promoting diversity in medicine.

As a future primary care physician, Claudia is committed to bridging healthcare disparities and expanding access to quality care for underserved populations. My name is Diego Zamata-Ovalle , and I immigrated from Peru to the United States when I was 15 years old. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Mathematics from CUNY Lehman College, where my passion for medicine and research flourished.

My journey toward surgery has been shaped by a diverse range of experiences—I have worked as a certified nursing assistant, welder, researcher, medical scribe, crisis counselor, and tutor, and most recently, I combined my love for culture and cuisine by opening a Mexican-Peruvian restaurant. This year, I will graduate from medical school and start my general surgery residency at the Montefiore Health System on July 1st.

I am deeply committed to surgery, mentorship, and increasing the representation of underrepresented minorities (URiM) in medicine and surgery. Contributing to my community has always been a core value, and I intend to maintain that throughout my career. I plan to pursue a fellowship in minimally invasive and robotic surgery or colorectal surgery in the future.

Outside of the hospital, I enjoy exploring new cuisines, weightlifting, and writing poetry. I am Marfred Munoz Umanes , a fourth-year medical student at California University of Science and Medicine. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and at age 16, though interested in medicine, I enrolled in my first undergraduate degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering after receiving a scholarship from Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico.

Upon graduation, I volunteered with the NGO TECHO, building emergency houses for people living in extreme poverty in Mexico. Thereafter, I worked as an engineer in Germany with a brief foray into Economics during a master’s degree program at the Université Paris Sud XI in France. My passion for medicine led me to Columbia University for a second undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Behavior.

In New York, I educated the Latin American community on preventative healthcare. As a medical student, I continue working with underserved populations, volunteering with the NGO Refugee Health Alliance, where I help provide medical care to refugees across the U.S.-Mexico border.

I also became an Nth Dimensions scholar, and the organization not only gave me exposure to the exciting realm of Orthopaedic Surgery but also unveiled the remarkable need for diversity within the field itself.

I am eager to incorporate the skills, ideas, and perspectives from my engineering background into my Orthopaedics practice and contribute to musculoskeletal treatment advancements while increasing the Latin American representation in the field. One of my life goals is to create an NGO for mission trips to address the musculoskeletal needs of underserved populations in rural America and Latin America.

I am thankful for the LMSA West Region and look forward to working together and all the opportunities that lie ahead. Anamaria Ancheta is a second-year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego in 2021 and is passionate about increasing educational and mentorship opportunities for other Latinas through her involvement as a college mentor for MANA de San Diego.

As the daughter of two farmer workers turned military veterans, she is dedicated to increasing access to healthcare services to those in rural and underserved communities as a future physician both inside and out of the clinic. She has done this through advocating for the improvement of healthcare legislation as a member of the LMSA National Policy Committee and medical student representative to the Doña Ana County Medical Society.

Lia Sanchez-Ramirez was born in Sancti-Spiritus, Cuba and emigrated to the United States when she was three years old. She graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Molecular & Cellular Biology from Johns Hopkins University in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Her Master’s thesis details a newly discovered food-color based colorimetric assay for Cryptococcus neoformans laccase activity that was since published as a first-author publication in the American Society for Microbiology’s Microbiology Spectrum Journal. As a bilingual patient advocate for Johns Hopkins Community Connection, she addressed social determinants of health for disadvantaged patients in Baltimore City.

She is currently a first-year medical student at Duke University School of Medicine, where she is a medical student volunteer at the Holton free clinic, addressing unmet medical needs in the Durham community and participating in preventative medicine research. Lia is also Co-Recruitment Chair for the LMSA chapter, Co-Secretary for the Advanced Pathology Interest Group, and part of the medical Spanish program. She is passionate