Editor's note: Daniela Cortés Reyes is the president of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). Armando De Alba, MD, assistant dean of DEI student programs and faculty advisor of the LMSA Nebraska chapter, describes the group as "a national student organization that aims to gather and empower current and future physicians through service, mentorship and education to advocate for the health of the Hispanic & Latinx population." The LMSA Nebraska chapter has been housed in UNMC College of Medicine since 2018.
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) kicked off its meeting on Feb. 18 with a discussion titled “Latino Excellence: UNMC LMSA Resident Panel.”
Residents on the panel included:
- Rachel Lamarche, MD, medicine-pediatrics;
- Gerson Manriquez Martinez, MD, obstetrics and gynecology;
- Alfredo Siller, MD, dermatology;
- Alba Duvall, MD; and
- Eduardo Gonzalez Fernandez, MD, family medicine.
The Nebraska chapter of LMSA aims to empower health students of all backgrounds with the skills necessary to provide culturally competent care for Latino patients. This includes equipping Latino and non-Latino students with resources and knowledge to better understand the complex health and social issues of Latinos, in turn making better practitioners.
Immersive Spanish course to be discussed at national conference
Shirley Delair, MD, associate dean of the COM Office of DEI, and colleagues at the COM and University of Anahuac, will be presenting “U.S.-Based Virtual Individualized Immersive Spanish Language Course for Medical Students: An Innovative COVID-19 Pandemic Precipitated Approach” at the National Hispanic Medical Association 25th Annual Conference: Addressing Social Determinants and Well-Being on March 26.
During the Feb. 18 panel, residents shared their unique and personal journeys into medicine. When asked what made him fall in love with his field, Dr. Manriquez Martinez said that while OB-GYN was not the field that he predicted he’d join when he entered medical school, he lives his greatest dream every day as an OB resident at UNMC.
Residents similarly discussed the roadblocks they faced on their path to becoming doctors. As each house officer recounted their personal hardships and triumphs, fellow residents nodded in understanding. A doctor in training spoke on the battle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome and the techniques which aid in overcoming it.
Residents urged students to reach out to them for mentorship. Dr. Alfredo Siller recalled experiences where his Latino patients were visibly grateful that he spoke their language. “We need Latino doctors in any and all specialties,” Dr. Siller said.
At the conclusion of the meeting, students expressed their gratitude to the presenters. One third-year medical student shared with the group that while she does not identify as Latina, she was appreciative that she was able to listen to these residents’ conversation. “It’s really important for me to hear these conversations so that I may be a better ally,” she said.
A Latina second-year medical student said: “It was so great to be able to listen to individuals who are farther ahead in their medical training discuss the unique obstacles that underrepresented individuals have when working towards a career in medicine. It was encouraging to be reminded that I am not alone in this journey, and I am so glad connect with people I know I can reach out to if I ever need guidance or support.”
LMSA Nebraska plans to continue these talks partnering with faculty members of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), Nebraska Chapter, where Latinx doctors from diverse UNMC departments will share their expertise and exchange experiences with the students. “Having groups in UNMC like LMSA and NHMA are vital to our institution not only to unify trainees, faculty and staff but also to have groups where challenges and solutions culturally tailored to minority populations can be discussed,” Dr. De Alba said.
UNMC LMSA welcomes any individual to join the chapter, at any level of training or from any discipline. For more information regarding the group, please contact the group’s president, Daniela Cortés Reyes via email.