TTUHSC Hosts National Latino Medical Students Association Conference

• By Suzanna Cisneros & Amy Skousen
• April 5, 2019

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Office of the President and School of Medicine hosted the 14th Annual Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National Conference and 7th Annual Southwest Regional Conference March 22-23. 

The conference brought together more than 300 future health care professionals and practicing providers from throughout the nation. This included high school students, premedical students, medical students, graduating physicians, residents, practicing physicians and other health professionals interested in service, mentorship and education to advocate for the health of the Latino community. 

The conference included a series of workshops on the health care needs of the Latino community, student leadership training, clinical skills, medical school and residency application panels, networking, recruiting and health care policy. 

Last year the TTUHSC School of Medicine ranked eighth in the nation when compared to other medical schools as one of the top 100 producers of minority health sciences degrees in the nation. 

“Our School of Medicine supports medical students who reflect the diversity of intellectual perspectives and cultures represented in today’s society,” said Steven L. Berk, M.D., TTUHSC executive vice president, provost and School of Medicine dean. “Students from diverse backgrounds richly contribute to TTUHSC’s excellence, and we are privileged to welcome Latino students from across the country for this conference.”

“Hosting the national conference is a huge opportunity for us to highlight what our School of Medicine has to offer,” said Merida Morales, LMSA officer. "Having mentors with cultural insights and experience is powerful for Latino students.

On March 22, the conference hosted high school students who completed professional workshops and learned clinical skills in the F. Marie Hall SimLife Center. On March 23 more than 200 undergraduate students, medical students, graduating physicians, residents, practicing physicians and other health professionals participated in skills workshops including sutures, ultrasound, orthopaedic and other clinical skills presentations. 

For more information about the conference, visit https://lmsa.site-ym.com/page/AnnualConference.