TTUHSC Hosts National Latino Medical Student Association Conference

Todos tenemos valor: Building solidarity through health care

• By Suzanna Cisneros
• March 11, 2019

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Office of the President and School of Medicine will host the 14th Annual Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National Conference and 7th Annual Southwest Regional Conference March 22-23 at the TTUHSC Academic Classroom Building, 3601 Fourth St.

This year’s conference theme is, "Todos tenemos valor: Building solidarity through health care.” LMSA is an organization founded to represent, support, educate and unify U.S. Latino medical students.

The purpose of the conference is to bring together 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 will include 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. 

The TTUHSC School of Medicine recently 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.”

This year’s TTUHSC LMSA officers are Andrés Guerrero-Criado — president, Kristie Benejan — vice president, Clarissa Ramirez — secretary, and Noriko Merida Morales — treasurer. Guerrero-Criado also serves as the LMSA National Conference Chair, and Phillip Simpson is the conference liaison. 

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

The conference on March 22 will host up to 200 high school students who will complete professional workshops and learn clinical skills in the F. Marie Hall SimLife Center. Keynote speaker will be Felix Morales, M.D., associate dean of the TTUHSC School of Medicine Office of Admissions.

On March 23 more than 200 undergraduate students, medical students, graduating physicians, residents, practicing physicians and other health professionals will participate in skills workshops including sutures, ultrasound, orthopaedic and other clinical skills presentations. 

LMSA also will host a gala 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Overton Hotel & Conference Center, 2322 Mac Davis Lane. For more information about the conference, visit https://lmsa.site-ym.com/page/AnnualConference.