The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a network of students, alumni, and health professionals whose mission is to promote the development of Latinx students through education, volunteerism, and professional networking opportunities that foster diversity, higher education, and the improved health of the Latinx community. The University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) Chapter was established in 1983 by several ambitious and compassionate UIC College of Medicine (COM) students and is a recognized chapter of the LMSA Midwest Region.
The LMSA at UIC-COM serves to inspire members of our organization to achieve academic excellence and attain and maintain a professional attitude. We act as role models and serve as a lobbying force for Latinx/Hispanic medical students. We serve as a liaison between the University of Illinois complex, the Latinx/Hispanic community, and the LMSA Midwest. Finally, we render emotional and academic support to our peers, promote Latinx culture in the field of medicine, assist UIC-COM in the recruitment and retention of Latinx medical students, and render a safe space for Latinx/Hispanic students to express their heritage fully.
Originally, LaRaMA, which was short for La Raza Medical Student Association; "la raza" being a Spanish phrase that directly translates to "the race," but is understood as "the people." These words are instilled with a sense of ethnic and cultural pride extending to all Latin American people or personally between an individual and their country of origin. UIC LMSA is proud to have the support of members from all cultural backgrounds who share a common interest to reach out to the underserved and a special interest in Latin American communities.
The LMSA at UIC-COM serves to inspire members of our organization to achieve academic excellence and attain and maintain a professional attitude. We act as role models and serve as a lobbying force for Latinx/Hispanic medical students. We serve as a liaison between the University of Illinois complex, the Latinx/Hispanic community, and the LMSA Midwest. Finally, we render emotional and academic support to our peers, promote Latinx culture in the field of medicine, assist UIC-COM in the recruitment and retention of Latinx medical students, and render a safe space for Latinx/Hispanic students to express their heritage fully.
Originally, LaRaMA, which was short for La Raza Medical Student Association; "la raza" being a Spanish phrase that directly translates to "the race," but is understood as "the people." These words are instilled with a sense of ethnic and cultural pride extending to all Latin American people or personally between an individual and their country of origin. UIC LMSA is proud to have the support of members from all cultural backgrounds who share a common interest to reach out to the underserved and a special interest in Latin American communities.