The Undergraduate Chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association at the University of Florida was founded in 2017 to create a supportive community for students passionate about addressing health disparities in Latino and underserved communities. Rooted in LMSA’s national mission, the chapter was established to provide mentorship, professional development, and advocacy opportunities for undergraduates aspiring to careers in medicine and healthcare.
Since its inception, the chapter has grown into a dynamic organization that engages students through educational workshops, community service initiatives, networking events, and collaborations with medical professionals and organizations. By fostering leadership and cultural awareness, the club continues to empower members to advocate for equitable healthcare and prepare for their future roles in the medical field.
The southeastern division of LMSA began in the 1990s when It's original name was National Network of Latin American Students (NNLAMS). The southeast region operated under the name NNLAMS Southeast. A rebranding effort began In the early 2000s to rename the organization. The purpose for this rebrand was to create a name that was to adopt a more concise name. In spring of 2010 NNLAMS was rebranded to the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). Similar to NNLAMS, the national chapter of LMSA was organized into regional divisions. LMSA southeast encompasses the southeastern states within the U.S.A as well as Puerto Rico and the Caribbean .
The southeastern region of LMSA serves to unify health professional to promote health equity and Improve Latine health. LMSA empowers students through service, mentorship and education to advocate for the health of the Latine community.
How can I become involved with LMSA?
To become a member of LMSA, all you need to do is attend our events! The best way to keep up with our events is through our Instagram. You can also view the events calendar linked to this website.
Are there any membership fees or dues?
No! We do not collect any fees or dues from our members.
Is there an application to join LMSA?
No! We do not have an application to join LMSA. All you need to do is come to our events!
Do I have to be pre-med to join LMSA?
No! We are a pre-health organization! Many of our members are not pre-med, such as pre-PA, pre-dental, pre-nursing, and more!
What types of events does LMSA have?
We have a myriad of events our members can attend. Here is an outline of the types of events we host:
General Body Meetings (GBMs): GBMs are held once a month. These events serve to educate our members on health disparities within the Latine community.
Social Events: The purpose of these events is to foster a community within LMSA.
Professional Development Events: These events exist to help guide students on how to get into their desired professional school.
Service Events: These events exist to connect students with local organizations that they can volunteer with.
Wellness Events: These events promote the mental and physical well-being of LMSA members.
Language Programming Events: The purpose of these events is to assist LMSA members with developing and improving their Spanish language skills.
Medical Spanish Workshops (MSWs): MSWs help students learn more about medical terminology and phrases in Spanish. These events will typically have a theme, such as diabetes, women's health, etc.
Healthcare Professional Panels: Various health are invited to come and speak with our members about their respective specialties.
Does LMSA have a mentorship program?
Yes! LMSA has a mentorship program called Grandes y Pequeños. To learn more visit the Grandes y Pequeños tab on the website.
How can I stay Informed on LMSA events?
The best way to stay Informed Is through our Instagram (@uflmsa) and our WhatsApp chat. You can add yourself the chat by going to the Media tab of the website.