Mentorship Program

Who we are… The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a network of students, alumni, and health professionals whose mission is to promote the development of Latino students through educational, volunteer, professional and networking opportunities to foster diversity, higher education, and the improvement of the Latino community.

Mission To recruit and support individuals in the healthcare professions who will strive to improve the access and delivery of healthcare to Latinos and medically underserved populations.

Addressing Diversity in Medicine

Fixing the Pipeline  The # of URM CA med school applicants has dropped by 35.8%.  In 2002, an estimated 5,000 URM students enter college as pre- meds (in California).  1,900 total CA students enter any US medical school each year.  Admissions of under-represented minority (URM) students to US and CA medical schools have fallen significantly in recent years.  Since 1994, URM CA admissions have fallen 24.6% to only 254 in 2002.

Retention  90% (4,500 of 5,000 URM) drop out of the pre-med track 3 years later.  Only about 500 will take MCAT by end of junior year.  Only about 450 will apply to med school.  Ultimately, about 250 get in.  If we maintain just 10% (450) of the 4,500 URM pre-meds that “drop out” of the pre-med track…  We would double the number of applicants.  This would double the number of matriculating URMs to 500 per year.

Who will serve the underserved?  7 million CA taxpayers live in medically underserved areas (MUAs).  Over 70% are Latinos, Blacks, & Native Americans.  URM health professionals are more likely to practice in shortage areas.  Most URM providers have cultural and linguistic skills leading to more culturally competent care.

 Studies over the past 25 years document that 50-80% of URM health professionals practice in minority shortage areas (MSA)  AAMC medical school graduate surveys for the last 30+ years show that URM graduates are 4-7 times more likely to express interest in shortage area practice The importance of diversity

So what does this all mean?

What our program has to offer… Counseling/Mentoring programs that pairs pre-medical students with medical students. As a mentee, you will become part of a dynamic group of Latino students that are familiar with the challenges of enrollment in college and/or medical school. Access to programs and services to assist you including the intricacies of medical school application process, curriculum planning, interviews, and MCAT preparation. Community service opportunities: Health fairs and outreach programs. Notification of scholarship programs, chapter meetings, annual conferences addressing issues specific to pre-meds and the Latino community at large.

Guidance Pre-medical coursework the AMCAS application process Summer enrichment programs Research Community outreach

Calendar Sensitive Topics Course Selection and Sequencing to Maximize Your GPA Preparing for and Successful Admissions Committee Interviews- Mock Interviews with LMSA members Information on Summer Enrichment and Other Programs for Pre-Health Students Preparing for the MCAT AMCAS application & Personal Statement; Schools to Apply To Post-baccalaureate Programs in California and Elsewhere

Mentorship Programming Course Selection and Sequencing to Maximize Your GPA Preparing for and Successful Admissions Committee Interviews- Mock Interviews with LMSA members Summer Enrichment and Other Programs for Pre- Health Students Preparing for the MCAT AMCAS application & Personal Statement; Schools to Apply To Post-baccalaureate Programs in California and Elsewhere

Expectations Each month: Communicate with your mentor in person, via phone or & fill out the simple progress note found at Attend 3 Workshops per year (1-2 per quarter will be provided).

Progress Notes It will be a requirement of all LMSA mentors & mentees. These progress notes will be crucial when applying for funding sources to demonstrate the efficacy of our programs in the recruitment of Latino students. Progress Notes found on

Evaluation Mentor/Mentee of the Year Award Sponsored mixer for the mentors and mentees that are active & have fulfilled all contract requirements

We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. Cesar ChavezCesar Chavez