Scholarships

LMSA-West is a non-profit organization. We are proud to support the next generation of Latinx students who are pursuing the healthcare field. If you are interested in funding one of our scholarships, please reach out to us at vp_scholarship@lmsa.net.

Everyone

LMSA-West CANOPY SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: February 28th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The LMSA-West Canopy Scholarship was developed in 2021 to assist future LMSA healthcare providers to provide better care to Spanish-speaking patients. The CanopyLearn Medical Spanish is a self-paced eLearning course and was created to eliminate the language barrier by empowering healthcare systems to invest in recognizing and supporting their bilingual staff, build capacity for deploying resuable multilingual content, and capture reimbursement for language services from payers. Three awards are awarded each year to one high school student, one medical student, and one resident/fellows.
Eligibility:
  • Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.
  • Must be either a high school student, medical student, or resident/fellows in the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status, as long as the university they attend will allow them to enroll and register for classes.
  • Strong consideration will be placed upon financial need.
  • Must be a dues-paying pre-med member of LMSA-West. (Can contract LMSA executive Board for financial assistance if needed.) Membership website HERE
  • Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.)
  • LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA-West Canopy Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net.

Questions? Email VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net 

Previous Winners of the LMSA-West CANOPY SCHOLARSHIP:

Hi my name is Erika Peratoner and I’m a second year medical student at UCI School of Medicine in the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC). The mission of the program is to train physician leaders to address health disparities and improve health outcomes in the Latino community. With this mission in mind, medical Spanish is so important because it allows us to connect with our patients and build rapport, which is crucial in the joint decision-making process. I want patients to have an active say in their health options. By mastering medical Spanish, I can ensure that I clearly communicate the information patients need and the choices they have. While interpreters are useful tools, it is better to be able to directly communicate with patients so as to maximize the time you have allotted with them and to reduce frustration and anxiety of the patient as well. With the educational resources of the Canopy scholarship through LMSA West, I hope to work towards this goal and to be able to communicate with my future patients proficiently.
Hi my name is Erika Peratoner and I’m a second year medical student at UCI School of Medicine in the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC). The mission of the program is to train physician leaders to address health disparities and improve health outcomes in the Latino community. With this mission in mind, medical Spanish is so important because it allows us to connect with our patients and build rapport, which is crucial in the joint decision-making process. I want patients to have an active say in their health options. By mastering medical Spanish, I can ensure that I clearly communicate the information patients need and the choices they have. While interpreters are useful tools, it is better to be able to directly communicate with patients so as to maximize the time you have allotted with them and to reduce frustration and anxiety of the patient as well. With the educational resources of the Canopy scholarship through LMSA West, I hope to work towards this goal and to be able to communicate with my future patients proficiently.
As a first generation Hispanic, doctors visits were a luxury. There was no available insurance for my parents, which strayed them away from medical care. When they did have the opportunity to seek medical attention, no one was able to help them. My inspiration and dedication came from not only my parents but those who are unable to reach medical professionals. I will continue my education to eliminate such barriers and make it more accessible for the underserved communities.
As a first generation Hispanic, doctors visits were a luxury. There was no available insurance for my parents, which strayed them away from medical care. When they did have the opportunity to seek medical attention, no one was able to help them. My inspiration and dedication came from not only my parents but those who are unable to reach medical professionals. I will continue my education to eliminate such barriers and make it more accessible for the underserved communities.

High School Students

Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship was developed in 2008 to assist high school and college freshman students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Personal qualities, financial need, academic and extracurricular achievement will all be considered in the selection process. Dr. Amanda Perez is an alumna of LMSA-West at the Charles Drew University Chapter, where she served as Medical Student Representative. She later was in charge of the Scholarship Program when she served on the Executive Board for the LMSA-West Region. Award recipients may have the chance to meet Dr. Amanda Perez at an official LMSA-West event.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be High School Senior OR freshmen at 4-year university during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.
  • Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status, as long as the university they attend will allow them to enroll and register for classes.
  • Strong consideration will be placed upon financial need.
  • Must be a member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board for more info).
  • Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).
  • LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net.

Questions? Email vp_scholarship@lmsa.net

Previous Winners of the Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship:

Janelle Franco was born in Santa Ana, California and has grown up in Anaheim, California for all of her childhood. Her parents both immigrated from Mexico and Guadadalajara. After living with her father’s early abandonment her life, it escalated even more after a house fire leaving her family homeless for more than a year. Things began to turn for the worst for her, even feeling ashamed of the hispanic heritage she had ever known which left her feeling scared to raise her hand and speak up because she let self-doubt consume her for feeling less and poor. But with her mother’s support and constant dedication to motivate and encourage her, she left Janelle with an important mantra of “grabbing the bull by the horns” With this mantra in mind she has created civic education projects that integrate social emotional learning, volunteering at the American Cancer Society, Aquarium of Pacific, interning with the American Heart Association and even more community service all the while obtaining a high weighted and unweighted GPA. Her ultimate goal is to become a gastroenterologist because of her early experience of having the role as a patient and staying in the emergency room more than she can count. She believes empathy is paramount in science and healthcare. And would love nothing more than to bring forth this skill and trait when it comes to facing a challenge. Being the first in her family to go to college and pursue a medical degree as her future path excites, frightens, and is a constant desire because she realizes the importance of paying it forward to the hispanic community. She can’t wait to make a difference in her community and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a recipient of a Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship.
Janelle Franco was born in Santa Ana, California and has grown up in Anaheim, California for all of her childhood. Her parents both immigrated from Mexico and Guadadalajara. After living with her father’s early abandonment her life, it escalated even more after a house fire leaving her family homeless for more than a year. Things began to turn for the worst for her, even feeling ashamed of the hispanic heritage she had ever known which left her feeling scared to raise her hand and speak up because she let self-doubt consume her for feeling less and poor. But with her mother’s support and constant dedication to motivate and encourage her, she left Janelle with an important mantra of “grabbing the bull by the horns” With this mantra in mind she has created civic education projects that integrate social emotional learning, volunteering at the American Cancer Society, Aquarium of Pacific, interning with the American Heart Association and even more community service all the while obtaining a high weighted and unweighted GPA. Her ultimate goal is to become a gastroenterologist because of her early experience of having the role as a patient and staying in the emergency room more than she can count. She believes empathy is paramount in science and healthcare. And would love nothing more than to bring forth this skill and trait when it comes to facing a challenge. Being the first in her family to go to college and pursue a medical degree as her future path excites, frightens, and is a constant desire because she realizes the importance of paying it forward to the hispanic community. She can’t wait to make a difference in her community and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a recipient of a Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship.
Khyla Corpin – After spending my entire life in the Philippines, my family and I immigrated here to the United States back in 2013 after my dad almost lost his life to the Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck that same year. We’ve managed to start from scratch and build a life for ourselves here. Throughout high school, I felt pressured to do as much as I can in school in order to become a competitive college applicant, but that proved to be quite a challenge since I had to spend a lot of time taking care of my 2 little brothers while tending to the household chores because my parents had to work multiple jobs. It was tough, but I would do anything for my family, so I persevered and managed to achieve a lot and get into a good college, without sacrificing my responsibilities at home. Now that I’m away from home, I want to make this time worth it by working towards a medical degree. I would start off by giving back to my community, Koreatown, Los Angeles and eventually my home back in the Philippines. My ultimate goal is to work with Doctors Without Borders, an organization dedicated to extending medical help and other forms of relief to troubled parts of world. By working at a global scale, I hope to eventually be involved in creating better health care policies and initiatives throughout the world, especially in impoverished communities like the ones I have witnessed and been a part of.
Khyla Corpin – After spending my entire life in the Philippines, my family and I immigrated here to the United States back in 2013 after my dad almost lost his life to the Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck that same year. We’ve managed to start from scratch and build a life for ourselves here. Throughout high school, I felt pressured to do as much as I can in school in order to become a competitive college applicant, but that proved to be quite a challenge since I had to spend a lot of time taking care of my 2 little brothers while tending to the household chores because my parents had to work multiple jobs. It was tough, but I would do anything for my family, so I persevered and managed to achieve a lot and get into a good college, without sacrificing my responsibilities at home. Now that I’m away from home, I want to make this time worth it by working towards a medical degree. I would start off by giving back to my community, Koreatown, Los Angeles and eventually my home back in the Philippines. My ultimate goal is to work with Doctors Without Borders, an organization dedicated to extending medical help and other forms of relief to troubled parts of world. By working at a global scale, I hope to eventually be involved in creating better health care policies and initiatives throughout the world, especially in impoverished communities like the ones I have witnessed and been a part of.
Frank Aceves was born in San Diego, California into a humble, loving family. In fact, family is the most integral reason of who he is today. His immigrant mother, born in a small ranch in Nayarit, Mexico, worked hard to come into the United States to seek work and a better standard of living for women that was impossible in her home town. Setting an example for her son, she studied hard in order to earn American citizenship and become fluent in English. His father was born in Los Angeles, where his advantage of free education as an American was taken from him. With no other option, he dropped out of high school, eventually finishing a substitute credential, to work minimum wage jobs in order to help support his family. Although past circumstances for his family were discouraging, the deprivation of education for his parents is what ignited his motivation to succeed. Ever since the beginning of his educational career, Frank Aceves has worked diligently to achieve a higher education. Ranking amongst the top of his high school class, he has worked hard in all of his classes to earn the academic progress he has accomplished so far. Humbly climbing the academic ranks, excelling in AP exams, and being an active member of NHS and CSF along with exceeding classroom expectations cleared even more paths to success. Even though he loves intellectual challenges, his passion is serving as a leader in the community. Outside of the classroom, he has served in his local church to handle tasks as small as providing courteous services as an usher to planning community events with other leaders. By combining his intellectual gifts and his talent for serving others, he has decided on a career goal in the medical field to become a physician to give back to society. The values of leadership, humbleness, service, and respect from his extracurriculars along with his educational record give him the vigor to succeed. With determination to do as well in college and medical school as he has done in high school, the heights of his potential have yet to be demonstrated. Although his parents never had the opportunity to pursue a higher education, they pushed their son to not only focus in school, but also become a member of his community. His motivation from his background and his self-cultivated determination is how he earned acceptance into UCSD with intentions of pursuing a major in Biochemistry. Afterwards, he will seek out an education in medical school to attain a medical degree and the knowledge required to help others in need. He has also refused to reserve motivation for success to himself. Reaching out to fellow classmates, he has inspired several other minds to realize that their financial circumstances do not dictate their future. As a mentor and a tutor, he has sparked the same fire to succeed in others in order to create a movement of educated people from unprivileged backgrounds to become one large force in the community. Although financial shortcomings and disadvantages may have crushed dreams for others, Frank Aceves has turned these events into advantages as fuel for his success. Determined to overcome the challenges of a higher education and become a leader in the community, he encourages others to do the same in his own words “con ganas, triunfamos”.
Frank Aceves was born in San Diego, California into a humble, loving family. In fact, family is the most integral reason of who he is today. His immigrant mother, born in a small ranch in Nayarit, Mexico, worked hard to come into the United States to seek work and a better standard of living for women that was impossible in her home town. Setting an example for her son, she studied hard in order to earn American citizenship and become fluent in English. His father was born in Los Angeles, where his advantage of free education as an American was taken from him. With no other option, he dropped out of high school, eventually finishing a substitute credential, to work minimum wage jobs in order to help support his family. Although past circumstances for his family were discouraging, the deprivation of education for his parents is what ignited his motivation to succeed. Ever since the beginning of his educational career, Frank Aceves has worked diligently to achieve a higher education. Ranking amongst the top of his high school class, he has worked hard in all of his classes to earn the academic progress he has accomplished so far. Humbly climbing the academic ranks, excelling in AP exams, and being an active member of NHS and CSF along with exceeding classroom expectations cleared even more paths to success. Even though he loves intellectual challenges, his passion is serving as a leader in the community. Outside of the classroom, he has served in his local church to handle tasks as small as providing courteous services as an usher to planning community events with other leaders. By combining his intellectual gifts and his talent for serving others, he has decided on a career goal in the medical field to become a physician to give back to society. The values of leadership, humbleness, service, and respect from his extracurriculars along with his educational record give him the vigor to succeed. With determination to do as well in college and medical school as he has done in high school, the heights of his potential have yet to be demonstrated. Although his parents never had the opportunity to pursue a higher education, they pushed their son to not only focus in school, but also become a member of his community. His motivation from his background and his self-cultivated determination is how he earned acceptance into UCSD with intentions of pursuing a major in Biochemistry. Afterwards, he will seek out an education in medical school to attain a medical degree and the knowledge required to help others in need. He has also refused to reserve motivation for success to himself. Reaching out to fellow classmates, he has inspired several other minds to realize that their financial circumstances do not dictate their future. As a mentor and a tutor, he has sparked the same fire to succeed in others in order to create a movement of educated people from unprivileged backgrounds to become one large force in the community. Although financial shortcomings and disadvantages may have crushed dreams for others, Frank Aceves has turned these events into advantages as fuel for his success. Determined to overcome the challenges of a higher education and become a leader in the community, he encourages others to do the same in his own words “con ganas, triunfamos”.
Abraham Caballero is the youngest of four brothers two being half-brothers. His parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico City, Mexico, and San Pedro, Sula Honduras. Ever since he was a child, Abraham was burdened to help others. As a youngster, he would organize homeless walks or feeding events and worked with Food Finders to help feed the poor in San Pedro, California. As he grew older, his desire to help others was encouraged even more and decided to venture out and begin working more closely with his community. Through his personal experiences with working with low-income families in Los Angeles, he noticed the dire need of guidance and education in the Hispanic communities. As a result, he committed himself to helping the younger generations of Hispanic children see the world of opportunity and positively influence their own communities. Abraham began organizing meetings with community leader and small businesses, and organized fundraisers to help find mentors and support for a mentorship program in San Pedro, California. Abraham created a mentorship program that not only helped children overcome difficulties and strive for greatness through education, but his mission was also to make a difference his community by educating the adults. Abraham organized events that helped expose adults to the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, violence, and gang relations in hopes to encouraging them to be mentors of a child themselves. Furthermore, Abraham’s father would always tell him that education was the most important part of his life because change was always possible with an education. As a child of immigrant parents, Abraham realized the immense privilege of living in America and having the opportunity to get an education- a chance that his parents never had. For this reason, he began taking college classes at a local community college when he was fourteen years old and will graduate from high school with over forty-eight UC transferable units. Abraham is greatly interested in studying the human brain and will transfer as a neuroscience major to prepare him for medical school. He strives to be the best academically and set an example for others. He eventually wants to become a neurologist and serve the underserved Hispanic community, the community that helped shape his life and impacted him for the better.
Abraham Caballero is the youngest of four brothers two being half-brothers. His parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico City, Mexico, and San Pedro, Sula Honduras. Ever since he was a child, Abraham was burdened to help others. As a youngster, he would organize homeless walks or feeding events and worked with Food Finders to help feed the poor in San Pedro, California. As he grew older, his desire to help others was encouraged even more and decided to venture out and begin working more closely with his community. Through his personal experiences with working with low-income families in Los Angeles, he noticed the dire need of guidance and education in the Hispanic communities. As a result, he committed himself to helping the younger generations of Hispanic children see the world of opportunity and positively influence their own communities. Abraham began organizing meetings with community leader and small businesses, and organized fundraisers to help find mentors and support for a mentorship program in San Pedro, California. Abraham created a mentorship program that not only helped children overcome difficulties and strive for greatness through education, but his mission was also to make a difference his community by educating the adults. Abraham organized events that helped expose adults to the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, violence, and gang relations in hopes to encouraging them to be mentors of a child themselves. Furthermore, Abraham’s father would always tell him that education was the most important part of his life because change was always possible with an education. As a child of immigrant parents, Abraham realized the immense privilege of living in America and having the opportunity to get an education- a chance that his parents never had. For this reason, he began taking college classes at a local community college when he was fourteen years old and will graduate from high school with over forty-eight UC transferable units. Abraham is greatly interested in studying the human brain and will transfer as a neuroscience major to prepare him for medical school. He strives to be the best academically and set an example for others. He eventually wants to become a neurologist and serve the underserved Hispanic community, the community that helped shape his life and impacted him for the better.
Ashley Almejo was raised in Compton, California and is currently a senior at Paramount High School. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA since her freshman year while balancing the everyday stress of being a teenager. She is an active member of her high school campus, serving as a member of the Associated Student Body (ASB), Secretary of the Pre-Med Club, and the Historian of the California Scholarship Federation. This past summer, she served as a Camp Leader for a group of elementary school children. She has a strong passion when it comes to helping others and strives to give back to her community through volunteer work. Over the four years in high school, Ashley has served nearly 500 hours of volunteer work. Ashley’s ultimate goal is to continue serving her community after she graduates from Medical School, to make a positive impact through her work in the Latino community, and to mentor the future generations to come. Ashley thanks the LMSA-West Scholarship Committee for believing and supporting her dreams in pursuing a medical school education.
Ashley Almejo was raised in Compton, California and is currently a senior at Paramount High School. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA since her freshman year while balancing the everyday stress of being a teenager. She is an active member of her high school campus, serving as a member of the Associated Student Body (ASB), Secretary of the Pre-Med Club, and the Historian of the California Scholarship Federation. This past summer, she served as a Camp Leader for a group of elementary school children. She has a strong passion when it comes to helping others and strives to give back to her community through volunteer work. Over the four years in high school, Ashley has served nearly 500 hours of volunteer work. Ashley’s ultimate goal is to continue serving her community after she graduates from Medical School, to make a positive impact through her work in the Latino community, and to mentor the future generations to come. Ashley thanks the LMSA-West Scholarship Committee for believing and supporting her dreams in pursuing a medical school education.
Vanessa Martinez is a senior in high school and this year, she will be the first in her family to go to college. She enjoys helping others; including helping her friends with their academic work and her community thorugh volunteering activities. She is an active member of the Animals Rights Club, Pals and Link Crew programs where she mentors at-risk students and teaches freshman students about making good choices in high school. Vanessa is also the student representative of the AVID program in her local community. In addition to her community service, Vanessa has an excellent academic record; she has been in the Principal Honors Roll for the last 3 years, for maintaing a GPA higher than 3.5, and she has received the Excellence Attendance Award each school year. Vanessa is currently enrolled in multiple AP and honors classes. Her goal for the future is to support her community as a nurse. Vanessa has been accepted to Cal State Fullerton, where she will be starting this fall with a major in nursing.
Vanessa Martinez is a senior in high school and this year, she will be the first in her family to go to college. She enjoys helping others; including helping her friends with their academic work and her community thorugh volunteering activities. She is an active member of the Animals Rights Club, Pals and Link Crew programs where she mentors at-risk students and teaches freshman students about making good choices in high school. Vanessa is also the student representative of the AVID program in her local community. In addition to her community service, Vanessa has an excellent academic record; she has been in the Principal Honors Roll for the last 3 years, for maintaing a GPA higher than 3.5, and she has received the Excellence Attendance Award each school year. Vanessa is currently enrolled in multiple AP and honors classes. Her goal for the future is to support her community as a nurse. Vanessa has been accepted to Cal State Fullerton, where she will be starting this fall with a major in nursing.
Nathasha Moreno is a senior in high school who was born in East Palo Alto, California. As a child, she would see her parents always helping out people, which inspired her to impact her community positively. Nathasha has always been interested in medicine and wants to create change. An experience she had that gave her a better idea of her interest was the Health Career Collaborative club, which introduced her to different careers within the medical field. Also, they got to teach her various health topics. One of the exciting topics that caught her attention was the different types of strokes. She liked learning how the brain functions. From some experiences, empathy is very important to her. When working in the medical field, she says there is a lot of understanding of the patients. Empathy has been something she has practiced. It has changed how she views things, bringing her closer to people. Not only that, but whenever she does something, it is because it comes from her heart.
Nathasha Moreno is a senior in high school who was born in East Palo Alto, California. As a child, she would see her parents always helping out people, which inspired her to impact her community positively. Nathasha has always been interested in medicine and wants to create change. An experience she had that gave her a better idea of her interest was the Health Career Collaborative club, which introduced her to different careers within the medical field. Also, they got to teach her various health topics. One of the exciting topics that caught her attention was the different types of strokes. She liked learning how the brain functions. From some experiences, empathy is very important to her. When working in the medical field, she says there is a lot of understanding of the patients. Empathy has been something she has practiced. It has changed how she views things, bringing her closer to people. Not only that, but whenever she does something, it is because it comes from her heart.

HIGH SCHOOL PIPELINE PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The High School Pipeline Program Scholarship was developed in 2017 to assist high school students of underrepresented minority background to enroll in pre-med pipeline programs for youth medical education and healthcare career exploration. The objective of this scholarship is to increase interest in healthcare careers and medically oriented research careers among high school students from underrepresented minority backgrounds and low-income students by defraying the costs of participation in these programs. This scholarship will also encourage students to join LMSA early for mentorship opportunities.

LMSA-West will award scholarship recipients up to $2000 one-time scholarship for established summer enrichment health sciences programs. This scholarship is sponsored by AltaMed.  

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicants must be a high school student during the 2021-2022 academic year within the LMSA-West region states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).
  • Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities. Applicants should also demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities.
  • Must demonstrate financial need of funds to cover enrollment/ and or associated costs of summer program. Strong consideration will be placed upon financial need.
  • Must be a pre-med member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board if you have any questions).
  • Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
  • Applicants must provide documentation of their application into a Summer Health Sciences High School Pipeline Program, as well as verification of acceptance into the program as soon available. Funds will only be disbursed after verified acceptance and planned enrollment.
  • Applicants must submit the application in full, (see complete list of required materials below).
  • LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA-West High School Pipeline Program Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net.

Questions? Email VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net

This scholarship is sponsored by:

 

Previous Winners of the High School Pipeline Program Scholarship:

Roxana Soriano- Is the youngest of her family, after moving to the USA at 12 years old, having to get through the challenges of being an immigrant child, dealing with discrimination at school and having to learn a new language, she is finally able to chase her dreams, Pipeline Scholarship has allowed her to start her journey in the medical field, her main goals is helping the Hispanic community and supporting her family, Roxana is now working on her CNA certification and working on her prerequisites for nursing school, it has been a long way but coming from a hardworking family she is ready to take on her passions and dreams.
Roxana Soriano- Is the youngest of her family, after moving to the USA at 12 years old, having to get through the challenges of being an immigrant child, dealing with discrimination at school and having to learn a new language, she is finally able to chase her dreams, Pipeline Scholarship has allowed her to start her journey in the medical field, her main goals is helping the Hispanic community and supporting her family, Roxana is now working on her CNA certification and working on her prerequisites for nursing school, it has been a long way but coming from a hardworking family she is ready to take on her passions and dreams.

Pre-Health Students

Cinthya Felix Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The Cinthya Felix Scholarship was developed in 2011 to assist undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Cinthya Felix grew up in East Los Angeles, graduated from University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) in 2007 with a degree in English and Spanish literature and was the first undocumented student to attend Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. She was instrumental in founding the UCLA group IDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, Access, and Success), an on-campus group dedicated to supporting and advocating for AB 540 students. She wanted to become a physician and serve her community. Cinthya was 26 years old when she died in May 2010 in a car accident.  At that time, Cinthya was working multiple jobs as a waitress, research assistant, and baby sitter to pay for her rent, food, tuition, and to send money to her family.

This year, LMSA-West will award three (3) scholarship recipients with $500 each.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.
  • Must be sophomore level or higher at 4-year university or post-baccalaureate student during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status, as long as the university they attend will allow them to enroll and register for classes.
  • Strong consideration will be placed upon financial need.
  • Must be a dues-paying pre-med member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board for financial assistance if needed).
  • Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).
  •  LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA Cinthya Felix Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net.

Questions? Email vp_scholarship@lmsa.net

 

Previous Winners of the Cinthya Felix Scholarship:

Karen is from East Los Angeles and grew up in a low-income household with her Mexican immigrant parents and two younger brothers. Her upbringing has undoubtedly shaped her views to help dismantle white supremacy, anti-Blackness, poverty, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia and so many other active systems of oppression that continue to harm Black, Indigenous, and non-Black people of color. Karen’s goal is to become a practicing physician in medically underserved communities. Karen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts and will be applying to medical school in 2022.
Karen is from East Los Angeles and grew up in a low-income household with her Mexican immigrant parents and two younger brothers. Her upbringing has undoubtedly shaped her views to help dismantle white supremacy, anti-Blackness, poverty, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia and so many other active systems of oppression that continue to harm Black, Indigenous, and non-Black people of color. Karen’s goal is to become a practicing physician in medically underserved communities. Karen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts and will be applying to medical school in 2022.
I am currently a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills going for B.S. in Biology with a concentration on Cellular and Molecular Biology. I have been interested in medicine since I was 5 years old but a couple of setbacks in middle and high school made me question if I was capable of such a career. My hometown is La Puente, California. After an eye-opening experience that showed me the impact I could have on the health and prosperity of all people I decided to begin my journey once again. My biggest support system in my journey as a pre-med has been my Mother and my Sister. Since my decision I have become better in all facets of student life. I have been on the Dean’s List for the past 2.5 years which is distinction given for attaining a GPA of over 3.6. I have also grown as a leader which allowed me to become President of Organizacion Latina Estudiantil(O.L.E.) and Vice-President of The Pre-Health Society. O.L.E. has a track record of excellency as the organization was awarded with the Presidential Award for being one of the top organizations on campus for being committed in the service of helping underserved communities. I am also involved in College Spring which allows me to mentor and tutor students from historically low-income backgrounds, giving them extra support to go to college. Being a mentor for students that grew up in situations similar to myself gives me more motivation to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor. Achieving my dream will show these young people that they too can achieve anything they put their mind to
I am currently a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills going for B.S. in Biology with a concentration on Cellular and Molecular Biology. I have been interested in medicine since I was 5 years old but a couple of setbacks in middle and high school made me question if I was capable of such a career. My hometown is La Puente, California. After an eye-opening experience that showed me the impact I could have on the health and prosperity of all people I decided to begin my journey once again. My biggest support system in my journey as a pre-med has been my Mother and my Sister. Since my decision I have become better in all facets of student life. I have been on the Dean’s List for the past 2.5 years which is distinction given for attaining a GPA of over 3.6. I have also grown as a leader which allowed me to become President of Organizacion Latina Estudiantil(O.L.E.) and Vice-President of The Pre-Health Society. O.L.E. has a track record of excellency as the organization was awarded with the Presidential Award for being one of the top organizations on campus for being committed in the service of helping underserved communities. I am also involved in College Spring which allows me to mentor and tutor students from historically low-income backgrounds, giving them extra support to go to college. Being a mentor for students that grew up in situations similar to myself gives me more motivation to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor. Achieving my dream will show these young people that they too can achieve anything they put their mind to
My parents immigrated from Mexico and settled in East Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. My family and I often relied on curanderas to help us feel better because we rarely had adequate access to healthcare. As I grew older, I pushed even harder to succeed in school because I believed that if I could go to college, I could one day return to my roots and likewise communities and be a medical liaison for people with these very barriers. As an undergraduate at UC Davis, I was involved in student organizations like C.H.E and Clinica Tepati, which served as a reminder that individuals are still facing the same barriers to health care that my family and I faced nearly 20 years ago. My path into medicine has taken various detours, but I have learned a lot about my community and myself along the way. I am currently taking upper division science courses as part of an informal post-bacc at UC Davis, working as a substitute teacher, and completing a dual masters program in Public Health and Behavioral Health at the University of San Francisco. However, the hardest thing I have done being a father who is pursuing a career in medicine has been being away from my two-year-old son, Leonardo. To me, being a physician not only means helping individuals from a medical standpoint, but it also means becoming an advocate for and to underrepresented communities who at most times need the medical and personal attention a lot more.
My parents immigrated from Mexico and settled in East Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. My family and I often relied on curanderas to help us feel better because we rarely had adequate access to healthcare. As I grew older, I pushed even harder to succeed in school because I believed that if I could go to college, I could one day return to my roots and likewise communities and be a medical liaison for people with these very barriers. As an undergraduate at UC Davis, I was involved in student organizations like C.H.E and Clinica Tepati, which served as a reminder that individuals are still facing the same barriers to health care that my family and I faced nearly 20 years ago. My path into medicine has taken various detours, but I have learned a lot about my community and myself along the way. I am currently taking upper division science courses as part of an informal post-bacc at UC Davis, working as a substitute teacher, and completing a dual masters program in Public Health and Behavioral Health at the University of San Francisco. However, the hardest thing I have done being a father who is pursuing a career in medicine has been being away from my two-year-old son, Leonardo. To me, being a physician not only means helping individuals from a medical standpoint, but it also means becoming an advocate for and to underrepresented communities who at most times need the medical and personal attention a lot more.
Patty Medina is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, the eldest of seven children and a first generation college student. She graduated from Santa Clara University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and French and a minor in Anthropology. Patty also obtained certificates in Infectious Diseases and Infectious Control, Contemporary and Alternative Health, Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare, and Nutrition, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion. As an undergraduate student, Patty was the Medical Director of Global Medical Brigades; a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap in access to health care services. Patty participated in four medical trips to Panama, Nicaragua and Ghana where she served as an interpreter, pharmacist apprentice and researcher. Patty is a Health Career Connection alumni who interned at Kaiser Permanente and worked on a video remote interpreting project to bridge the language gap in patients with limited English proficiency and other communication needs. Patty is a Rose Parade first aid responder with the American Red Cross, a Sandy Kemp Scholar and member of Doctors for Global Health. She is a Health Fellow with AmeriCorps and works in a clinic in East Los Angeles conducting diabetes focus groups. Currently, she is taking post-baccalaureate classes at UCLA. Patty plans to obtain a Master’s degree in global health and to pursue emergency medicine. Patty’s dream is to work for Doctors Without Borders and dedicate her life to ending health disparities that exist among marginalized communities in the United States and abroad. A fun fact about Patty is that she speaks Spanish, English, French, American Sign Language and is learning Arabic. Patty says “I am very grateful to be selected as a LMSA scholarship recipient. It means a lot to me and my family because I am one step closer to accomplishing my dreams of becoming a doctor and serving my community.”
Patty Medina is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, the eldest of seven children and a first generation college student. She graduated from Santa Clara University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and French and a minor in Anthropology. Patty also obtained certificates in Infectious Diseases and Infectious Control, Contemporary and Alternative Health, Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare, and Nutrition, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion. As an undergraduate student, Patty was the Medical Director of Global Medical Brigades; a non-profit dedicated to bridging the gap in access to health care services. Patty participated in four medical trips to Panama, Nicaragua and Ghana where she served as an interpreter, pharmacist apprentice and researcher. Patty is a Health Career Connection alumni who interned at Kaiser Permanente and worked on a video remote interpreting project to bridge the language gap in patients with limited English proficiency and other communication needs. Patty is a Rose Parade first aid responder with the American Red Cross, a Sandy Kemp Scholar and member of Doctors for Global Health. She is a Health Fellow with AmeriCorps and works in a clinic in East Los Angeles conducting diabetes focus groups. Currently, she is taking post-baccalaureate classes at UCLA. Patty plans to obtain a Master’s degree in global health and to pursue emergency medicine. Patty’s dream is to work for Doctors Without Borders and dedicate her life to ending health disparities that exist among marginalized communities in the United States and abroad. A fun fact about Patty is that she speaks Spanish, English, French, American Sign Language and is learning Arabic. Patty says “I am very grateful to be selected as a LMSA scholarship recipient. It means a lot to me and my family because I am one step closer to accomplishing my dreams of becoming a doctor and serving my community.”
My name is Betsabeth Muñoz and I am a first generation Chicana. My parents immigrated from Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico and I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I am a fourth-year undergraduate at UC Davis working toward a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with a B.A. minor in Native American Studies. I am grateful for the Sacred Heart and Washington United Youth Community Centers which have taught me about my Mexican heritage through Aztec dancing and other traditional Mexican dances, providing me with after-school programs, and serving as genuine support centers for the Latinx community. My particular interest in medicine stems from the time that I almost lost my brother in a car accident about ten years ago. He was gravely injured and in critical condition. Even in such a critical moment, ethnicity factored into the time it took for my brother to be admitted to surgery and it also played a role in the quality of conversation between the providers and my family. I devote much of my time to Clinica Tepati, a UC Davis student-run free clinic in Sacramento. Another reason why I pursue medicine is due to the poverty, high prevalence of homelessness, and ill mental and physical conditions of individuals I continue to witness throughout my hometown in San Jose as well as in Mexico. Hence, I am truly honored to receive this scholarship from LMSA because it is awarded by people with similar aspirations as mine and who believe in me.
My name is Betsabeth Muñoz and I am a first generation Chicana. My parents immigrated from Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico and I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I am a fourth-year undergraduate at UC Davis working toward a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with a B.A. minor in Native American Studies. I am grateful for the Sacred Heart and Washington United Youth Community Centers which have taught me about my Mexican heritage through Aztec dancing and other traditional Mexican dances, providing me with after-school programs, and serving as genuine support centers for the Latinx community. My particular interest in medicine stems from the time that I almost lost my brother in a car accident about ten years ago. He was gravely injured and in critical condition. Even in such a critical moment, ethnicity factored into the time it took for my brother to be admitted to surgery and it also played a role in the quality of conversation between the providers and my family. I devote much of my time to Clinica Tepati, a UC Davis student-run free clinic in Sacramento. Another reason why I pursue medicine is due to the poverty, high prevalence of homelessness, and ill mental and physical conditions of individuals I continue to witness throughout my hometown in San Jose as well as in Mexico. Hence, I am truly honored to receive this scholarship from LMSA because it is awarded by people with similar aspirations as mine and who believe in me.
Alexa Rodriguez will be earning her BA in Biological Sciences at Wellesley College in May. She is proud to be the first person in her family to graduate from a college institution and sincerely hopes that she is only the first of many. Alexa grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Compton, CA alongside her family. She is the daughter to the two most loving and self-sacrificing immigrant parents, and sister to one little brother. It is from her parents that she learned the indomitable work-ethic and discipline necessary to make dreams into realities. The foremost of her ambitions is to be a primary care physician in disadvantaged communities. During her undergraduate career, she developed the confidence and leadership necessary to become an effective leader in her own community. For the last couple of years, she has spent her summer months volunteering at a hospital where she learned the importance of language and cultural understanding within the fabric of medicine. Furthermore, she understood that a successful career in medicine is one that is built upon the foundation of humility and teamwork. Her internship within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services also helped drive this message home: it was through working with a team of motivated, brilliant people that she took part in designing educational workshops for community health workers. Alexa plans to apply all that she has learned and experienced towards a career of service in medicine. She cannot wait until she can deliver compassionate care to her community. Her desire is to work with underrepresented and marginalized identities such as the undocumented, drug-addicted, ex-convict, and homeless populations in Los Angeles. In the far future, Alexa has every intention of starting a pipeline connecting underrepresented and disadvantaged students to opportunities that would allow them the ability to dream big. Alexa is thankful to all the support she has received thus far. Had it not been for Scripps College Academy, she would not have applied to Wellesley. Had it not been for the Questbridge Match Scholarship, she could not have financed her education. She is immensely grateful towards her web of faithful supporters, friends, and mentors for being with her every step of the way. Lastly, Alexa thanks LMSA West Cynthia Felix Scholarship Committee for believing in her and helping her press forward towards the future she has been fighting for.
Alexa Rodriguez will be earning her BA in Biological Sciences at Wellesley College in May. She is proud to be the first person in her family to graduate from a college institution and sincerely hopes that she is only the first of many. Alexa grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Compton, CA alongside her family. She is the daughter to the two most loving and self-sacrificing immigrant parents, and sister to one little brother. It is from her parents that she learned the indomitable work-ethic and discipline necessary to make dreams into realities. The foremost of her ambitions is to be a primary care physician in disadvantaged communities. During her undergraduate career, she developed the confidence and leadership necessary to become an effective leader in her own community. For the last couple of years, she has spent her summer months volunteering at a hospital where she learned the importance of language and cultural understanding within the fabric of medicine. Furthermore, she understood that a successful career in medicine is one that is built upon the foundation of humility and teamwork. Her internship within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services also helped drive this message home: it was through working with a team of motivated, brilliant people that she took part in designing educational workshops for community health workers. Alexa plans to apply all that she has learned and experienced towards a career of service in medicine. She cannot wait until she can deliver compassionate care to her community. Her desire is to work with underrepresented and marginalized identities such as the undocumented, drug-addicted, ex-convict, and homeless populations in Los Angeles. In the far future, Alexa has every intention of starting a pipeline connecting underrepresented and disadvantaged students to opportunities that would allow them the ability to dream big. Alexa is thankful to all the support she has received thus far. Had it not been for Scripps College Academy, she would not have applied to Wellesley. Had it not been for the Questbridge Match Scholarship, she could not have financed her education. She is immensely grateful towards her web of faithful supporters, friends, and mentors for being with her every step of the way. Lastly, Alexa thanks LMSA West Cynthia Felix Scholarship Committee for believing in her and helping her press forward towards the future she has been fighting for.
Gardenia Casillas was born and raised in Salinas, California. She comes from a large, low-income, immigrant family from the states of Nayarit and Michoacán, Mexico. In her life, her parents have been the strongest influence. With their own cultural skills, they became intermediates for those who could not defend themselves, never being afraid to stand up to authority. They did this without question and never expecting compensation. Consequently, early on she learned the importance of acknowledging and serving the people who work with their hands, the farm workers, construction workers, and plumbers that held jobs like those of her parents. They ingrained in her the values of respect, hard work, and service. These bricks build her foundation and have pushed her in the direction of medicine. Gardenia acquired a college degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley in 2014. She is currently a UC Davis Post-Baccalaureate student. In the future, she hopes to combine medicine with her passion for activism, research, and community organizing to ultimately rethink the way medicine is practiced in her community.
Gardenia Casillas was born and raised in Salinas, California. She comes from a large, low-income, immigrant family from the states of Nayarit and Michoacán, Mexico. In her life, her parents have been the strongest influence. With their own cultural skills, they became intermediates for those who could not defend themselves, never being afraid to stand up to authority. They did this without question and never expecting compensation. Consequently, early on she learned the importance of acknowledging and serving the people who work with their hands, the farm workers, construction workers, and plumbers that held jobs like those of her parents. They ingrained in her the values of respect, hard work, and service. These bricks build her foundation and have pushed her in the direction of medicine. Gardenia acquired a college degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley in 2014. She is currently a UC Davis Post-Baccalaureate student. In the future, she hopes to combine medicine with her passion for activism, research, and community organizing to ultimately rethink the way medicine is practiced in her community.
Jessica Chavez is completing her informal postbacc through UCLA Extension and has earned her B.S. in Biology at UCLA in 2015. During her undergraduate career, she became a leader in Chicanos for Community Medicine (CCM) through DoT Org. In DoT Org, she began developing her passion for health education as she was able to educate primarily Spanish speaking patients about the importance of registering to become an organ and tissue donor. Her love for the medicine further grew while working as an ER Technician in Inglewood, California where she found herself helping bridge the gap between cultural and linguistic barriers such that all patients could receive excellent care. After this, Jessica faced difficult hardships necessitating her to postpone her education and potentially not go into medicine. However, through God’s help and the rich community she was blessed with through mentors such as Dr. Efrain Talamantes from MiMentor and through LMSA West, she was able to continue her education. She is truly thankful for everyday of life that she can continue making progress towards her dream of providing quality care for under-served communities. Jessica thanks the LMSA West Cynthia Felix Scholarship Committee for believing in her dreams and for their continued support throughout this journey.
Jessica Chavez is completing her informal postbacc through UCLA Extension and has earned her B.S. in Biology at UCLA in 2015. During her undergraduate career, she became a leader in Chicanos for Community Medicine (CCM) through DoT Org. In DoT Org, she began developing her passion for health education as she was able to educate primarily Spanish speaking patients about the importance of registering to become an organ and tissue donor. Her love for the medicine further grew while working as an ER Technician in Inglewood, California where she found herself helping bridge the gap between cultural and linguistic barriers such that all patients could receive excellent care. After this, Jessica faced difficult hardships necessitating her to postpone her education and potentially not go into medicine. However, through God’s help and the rich community she was blessed with through mentors such as Dr. Efrain Talamantes from MiMentor and through LMSA West, she was able to continue her education. She is truly thankful for everyday of life that she can continue making progress towards her dream of providing quality care for under-served communities. Jessica thanks the LMSA West Cynthia Felix Scholarship Committee for believing in her dreams and for their continued support throughout this journey.
“My relationship with medicine started very early on. My mother explains I was born with biliary atresia and had a liver transplant at six weeks of age. She figured it was due to the pesticides she was exposed too while she worked in the agriculture fields picking grapes. Til this day, she detests wine. Through the first liver transplant, I contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion, which led to a second liver transplant. My life has since been a constant reminder of the miracles of medicine and the commitment of physicians and their teams. Growing up, I felt there was a giant arrow pointing me in the direction of a career in medicine. I pursued that instinct to the best of my ability with the resources I had access too. I graduated from UCLA with my bachelor’s in Spanish and completed a postbaccalaureate program at CSUEB. During my undergraduate studies, I was involved in organizations like CCM and MiMentor. These organizations provide a network for pre-health students to guide them through their academic and professional journey. I have also previously worked as a medical scribe with several physicians in different fields that allowed me to gain a better understanding of the healthcare model. I currently work as a certified medical interpreter in several hospitals, clinics, and court hearings. My current line of work fits in perfectly with my future goals of serving as an advocate for underserved communities. My plan is to return to my hometown in the central valley and practice medicine. I am very grateful for all the support from mentors, friends, and family that has allowed me to get to where I am now.”
“My relationship with medicine started very early on. My mother explains I was born with biliary atresia and had a liver transplant at six weeks of age. She figured it was due to the pesticides she was exposed too while she worked in the agriculture fields picking grapes. Til this day, she detests wine. Through the first liver transplant, I contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion, which led to a second liver transplant. My life has since been a constant reminder of the miracles of medicine and the commitment of physicians and their teams. Growing up, I felt there was a giant arrow pointing me in the direction of a career in medicine. I pursued that instinct to the best of my ability with the resources I had access too. I graduated from UCLA with my bachelor’s in Spanish and completed a postbaccalaureate program at CSUEB. During my undergraduate studies, I was involved in organizations like CCM and MiMentor. These organizations provide a network for pre-health students to guide them through their academic and professional journey. I have also previously worked as a medical scribe with several physicians in different fields that allowed me to gain a better understanding of the healthcare model. I currently work as a certified medical interpreter in several hospitals, clinics, and court hearings. My current line of work fits in perfectly with my future goals of serving as an advocate for underserved communities. My plan is to return to my hometown in the central valley and practice medicine. I am very grateful for all the support from mentors, friends, and family that has allowed me to get to where I am now.”
Alexis Velazquez is the youngest of five children and was raised in a small farming community in Northern California called Grimes. Like many residents of Grimes, his parents left their friends and families to work in low paying agriculture jobs under inhumane working conditions, often coming to the country with out documents. Because of this, many of his family and neighbors did not have access to basic healthcare services and those that did, often only spoke Spanish and could not communicate with their physicians. Alexis gained an interest in medicine and Latino health after serving as a translator for friends and family and noticing the debilitating effects that the injustices of worker exploitation, poverty and lack of health care access was having on his family and community. As a student at UCLA, Alexis has been extremely involved throughout Los Angeles and Baja California by providing basic health services for medically underserved communities at local health fairs. He has also served as the Outreach Director for Donations of Tissues and Organs (DoT Org), whose mission is to increase awareness about the disparity that exists for minority patients waiting for a organ transplant. He now serves as the LMSA Liaison for CCM at UCLA and as one of the Vice Presidents of Special Events for MiMentor.org, a website designed to help undergraduate students connect with mentors. Alexis is currently a third year Chicana/o Studies Major and Public Health Minor with hopes of attending medical school and one day helping eliminate health disparities that exist throughout the Latino and minority communities.
Alexis Velazquez is the youngest of five children and was raised in a small farming community in Northern California called Grimes. Like many residents of Grimes, his parents left their friends and families to work in low paying agriculture jobs under inhumane working conditions, often coming to the country with out documents. Because of this, many of his family and neighbors did not have access to basic healthcare services and those that did, often only spoke Spanish and could not communicate with their physicians. Alexis gained an interest in medicine and Latino health after serving as a translator for friends and family and noticing the debilitating effects that the injustices of worker exploitation, poverty and lack of health care access was having on his family and community. As a student at UCLA, Alexis has been extremely involved throughout Los Angeles and Baja California by providing basic health services for medically underserved communities at local health fairs. He has also served as the Outreach Director for Donations of Tissues and Organs (DoT Org), whose mission is to increase awareness about the disparity that exists for minority patients waiting for a organ transplant. He now serves as the LMSA Liaison for CCM at UCLA and as one of the Vice Presidents of Special Events for MiMentor.org, a website designed to help undergraduate students connect with mentors. Alexis is currently a third year Chicana/o Studies Major and Public Health Minor with hopes of attending medical school and one day helping eliminate health disparities that exist throughout the Latino and minority communities.
Andrea Banuelos is proud to be the first in her family to graduate from high school and obtain a college degree. Andrea grew up in a low-income community in the San Fernando Valley and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her father was a gardener and her mother is a house-cleaner. Through her humble upbringing, she learned to appreciate the value of an education and realized that not everyone has the privilege to pursue his or her educational dreams. For that reason, she has worked hard throughout her school years. She graduated valedictorian from her high school and was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in American Studies. From a young age, Andrea has had a passion for serving communities like the one she grew up in. She knows first–hand the struggles that low-income underserved community members endure and she wants to do her part towards alleviating those struggles–particularly those related to health care and health care access. It is this passion that has driven her desire to pursue a career in medicine. She aims to apply her love for science and her passion for her community as a future physician and patient advocate. Andrea is currently completing a post-baccalaureate program at California State University, Northridge and works at a free clinic located in Pacoima, CA, that is named Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND). She will soon take the MCAT exam and plans to apply to medical school in 2015.
Andrea Banuelos is proud to be the first in her family to graduate from high school and obtain a college degree. Andrea grew up in a low-income community in the San Fernando Valley and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her father was a gardener and her mother is a house-cleaner. Through her humble upbringing, she learned to appreciate the value of an education and realized that not everyone has the privilege to pursue his or her educational dreams. For that reason, she has worked hard throughout her school years. She graduated valedictorian from her high school and was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in American Studies. From a young age, Andrea has had a passion for serving communities like the one she grew up in. She knows first–hand the struggles that low-income underserved community members endure and she wants to do her part towards alleviating those struggles–particularly those related to health care and health care access. It is this passion that has driven her desire to pursue a career in medicine. She aims to apply her love for science and her passion for her community as a future physician and patient advocate. Andrea is currently completing a post-baccalaureate program at California State University, Northridge and works at a free clinic located in Pacoima, CA, that is named Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND). She will soon take the MCAT exam and plans to apply to medical school in 2015.
Jennifer Pinal is earning her B.A. in Integrative Biology with an emphasis in Human Biology and Health Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. During her undergraduate career, she pursued community involvement through Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education where she provided health-related resources for the Bay Area population concerning preventable and chronic diseases that disproportionally affect the Latino and other underrepresented communities. Interested in clinical research to combine her passion for community health and science, she participated in the Undergraduate Research Internship at UCSF, where she conducted research that assessed the use of a computerized teaching tool to inform women of different socioeconomic and literacy levels about prenatal testing options. Venturing further into clinical research, Jennifer completed an honors thesis at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Center studying the hemoglobinopathy, Thalassemia, and its impact on physical activity patterns. Jennifer currently works at a federally qualified health center in her hometown in Pomona and volunteers for a non-profit that serves the medical and dental needs of communities in Tijuana, Mexico. Jennifer plans to serve underserved communities and continue doing research as a doctor in the future. With support from the Biology Scholars Program, mentors, and LMSA for this scholarship, Jennifer is paving the way for her twin boys to pursue their dreams and make a difference in peoples’ lives.
Jennifer Pinal is earning her B.A. in Integrative Biology with an emphasis in Human Biology and Health Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. During her undergraduate career, she pursued community involvement through Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education where she provided health-related resources for the Bay Area population concerning preventable and chronic diseases that disproportionally affect the Latino and other underrepresented communities. Interested in clinical research to combine her passion for community health and science, she participated in the Undergraduate Research Internship at UCSF, where she conducted research that assessed the use of a computerized teaching tool to inform women of different socioeconomic and literacy levels about prenatal testing options. Venturing further into clinical research, Jennifer completed an honors thesis at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Center studying the hemoglobinopathy, Thalassemia, and its impact on physical activity patterns. Jennifer currently works at a federally qualified health center in her hometown in Pomona and volunteers for a non-profit that serves the medical and dental needs of communities in Tijuana, Mexico. Jennifer plans to serve underserved communities and continue doing research as a doctor in the future. With support from the Biology Scholars Program, mentors, and LMSA for this scholarship, Jennifer is paving the way for her twin boys to pursue their dreams and make a difference in peoples’ lives.
Maria Rosales is a post-baccalaureate student at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, and attended Pitzer College as a Gates Millennium Scholar where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Human Biology and Spanish. Her family immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, and she was born and raised in Compton, CA. She is the oldest sibling in her family, and works very hard to be a good example for her younger sister. As a student at Pitzer, Maria’s internships in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Ecuador helped to focus her medical interest on Chagas disease, one of the least known and most deadly tropical diseases affecting vulnerable populations in Latin America and the U.S. She saw this experience as preparation for her future work in increasing awareness of this lethal disease. Maria volunteers in her community including the annual CDU Project Santa Claus, and the SAT Prep Outreach and Mentorship Program at King/Drew High School, where she mentors students from similar upbringing to pursue higher education. As the President of the Charles Drew University Pre-Med Society, she works in making a supporting environment for all post-bacc students who want to apply to medical school like herself. Her ultimate goal is to continue serving her community as a physician, to make a positive impact through her work in the Latino and other underserved communities, and to mentor the future generations to come. Maria thanks the LMSA-West Cynthia Felix Scholarship Committee for believing and supporting her dreams in pursuing a medical school education.
Maria Rosales is a post-baccalaureate student at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, and attended Pitzer College as a Gates Millennium Scholar where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Human Biology and Spanish. Her family immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, and she was born and raised in Compton, CA. She is the oldest sibling in her family, and works very hard to be a good example for her younger sister. As a student at Pitzer, Maria’s internships in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Ecuador helped to focus her medical interest on Chagas disease, one of the least known and most deadly tropical diseases affecting vulnerable populations in Latin America and the U.S. She saw this experience as preparation for her future work in increasing awareness of this lethal disease. Maria volunteers in her community including the annual CDU Project Santa Claus, and the SAT Prep Outreach and Mentorship Program at King/Drew High School, where she mentors students from similar upbringing to pursue higher education. As the President of the Charles Drew University Pre-Med Society, she works in making a supporting environment for all post-bacc students who want to apply to medical school like herself. Her ultimate goal is to continue serving her community as a physician, to make a positive impact through her work in the Latino and other underserved communities, and to mentor the future generations to come. Maria thanks the LMSA-West Cynthia Felix Scholarship Committee for believing and supporting her dreams in pursuing a medical school education.
Axana Rodriguez-Torres is a transfer pre-medical student at the University of California, Davis where she will double major in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior / Psychology in 2014. She has been a medical student in her home country, Colombia, where she did half of the medical program before having to postpone it for family reasons. Axana is fully in love with medicine, serving and giving back to her community and peer students. She is highly self-motivated, goal oriented and has persevered through several challenges to be where she is today. The standard she sets for herself has not allowed her to give up on her dream. When she came to the United States, economic reasons made her stop studying for several years. However, after that, she restarted from the undergraduate level looking to enter a US medical school. Medicine is the reason and drive of her life. She will make every possible effort to achieve that dream in the name of those whose voices are not heard. Axana volunteers at Clinica Tepati, one of the UCD student-run free clinics, in Sacramento devoted mainly to the Latino uninsured population where she serves as interpreter and advocate. The combination of passion for medicine and helping her community, specially the underserved, with their deepest and vital needs fulfills her completely. Knowing that she can be of service to others means a great accomplishment. LMSA is now a great part of her journey, and it is thanks to their support and motivation that she can continue pursuing her dream.
Axana Rodriguez-Torres is a transfer pre-medical student at the University of California, Davis where she will double major in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior / Psychology in 2014. She has been a medical student in her home country, Colombia, where she did half of the medical program before having to postpone it for family reasons. Axana is fully in love with medicine, serving and giving back to her community and peer students. She is highly self-motivated, goal oriented and has persevered through several challenges to be where she is today. The standard she sets for herself has not allowed her to give up on her dream. When she came to the United States, economic reasons made her stop studying for several years. However, after that, she restarted from the undergraduate level looking to enter a US medical school. Medicine is the reason and drive of her life. She will make every possible effort to achieve that dream in the name of those whose voices are not heard. Axana volunteers at Clinica Tepati, one of the UCD student-run free clinics, in Sacramento devoted mainly to the Latino uninsured population where she serves as interpreter and advocate. The combination of passion for medicine and helping her community, specially the underserved, with their deepest and vital needs fulfills her completely. Knowing that she can be of service to others means a great accomplishment. LMSA is now a great part of her journey, and it is thanks to their support and motivation that she can continue pursuing her dream.
Michelle Galicia is currently a post-baccalaureate pre-medical student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology as a first-generation student. Michelle is a native of Southeast Los Angeles where she was raised in a predominantly Hispanic, low-income community. Her parents immigrated from Puebla, Mexico and instilled the values of the resilient, hard-working immigrant citizen in her since childhood. Taking on these values, she strove to find a career in which she could one day serve the community that formed her character and give back to communities alike. To her, health and medicine represent a platform upon which she can maximize the impact she can achieve in her lifetime and looks forward to one day serving her community via healthcare, education, and social work. Michelle would like to thank the Cinthya Felix Scholarship Committee for granting her this scholarship and motivating her to continue her path towards medical school.
Michelle Galicia is currently a post-baccalaureate pre-medical student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology as a first-generation student. Michelle is a native of Southeast Los Angeles where she was raised in a predominantly Hispanic, low-income community. Her parents immigrated from Puebla, Mexico and instilled the values of the resilient, hard-working immigrant citizen in her since childhood. Taking on these values, she strove to find a career in which she could one day serve the community that formed her character and give back to communities alike. To her, health and medicine represent a platform upon which she can maximize the impact she can achieve in her lifetime and looks forward to one day serving her community via healthcare, education, and social work. Michelle would like to thank the Cinthya Felix Scholarship Committee for granting her this scholarship and motivating her to continue her path towards medical school.

DREAMERS OF TOMORROW SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The Dreamers of Tomorrow Scholarship was developed in 2017 to support undocumented medical and pre-medical students attending school in the LMSA West Region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

This scholarship aims to lessen the undue burden undocumented students face in financing their medical education. The aims of this scholarship are to support students whose mission align with LMSA’s mission and increase the diversity of medical colleges throughout the western region by supporting undocumented students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Students that apply for the scholarship do so with the understanding that their application and immigration status will be de-identified to the voting members of the LMSA West Regional Board. After scholarship decisions are made, applicant’s award and personal information will not be publicized, collected or shared by individuals within or outside of LMSA unless scholarship winner gives expressed signed consent for LMSA to share their story within our social media circle to promote our advocacy efforts for undocumented students.

LMSA West will collaborate with Pre-Health Dreamers to award two (2) scholarship recipients with a one-time scholarship, in the amount of $1,800. This scholarship is sponsored by AltaMed.  

ELIGIBILITY

– Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.

– Must have a demonstrated financial need of funds.

– Must be a dues-paying member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board for financial assistance if needed). 

– Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

– Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA-West Dreamers of Tomorrow Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to yadi@phdreamers.org

Questions? Email vp_scholarship@lmsa.net

JANINE GONZALEZ MCAT SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The Janine Gonzalez Scholarship for an MCAT Preparatory Course was developed to assist pre-medical students with the financial burden of preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) required to apply to accredited U.S. Medical Schools. Personal qualities, financial need, academic/extracurricular achievement and timeline for taking the MCAT will be considered in the selection process.

Eligibility

  • Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.
  • Eligible applicants should be applying for matriculation into Allopathic or Osteopathic Schools of Medicine in 2026 or 2027
  • Strong consideration will be placed upon financial need, as well as the applicant’s timeline for taking the MCAT and applying to medical school.
  • Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of migratory status.
  • Student must be a resident within the LMSA Western region (Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Nevada)
  • Student must be a dues-paying pre-med member of LMSA.
  • Please see the application for additional details.  LMSA reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled JANINE GONZALEZ MCAT PREP SCHOLARSHIP 2022 – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022. 

Questions? Email vp_scholarship@lmsa.net

Previous Winners of the Janine Gonzalez MCAT Scholarship:

Iman Tassavor is a non-traditional, pre-medical student who has completed his Bachelors of Science in Biology at San Francisco State University. Iman has experienced a life of an immigrant as he and his family had emigrated multiple times in pursuit of a better life. Interestingly, this journey has led Iman to experience living in countries that are in opposite poles when it comes to healthcare. In Iran, he and his family had limited access to healthcare, and they had to resort to charity clinics along with outreach programs to receive medicine or vaccines. For the most part, Medicine was a commodity for him and his family. When Iman and his family permanently moved to Vancouver, Canada, access to health care was guaranteed and no longer an issue. However, when Iman moved to San Francisco to complete his undergraduate studies, he did not have the same privilege in the United States. As a young adult in San Francisco, Iman realized many low-income individuals like himself, could not afford health insurance. These events have made Iman aware of the healthcare disparities in his local community, and it has inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. While pursuing this journey, Iman committed time to train and educate the low-income, underserved, and immigrant students in San Francisco to establish a career as medical assistance. Most of his students have now found employment at a local hospital. Iman will continue his work as an instructor and will start his new volunteer position at a local free clinic to help reduce the health complications of uninsured diabetic patients.
Iman Tassavor is a non-traditional, pre-medical student who has completed his Bachelors of Science in Biology at San Francisco State University. Iman has experienced a life of an immigrant as he and his family had emigrated multiple times in pursuit of a better life. Interestingly, this journey has led Iman to experience living in countries that are in opposite poles when it comes to healthcare. In Iran, he and his family had limited access to healthcare, and they had to resort to charity clinics along with outreach programs to receive medicine or vaccines. For the most part, Medicine was a commodity for him and his family. When Iman and his family permanently moved to Vancouver, Canada, access to health care was guaranteed and no longer an issue. However, when Iman moved to San Francisco to complete his undergraduate studies, he did not have the same privilege in the United States. As a young adult in San Francisco, Iman realized many low-income individuals like himself, could not afford health insurance. These events have made Iman aware of the healthcare disparities in his local community, and it has inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. While pursuing this journey, Iman committed time to train and educate the low-income, underserved, and immigrant students in San Francisco to establish a career as medical assistance. Most of his students have now found employment at a local hospital. Iman will continue his work as an instructor and will start his new volunteer position at a local free clinic to help reduce the health complications of uninsured diabetic patients.
My parents immigrated from Mexico and settled in East Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. My family and I often relied on curanderas to help us feel better because we rarely had adequate access to healthcare. As I grew older, I pushed even harder to succeed in school because I believed that if I could go to college, I could one day return to my roots and likewise communities and be a medical liaison for people with these very barriers. As an undergraduate at UC Davis, I was involved in student organizations like C.H.E and Clinica Tepati, which served as a reminder that individuals are still facing the same barriers to health care that my family and I faced nearly 20 years ago. My path into medicine has taken various detours, but I have learned a lot about my community and myself along the way. I am currently taking upper division science courses as part of an informal post-bacc at UC Davis, working as a substitute teacher, and completing a dual masters program in Public Health and Behavioral Health at the University of San Francisco. However, the hardest thing I have done being a father who is pursuing a career in medicine has been being away from my two-year-old son, Leonardo. To me, being a physician not only means helping individuals from a medical standpoint, but it also means becoming an advocate for and to underrepresented communities who at most times need the medical and personal attention a lot more.
My parents immigrated from Mexico and settled in East Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. My family and I often relied on curanderas to help us feel better because we rarely had adequate access to healthcare. As I grew older, I pushed even harder to succeed in school because I believed that if I could go to college, I could one day return to my roots and likewise communities and be a medical liaison for people with these very barriers. As an undergraduate at UC Davis, I was involved in student organizations like C.H.E and Clinica Tepati, which served as a reminder that individuals are still facing the same barriers to health care that my family and I faced nearly 20 years ago. My path into medicine has taken various detours, but I have learned a lot about my community and myself along the way. I am currently taking upper division science courses as part of an informal post-bacc at UC Davis, working as a substitute teacher, and completing a dual masters program in Public Health and Behavioral Health at the University of San Francisco. However, the hardest thing I have done being a father who is pursuing a career in medicine has been being away from my two-year-old son, Leonardo. To me, being a physician not only means helping individuals from a medical standpoint, but it also means becoming an advocate for and to underrepresented communities who at most times need the medical and personal attention a lot more.
Bo James Hwang is a pre-med post-bacc student at UCLA Extension. Bo’s lived and work experiences led him to become deeply passionate about social justice, health equity, & mentorship for first-gen, Latinx, LGBTQ, immigrant, & BIPOC communities. He is extremely humble and grateful for LMSA-West for their advocacy, mentorship, and for the generous MCAT Scholarship. He looks forward to the day he can help lead initiatives for LMSA as a future medical student & healthcare provider!
Bo James Hwang is a pre-med post-bacc student at UCLA Extension. Bo’s lived and work experiences led him to become deeply passionate about social justice, health equity, & mentorship for first-gen, Latinx, LGBTQ, immigrant, & BIPOC communities. He is extremely humble and grateful for LMSA-West for their advocacy, mentorship, and for the generous MCAT Scholarship. He looks forward to the day he can help lead initiatives for LMSA as a future medical student & healthcare provider!

“SÍ SE PUEDE” SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

The “Si Se Puede” Medical School Application Scholarship was developed in 2004 to assist pre-medical students with the financial burden of applying to accredited U.S. Medical Schools. Personal qualities, financial need, academic and extracurricular achievement will be considered in the selection process.

This year, LMSA-West will award four (4) scholarship recipients with $1000 for medical school application expenses. 

ELIGIBILITY

– Eligible applicants should have submitted AMCAS® OR AACOMAS® applications for the cycle that would allow for matriculation into medical school in fall of 2021.

– Students interested in applying to Allopathic and/or Osteopathic Schools of Medicine are welcome to apply.

– Funds can be used for AMCAS® OR AACOMAS® registration fees. Original receipts and other pertinent documents must be submitted for award to be distributed. Winners will receive details with notification of award. LMSA reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

– Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.

– Applicants should demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.

– Must be a dues-paying pre-med member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board for financial assistance if needed).

– Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

– Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

– Winners must provide a small blurb about themselves to highlight on the LMSA-West social media outlets and website

– LMSA reserves the right to rescind awards pending lack of submission or falsification of any documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via e-mail and attached in a single file in Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA-West “Si Se Puede” Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net.

Questions? Email vp_scholarship@lmsa.net

Previous Winners of the SÍ Se Puede Scholarship:

My name is Manuela Herrera and I was raised in Oxnard, California as a first generation Mexican-American. Similarly to many other Latinx, I learned to value hard work and education from a young age. Early on, I was determined to grant my family a better life through higher education. Gratefully, with the unconditional love from my family and constant support from the TRIO Upward Bound Program, I applied and attended the University of California, Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a physician. After graduating UCLA with a degree in Biology and a minor in Labor and Workplace Studies, I attended the UC Irvine School of Medicine Post baccalaureate program. As a first generation college student, it was comforting for me to connect with healthcare professionals with similar backgrounds—they inspired me to keep striving for my dream. I am elated to share that I will be attending medical school this summer. I am passionate about uplifting underserved communities and empowering patients to play an active role in their health. My interests comprise of caring for vulnerable populations, using a public health approach to medicine, preventive medicine, social justice, mentorship, nutrition, women’s health, and mental health. I would like to wholeheartedly thank the LMSA-West committee for awarding me the Si Se Puede scholarship—alleviating me with the financial burden of applying to accredited U.S. medical schools.
My name is Manuela Herrera and I was raised in Oxnard, California as a first generation Mexican-American. Similarly to many other Latinx, I learned to value hard work and education from a young age. Early on, I was determined to grant my family a better life through higher education. Gratefully, with the unconditional love from my family and constant support from the TRIO Upward Bound Program, I applied and attended the University of California, Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a physician. After graduating UCLA with a degree in Biology and a minor in Labor and Workplace Studies, I attended the UC Irvine School of Medicine Post baccalaureate program. As a first generation college student, it was comforting for me to connect with healthcare professionals with similar backgrounds—they inspired me to keep striving for my dream. I am elated to share that I will be attending medical school this summer. I am passionate about uplifting underserved communities and empowering patients to play an active role in their health. My interests comprise of caring for vulnerable populations, using a public health approach to medicine, preventive medicine, social justice, mentorship, nutrition, women’s health, and mental health. I would like to wholeheartedly thank the LMSA-West committee for awarding me the Si Se Puede scholarship—alleviating me with the financial burden of applying to accredited U.S. medical schools.

LMSA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: TBD

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a national organization that supports medical and premedical students interested in promoting the health of the Latino community. The LMSA National scholarship is awarded to medical students and/or undergraduate pre-medical students who embody the characteristics the organization upholds. Visit the LMSA National website for more information about the organization’s mission statement.

This year, LMSA National will award eight (8) scholarship recipients with $500 each.

ELIGIBILITY

– Medical students pursuing a DO or MD, or an undergraduate student with demonstrated pre-medical coursework.

– Current LMSA members with proof of paid membership. Note: proof of membership will be verified if selected.

– Desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.

– Applicants are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of ethnic background or immigration status. DACA students are encouraged to apply.

The application consists of demographic information, academic history, a 500 word short answer question, and 1 page personal statement alongside a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and unofficial transcript.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

Questions? Email LMSA National VP of Scholarship at scholarship@lmsa.net

Medical Students

Richard Juarez, MD Memorial Award

DEADLINE: February 15th, 2022 11:59PM PST

 

Dr. Juarez was born April 24, 1972 from the rural town of Brawley, California, and was a student at the UCLA-Drew School of Medicine. For all the years he was in medical school, he tirelessly dedicated himself to what was then CMSA (now known as LMSA). He acted not only as a Medical Student Representative (MSR) for his chapter, but also became the principal medical student in charge of CMSA’s Supernetwork grant funding, ensuring that all chapters performed the necessary duties to maintain funding and community activism for the organization.

Richard’s duty to underserved communities expanded beyond his involvement in CMSA. He was well known among peers and faculty alike to be a true leader, and was consistently involved in community outreach and Latino health issues, both local and national.

Richard passed away in a car accident at the start of Thanksgiving weekend, November 25, 1998. UCLA-Drew School of Medicine posthumously awarded Richard his MD degree. Classmates and fellow CMSA members decided to make permanent Richard’s memory in the creation of the Richard Juarez, MD Memorial Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Community.

To qualify for the 2022 Richard Juarez, MD Memorial Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Community to LMSA & the Latino Community, applicants must be graduating medical students who have been involved in LMSA during all of their years of medical school training, and have a clear vision of how they will improve the health of Latinos and other underserved communities.

Please submit the application as one PDF to vp_Scholarship@lmsa.net by 11:59 PM of Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The subject headline should be “Richard Juarez 2022 Scholarship – First Name, Last Name”. Any application material received after this date will not be reviewed. All submitted materials become the property of the Alliance in Mentorship and will not be returned. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Winners will be announced late April or early May.

CLICK HERE to view application.

 

Previous Winners of the Richard Juarez, MD Memorial Award

Beatriz C. Marrón is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Michoacán, Mexico and the first one in her family to pursue a degree in medicine. Having grown up in the communities of Maywood and Bell Gardens, CA, Beatriz saw first-hand the health disparities and injustices that afflict the Latinx community. Driven by wanting to be an agent of change, she ingrained in her mind the idea of becoming a doctor for her community at a very early age. Her passions for medicine and social justice were nurtured as an undergraduate student at UCLA, where she held leadership positions within Chicanxs/Latinxs for Community Medicine and the Latinx Student Health Project. While at UCLA, Beatriz also witnessed the educational disparities that came with being a first gen student and under her role as Executive Director of Alliance in Mentorship/MiMentor, she created the Med School Ready! Series, while noticing the scarcity of resources available for URM students as she applied to med school herself. With the support of her mentors, as a medical student Beatriz continued pursuing her passions of working with the Latinx community to improve health outcomes. Beatriz will now be graduating from the PRIME-LA at UCLA DGSOM and is excited to continue her next adventure as an Internal Medicine Doctora at UC Davis. She also holds a Master in Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and was recently awarded with the 2021 Excellence in Public Health Award by the US Public Health Service Physician Professional Advisory Committee for her commitment to public health issues in her community. Within LMSA she has worn several hats throughout the years at both the local chapter and regional level working on various initiatives to advance higher education among URM students and address health disparities in the Latinx community, most recently serving as LMSA-West’s CFO.
Beatriz C. Marrón is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Michoacán, Mexico and the first one in her family to pursue a degree in medicine. Having grown up in the communities of Maywood and Bell Gardens, CA, Beatriz saw first-hand the health disparities and injustices that afflict the Latinx community. Driven by wanting to be an agent of change, she ingrained in her mind the idea of becoming a doctor for her community at a very early age. Her passions for medicine and social justice were nurtured as an undergraduate student at UCLA, where she held leadership positions within Chicanxs/Latinxs for Community Medicine and the Latinx Student Health Project. While at UCLA, Beatriz also witnessed the educational disparities that came with being a first gen student and under her role as Executive Director of Alliance in Mentorship/MiMentor, she created the Med School Ready! Series, while noticing the scarcity of resources available for URM students as she applied to med school herself. With the support of her mentors, as a medical student Beatriz continued pursuing her passions of working with the Latinx community to improve health outcomes. Beatriz will now be graduating from the PRIME-LA at UCLA DGSOM and is excited to continue her next adventure as an Internal Medicine Doctora at UC Davis. She also holds a Master in Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and was recently awarded with the 2021 Excellence in Public Health Award by the US Public Health Service Physician Professional Advisory Committee for her commitment to public health issues in her community. Within LMSA she has worn several hats throughout the years at both the local chapter and regional level working on various initiatives to advance higher education among URM students and address health disparities in the Latinx community, most recently serving as LMSA-West’s CFO.
Brenda Iglesias will be graduating in the Class of 2021 from the combined Charles R. Drew Medical Education Program (CDU)/David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA. She is a Southern California native, hailing from the south east LA suburb of South Gate. She earned her biology degree from Pomona College, where she was on the Women’s Swimming and Water Polo teams. During her medical school career, she has dedicated herself to improving patient care and serving urban underserved patients, with a focus on the Latinx community. Her interest in orthopaedic surgery led her to become an Nth Dimensions Scholar, where she began exploring the field of orthopedic surgery during her first year. Between her third and fourth year of medical school, she performed research at the Keck School of Medicine at USC (KSOM) where she was funded through an NIAMS/NIH funded grant to study the regional gene therapy to enhance bone repair in Dr. Lieberman’s lab. Additionally, she has been involved with the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) for all four years, culminating as Co-director for the LMSA West Region. She hopes to continue exploring her interests in mentorship and health disparities research during her orthopaedic residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and to continue advocating for historically marginalized communities as an orthopedic surgeon.
Brenda Iglesias will be graduating in the Class of 2021 from the combined Charles R. Drew Medical Education Program (CDU)/David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA. She is a Southern California native, hailing from the south east LA suburb of South Gate. She earned her biology degree from Pomona College, where she was on the Women’s Swimming and Water Polo teams. During her medical school career, she has dedicated herself to improving patient care and serving urban underserved patients, with a focus on the Latinx community. Her interest in orthopaedic surgery led her to become an Nth Dimensions Scholar, where she began exploring the field of orthopedic surgery during her first year. Between her third and fourth year of medical school, she performed research at the Keck School of Medicine at USC (KSOM) where she was funded through an NIAMS/NIH funded grant to study the regional gene therapy to enhance bone repair in Dr. Lieberman’s lab. Additionally, she has been involved with the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) for all four years, culminating as Co-director for the LMSA West Region. She hopes to continue exploring her interests in mentorship and health disparities research during her orthopaedic residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and to continue advocating for historically marginalized communities as an orthopedic surgeon.
Erin Risotto-Urbanowicz is an MD graduate of Oregon Health and Science University (March 2022) and recently matched into General Surgery at the University of New Mexico. Her interests in Latinx health and equity stem from her Uruguaya mother, and a father who was dedicated to community, justice, and equity through his work as a union bargainer and teacher at her local high school in Gresham, OR. These influences propelled her into a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Justice at Hamline University, where she played soccer and did track, and a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. Throughout her medical student career, Erin was extremely dedicated to building a community for underrepresented students, improving medical education programs, and providing mentorship for premed students. She has served in multiple roles in LMSA at a local, regional, and national level serving as her chapter's Co-President, Regional and National Conference Chair, and National Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer. This work has been recognized by her induction into Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Society as well as multiple awards from OHSU for Student Service and Leadership, Best Student Group when she was co-president of her chapter, and the LMSA-West Community Service Award. Erin hopes to build upon the work being done in the surgical field to promote health equity and continue mentorship of underrepresented students to promote interest in surgical fields. In her spare time, Erin enjoys walking her dog, Ruby, playing her Nintendo Switch, reading the latest thriller, and spending time with her family and partner JC.
Erin Risotto-Urbanowicz is an MD graduate of Oregon Health and Science University (March 2022) and recently matched into General Surgery at the University of New Mexico. Her interests in Latinx health and equity stem from her Uruguaya mother, and a father who was dedicated to community, justice, and equity through his work as a union bargainer and teacher at her local high school in Gresham, OR. These influences propelled her into a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Justice at Hamline University, where she played soccer and did track, and a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. Throughout her medical student career, Erin was extremely dedicated to building a community for underrepresented students, improving medical education programs, and providing mentorship for premed students. She has served in multiple roles in LMSA at a local, regional, and national level serving as her chapter's Co-President, Regional and National Conference Chair, and National Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer. This work has been recognized by her induction into Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Society as well as multiple awards from OHSU for Student Service and Leadership, Best Student Group when she was co-president of her chapter, and the LMSA-West Community Service Award. Erin hopes to build upon the work being done in the surgical field to promote health equity and continue mentorship of underrepresented students to promote interest in surgical fields. In her spare time, Erin enjoys walking her dog, Ruby, playing her Nintendo Switch, reading the latest thriller, and spending time with her family and partner JC.
Katherine Brito (she/her/ella) is from Santa Ana, CA and identifies as a first-generation, Mexican-American. She attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree and will be graduating from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine this Spring. As a future OBGYN, her mission is to center the reproductive freedoms of all people. She served as co-President of LMSA at Pritzker, as the Scholarship & Fundraising Chair for LMSA Midwest, and has served as the LMSA National Scholarship Chair for the past two years. Katherine is passionate about creating scholarship programs that support low-income students of color. Her dedication to LMSA saw her establish the LMSA Midwest Scholarship Program and the LMSA National Carmen Reyes MCAT Scholarship. These scholarship programs have financially supported and recognized the exemplary work of LMSA members at both the regional and national level. Her research interests include uterine fibroids, gynecologic pathology, and medical education. She envisions a career as a clinician-researcher, a teacher, and a mentor. Katherine will complete her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at UCSF.
Katherine Brito (she/her/ella) is from Santa Ana, CA and identifies as a first-generation, Mexican-American. She attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree and will be graduating from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine this Spring. As a future OBGYN, her mission is to center the reproductive freedoms of all people. She served as co-President of LMSA at Pritzker, as the Scholarship & Fundraising Chair for LMSA Midwest, and has served as the LMSA National Scholarship Chair for the past two years. Katherine is passionate about creating scholarship programs that support low-income students of color. Her dedication to LMSA saw her establish the LMSA Midwest Scholarship Program and the LMSA National Carmen Reyes MCAT Scholarship. These scholarship programs have financially supported and recognized the exemplary work of LMSA members at both the regional and national level. Her research interests include uterine fibroids, gynecologic pathology, and medical education. She envisions a career as a clinician-researcher, a teacher, and a mentor. Katherine will complete her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at UCSF.

DREAMERS OF TOMORROW SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: TBD

 

The Dreamers of Tomorrow Scholarship was developed in 2017 to support undocumented medical and pre-medical students attending school in the LMSA West Region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

This scholarship aims to lessen the undue burden undocumented students face in financing their medical education. The aims of this scholarship are to support students whose mission align with LMSA’s mission and increase the diversity of medical colleges throughout the western region by supporting undocumented students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Students that apply for the scholarship do so with the understanding that their application and immigration status will be de-identified to the voting members of the LMSA West Regional Board. After scholarship decisions are made, applicant’s award and personal information will not be publicized, collected or shared by individuals within or outside of LMSA unless scholarship winner gives expressed signed consent for LMSA to share their story within our social media circle to promote our advocacy efforts for undocumented students.

LMSA West will collaborate with Pre-Health Dreamers to award two (2) scholarship recipients with a one-time scholarship, in the amount of $1,800. This scholarship is sponsored by AltaMed.  

ELIGIBILITY

– Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.

– Must have a demonstrated financial need of funds.

– Must be a dues-paying member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board for financial assistance if needed). 

– Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

– Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

 

LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA-West Dreamers of Tomorrow Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to erick@phdreamers.org

Questions? Email Erick Leyva at erick@phdreamers.org

                        

JP Sanchez Scholarship

DEADLINE: TBD

LMSA National and the LMSA LGBTQ Caucus are accepting applications for the: The JP Sanchez Scholarship.

This scholarship will be awarded for outstanding work in the field of LGBTQ Health serving Latino patients in the United States. Applicants must submit an essay documenting their work in the LGBTQ health field. This can include scholarly work or advocacy activities.

**Please note, award amounts vary year to year. The scholarship will be a minimum of $500.
Selection is at the sole discretion of the selection committee.

DEADLINE: TBD; Please check back in January 2022 for the application!
Winners will be notified by late March 2022

LMSA-National reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents or falsification of any information. If you have any questions please feel free to contact at scholarship@lmsa.net.

LMSA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: TBD

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a national organization that supports medical and premedical students interested in promoting the health of the Latino community. The LMSA National scholarship is awarded to medical students and/or undergraduate pre-medical students who embody the characteristics the organization upholds. Visit the LMSA National website for more information about the organization’s mission statement.

This year, LMSA National will award eight (8) scholarship recipients with $500 each.

ELIGIBILITY

– Medical students pursuing a DO or MD, or an undergraduate student with demonstrated pre-medical coursework.

– Current LMSA members with proof of paid membership. Note: proof of membership will be verified if selected.

– Desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations.

– Applicants are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of ethnic background or immigration status. DACA students are encouraged to apply.

The application consists of demographic information, academic history, a 500 word short answer question, and 1 page personal statement alongside a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and unofficial transcript.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

Questions? Email LMSA National VP of Scholarship at scholarship@lmsa.net

LATINO HEALTH STUDENT RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: February 15th, 2022, 11:59PM PST

The Latino Health Research Scholarship was developed in 2017 to support, encourage, and facilitate scholarly research and academic engagement by LMSA-West medical students. This scholarship will provide them with an opportunity to fund their projects, prepare their research and/or disseminate their work in the areas of Latino health and health disparities. The aims of this scholarship are to promote the exchange of information related to Latino health and to increase the number of Latino students and Latino health focused academic research. Read more about previous scholarship recipients here.

LMSA-West will provide one (1) scholarship recipient with a one-time research scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 to support the development and dissemination of novel research in areas of Latino health and health disparities. This scholarship is sponsored by AltaMed.

ELIGIBILITY

– Must have a developed project in process with an assigned mentor and timeline, and all necessary certifications per institution (IRB approval, consents, translation, etc).

– Must have a demonstrated financial need of funds for study recruitment, supplies, printing, travel, etc.

– All LMSA-West medical students with demonstrated research project are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to students conducting research addressing Latino health and health disparities.

– Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities.

-Must be a dues-paying pre-med member of LMSA-West. (Can contact LMSA Executive Board for financial assistance if needed).

– Applicants will submit their CV, letter of intent, and recommendation letter from a school faculty, research preceptor justifying use of funds.

– Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

– Must be a resident or attending school within the LMSA-West region states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

– Must submit a CV, letter of intent, and recommendation letter from a school faculty or research preceptor justifying use of funds.

– LMSA-West reserves the right to withdraw or withhold scholarship pending submission of necessary documents.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

All application materials should be submitted via email and attached in a single Adobe Acrobat PDF format titled LMSA-West Latino Health Student Research Scholarship – Applicant Last Name, First Initial 2022 to VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net.

Questions? Email VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net

This scholarship is sponsored by:

Previous Winners of the Latino Health Student Research Scholarship

Trisha Chau is a medical student Oregon Health Science University. Her family constantly taught her to help others whenever and however she could. In 2017, she was exposed to systemic racism, which drove her passion to pursue medicine with the goal of helping underserved communities in the future. In her downtime, she enjoys traveling, doing martial arts, and learning foreign languages.
Trisha Chau is a medical student Oregon Health Science University. Her family constantly taught her to help others whenever and however she could. In 2017, she was exposed to systemic racism, which drove her passion to pursue medicine with the goal of helping underserved communities in the future. In her downtime, she enjoys traveling, doing martial arts, and learning foreign languages.
Lizbeth is a second-year medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine. She is a first-generation, raised in Long Beach, CA and the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She is grateful to receive the AltaMed LMSA West Research Scholarship and move her project in collaboration with UCSF Emergency Medicine faculty forward. This project will assist LMSA-West in its mission to provide healthcare to the Latino and underserved communities and increase the academic presence of Latino health research because racism against Black Latinos is prevalent in the emergency department, the degree to which this impacts clinical decision-making and patient outcomes has not been well described. This understanding is the key to providing quality equitable care for the Latino and other underserved communities.
Lizbeth is a second-year medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine. She is a first-generation, raised in Long Beach, CA and the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She is grateful to receive the AltaMed LMSA West Research Scholarship and move her project in collaboration with UCSF Emergency Medicine faculty forward. This project will assist LMSA-West in its mission to provide healthcare to the Latino and underserved communities and increase the academic presence of Latino health research because racism against Black Latinos is prevalent in the emergency department, the degree to which this impacts clinical decision-making and patient outcomes has not been well described. This understanding is the key to providing quality equitable care for the Latino and other underserved communities.

LMSA Scholarship Database

Click Here to visit our Database!

Click Here to let us know of any other scholarship opportunities.

Questions? Email VP_Scholarship@lmsa.net

Outside Scholarships

Kaiser Permanente Oliver Goldsmith, M.D. Scholarship​

Future physicians who are dedicated to promoting and advancing culturally responsive care in Southern California based on their ongoing community service at organizations dedicated to eradicating health disparities and providing access to underserved communities.  The $5,000 Oliver Goldsmith, MD, Scholarship award also includes the opportunity to observe practicing physicians delivering culturally responsive care through a four-to-six week clinical rotation at a Kaiser Permanente facility. Since the program was established in 2004, 80 scholarships totaling $400,000 in community benefit funds have been provided to assist medical students in completing their educational goals.

Kaiser Permanente Oliver Goldsmith, M.D. Scholarship

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Thirty Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans will be awarded in 2013 on the basis of a single national competition.

  • Each fellowship supports up to two years of graduate study – in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program – in the United States.

  • Each award is for up to $25,000 in maintenance grants and up to $20,000 in tuition support for each year of graduate study supported, a total of as much as $90,000.

  • The deadline for submission of completed applications is TBD.

  • To be eligible, you must be:

    • A New American (a green card holder or naturalized citizen if born abroad; a child of naturalized citizens if born in this country).

    • Not yet 31 years old, as of the application deadline.

    • A college senior or holder of a bachelor’s degree.

    • Not beyond your second year – if already enrolled — in the graduate degree program for which you request support.

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans:

The Aetna/NMF Healthcare Leadership Program

  • The Aetna/NMF Healthcare Leadership Program: a new Healthcare Leadership Program to help address the severe national shortage of physician-leaders who are committed to the health of underserved communities. This program will provide a $5,000 scholarship to each of 10 2nd and 3rd year medical students from underrepresented minority groups with a commitment to serving medically underserved communities. Awardees will have demonstrated evidence of community service and leadership potential at an early stage in their professional careers.

NMF Scholarships and Awards Program

Offered primarily to first- and second-year U.S. medical students, these scholarships are granted on the basis of financial need. NMF scholarships are increasingly important due to escalating cost of medical school and spiraling student debt. The NMF Scholarships and Awards Program provides financial assistance to United States citizens from groups currently under represented in the medical profession; specifically, African-Americans, Alaska Natives, Hispanic/Latinos, Native Hawaiians, Native Americans, Vietnamese, and Cambodians.

 

NMF Scholarships and Awards Program:

GE/NMF International Medical Scholars Program:

  • In partnership with GE’s Developing Health Globally Program, NMF is pleased to request applications from qualified rising 4th year minority medical students for an ALL EXPENSE PAID externship in Africa.
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  • GE/NMF International Medical Scholars Program: