Zach Jaeger, B.S.1,4, José G. Grajales-Reyes, B.S.1,4, Richard Ferro, MSc.2,4, and Donald Rodríguez, B.S.3,4
1Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
2Quinnipiac University, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Hamden, CT 06518, USA
3University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
4Latino Medical Student Association, Tallahassee, FL 32301, USA
Correspondence concerning this article and for further communications should be addressed to Zach Jaeger (service@lmsa.net)
Abstract
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission to unite and empower medical students through service, mentorship, education, and advocacy for the health of the Latinx community. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has magnified health inequities, our group of nearly 150 active chapters has unified to meet community needs. At a local and regional level, many have provided services and created resource archives to support frontline providers and other essential workers. To address the language barrier for many Latinxs, some chapters have developed and distributed video series and infographics in Spanish to dispel myths and educate the public on the coronavirus and public health. At a national level, the LMSA supports its members through wellness initiatives and webinars, pre-medical student mentorship, continuing medical Spanish curricula, and promoting research. As an organization of future physicians, we admire and appreciate our role models risking their lives on the front lines. To fulfill our duties to each other and to the community, we aim to answer the needs of our community during this difficult time with a unified, robust response.
Disclosures
All of the authors hold a position on the National Executive Board of the LMSA. Zach Jaeger is the National Service Chair of the LMSA. José G Grajales-Reyes is the Vice-Chair of Internal Affairs of the LMSA. Richard Ferro is the Vice-Chair of External Affairs of the LMSA. Donald Rodríguez is the National President of the LMSA.
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis in the United States, members of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) have grappled with both their innate desire to help others in times of need and their duty to advocate for the health of underserved communities. As a national, student- run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with nearly 150 active chapters, LMSA exists to unite and empower medical students through service, education, and mentorship to advocate for the health of the U.S. Latinx population. In this vein, we have developed and supported grassroots efforts to promote the well-being of our patients and peers. These efforts include the creation of a national archive of COVID-19 resources in Spanish and English, the dissemination of service opportunities to aid healthcare workers at the frontlines of COVID-19 care, and the expansion of mentorship initiatives to support trainees from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine (URiM).
In several U.S. metropolitan areas, COVID-19 has disproportionately affected communities of color, with Hispanic patients experiencing higher infection and mortality rates compared to non-Hispanic whites. To address this disparity, LMSA has sought to provide Spanish-speaking patients with culturally and linguistically relevant resources for them to better protect themselves against SARS-CoV-2. At a chapter level, members at various medical schools have recorded informational videos in Spanish to educate the public and dispel myths that recur in Latinx social media. Accompanying infographics highlight these videos’ major points in an accessible manner, and Spanish-speaking physicians participate in and review these productions to ensure medical accuracy before distribution. At a regional level, our students have published comprehensive summaries of resources available to inhabitants within a particular city or area, often leveraging support of multiple medical schools and enhancing local outreach. At a national level, LMSA continues to compile bilingual patient education materials. We welcome additional content from academic and community partners to further empower our patients.
Moreover, LMSA has sought to alleviate the added burden placed on healthcare providers. In concert with our efforts to bolster medical Spanish education and practice, LMSA members have helped provide unofficial Spanish interpreter services for hospitals and clinics. Our members have also played integral roles in sourcing commercial and homemade PPE; recruiting volunteers for blood and plasma donation; and supporting frontline healthcare workers through childcare, tutoring, and food delivery.
Lastly, in striving to ensure the welfare and success of URiM medical students, LMSA has significantly increased its programming to support trainees in their academic, clinical, and extracurricular endeavors. We provide virtual forums for our members to connect regarding the status of licensure examinations, visiting clinical clerkships, and residency interviews. We host mentorship videoconferences for premedical students to help them navigate the medical school application process. LMSA also educates members on how to draft policy resolutions for medical organizations to adopt, thereby encouraging them to actively advocate for communities in need.
Through these initiatives and others, LMSA and its members proudly support our communities and our colleagues as we all work to overcome this COVID-19 challenge.
Links: LMSA COVID-19 Response Google Drive; LMSA Website; LMSA Mission
Twitter: @LMSA_National
Instagram: lmsa_national
Facebook: @LMSANational
Contacts:
Zach Jaeger, B.S. (zjaeger@wustl.edu)
National Service Chair, Latino Medical Student Association (service@lmsa.net, covid19@lmsa.net)
José G Grajales-Reyes, B.S. (grajalesj@wustl.edu)
Vice-Chair of Internal Affairs, Latino Medical Student Association (internal@lmsa.net)
Richard Ferro, B.S., MSc. (richard.ferro@quinnipiac.edu)
Vice-Chair of External Affairs, Latino Medical Student Association (external@lmsa.net)
Donald Rodríguez, B.S. (dmrodriguez@uchicago.edu)
National President, Latino Medical Student Association (president@lmsa.net)