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Claudia Torres, M2, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
My name is Claudia Torres, and I’m a current MS2 at Mount Sinai, who has had the pleasure of serving on this year’s LMSA Northeast board as the conference co-chair. One of the highlights of my year has been working with the incredible Northeast Board to plan our first ever virtual conference. While the process was challenging, I was motivated and enthusiastic to use new technologies to maintain the conference’s core social atmosphere, while also making the conference more accessible to students. This process has inspired me to use the planning and creative skills that I have learned to help plan future LMSA events that are equally accessible and promote mentorship, service, and chapter connectedness. It is my goal to incorporate the same level of enthusiasm, organization, and innovation into next year’s NE events. I look forward to hopefully working closely with the co-director elect and the rest of board as we remain siempre unidos, siempre luchando in our efforts to live out the LMSA mission. |
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Jordan Juarez, M2, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
¡Hola! My name is Jordan Juarez, and I’m running for Co-Director Elect because I believe in the mission of this organization. Beginning my junior year at the University of Southern California, I had a 3.0 GPA. I was told by my pre-health advisors, my research PI, and my friends that there was no hope for me - and I believed them. My life changed, however, when I attended a USC LMSA event where medical students, who not only looked like me but who also understood the challenges I was facing as a Mexican-American pursuing medicine, encouraged me to not give up because our Latinx community needed students like us. Entering medical school, then, I was elected by my peers as Co-President of Temple LMSA - a Philly-based chapter that has historically been less active but through teamwork is now one of the most active in our city. Aside from sending more than 13 medical students to last year’s Regional Conference (via the LMSA Joseph Lopez Travel Scholarship), we established a LMSA Plus Chapter and expanded initiatives like our community mentorship program. Now as the LMSA NE Fundraising Chair, our team has already surpassed last year’s sponsor’s list in preparation for Conference. David Marulanda, M1, Drexel University College of Medicine.
My favorite part of being a medical scribe was our visits to the ED. My least favorite part was the frequent “hablas Español?” from patient to doctor with the usual “no.” This sad reality motivated me to one day answer those patients with a “si.” I am an MS1 at Drexel, and I understand the hesitation to elect me to a 2 year position. My commitment to serving our communities and my leadership experiences makes me a strong choice for Co-director Elect. My reality of having had to always juggle employment, college, volunteering, sports, and other extracurriculars – the struggle many of us first Generation Americans have always had – further strengthens my qualifications to serve in this position. I dedicated the two years prior to medical school to serving the predominantly Latinx Washington Heights area of NYC through volunteering and working in local clinics. My role in the Waiting room As a Literacy and Learning Environment (WALLE) program was to connect patients to SDOH (social determinants of health) resources. My responsibilities grew to include training new volunteers on how to compassionately and respectfully approach families in very vulnerable situations. The gratitude patients showed to our volunteers was immensely rewarding and more motivation to continue to seek community health opportunities. I want to do this through my involvement in LMSA. I am now the President of Drexel’s LMSA chapter. I want to use this position to not only work with our community, but also to assist the next generation of Latinx doctors through LMSA+ in Philadelphia as an example. I have served as a mentor for first generation students in college and for WALLE volunteers, as a tutor, and as a basketball coach for kids with emotional and social needs. I want to continue serving our Latinx communities in all aspects by sharing my experiences with you all and being a part of our growth. |
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David Hollis, Graduation Year: 2023, Tufts University School of Medicine.
I am a Southern California native and proud Mexican American. I graduated from Loyola Marymount University where I served as a leader in several student organizations. I am now a co-president for the LMSA chapter at Tufts University School of Medicine. I believe my experience as a MD/MBA student has provided me with skills to effectively carry out the duties of the Chief Financial Officer. I am equipped with the tools to properly manage budgets and assess the financial health of an organization. I was motivated to run for this position when I heard some Northeast chapters lack adequate funding and cooperation from their schools. If selected for this role, I will work to provide solutions such as generating new revenue streams to expand financial resources for local chapters. I would be honored to contribute to the executive functioning of LMSA Northeast. |
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Aaron Garcia, M2, Albany Medical College.
As I have navigated my transition to medical school far away from the comfort of my native South Texas, LMSA has without a doubt been a grounding and empowering force in all that I do. Specifically, the values and support of this community have driven me to pursue my passions of advocacy both as a student and future doctor. I firmly believe that our collective voices have the power to move towards genuine progress in our field – an ethos that I feel is vital to the role of the policy chair, and that moreover has guided me during my time as both President of my local chapter and Fall House of Delegates co-representative. I would love the opportunity to promote positive change in and through our LMSA family, and would moreover be thrilled to continue working with peers throughout the Northeast region to achieve that. |
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Alejandro Chiodo Ortiz, M2, Albany College of Medicine.
My Abuelo immigrated to the United States from Colombia after being shot in the head during La Violencia. Here he started a pediatrics practice serving primarily Spanish speaking low-income latinx patients. He worked long hours to provide the most effective care possible for his patients and to provide for my family. He eventually received a grant in his name at a NY hospital. He continuously instilled values of education, kindness, compassion, and understanding into my father that were subsequently passed on to me. I realize now how fortunate I am to have my Abuelo and father serve as incredible role models and mentors. The value of mentorship in the underrepresented community is immeasurable. Throughout my life I have held small positions (youth basketball coach, tutor, high school liason, mentorship task force) facilitating the creation of mentors for the younger generation. I am humbled and motivated for the opportunity to apply for mentorship chair and would do my best to create these meaningful connections that prove so beneficial for the latinx community. I also currently serve as the service chair for my AMC branch of LMSA. I was heavily involved in service throughout my time at UCLA where I was a member of the community care clinic and other organizations focusing on providing competent care to underserved and underrepresented communities throughout LA. I am extremely passionate about community outreach and am thankful for the opportunity to apply for service chair. David Marulanda, M1, Drexel University College of Medicine.
My favorite part of being a medical scribe was our visits to the ED. My least favorite part was the frequent “hablas Español?” from patient to doctor with the usual “no.” This sad reality motivated me to one day answer those patients with a “si.” I am an MS1 at Drexel, and I understand the hesitation to elect me to a 2 year position. My commitment to serving our communities and my leadership experiences makes me a strong choice for Mentorship Chair. My reality of having had to always juggle employment, college, volunteering, sports, and other extracurriculars – the struggle many of us first Generation Americans have always had – further strengthens my qualifications to serve in this position. I dedicated the two years prior to medical school to serving the predominantly Latinx Washington Heights area of NYC through volunteering and working in local clinics. My role in the Waiting room As a Literacy and Learning Environment (WALLE) program was to connect patients to SDOH (social determinants of health) resources. My responsibilities grew to include training new volunteers on how to compassionately and respectfully approach families in very vulnerable situations. The gratitude patients showed to our volunteers was immensely rewarding and more motivation to continue to seek community health opportunities. I want to do this through my involvement in LMSA. I am now the President of Drexel’s LMSA chapter. I want to use this position to not only work with our community, but also to assist the next generation of Latinx doctors through LMSA+ in Philadelphia as an example. I have served as a mentor for first generation students in college and for WALLE volunteers, as a tutor, and as a basketball coach for kids with emotional and social needs. I want to continue serving our Latinx communities in all aspects by sharing my experiences with you all and being a part of our growth. |
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Dianne Mancheno, Graduation Year: 2023, Philadelphia Collge of Osteopathic Medicine.
My name is Dianne Mancheno, and I am running for Chief Development Officer. My parents immigrated to the United States from Ecuador. I grew up in New Jersey and from a young age, I have always appreciated the sacrifices that my parents have done for my siblings and I to pursue an education. I attended Rutgers University for my undergraduate education and was a part of ODASIS, a program which supports underrepresented students pursing a career in medicine. During my first year of medical school, I attended the Fall House of Delegates conference and was so excited to meet other passionate Latinx students from medical schools across the Northeast. This motivated me to run for president of my LMSA chapter and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my medical education thus far. Serving as president this past year has given me the opportunity to work with fellow E-board members to expand our presence on campus and organize events to support the Latinx community in Philadelphia. As president, I have strengthened my communication, leadership and time management skills which is vital for the position that I am running for. I would be honored to serve LMSA Northeast and work closely with the board members to keep advocating for the Latinx community. |
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Yanet Gomez, M2, Harvard Medical School.
My name is Yanet, and I am a current MS2 at Harvard Medical School. I am originally from Cuba and immigrated to the United States with my parents when I was eleven years old. As a first-generation Latina from a humble background, I have intimately experienced the need in our Latinx communities and the inequities and injustices Latinxs face on a daily basis. As a result of these experiences, I am incredibly passionate and committed to using community service as a tool to address health disparities, increase access to opportunities and resources, and help those in need. I am running for Service Chair because I believe my experience as former LMSA-NE Chief Development Officer and my passion for service make me well suited to work closely with each LMSA-NE chapter to increase the positive impact we have in our communities. |
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George Hernandez, M2, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine.
My name is George Hernandez, a current M2 at the Frank H. Netter MD SOM. I have had the pleasure of serving on our chapter’s executive board for the past 2 years as M1 Liaison and the current chapter president. Growing up in Fresno, California diversity was never an issue, but there still lacked representation in healthcare for people like myself. As I continued my education, diversity became more sparse, leaving me with feelings of isolation. LMSA has helped mend those feelings. Since joining LMSA I have encountered countless Latinx individuals who are incredible students, physicians, and mentors. It inspires me to change the face of medicine and hope that there are students and physicians fighting for the same cause. Every time I feel my passion waning, something or someone from LMSA helps reignite the spark. This is why I would like to serve on the regional executive board. I believe that I have the passion and experience through my previous involvement to uphold the LMSA mission and inspire the next generation of Latinx physicians. |
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Bryan Cortez, Graduation Year: 2022, Howard University College of Medicine.
I have been on the board of the LMSA at Howard University College of Medicine since my first year (I'm currently M3) and have loved having different roles in the organization to help get the Howard student body engaged with the Latino community at school and in the D.C. area. As a Mexican-American from California and son of an immigrant, I've seen first hand how important cultural understanding is to the healthcare Latinos receive in this country. At Howard, I've helped our LMSA chapter engage students through medical Spanish classes, volunteer clinics, cultural events to celebrate Latino holidays, and more. If elected to the public relations chair, I would do everything possible to bring energy, enthusiasm, and new ideas to help engage more students and medical professional with the goals of LMSA. |
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Valeria Fernandez, Graduation Year: 2024, New Jersey Medical School
I am a Latina student that is currently attending New Jersey Medical School. I am from Cali, Colombia and I have always grew up in communities in which the hispanic population is both poorly represented and poorly treated within the medical field. I joined the Latino Student Medical Association to be able make a difference in the hispanic community as a medical student and eventually be able to carry on those changes as a practicing physician. I am interested in being part of the fundraiser chair for this organization because I do believe that having accessible grants ready for Latino students is extremely vital when trying to assist them in their process through their medical careers. I am also the secretary for the LMSA organization within my medical school and the Director of Patient Advocacy for the Limited English Proficiency organization. I strongly believe in assisting the latino community in every way I can and I hope that these leadership positions allow me to make positive and impactful changes. |
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The Latino Medical Student Association – Northeast is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded to represent, support, educate, and unify Latinx medical students in the United States
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