The Civil Rights Movement inspired the formation of the New York Regional chapter of the Young Lords, a response to rampant unemployment, lack of adequate housing and lack of access to a policy making structure. Two first-year Harvard medical students, Jaime Rivera and Emilio Carrillo, joined the Young Lords, demanded access to quality health care and education, and insisted on the recruitment of Latinos into these fields. They later founded the Boricua Health Organization (BHO) in 1972, named for the predominantly Puerto Rican membership. They later connected with Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias and formed a Steering Committee composed of representatives from several medical schools, physicians, and healthcare workers to promote the admission and retention of Latinos in medical schools. They hoped that by changing the demographic of the physician workforce, they would also be improving the poor health profile of the Latino community.
In the spring of 1973 the first BHO Conference was held in New York City; by 1978 the organization had adopted a constitution. By 1980, BHO had active chapters in major cities, including Boston, New Haven, New York, Newark and Philadelphia. They continued their annual convention which aimed to address regional issues and promote dialogue among the chapters. BHO evolved into Boricua Latino Health Organization (BLHO) as students from different states and Latino backgrounds joined. In the early 1990s, the name changed to the National Boricua Latino Health Organization (NBLHO).
In 1987, NBLHO merged with the National Network of Latin American Medical Students to form the future Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) in 2009, thus uniting the various regional Latino medical student groups under one umbrella. This newly-formed partnership created a stronger, more unified voice for Latino medical students throughout the United States and allowed for increased local and national political influence. Today, the Northeast Region of this organization (LMSA – Northeast) comprises over 40 medical school chapters and 400 student members, extending north to Maine (University of New England), south to Washington, DC (Georgetown, Howard), and now to Western Pennsylvania (University of Pittsburgh) with new chapters and members joining every year.
Now in its fifth decade, LMSA – Northeast continues with its original mission: the recruitment, retention and support of underrepresented minorities into the medical field and the improvement of healthcare delivery to the Latino community.
LMSA is not just an association; it is a movement. A movement that fosters dreams, celebrates cultures, and empowers communities. We create a supportive path for students to excel academically, personally, and professionally. We are dedicated to creating endless opportunities, inspiring others, and empowering Latino medical students to flourish. We envision equitable access to quality healthcare and a future where disparities are addressed and Latino leadership in medicine is celebrated.
In the spring of 1973 the first BHO Conference was held in New York City; by 1978 the organization had adopted a constitution. By 1980, BHO had active chapters in major cities, including Boston, New Haven, New York, Newark and Philadelphia. They continued their annual convention which aimed to address regional issues and promote dialogue among the chapters. BHO evolved into Boricua Latino Health Organization (BLHO) as students from different states and Latino backgrounds joined. In the early 1990s, the name changed to the National Boricua Latino Health Organization (NBLHO).
In 1987, NBLHO merged with the National Network of Latin American Medical Students to form the future Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) in 2009, thus uniting the various regional Latino medical student groups under one umbrella. This newly-formed partnership created a stronger, more unified voice for Latino medical students throughout the United States and allowed for increased local and national political influence. Today, the Northeast Region of this organization (LMSA – Northeast) comprises over 40 medical school chapters and 400 student members, extending north to Maine (University of New England), south to Washington, DC (Georgetown, Howard), and now to Western Pennsylvania (University of Pittsburgh) with new chapters and members joining every year.
Now in its fifth decade, LMSA – Northeast continues with its original mission: the recruitment, retention and support of underrepresented minorities into the medical field and the improvement of healthcare delivery to the Latino community.
LMSA is not just an association; it is a movement. A movement that fosters dreams, celebrates cultures, and empowers communities. We create a supportive path for students to excel academically, personally, and professionally. We are dedicated to creating endless opportunities, inspiring others, and empowering Latino medical students to flourish. We envision equitable access to quality healthcare and a future where disparities are addressed and Latino leadership in medicine is celebrated.
