LATINO MEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Fall 2013

Inside this issue

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Pinatas, UCLA/CDU................................... .1

LMSA West Newsletter

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Piatas Jennifer Menjivar-UCLA/Charles Drew University

University of Arizona Recruits New Members .................................... ...3 Summer PreMed Program at UCI.4 University of Washington Visits Cuba .................................................... ...5 UCSF Welcomes First Year Students .................................................... ...6 Community Events.. .............. ...7

It is 5:45 a.m. Twenty-seven undergraduate students gather around the bus turnaround in front of Ackerman station. Five rented vans pull up filled with eager physicians and residents, donated clothing, food, medications, and of course, a piata filled with candy and toys. I watch as these future leaders pile up into the car for what would be a 4 hour drive across the southern border to a whole new world. After stopping for gas and breakfast somewhere in San Diego, we meet up one last time near the border before everyone loses signal on their cell phones and cross into a land mixed with Spanish road signs and restaurants featuring tacos dorados, menudo, and chilaquiles. Our caravan continues on to a Mexican government-run building where at 10 a.m. there is already a line of patients hoping to receive medical attention. The CCMers, an undergrad premed group, have been making these trips to Tecate for several years, returning to this boarder town once a quarter. They collaborate with the Latino Student Health Project (LSHP), another premed student-run organization at UCLA, UCLA/CDU Med Students and CCMers in Tecate and several dedicated physicians to provide basic health care to patients who would otherwise never receive medical attention. After setting up tents, and rationing beans, rice, and multi vitamins for the patients; boxes of medication are taken out of storage, assembly line style, as the endocrine drugs are placed next to allergy medications and GI meds.

Jennifer Menjivar MSII, takes home her very own piata

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Piatas (continued)

Gracious donations of clothes and toys from various CCM'ers are also displayed out in one of the final sections of the health fair. The Tecate Clinic Health Fair is finally set up and patients are ready to be seen. Students take their place, taking vitals, registering patients, and handing out medications, clothes, food and toys. Other CCMer's who are veterans of the Tecate Clinic Health Fair provide information on diet, diabetes, sexual education, and more. As a new medical student I was the visitor looking in on this well organized and structured event. I was truly impressed as these able minded bodies were making a difference in a nearby community, taking an entire day away from their families, friends, and studying for finals coming up that week, to help this underserved community. I looked on as patients would walk in and interact with students, explain their chief complaint and get their vitals checked. Doctors and their undergrad shadows would welcome their patients and provide the needed care. Some patients came alone to be seen, others came in bundles of families; many with children who took great joy in breaking open a piata. Some patients were in great health and needed only a multi vitamin; others were diagnosed with serious medical conditions, like the patient with a mitral valve prolapse, who was advised to go to the hospital and seek follow-up care. After the last patient was seen and clean up was taken care of, the CCMers and guests formed a circle to discuss the event. Positive feedback was given all around as these professional and compassionate students were praised for their hard work and professionalism. The Tecate Health Day Clinic was a huge success as many community members were helped. The trip wouldn't be complete without stopping in town for some tacos and horchata. The streets were blasting with live music and the park full of street vendors and patrons. I had a great time, and it wasn't just because I walked away with some cajeta casera and a piata of my own; it was because I had the pleasure of working with these individuals who dedicated an entire day to help the needy in this border town. They demonstrated compassion, professionalism, and true leadership that brought a community together. This also served as a reminder of the importance of health fairs and volunteer work; in these events everyone wins. I will always remember Tecate, the faces of those who were helped, and the inspiring individuals who made this possible.

Some patients were in great health and needed only a multi vitamin; others were diagnosed with serious medical conditions, like the patient with a mitral valve prolapse, who was advised to go to the hospital and seek follow-up care.
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University of Arizona, Tucson Recruits New Members with Engaging Activities

Bianca Barcelo-University of Arizona

This fall LMSA at the University of Arizona, Tucson got off to a great start in recruiting new members and planning numerous activities. On August 30th, 2013 the college of mediAndrea and Alfonso from U of A promote LMSA! cine held a club fair where LMSA had a poster and did an awesome job of recruiting new members and spreading the word about our goals to reach out to the Latino community in Tucson. Andrea and Alfonso did a great job of promoting us and we had a great turn out! Our September meetings were full of planning events to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month awareness. We started off with a very successful bake sale. Our next activity was stroke awareness at a health fair, our club was involved in cooking demonstrations. It was a great turnout and we have more planned for the semester. We also had volunteering opportunities for V ida! Conference that is focused on breast cancer awareness especially early screening. Our job was to help with registration, distribution of materials, and introduction of speakers among other things. We have several dates planned where several members will go to lunch to talk to high school students from underserved high schools about college and a career in medicine. We have also participated in an event for undergraduate research where several members have lunch and answer undergrad questions about applying to and life in medical school.

Finally, anevent in the dinner and a as well as sales!

other new works is a movie night more bake

U of A hosts a movie night for new members

SUMMER PREMED PROGRAM: Inspiring Future Doctors

Bianca Rivas-UCI During the summer of 2013 the Summer Pre-Med Program celebrated its 3rd year of existence. The program was created in 2010 by the collaboration of 3 UCI SOM outreach programs: High School Outreach Program, Center for Future Health Professionals and the Latino Medical Student Association. The program consists of three two-week sessions throughout the summer that cater to 60 high school students each. Each session is designed to stimulate an interest in talented high school students in pursuing careers in healthcare and science. The program does so by following the 3 core values of the School of Medicines missionDiscover, Teach and Heal. medicine is unmatched by many other premedical programs. According to one of the creators and major proponents of the program, Dr. Marco Angulo, the program allows the kid born and raised in Newport Beach to work together with the kid from Santa Ana who might not have the same resources as the kid from Newport Beach. This program fosters a positive environment that allows students from diverse backgrounds to work together to develop their interests in healthcare and science.

The program also fosters a strong mentoring environment by recruiting passionate and giving undergraduate student and medical student coaches. LMSA can Discover: each proudly say that 6 out of the student is chal8 medical student coaches lenged to think who participated in various independently sessions were LMSA officers-Victor Cisneros (session and critically. I), Jesse Gomez (session II Teach: handsand III), Krystal Jimenez on workshops and (session I), Jose Muiza group presentaCastro (session III), Bianca tion on disease Rivas (session III) and Crisand research enMarco Angulo, MD, one of the creators of the program, works tina Vargas (session I). Vicwith high school students in the simulation center courages students tor Cisneros and Bianca Rito become lifevas also had the opportunity long learners and teachers of working on the admissions committee working alongside the creators and facilitators of the program Heal: by lear ning how to conduct patient inter Dr. Benoosh Afghani, Dr. Marco Angulo, Wally Muviews in the clinical setting students learn how to meet ratori and Molly Blair. The two LMSA officers shared the unique needs of the patient the responsibility of screening scholarship applicants and rewarded scholarships to those students who These core values were all exemplified by participademonstrated need for financial assistance in order to tion in various workshops led by School of Medicine participate in the program. faculty, medical students and undergraduate student coaches. Such activities included an opening day LMSA plans to continue its strong support and dedicaWhite Coat Ceremony, UCI Medical Center visit, tion to the UCI Summer Premed Program whose mismock trial to learn the legal side of medicine, college sion aligns with LMSAs mission of creating and menand career development workshop, and clinical skills toring a generation of healthcare professionals that training. The exposure the students have to hands-on will give back to their communities and communities

The program stimulates interest in talented high school students in careers in healthcare and science using the three core values of the UCI School of Medicine Mission: Discover, Teach, Heal.
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Visiting Cuba: A Close Look at Another Type of Health System

Mariana E. Oliva-University of Washington Last summer, during the month of August, a group of eleven people (4 UWSOM students, 1 UWSOM professor, 1 nurse, 1 human rights advocate, 1 political science student, 1 writer / women's rights activists, and 2 engineers) traveled to Cuba. The purpose? To learn about Cuba's healthcare system, especially about their successful programs focusing on preventive and community-based medicine. The group spent a total of two weeks visiting a number of medical centers, including a policlinic, a family doctor's practice, a mental health clinic, a maternity home, a retirement home for the elderly, and the National Center of Sexual Education. Each visit provided an opportunity to talk to doctors, nurses, and patients, as well as experts in different areas of the Cuban healthcare system. In addition, the group's itinerary also allowed for learning about the Cuban culture. Besides Havana, the group traveled to other areas known for their natural beauty: the valley of Viales, the peninsula of Varadero, and colonial town of Trinidad. The group enjoyed learning about Cuban history, geography, music, and "criollo" cuisine. One of the highlights of the trip was interacting with Cubans in the streets of Old Havana, at the Malecn, or at the Casa de La Msica in Trinidad. It was a fun-filled trip with many takeaways. In a country with limited resources, it was a humbling experience seeing and experiencing the emphasis Cubans put on maintaining a universal, community-based healthcare system. In the words of a couple of the participants: U of W students visiting a maternity home We not only had the opportunity to explore Cuban culture and the beauty of the country, but also the opportunity to see the possibilities of a socialist medical system that measured itself by how well it took care of the poorest and worst off within the population. It was inspiring for us as someday-professionals within the medical system to see that there really are other ways of taking care of people. Medical systems that are built on access to resources, education, giving basic needs of housing and food, primary care for all and specialized care for those that need are incredibly important and something that we hope to take home with us. Plus, we got good food, good music, good dancing, and amazing sights all along the way! -Ben Lang
U of W students visiting Cubas National Center of Sexual Education

Health Care Systems (continued)

"This trip was great. Our understanding of Cuba as a country is often muddled by politics and limited information. It was enlightening to visit and see the country for myself. Their healthcare model is also exceptional, and one of the biggest contributing factors I observed was a people and a government that truly value being healthy. People are active, they know where to get care, and many services are available to them." -Sean Bernfeld One of the most memorable mornings was our meeting with staff from a mental health clinic that serves the densest neighborhood in the entire Caribbean, a corner of Havana much like the rest of the bustling city's core - with tight, winding streets of tired, beautiful apartment buildings. The staff who sat with us - nurses, social workers, pediatric and adult psychiatrists, spoke with candor and passion about their challenging work: with alcoholism, depression, with the homeless, even how the Cuban medical establishment approaches ADHD treatment for children. More than anything, what struck me was that the work of the caring, committed physicians of this hyper-urban corner of Havana is identical to the work of the caring, committed physicians that I've shadowed at our public hospital in Seattle. Despite the radical differences in our social fabrics and our histories, the language and perspectives of committed caregivers seems universal. -Benji Perin

We not only had the opportunity to explore Cuban culture and the beauty of the country, but also the opportunity to see the possibilities of a socialist medical system that measured itself by how well it took care of the poorest and worst off within the population.

Quesadillas y Charlas: UCSF Welcomes First Year Students

Nash Martinez-UCSF After a much needed summer break, UCSF LMSA is finally back in action. We welcomed the incoming MS1s to the wonderful world of medical school at our first meeting of the year on September 9th, 2013. There was quite the turn out, with a total of 21 eager students attending. Each of our soon to be successors received a gift basket, containing goodies ranging from school supplies, to instant coffee, to much-needed penlights. As we all stuffed our faces with freshly made quesadillas from the local taqueria, the co-chairs took the lead and set the meetings agenda. However, the agenda of this meeting was simple we wanted to get to know the incoming first years and invite them into our famlia of LMSA. And so we did. Everyone shared a small blurb about their background and what sparked their interest in joining LMSA. Laughter was had, smiles were shared, and friendships were made. Additionally, a great number of students expressed blatant interest in joining our board, so it looks like UCSF will have yet another strong LMSA contingent next year. We second years took great pride in introducing the first years to UCSF and LMSA. Meeting those who will soon run UCSFs chapter was a direct reminder that LMSA is a full functioning and evolving force, bound by the past, present, and future generations of its members. We will continue to be heard, and we will continue to make change.

Community Affairs Corner

Sonia Morales-CDU

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)-West

LMSA West is a group of passionate medical students, organized to recruit and support individuals in the healthcare professions who will strive to improve the access and delivery of healthcare to Latinos and medically underserved populations. We actively promote:

A Season to Give Thanks... Looking for ways to get involved in the community? Looking to donate your time to a good cause? Please consider the following organizations and upcoming events.

The development of a communication network for medical, pre-medical, and health care students interested in serving the medically underserved. Medical, pre-medical and healthcare students' interests that will lead to the improvement of healthcare for underserved communities. Health policy education that affects underserved communities. Educational enrichment programs for the recruitment of medical school applicants. Collaborations with other organizations committed to the improvement of health care delivery for underserved communities. The academic success and support of students dedicated to improving health care services to underserved populations.

To learn more about LMSA West please visit http://lmsa.net/west/

RUN/WALKS Alzheimers Association Walk to End Alzheimers http://www.alz.org/ California: Huntington Beach, CA 11/02/2013 Anaheim, CA 11/16/2013 Los Angeles, CA 11/02/2013 Arizona: Phoenix, AZ 11/2/2013 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure To participate: http:// www.komensandiego.org/race/ To volunteer: http:// www.komensandiego.org/race/ volunteer-for-race.aspx California: San Diego, CA 11/2/2013 American Diabetes Association Step out-Walk to Stop Diabetes http://stepout.diabetes.org California: Los Angeles, CA 11/02/2013

SERVICE PROJECTS Casa Latina Seattle, WA Casa Latinas mission is to empower Latino immigrants through educational and economic opportunities. http://casa-latina.org/ Looking for volunteers for their gala dinner La Fiesta de Sol, English as a second language teacher, or social media. Utah AIDS Foundation Projects help the Utah AIDS Foundation by giving direct support to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, or providing education to the community. http://www.utahaids.org/volunteer/ current-volunteer-opportunities/ team-projects/ In need of personal care/food drives, assembling meal baskets, and organizing a World AIDs Day event. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Utah http://www.namiut.org/ To ensure the dignity and improve the lives of those who live with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy Throws an annual Holiday Party & needs help stuffing gift bags for attendees. Thursday, December 11th, 10am-2pm Thursday, December 18th, 10am-2pm

For questions regarding the newsletter, to contribute an article, or learn about ways to get involved please contact VP of Newsletter, Karla Gonzalez vp_newsletter@lmsa.net