Since its inception as a national organization, LMSA has used its leadership structure to ensure its programming succeeds and reflects the needs of its members across the United States.
2026-2027 Leaders
LMSA National Executive Committee
National President
Martin Silguero Jr.
Martin Silguero Jr. is a third-year medical student at Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Born and raised in Houston, he is a proud first-generation Mexican-American and the son of immigrants.
Outside of medicine, Martin enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring Houston’s food scene and traveling. He is also passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and creating opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds to succeed in medicine.
Martin currently serves as President of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National and has held leadership positions at the local, regional, and national levels throughout his medical school career. Through LMSA, he has worked to expand mentorship opportunities, strengthen student engagement, and support initiatives that advance Latino health and representation in medicine. His first experience with LMSA dates back to founding a PLUS chapter at his undergraduate institution. From that experience he expanded his roles to include Public Relations Chair, Co-Director Elect and Co-Director of the Southwest Region.
He joined LMSA National because of its mission to empower future Latino physicians while addressing healthcare disparities affecting Latino communities. As someone who has personally witnessed the impact of language barriers and unequal access to care, Martin views LMSA as an opportunity to advocate for meaningful change while supporting the next generation of physician leaders.
His professional interests include medical oncology, translational research, academic medicine, and physician-scientist training. He hopes to pursue a career that combines patient care with laboratory-based research, with the goal of advancing cancer therapies while mentoring future physicians and researchers.
Immediate Past President
Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta
Cristhian is a 6th year MD/PhD Student at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Cristhian is a proud Mexican-American and a native of San Diego, California with fond memories growing up near the SD-Tijuana Border. His research focuses on investigating the mitochondrial contributions of the microvascular endothelium on vasodilation and vasoconstriction. He enjoys listening to Ted Talks, playing tennis, teaching, and mentoring students.
Executive Director
John Paul Sánchez, MD, MPH
John Paul Sánchez has worked extensively to promote diversity and inclusion in the medical and academic medicine workforces. He is Co-Founder/President of BNGAP Inc. Since 2009, BNGAP has become nationally recognized for developing the concept of pre-faculty development and has collaborated with 70+ academic health centers to educate trainees, faculty, and senior administrators on how to develop the upstream pipeline of diverse medical trainees to become future faculty and senior academic leaders. In 2020, BNGAP launched the National Center for Pre-Faculty Development to support institutions in integrating Pre-Faculty Development as a new approach towards diversifying academic medicine. He is Executive Director of the Latino Medical Student Association Inc., the largest Latino medical student association in the country with 170+ chapters at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools across the country. In 2017, he led the development of the LMSA Faculty Physician Advisory Council, which has grown to 400+ advisors/physicians and recently launched the National Center for LMSA Leadership and Advancement (2021) consisting of 22 collaborating institutions. He has served as the Chair of the Council of Residents and as Founder of the Council of Young Physicians of the National Hispanic Medical Association. He also served as Secretary on the Board of the Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS). Since joining the Health Sciences Center (HSC) at the University of New Mexico he has been selected for numerous leadership positions including as Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for DEI, whereby he supports HSC entities in planning, organizing, and aligning DEI activities. He has published 57 peer reviewed publications and served as Editor for a book entitled Succeeding in Academic Medicine: A Roadmap for Diverse Medical Students and Residents, Co-Editor for a book titled The Health Professions and Academia: A Guide to Healthcare Leadership Careers and Co-Editor for a book titled Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic or of Spanish Origin+ (LHS+) Identified Student Leaders in Medicine: More Than 50 Years of Presence, Activism, and Leadership. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completed his residency training at Jacobi/Montefiore, and is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. He completed a MPH at the Yale School of Public Health. He is of Puerto Rican ancestry, gay-identified and was raised in the Bronx.
Vice President
Operations
Alexxis Gutierrez
Alexxis Gutierrez (she/her/ella) is a third-year medical student at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, she earned her degree in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology from North Carolina State University, where she was a varsity cheerleader, worked as an EMT, and was the Service Director of a nationally recognized service sorority. Before medical school, she worked as an EMT, in an operating room, and in a free clinic, experiences that shaped her commitment to emergency medicine and caring for underserved communities.
Within LMSA, she has served as Co-President of her local chapter, Midwest Region Policy and Academic Affairs Co-Chair, and Midwest Co-Director. She currently serves as an AAMC Student Representative for Saint Louis University School of Medicine, collaborating on curriculum revamping and initiatives supporting URiM student retention. Her academic interests include evaluating health outcomes in underserved populations and advancing equity throughout educational settings. For Alexxis, LMSA is more than an organization; it is a family that has shaped her path in medicine and strengthened her commitment to advocating for her community. As a first-generation medical student, she is passionate about mentoring pre-medical and other medical students, particularly in navigating setbacks. Outside of medicine, she enjoys bachata dancing, exploring local coffee shops, and spending time outdoors with her puppy, Moose.
Vice President
Programming
Kimberly Flores, MS
Kimberly Flores (she/her/ella) is a proud first-generation U.S. citizen and third-year medical student at Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. Now serving her second year as Vice President of Programming for the Latino Medical Student Association, she leads national programming focused on mentorship, leadership development, and community-centered initiatives.
Raised in Mission Viejo, California, Kimberly earned a Division I soccer scholarship to Purdue University FW, where she developed the discipline, resilience, and team-oriented mindset that continue to shape her leadership today.
Kimberly is passionate about opening doors for others,especially students navigating the path to medicine for the first time. She brings extensive experience in mentorship, research, and organizational leadership. Her work within LMSA, including serving as Co-Director and Conference Co-Chair for the Southeast region, reflects her dedication to representation, community-building, and creating spaces where others feel seen and supported.
Her clinical interests include family medicine, neurology, and obstetrics & gynecology, with a focus on delivering comprehensive, community-centered care to underserved populations. Grounded in her identity as the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, she carries her community with her in every space she enters.
Outside of medicine, Kimberly enjoys baking, practicing Pilates, and spending quality time with her loved ones, including her husband, Zac, and their dachshund, Winston.
Vice President
Communications
Dahlia Chavez
Dahlia is a rising third-year medical student at Rush Medical College. As a first-generation college graduate and the first in her family in medicine, she is passionate about advocating for underprivileged communities, reducing health disparities, empowering underrepresented students in medicine, and advocating for Latinx and other minority communities via policy and initiatives that serve her community. Her experiences are primarily in serving free clinics, policy advocacy, mentorship, and community-building spaces. She is involved in DEI, accessibility, medical education, and rheumatology research. As a Northern California native, Dahlia enjoys being outdoors in the sunshine, spending quality time with friends and family, cooking for her loved ones, staying active, and exploring new restaurants in the city.
LMSA Regional Co-Directors
Midwest Region
Contact: director.midwest@lmsa.net
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
David Rodriguez
Daniela Maciel
Northeast Region
Contact: director.northeast@lmsa.net
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington-DC
Yessenia Hernandez-Cruz
Marcos Gomez Ambriz
Southeast Region
Contact: director.southeast@lmsa.net
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and U.S. territories in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Sarah Gomez Aladino
Rebecca Zasloff
Southwest Region
Contact: director.southwest@lmsa.net
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Kaylah Perez
Monica Trevino
West Region
Contact: director.west@lmsa.net
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and U.S. territories in the Pacific
Kelvin Alvarez
Frank Sierra
LMSA National Operations Branch
Chief Development Officer
Guadalupe Jose Rodriguez
Guadalupe Jose Rodriguez is a third-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine, and a first-generation college student of Mexican and Honduran heritage, born and raised in Houston, Texas. His interest in medicine is grounded in his experiences navigating healthcare and education as the son of immigrants, which shaped his commitment to serving underserved communities. He has held leadership roles as LMSA chapter president at UTMB and as Chief Development Officer for the LMSA Southwest Region, where he has worked to expand mentorship, networking, research opportunities, and student engagement.
Outside of medicine, Jose enjoys collecting vinyl records, attending concerts, traveling, hiking, playing pickleball, and watching the Houston Texans.
Deputy CDO
Vanessa Perez
Vanessa Perez is a second-year medical student at UAG and a first-generation medical student from Atlanta, Georgia. Raised by a single mother alongside her siblings, Vanessa learned resilience, independence, and perseverance from a very young age, which shaped her into the driven and compassionate woman she is today.
Her passion for medicine began early after gaining exposure to the medical field at 17 years old, where she met a mentor whose words, “Go big or go home,” continue to guide her journey today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanessa worked on the frontlines in the emergency department, further strengthening her commitment to serving underserved communities and pursuing a career in medicine.
As a proud Latina in medicine, Vanessa is deeply passionate about increasing Latino representation in healthcare, mentoring minority students, and helping future physicians feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout their journeys. She is especially passionate about expanding opportunities and representation for IMG students within LMSA and creating spaces where students from all backgrounds feel they belong in medicine.
Vanessa is proud to have helped co-found her LMSA chapter at UAG and currently serves as the Deputy Chief Development Officer for LMSA National for the 2026–2027 academic year. She is also involved in community outreach initiatives and is currently working on publishing research.
Outside of medicine, Vanessa enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and staying active through running, strength training, and Solidcore classes. She loves spending time with her mother, who is also her best friend, her siblings, and her Shih Tzu puppy, Rocky.
Vanessa hopes to pursue a career as an interventional cardiologist while continuing to mentor and advocate for underrepresented students in medicine and further grow as a leader within LMSA.
Chief Financial Officer
Maithily Diaz, MSci
Maithily is a rising MS4 at UCSF in the PRIME-US program for the urban underserved. A first-generation Mexican- Salvadorean- US American, she grew up across East Coast cities, raised by a single-mother who served 20 years in the US Army and in public housing with her grandmother. She obtained a BS in Biology and a BA in Modern Languages (Spanish/Russian) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County as a first-generation low-income college graduate. Afterwards, she taught science and health to 5-12th graders across Harlem and the Bronx. She was also a full-time volunteer coordinator at a clinic for refugee and asylum seekers in Tijuana, MX, learning the grander scope of policy, global health, and discrimination immigrants endure. She obtained a Master of Science in Immuno-oncology from the Sorbonne Université in Paris under a Fulbright research grant.
Deputy Financial Officer
Persephone Alicea Ruiz
deputy.cfo@lmsa.net
Persephone (she/her) is a 3rd year MD/PhD student at the Long School of Medicine in San Antonio. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. During her undergraduate years, she engaged as a student researcher, surgical recovery specialist, and rugby player. Following her graduation from UT Austin, she and her wife moved to Vancouver, BC. While in Canada, Persephone continued research at the University of British Columbia. She’s since had the privilege of returning to San Antonio, TX, her hometown, to embark on her medical education. Her current research is aimed at understanding the neurological impacts of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and the pharmacotherapies used to treat this chronic condition. In addition to her current research, Persephone is also passionate about pre-med mentorship, healthcare policy, and leveling healthcare disparities. In her free time, you can likely find Persephone on an outdoor adventure with her wife and dog or spending time with her family.
Fundraising Chair
Erika Venegas
Erika was raised in South San Diego near the U.S.-Mexico border. As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, she witnessed the health disparities in her predominantly Latinx community and reflected on the challenges that her family and community experienced, including frequently crossing into Tijuana, Mexico to obtain more affordable and accessible care. While in college at UCLA, she was fortunate to find community with organizations including Latinx/Chicanx for Community Medicine (LCCM) at UCLA, MEDPEP, and MiMentor. Now as a medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and part of the PRIME Leadership and Advocacy (PRIME-LA) program, she hopes to give back to her community as a future primary care physician. She has previously served as Co-President for LMSA’s UCLA chapter and currently holds a position on the PRIME-LA Council as a Community Service Chair, working to advocate for immigrant rights in her surrounding Los Angeles area. Recognizing the importance and positive impact of access to resources and financial support, particularly for students who have been historically underrepresented in medicine, she looks forward to contributing to LMSA National this year in her role as the Fundraising Chair to advocate for first-generation students and help alleviate financial stressors in their journeys to becoming physicians for their communities.
Fundraising Vice Chair
Sara Mendoza
Sara is an MS1 at Boston University in the MD/PhD program. A Mexican-American raised in Bakersfield, California, she has just returned from a Fulbright research year in Aarhus, Denmark. She holds a BS in Neuroscience, BA in Art History, and MS in Global Medicine from the University of Southern California. She is deeply passionate about the destigmatization of mental illness and aspires to work on the development of new treatments that will be accessible to all. Outside of academics, Sara enjoys reading literature, making music, and traveling.
Scholarship Chair
Arantxa Sanchez
Arantxa is a first-generation, DACA, third-year medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin, pursuing an MD degree. Originally from Mexico and raised in Chicago, she is passionate about advancing health equity and increasing opportunities for underrepresented students in medicine. Arantxa envisions a future where healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of immigration status or insurance.
Scholarship Vice Chair
Esai Corral
I attend SHSU COM, as a 3rd year medical student. I am originally from Arlington, TX. My hobbies mostly revolve around live music – I try to attend as many concerts as I can in my downtime. I’ve currently tallied just shy of 250 performances, hoping to make that 300 as soon as I can. I originally joined LMSA so I could surround myself with others who shared similar backgrounds to me. My medical school class is only comprised of about 10% latinos, if that, and even less first-generation latinos. Joining LMSA has been amazing and connected me to some of my best friends in medical school. My current interests in medicine are Med-Peds or something in EM – haven’t decided just yet.
Research and Analytics Chair
Frank Guerrero
Frank Guerrero is a third-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. He grew up in Long Beach, California, and attended Arizona State University for undergrad. Prior to medical school, he was involved in research focused on addressing barriers for students with disabilities in STEM undergraduate programs. At UACOM-P, he has served in leadership roles as his class’s AAMC OSR and curriculum committee representative, and has been involved in projects focused on food insecurity and student basic needs. His interests in medicine include otolaryngology, health equity, and increasing Latino representation in surgical subspecialties. He also conducts research on head and neck cancer outcomes and surgical disparities among minority populations. In his free time, he enjoys going to the movies with his wife as an AMC A-Lister and bouldering with his classmates.
Partnerships Chair
Andrew Hefley
Andrew is a third-year medical student at LECOM Bradenton. Raised in Florida with Puerto Rican roots, he graduated from the University of Miami majoring in neuroscience. His academic interests include surgery and urology, with prior research focused on spinal cord injury, megaureter, and kidney transplantation.
As Partnerships Chair, Andrew hopes to strengthen LMSA’s relationships with organizations, institutions, and physician leaders who are invested in supporting Latino medical students. He is especially interested in building collaborations that expand mentorship, increase access to professional opportunities, and reduce barriers for students.
Andrew believes that representation in medicine is essential to improving care for diverse communities. Through his role on the LMSA National Board, he hopes to help create pathways that allow students from underrepresented backgrounds to feel supported, connected, and prepared to lead.
Partnerships Vice Chair
Delilah Coconubo
Delilah Coconubo is a third-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud second-generation Latina and the first future physician in her family.
She earned her B.S. in Biology from California State University Channel Islands and later completed a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University. Her journey into medicine has been shaped by a commitment to serving underserved communities and advocating for equitable access to healthcare.
Throughout medical school, Delilah has been actively involved in the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), serving as President of the LMSA Grand Rapids Chapter during her second year and most recently as LMSA Midwest Service & Community Affairs Chair. In these roles, she helped lead community outreach initiatives, service projects, donation drives, and advocacy efforts focused on addressing barriers to care and strengthening community partnerships.
Delilah plans to pursue a career in trauma surgery and acute care surgery, with a focus on caring for underserved and vulnerable patient populations. She is particularly passionate about health equity and community engagement. In addition to her leadership and service work, she has presented research at regional, national, and international conferences, including the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Annual Meeting. Her research interests span trauma surgery, transplantation, surgical outcomes, and health disparities.
Outside of medicine, Delilah enjoys painting, visiting museums, staying active in the gym, and spending time with family and friends. She is also a devoted Harry Potter fan and never passes up an opportunity for a Harry Potter movie marathon. She is grateful for the opportunities LMSA has provided throughout her medical training and looks forward to continuing to learn from and collaborate with fellow LMSA members across the country.
LMSA PLUS Development Officer
Evelyn Armijos
Evelyn Armijos is a passionate clinical researcher, mentor, and advocate dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and fostering inclusivity in medicine. She graduated magna cum laude from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology and a Special Honors Interdisciplinary Major.
Currently, Evelyn works as a Clinical Research Associate at NYU Langone Health, where she investigates weight and metabolic outcomes following bariatric surgery. Her research focuses on ethnic disparities in hyperlipidemia improvement post-surgery, and she is actively working toward publishing these findings. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant and Coordinator for the GEM Study at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she examined weight management strategies in underserved populations.
Beyond research, Evelyn is deeply committed to mentorship, education, and community service. She has been a tutor with Mount Sinai’s CALM Tutoring Program, providing academic support to students, particularly those from healthcare worker families. She also volunteered with the American Red Cross, where she assisted families affected by disasters and contributed to relief efforts as part of the Core Capability & Disaster Action Team Unit.
Her passion for medicine is deeply rooted in her personal experiences growing up where she witnessed firsthand the barriers to healthcare access. These experiences have driven her dedication to patient advocacy and culturally competent care. Through her work she has recognized the importance of empathy and communication in medical care.
Evelyn’s long-term goal is to become a compassionate physician who not only provides high-quality medical care but also works to bridge healthcare accessibility gaps for underserved communities. Through research, mentorship, and advocacy, she aims to empower patients and build lasting trust in the healthcare system.
LMSA PLUS Resources & Partnerships
Viclarie Lozoya
Viclarie is an advocate for health equity and a passionate voice for underserved communities. She is a proud first-generation Latina from a small town in California’s Central Valley. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiology from San Francisco State University and recently completed her post-baccalaureate studies at University of California, Santa Cruz.
Viclarie is passionate about health equity, women’s reproductive justice, and increasing cultural competency within the medical field. Growing up in an underserved community, she had to navigate finding resources and creating opportunities on her own, which inspired her dedication to improving access to healthcare and educational resources for communities like her own in the Central Valley. She strongly believes in breaking down barriers within medicine and increasing access to mentorship and opportunities for future healthcare professionals. She has been involved with MiMentor for many years, where she has served in leadership and mentorship roles focused on supporting students pursuing careers in healthcare and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.
In addition to her advocacy work, Viclarie works as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is deeply committed to community outreach, mentorship, and advancing equitable healthcare initiatives. Through her involvement in leadership organizations and service programs, she hopes to continue empowering future Latine healthcare professionals while advocating for compassionate, culturally competent care. Outside of medicine and advocacy, Viclarie enjoys dancing, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
LMSA PLUS Development Vice Chair
Mia Rodriguez
Mia Rodriguez is a senior neuroscience student at the University of Pittsburgh graduating in December. She was born in Connecticut and is the daughter to dos Dominicanos, klk!
When not at school or work, Mia loves ballet and has been dancing her entire life. Prior to college, she danced pre-professionally and competed at the international level. At Pitt, she remains heavily involved through Ballet Club leadership and continues taking classes locally. Post-grad, she looks forward to keeping dance as a part of her routine.
At Pitt, Mia has been heavily involved in research, leadership, and advocacy. She conducts research on adult neurogenesis and neural regeneration in the mouse olfactory system, a focus she pursued in her recent undergraduate honors thesis. Her passion for research earned her 1st place for the Pre-Medical Student Award for Excellence in Research at the LMSA NE Regional Conference, where she presented her thesis work orally.
Her biggest pride and joy at Pitt has been the LMSA+ chapter. After joining the dying club sophomore year, she served on the executive board and dedicated countless hours to rebuilding and growing the organization. Following her term as president, she is incredibly proud of the chapter’s growth, accomplishments, and strengthened sense of community.
Mia’s lifelong interest in medicine has always been surgery. Her intense history with scoliosis, her passion for neuroscience, and her experiences from working on a neurotrauma unit have drawn her toward spine under neurosurgery. However, with so many years and rotations between now and match, she remains excited to continue exploring what other surgical specialties have to offer.
Apart from her experience with LMSA+ at Pitt, Mia became more involved with LMSA National following her positive experiences at the Northeast Regional Conferences. Seeing Latino excellence in medicine and academia, surrounded by so much support and encouragement, inspires and motivates her to contribute through mentorship, outreach, and student advocacy.
LMSA National Programming Branch
National Conference Chair 2026
Benjamin Olivo MS
Benjamin Olivo is an MS4 at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine (TTUHSC SOM) and serves as the LMSA National Conference Chair for 2025–2026. Born and raised in Del Rio, Texas, Benjamin grew up on the U.S.–Mexico border after his family immigrated to the United States. Navigating healthcare in a medically underserved community and witnessing the impact of physician shortages firsthand shaped his commitment to equitable, culturally responsive care for Latino communities.
Benjamin is pursuing a career in surgery and remains deeply invested in mentorship, leadership, and professional development for trainees. He has been recognized as an Nth Dimensions Summer Internship Scholar and has presented original research at national meetings. He previously served as an LMSA chapter president and has held leadership roles within his medical school community, with a focus on building pathways of support for students across the pipeline.
Through his work with LMSA National, Benjamin is passionate about creating spaces where students can find mentorship, strengthen their professional identity, and feel empowered to pursue careers that serve their communities. As Conference Chair, he is most excited to bring together learners and leaders from across the country for NC26 in Houston, delivering programming that supports trainees at every stage and reflects the theme “Cultura Cura: Healing Through Heritage.”
Outside of medicine, Benjamin enjoys weightlifting, traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and his Great Pyrenees. His long-term goal is to return to a community like the one that raised him and serve as the kind of physician his family needed—compassionate, bilingual, and deeply rooted in community.
National Conference Chair 2027
Fidias Soto
Hello I am Fidias Soto, and I am Dominican and Puerto Rican! I am an M1 at Tufts University School of Medicine, and I grew up in the Boston area. For fun, I like to lift weights, hang out with friends, and watch a lot of movies! I am currently involved with my LMSA chapter at Tufts, as well as some community service learning projects, helping out my neighborhood in Boston. In medicine, I am currently interested in Surgery and Cardiology, but I know that will change! In LMSA National, I hope to stand on the shoulders that came before me and continue to make a lasting impact and push the envelope forward for our people!
As LMSA Chapter President at DUCOM, Tasha led a wide range of impactful events in 2023—including social gatherings, educational workshops, and community service projects. Most notably, she played a leading role in organizing DUCOM’s Diversity Week in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), university leadership, and external partners. The event drew over 200 students, 15 student organizations, and numerous faculty members, fostering critical conversations around culture, equity, and care for underserved populations.
Diversity Chair
Baylor Akhavan-Mora
Baylor Akhavan is a third-year medical student at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. A proud Las Vegas native, he is passionate about serving diverse communities and advancing equitable care, particularly for Spanish-speaking populations. His background as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) during the COVID-19 pandemic shaped his commitment to patient-centered care and community impact.
At UNLV, Baylor is deeply engaged in leadership, research, and advocacy. He has held multiple leadership roles within the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at both the local and national levels, most recently as Vice Chair of the 2025-2026 National Diversity Committee, and serves on the executive board of the KSOM Medical Student Research Society. His research portfolio spans oncology, global health, and interventional radiology, with multiple publications, national presentations, and ongoing projects focused on melanoma outcomes and innovative procedural techniques.
Baylor joined LMSA National to amplify his passion for mentorship, representation, and health equity, and is committed to supporting pathways for underrepresented students in medicine. His work has been recognized through academic honors, research contributions, and commendations for clinical excellence.
Outside of medicine, Baylor enjoys staying active, exploring fitness and adventure sports, and continuing to grow his Spanish fluency. He brings energy, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose to everything he pursues.
Diversity Vice Chair
Katya Heredia
Katya Miñaca Heredia is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, originally from Springfield, Missouri. As the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants and a first-generation medical student, she is passionate about advancing health equity and representation in medicine. She is interested in pursuing obstetrics and gynecology with a focus on advocacy and culturally competent care. Outside of medicine, Katya enjoys exploring new coffee shops, cooking with friends, traveling, and reading.
Mentorship Chair
Sara Jhanjar
Sara Jhanjar is a fourth-year medical student at California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). As a first-generation student, Sara became involved with LMSA National to help cultivate the same sense of belonging, guidance, and support that has been essential to her own journey.
Raised in California’s Central Valley, a medically underserved region, Sara has seen firsthand how healthcare disparities impact not only individuals but entire communities. Before medical school, she dedicated her time to service through the student-run free clinic, Clinica Tepati, and worked as a substance abuse educator for high school students after graduating from UC Davis.
In her role as Mentorship Chair, Sara is passionate about creating meaningful mentorship pathways that support students across all stages of their medical training. Her broader interests in medicine include mentorship, health equity, and dismantling structural barriers in medical education. She also serves as a facilitator for the Structural Competency Working Group, where she helps advance conversations around systemic inequities in healthcare.
Sara plans to pursue a career in primary care and academic medicine, where she hopes to combine her passion for teaching with her dedication to mentorship in order to guide and uplift the next generation of physicians.
“Mentorship is more than guidance—it’s about building relationships that empower others to grow, lead, and belong.”
Mentorship Vice Chair
Jessica Toledo
Jessica Toledo is a rising third-year medical student at Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and was born and raised in Southern California. She is deeply grateful for the mentors who helped shape her path to medicine. Their guidance inspired her commitment to mentorship, service, and creating opportunities for future generations of Latino physicians. As part of LMSA National, Jessica hopes to pay forward the support she received by helping students apply to and navigate medical school and develop into confident physician leaders. Jessica is interested in ophthalmology and is passionate about addressing disparities in healthcare access. Through the Medical Organization for Latino Advancement (MOLA) Scholarship Program, she conducts research focused on the intersection of ophthalmology and health equity, including workforce diversity and language concordance in patient care. She has also served in several student leadership roles, including Co-President of LMSA at Rush and leader of a music service organization, RU Harmony. Outside of medicine, Jessica enjoys singing, attending concerts and music festivals, hiking, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops.
Service Chair
Lizmari Alcantara Jimenez
Lizmari is an MS-4 at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans with a focus on health policy and Latine health. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Dominican descent.
She earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology from Louisiana State University. Throughout her training, she has been deeply committed to advancing equity and uplifting communities historically excluded from medicine. She has been an active leader within the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), previously serving as the National Programs & Events Liaison and now as the organization’s Service Chair.
Her clinical and advocacy experiences include serving as a clinic coordinator at Luke’s House Clinic, a Spanish‑speaking free clinic in New Orleans, and completing a Health Policy Fellowship with the National Hispanic Health Foundation, where she supported national advocacy and government affairs efforts.
Her interests include community health, language equity, and reproductive rights. She is currently exploring specialties such as internal medicine and OB/GYN. Outside of medicine, she enjoys a good cafecito, dancing salsa and merengue, traveling, and spending time walking or running outdoors.
Health Advocacy and Policy Chair
Bertha Zazueta
Bertha Zazueta is a third-year medical student at UC Riverside School of Medicine and was raised in San Bernardino, a low-income community as the daughter of undocumented Mexican immigrants. Growing up, she witnessed many of the barriers Latino and immigrant families face in accessing healthcare, which inspired her passion for health equity. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree at UCLA, and during her gap years worked as a medical scribe, substitute teacher, and volunteered with a nonprofit organization supporting asylum seekers through the citizenship process.
Through her involvement with LMSA National Policy and community outreach efforts, Bertha has become passionate about using advocacy to uplift underserved communities and amplify Latino voices in medicine. LMSA showed her the power of coming together as a united community to create meaningful change within healthcare. She is especially passionate about mentorship, representation in medicine, and empowering future physicians to recognize the impact their voices can have in advocating for their communities.
Outside of medicine, Bertha’s interests are reading memoirs or anything by Emily Henry, exploring new coffee shops, watching movies and trying to force herself to like running.
Health Advocacy and Policy Vice Chair
Lorena Gonzalez
Lorena Gonzalez (she/her) is an incoming MS1 at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine through the PRIME-LA dual-degree program, where she is interested in pursuing an MPH in Health Policy. She was raised in Los Angeles, California, and is proudly of Guatemalan heritage. Her bicultural upbringing has shaped her commitment to advancing health equity and addressing structural barriers impacting underserved communities.
Originally, Lorena was drawn to health policy after growing up uninsured and experiencing illness firsthand, which sparked an early commitment to addressing systemic barriers to care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her perspective expanded as she became increasingly inspired by clinical medicine and the role of physicians in directly shaping patient outcomes. Rather than choosing between these paths, she chose to integrate both, pursuing a career that bridges patient care with health policy and systems-level change. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from UCLA, where her experiences in clinical work, research, and community health advocacy deepened her commitment to health equity.
She currently works in digital health equity, where she supports efforts to expand access to telehealth platforms, patient portals, and other digital tools for underserved Latinx communities. She also collaborates with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) to expose future clinicians to family medicine and primary care, with the goal of strengthening interest in accessible, relationship-centered care.
Within LMSA National, Lorena first served as a Policy Fellow and now serves as the LMSA National Health Advocacy and Policy Vice Chair, where she supports national advocacy efforts, elevates student voices, and advances initiatives centered on Latinx health equity.
Her interests in medicine include health equity, primary care, culturally responsive care, and digital health innovation. Outside of medicine, she enjoys graphic design, visual storytelling through social media, and spending time with her mother, grandmother, and her cat, Kiku.
Academic Affairs Chair
Cesar Lopez Rodriguez
Cesar Lopez Rodriguez is a third-year medical student at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is a proud first-generation immigrant from Mexico who moved to the United States at the age of 14, an experience that has deeply shaped his commitment to service, mentorship, and advancing health equity. He earned both a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Spanish with a concentration in interpreting and translating from the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Cesar became involved with LMSA through his passion for mentorship and his dedication to building a more representative and inclusive healthcare workforce. He is particularly driven by efforts to address the underrepresentation of Latino physicians in medicine and to support the next generation of Latino trainees. His professional interests lie in diagnostic radiology, with specific interests in cardiothoracic, breast, and neuroradiology imaging.
Outside of medicine, Cesar enjoys exploring his creativity through culinary arts, especially cooking and baking, and is a passionate fútbol fan who enjoys following the sport in his free time.
Academic Affairs Vice Chair
Jonathan Dominguez-Zaldivar
Jonathan Dominguez-Zaldivar is a rising fourth year medical student at LMU-DCOM with an interest in Internal Medicine and a passion for caring for patients from diverse backgrounds. As a bilingual student, he has seen how important language and culture are in building trust with patients, and he hopes to use that connection to help people feel heard, understood, and supported.
Jonathan joined LMSA National because he wanted to be part of a community that feels welcoming, motivating, and familiar. His experience at the last national conference reinforced this even more, as he was able to connect with other students, mentors, and physicians who shared similar backgrounds, goals, and passions for service. It reminded him of the importance of representation in medicine and inspired him to stay involved in a community that uplifts and supports future Latino physicians.
Outside of school, Jonathan enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, trying new food spots, and finding time to recharge. During the 2026–2027 academic year, he looks forward to continuing to grow as a student, future physician, and advocate for the communities he hopes to serve.
Academic Affairs Vice Chair
Javier Vélez Toro
Javier is a rising 3rd year medical student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He was born in the island of Puerto Rico, before he and his family moved to Florida where he has spent most of his life – coming back to the island countless times for different occasions. Javier has a huge passion for serving the Spanish-speaking community and seeking ways to reduce barriers and improve access to quality care for those within its community. If you made Javier choose today, he would tell you he’s interested in both Anesthesiology and Emergency Medicine, but has several other interests ranging from public health, extreme environment/wilderness medicine, to aerospace medicine. He loves a good running session, dancing at salsa/latin socials, playing volleyball, and spending time with loved ones.
Javier joined LMSA national as a direct result of participating in his local chapter as a Co-President. Truly in awe of the opportunities that LMSA provided and the community of high-achieving students with his background, it led him to pursue even more ways to get involved, thus leading him to apply to participate with the national organization. He is truly honored to be of service and hopes to motivate and support Latino/Hispanic students across the nation while they pursue their professional goals and endeavors.
Specialty Section Chair
Melissa Castillo
Melissa Castillo is a rising fourth-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine currently completing her clinical training in Flint, Michigan. She is the daughter of Nicaraguan immigrants and spent much of her childhood summers in Nicaragua, experiences that shaped her passion for culturally responsive care, advocacy, and serving underserved communities. Melissa is also pursuing a certificate in Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved (LMU). Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time outdoors, watching anime, traveling, exploring new coffee shops, and kickboxing. Melissa joined LMSA Nationals because she values mentorship, representation, and building supportive spaces for Latino students in medicine. As a first-generation student, she appreciates the sense of community and advocacy that LMSA fosters and hopes to continue uplifting underrepresented voices in healthcare. Her interests in medicine include OB/GYN, women’s sexual health, health equity, and caring for underserved patient populations. Some accomplishments she is especially proud of include presenting research in women’s sexual health internationally earlier in 2026.
Specialty Section Vice Chair
Beatriz Martinez-Flores
Beatriz Martinez-Flores is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation Mexican-American born and raised in New York City. Currently a third-year medical student at the American University of Antigua College of Medicine, she is dedicated to expanding access to the medical school pathway. By creating a robust support system, she aims to provide students with the guidance needed to successfully navigate medicine and return to serve their communities. With this mission, Beatriz is transforming the LMSA specialty subsections into a “central hub” for resources, mentorship, and clinical advocacy, ensuring all members have a standardized roadmap to their future careers.
Beatriz’s journey in medicine is defined by resilience and a commitment to academic excellence. She completed her undergraduate degrees at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City College of New York. A prolific researcher and educator, she has been published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and has presented her work on medical education at international conferences such as EDULEARN.
Having navigated a non-linear path to medicine, Beatriz joined LMSA National to build a community that normalizes setbacks and empowers students to thrive regardless of their starting point. Before stepping into national leadership, she served as President of the Student Pediatric Interest Group and the Catholic Medical Student Association at AUA. Clinically, she is passionate about Pediatrics and Med-Peds, with a specific focus on health equity and providing longitudinal, culturally competent care to underserved populations.
Outside of her leadership and clinical rotations, she finds joy in rock climbing, practicing traditional Mexican folkloric dance (specifically styles from Jalisco and Veracruz), and exploring New York City’s vibrant culinary scene. Driven by her roots, Beatriz continues to advocate for a medical community where representation and mentorship are accessible to all.
Outside of her leadership and clinical rotations, she finds joy in rock climbing, hiking, and practicing traditional Mexican folkloric dance (specifically styles from Jalisco and Veracruz). Driven by her roots, Beatriz continues to advocate for a medical community where representation and mentorship are accessible to all.
Program & Events Liason
Edgard Castillo
Edgard Castillo is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. A Houston Native, Edgard is excited to host the 2026 National Conference in his hometown.
Edgard joined LMSA National to give back to an organization that has provided mentorship, lifelong friendships, and a steady sense of purpose throughout medical school. He brings a collaborative, detail-oriented approach to organizing events and loves creating spaces where members feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead.
Edgard’s accomplishments reflect a commitment to service, scholarship, and excellence. He has earned a place on the Taekwondo National Team and Team USA, received poster awards for academic work, and was selected as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow. He has also been recognized with multiple project-based awards for developing and leading initiatives that create meaningful impact.
Outside of school and LMSA, Edgard enjoys taekwondo, exercise, and spending time with family. He also enjoys reading, playing video games, and digital photography.
With cultural and familial roots in Mexico, he stays closely connected to their heritage through frequent visits. Edgard is preparing to apply to combined Internal Medicine–Pediatrics programs in the upcoming ERAS cycle.
LMSA PLUS Chair
Katherine Tinco, BA
Katherine Tinco is a proud Bronx, NY native and 2024 graduate of CUNY Hunter College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology. As a first-generation Peruvian American college graduate, she is passionate about shaping a more equitable future in medicine through representation and community-driven leadership. Her commitment to this work was deeply shaped by her time with the Bronx Community Health Leaders (BxCHL), where she led student community support groups for the Bronx.
She served on the LMSA Northeast 24-25 Executive Board as the PLUS Programming Chair, where she launched programming aimed at increasing transparency and guidance throughout the medical school admissions process. She later served on the LMSA National 25-26 Executive Board as the PLUS Programming Chair, where she expanded programming for medical school applications, non-traditional students, and undocumented students. Grounded in three core pillars: access, mentorship, and community; these initiatives connected students across the country to meaningful resources and support systems. Through this work, she ensured that all students, regardless of background or institution, felt supported and empowered in their journey to medicine.
Katherine enjoys serving in her church’s children’s and translation ministry and spending time with family. Her Christian faith is a foundation of her resilience, grounding her throughout her academic and personal journey.
PLUS Programming Vice Chair
Karen G. Medina Ramos
plus.programmingvc@lmsa.net
Karen Medina is a proud Mexican who grew up in the central valley of California. She graduated from Fresno State with a B.S. in Biology. She joined the LMSA due to her love for representation, leadership, and uplifting others in the medical field. She is an aspiring neuro-oncologist and researcher for the underserved communities.
As the Vice Chair for LMSA-PLUS, Karen aims to cultivate life-changing opportunities for pre-medical students nationwide while inspiring, supporting, and advocating for future healthcare leaders from all backgrounds.
LMSA National Communications Branch
Chief Technology Officer
Karen Viera
Karen Viera is an incoming fourth year medical student at Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) with aspirations of becoming a Pediatrician. Originally from Miami, Florida, she was raised by Cuban immigrant parents, whose values and work ethic continue to inspire her. She graduated from Florida International University Honors College with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Natural and Applied Sciences.
Karen hopes to one day open a pediatric practice alongside her twin sister, Karla Viera. Outside of medicine, she is passionate about traveling and hiking.
Chief Technology Officer
Karla Viera
Karla Viera is an incoming fourth year medical student at LMU DCOM. She is the daughter of Cuban immigrants and is originally from Miami, FL. She graduated from Florida International University Honors College with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Natural and Applied Sciences. She loves to travel and play with her dog, Cookie.
She is interested in becoming a Pediatrician. Her dreams are opening a practice with her twin sister, Karen Viera.
Deputy Chief Technology Officer
Dariana Gil Hernandez
deputy.cto@lmsa.net
Dariana Gil Hernández is a third-year medical student at Yale School of Medicine. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and music at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. Dariana participated as a postbaccalaureate research scholar at Stanford School of Medicine’s Racial Equity to Advance a Community of Health (REACH) program, where she worked as a clinical research coordinator for two years in the psychiatry department. Dariana envisions a career as a psychiatrist dedicated to understanding suicidal thoughts and behaviors and addressing barriers to mental health care for underserved populations.
Chief Technology Officer Committee
Daniela Negrete
ctocommittee@lmsa.net
Daniela is a first-year medical student at Rush Medical College. Daniela was born and raised in Northern Virginia to a family of Chilean immigrants. Growing up, Daniela noticed the disparities in medicine her family members faced due to socioeconomic factors and became passionate in health equity efforts within Latino and migrant communities.
Daniela joined LMSA to better understand how patient advocacy can be supported through nationwide organizational efforts. As she begins this journey in medicine, Daniela aspires to become a community-centered physician, integrating clinical care, research, and advocacy to improve health outcomes in vulnerable communities.
Outside of medicine, Daniela loves to do yoga and cook food from different cuisines.
Publications Chair
Ayse Guvenilir
Ayse Guvenilir was born in Austin into a family with a Venezuelan mother, a Turkish father, and three older brothers. Growing up in Texas, France, and various parts of upstate New York, she has always used reading and writing for connection, reflection, and relaxation as she moved from place to place.
Ayse studied at MIT, getting her bachelor’s degree in biological engineering with a minor in creative writing and master’s degree in Media Arts & Sciences. She is currently a fourth year medical student at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
Ayse has been involved with LMSA since she started medical school with her local chapter, serving as Ambassador Chair in 2024. She also volunteers at Puentes de Salud, a clinic for Spanish speakers in South Philly. Ayse published Our Ancestors Did Not Breathe This Air, a poetry anthology co-written with five other poets, through Beltway Editions in 2022—a few of the central themes are homeland, family, and identity.
Through her work, Ayse aims to empathize, educate, and inspire, the way that the works of others have always done for her.
Public Relations Chair
Carolina Prado
Carolina Prado (She/Her/Ella) is a rising fourth-year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a proud first-generation daughter of immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico, and was raised in Stanton, California. She is the first in her family to graduate from both high school and college.
Carolina is deeply committed to improving healthcare outcomes for underserved and minority communities. Prior to medical school, she worked as an EMT in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and as an emergency department medical scribe, experiences that strengthened her passion for serving diverse patient populations.
Chief Information Officer
Alex Biera
Alex Biera is a fourth year medical student attending The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine in Military City USA (San Antonio, Texas). Originally from Lubbock, Texas, she spent some time in Dallas, Texas and Chandler, Arizona prior to double majoring in psychology and biology as well as mastering in biology at Arizona State University, Go Sundevils! Volunteering in the communities she has been a part of set her on her path to becoming a physician where she hopes to give back through the practice of medicine.
Communidad has also played a large role in fueling her passion for LMSA. Having served as an LMSA general chapter member, medical school chapter president, and southwest regional CIO over the past few years, she is looking forward to serving as LMSA National CIO alongside the great leaders in the 2026-2027 LMSA National Team.
When not working on school or extracurricular to-do’s, you can find her reading her med school friends’ book club picks, catching up on the movie/TV scene, or hanging out with her English bulldog, Lady Winstonina “Lady”.
LMSA PLUS Communications Chair
Yennifer Garzon
Yennifer Garzon is a Biomedical Sciences degree student from AdventHealth University, who after relocating from Venezuela to the U.S. a few years ago she found her true calling in medicine through her various clinical experiences combined with research roles and community initiatives.
Yennifer functions as the LMSA National PLUS Communications Representative while having served before as LMSA PLUS Ambassador for the Southeast region. Through her work in both positions she has empowered pre-med students by building multiple motivational panels and outreach activities.
Yennifer connected with LMSA to support and elevate voices of first-generation immigrants who are driven while also assisting others to gain visibility and empowerment throughout their medical education path.
During her academic journey she created a research project which examines the use of boredom as a behavioral therapy technique for students suffering from overstimulation. Her free time outside school consists of event organization together with health equity studies and visits to inspiring spaces that promote personal development. She feels thrilled about starting her medical school application process to advance her path to becoming a caring physician and become a future cardiologist.
LMSA Plus Vice Chair
Sabrina Almeyda
Sabrina Almeyda is a Cuban-Venezuelan American graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Sabrina is passionate about expanding access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities for students, especially within large academic institutions where support systems can often be difficult to navigate.
Throughout her undergraduate journey, Sabrina integrated this passion into her leadership and outreach work. She was actively involved in UCF’s Undergraduate Research Council and Multicultural Student Center, where she focused on social media outreach initiatives that connected students to cultural, academic, and professional opportunities. She also served as President of UCF’s LMSA PLUS chapter from 2023 to 2024, where she co-founded and co-led a peer mentorship program designed to share pre-medical research and clinical opportunities with students.
Sabrina’s commitment to culturally responsive care is reflected in her interest in bilingual healthcare and her completion of an undergraduate certificate in Spanish for Health Professionals. Her research experiences have included serving as a project coordinator in a clinical psychology laboratory studying sociocultural factors related to alcohol use in Hispanic/Latinx adults, conducting immunology research at Weill Cornell Medicine on myeloid-derived suppressor markers in pediatric lupus nephritis, and most recently beginning her role as a Miami Neuroscience Institute Research Scholar at Baptist Health. Sabrina’s interests in medicine lie in the neurosciences, most notably psychiatry and neurology.
Through her position with LMSA National, she hopes to bring a personalized approach to outreach while continuing to connect students with meaningful resources, opportunities, and mentorship.
Graphic Design Chair
Melanie Rubalcava
Melanie is a first-generation Mexican-American raised in Riverside, CA with strong familial roots in Jalisco and Guerrero, México. As the eldest daughter in an immigrant household, she grew up noticing the disparities her family members and community faced. Empowered by her parents to pursue higher education, she attained her B.S. in Human Biology and a minor in Global Health from UC San Diego.
While in college, she became a Spanish medical interpreter at a free clinic and quickly discovered her passion for bridging cultural and language barriers. Increasing representation and uplifting the Latinx community has been her “why medicine” ever since. After graduating she took two gap years in which she completed her post-baccalaureate program at UCSD and worked as an OB/GYN medical scribe.
Melanie is currently a third-year medical student in her hometown at UC Riverside School of Medicine. LMSA is an organization near to her heart as she has received great support from multiple mentors through this organization throughout the years. Her greatest passions in medical school are mentoring underrepresented pre-medical students, advocating for health equity, and social emergency medicine. In her spare time, she loves reading, exploring new cities, and spending time with her 3 dogs!
Graphic Design Vice Chair
Jeanpierre Tenesaca
vc_graphicdesign@lmsa.net