The LMSA PLUS Team leads initiatives that empower pre-health students across the country to pursue careers in medicine and the health professions. Together, they build mentorship pipelines, strengthen collaboration between undergraduate and medical students, and ensure that the next generation of Latino healthcare leaders is supported every step of the way.
LMSA National Team
Pre-Med Development Officer: Yonny Chavez
As the Pre-Med Development Officer, Yonny, alongside his vice chair Evelyn, oversee the expansion and structure of LMSA’s PLUS membership and partnership initiatives. They both work together alongside with regional Chief Development Officers and undergraduate institutions to build sustainable chapters that uplift Latino, Latina, and Latinx pre-health students across the nation.
Co- PreMed Development Officer (PMDO)
Yonny Chavez
Yonny Chavez is a recent graduate of California State University, Fullerton, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Cell & Developmental Biology with a minor in Food Studies. Growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Orange, California, he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by underserved communities, fueling his passion for addressing health disparities.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Yonny is deeply involved in Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) activities. When he’s not advocating for equitable healthcare, he finds solace in running to relieve stress and indulging in his love for aviator sunglasses, which he avidly collects.
In addition to his LMSA contributions, Yonny plays a vital role in Pre-Health Shadowing, a student-led organization where he currently serves as Lead of Volunteer Operations. This summer, he will be participating in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Pre-Med Enrichment Program, an opportunity he eagerly anticipates. Through this experience, he hopes to build meaningful connections with mentors and future colleagues while deepening his understanding of the health disparities affecting his community. Once he finishes, he plans on pursuing an his MD in the field of pediatrics hoping to help the children in his community.
Co- PreMed Development Officer (PMDO)
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. 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 Programming Chair: Katherine Tinco
As the LMSA PLUS Programming Chair, Katherine leads the design, coordination, and implementation of educational and professional development opportunities for pre-health students across the country. She ensures that LMSA PLUS programming aligns with LMSA’s core mission of empowerment through education and mentorship.
Katherine works with regional PLUS leaders, mentors, and LMSA National committees to curate workshops, panels, and events that prepare undergraduates for successful transitions into medical and health professional programs.
LMSA PLUS Chair
Katherine Tinco, BA
Katherine Tinco is a proud Bronx 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 the power of representation and community driven leadership. Katherine is especially committed to uplifting all pre-med students especially those from non-traditional backgrounds.
She most recently served as the LMSA Northeast PLUS Programming Chair on the 2024-2025 Executive Board, where she launched several new initiatives aimed at providing guidance, transparency, and mentors throughout the medical school admissions process. Drawing from her experiences as a Student Leader with Bronx Community Health Leaders (BxCHL), she has supported peers on their journey to medicine through mentorship, inclusive programming, and advocacy.
Now, as LMSA National PLUS Programming Chair, Katherine is eager to continue expanding access and visibility for Latino pre-med students across the country. She looks forward to working on a national scale to open doors, empower leaders, and help build a more inclusive pre-med community.
In her free time, Katherine enjoys serving in her church’s children’s ministry, and spending time with family. Her Christian faith is a foundation of her resilience, grounding her throughout her academic and personal journey.
LMSA PLUS Communications Chair: Yennifer Garzón
As the LMSA PLUS Communications Chair, Yennifer oversees the outreach, branding, and storytelling efforts of LMSA PLUS. She ensures that pre-health members are informed, engaged, and celebrated across all communication platforms.
Yennifer manages the dissemination of key updates, opportunities, and highlights through newsletters, social media, and collaborations with the LMSA National Communications team. Her work strengthens the visibility of LMSA PLUS chapters and elevates the voices of undergraduate leaders within our national network.
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 Regional Team
- Midwest: Natalia Bautista – lmsaplus.midwest@lmsa.net
- Northeast: Samantha Cajamarca & Dariana Mota – lmsaplus.northeast@lmsa.net
- Southeast: Janet Garcia – lmsaplus.southeast@lmsa.net
- Southwest: Anna Galvan & Vanessa Flores – lmsaplus.southwest@lmsa.net
- West:Â Alex Alvarez & Luis Dominguez – northernundergradrep@lmsa.net southernundergradrep@lmsa.net