The 2026 Student Advocacy, Leadership, Unity, and Diversity Summit (SALUD2026)

Event Overview

The 4th Annual SALUD (Student Advocacy, Leadership, Unity, and Diversity) Summit continues the proud legacy of Latinx health advocacy in the United States. Born from a grassroots, student-driven movement of the 1960s, the Summit stands as a modern platform for shaping health policy, advancing equity, and uplifting the voices of underrepresented communities.

Attending the 2026 SALUD Summit will provide students with hands-on training to drive meaningful change at the political, academic, institutional, and personal levels. The weekend will feature an inspiring keynote address, advocacy skill-building workshops, discussions on pressing health policy issues, and opportunities for networking and engagement during the exhibitor fair, research symposium, and annual Capitol Hill visits.

Through this year’s theme, Unidos for Health Equity, we aim to unite future physicians, public health leaders, and advocates in a shared mission to build a more just healthcare system. Together, we will amplify our collective power, reaffirm our commitment to equity, and continue the work of ensuring that every voice and every community  has access to the care they deserve.

SALUD Summit topics include:

• Finding your voice as a health advocate
• Voting as a social determinant of health
• Policy updates and advocacy around federal loan repayment programs
• Advocacy training: communicating with legislators and the media
• The role of advocacy in shaping access to care and health outcomes
• Immigration status, housing, and employment as health determinants
• Coalition-building between student organizations and policymakers
• Using AI and data science to close health disparity gaps

Information Regarding the SALUD 2026 Venue

All in-person programming other than legislative visits will take place at Washington Marriott Capitol Hill (175 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20002)

• Prime Location: Minutes from the U.S. Capitol and federal agencies 
• Modern Facilities: Over 13,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space to host plenaries, breakout sessions, the exhibitor fair, and research symposium.
• Convenience: Steps from Union Station (Amtrak, Metro, and regional transit) for easy national access.

LMSA has secured a housing block to accommodate attendees at discounted rates. Please access these group rates as follows:

• Room Rate: $219/night + tax
  • Guests are responsible for all room fees, including incidental charges, holds, and other hotel charges.
• Book by MARCH 30th, 2026

Need help finding a roommate for SALUD2026?

the Google Sheet can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vFDcmxQ-JfmyJDTXRGercBLfSa3T6kjZPiafo020QMk/edit?usp=sharing

Agenda & Student Programming

Legislative Visit Toolkit

Featured Speakers

2026 SALUD Summit Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What does SALUD stand for?
   • SALUD stands for Student Advocacy, Leadership, Unity, and Diversity. Our SALUD Summit hopes to bring students together to learn advocacy and leadership skills while helping unify latinx in medicine and diversify policy. 
2. What is the SALUD Summit?
   • The SALUD Summit is a gathering of medical students, pre-med students, and health professionals committed to advancing health policy, advocacy, and leadership within the Latino community. Participants will engage in policy discussions, advocacy training, research symposium, exhibitor fair and meetings with legislators.
3. Where and when is the summit taking place?
   • When: April 18th-20th, 2026
   • Where: Washington DC – Washington Marriott Capitol Hill (75 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20002)
4. Who can attend the summit?
   • The summit is open to medical students, pre-med students, and healthcare professionals who are passionate about health policy and advocacy
5. Is there a cost to attend?
   • You must register in order to attend – you can register and find prices here
   • We have partnered with the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill to provide a room discount for your stay in DC

Preparation & Logistics

1. Are there Pre-Summit Meetings?
   • Yes! Join our LMSA National Committee Programming leading up to the Summit: Rumbo a SALUD
2. What should I bring to the summit?

• A laptop/tablet for note-taking, business casual/professional attire, and any personal materials for meetings or networking

3. How should I prepare for meetings with legislators?

• Participants will receive the LMSA Legislative Advocacy Toolkit and policy briefs covering key bills, LMSA’s legislative priorities, and talking points. Reviewing these materials beforehand will ensure you feel confident during the meetings!

4. What are the expected roles during legislator visits?

• Each group will have designated roles to ensure an organized and impactful discussion. These include:
  • Group Leader – Manages time, introduces the group, ensures everyone has a chance to speak, facilitates discussion, and leads the post-meeting debrief with LMSA organizers.
  • Personal Narrative Speaker – Shares a personal story related to the issue, helping humanize the advocacy effort.
  • Congressional Leader Expert – Researches the legislator’s background, voting history, and stance on the issue to tailor the conversation.
  • Policy Person – Reviews the policy memorandum in depth and is prepared to answer legislative staff questions with additional data and insights.
  • Structure will be similar to
    • Student 1 (Introduction & Issue Overview) – Opens the meeting, introduces the issue, and facilitates initial engagement with the legislative office.
    • Student 2 (Current State Presenter) – Provides an overview of the issue’s current impact, including key facts and statistics.
    • Student 3 (Long-Term Impact Presenter) – Explains how the issue will continue to affect communities if left unaddressed, emphasizing policy implications.
    • Student 4 (Closing & Legislative Ask) – Summarizes key discussion points, presents LMSA’s legislative asks, and clarifies follow-up steps.

5. What policy issues will we be advocating for?

• Our legislative priorities focus on critical areas impacting Latino and immigrant communities. Our 3 main topics will be decided from the National Policy Committee in 2026. Stay tuned!

6. What is the schedule for the summit?

• A prelimenary agenda is posted above and you can continue to check our more detailed agenda here

7. Will there be networking opportunities?

• Yes! 
• Events
  • The SALUD 2026 Exhibitor Fair is your chance to connect directly with national leaders in medicine, public health, and policy. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with representatives from medical schools, residency programs, advocacy organizations, federal agencies, and community partners dedicated to advancing health equity.
  • Networking Social event will take place on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 night (21+). Additionally, participants will have opportunities to connect with physicians, policy experts, and fellow students throughout the summit.

8. Are there specific expectations for participation?

• Attendees are expected to:
• Engage in discussions and training sessions
• Actively participate in legislative visits
• Represent LMSA professionally and respectfully in all meetings

Post-Summit & Next Steps

1. What happens after the summit?

• After the summit, participants are encouraged to:
  • Stay engaged in LMSA’s policy and advocacy initiatives
  • Apply the skills learned to local, state, and national advocacy efforts
  • Follow up with legislators on any next steps discussed during the meetings

2. How can I stay involved with SALUD and future advocacy efforts?

• Join our monthly newsletter list, follow LMSA on social media, and participate in future legislative visits and advocacy training sessions!

Registration for SALUD 2026

Registration fees are shown below:

Any questions regarding attendee registration may be directed to vp_program@lmsa.net.

Get registered for SALUD 2026 on our app!

Coming Soon!

Research Symposium

LMSA student members will have the opportunity to showcase their ongoing research projects at the 2026 SALUD Symposium, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, April 19th, 2026 from 4:00PM and 6:00PM EST.

The SALUD Research Symposium aims to showcase research and scholarly work that advances health equity and addresses disparities within Latino and underserved communities. The symposium encourages the submission of projects that integrate research, education, advocacy, and policy to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems.

In doing so, the SALUD Research Symposium seeks to empower participants to share their findings, engage in critical discussions, and build collaborative solutions for the future of equitable healthcare. We invite you to join us in this mission and contribute to our shared vision of progress through research and policy-driven action.

Important Dates:

Poster Presentation (in-person): April 19, 2026 (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST)

Abstract Submission Deadline: January 5, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)

Accepted Submission Notifications: By February 5, 2025 (11:59 PM EST)

Poster Assignments

Rumbo a 2026 SALUD

Timeline for events

12/01/2025: Resolution Submission: The LMSA policy committee will review and provide feedback about your resolution. 

12/21/2025:  Final Resolution Submission: At this stage, all finalized resolutions will be included in the Congress of Delegates meeting in January

12/22/25: Virtual Reference Committee Opens 

Virtual Reference Committee, where resolutions are posted online for comment, is the venue in which delegates, LMSA members and others can oppose, voice concern, or articulate their point of view on items of business under consideration. If you would like to be notified when the Virtual Reference Committee Opens, please reach out to policy@lmsa.net and vp_program@lmsa.net.

All resolutions submitted to the Policy Committee will be posted on the Virtual Reference Committee (VRC), an online document where viewers will have the opportunity to read and post comments on submitted resolutions. 

Comments often serve as the basis for future testimony provided at the COD, and can provide a general measure of the level of support for the resolution by regional chapters and the general LMSA membership.

1/3/2026: Virtual Reference Committee Closes 

1/10/2026: Release of Reference Committee Report

The Virtual Reference Committee report summarizes collected comments, as well as the view of the Policy Committee and its recommendations to the COD.

The Policy Committee prepares a report, which then becomes the basis for upcoming COD debate and action.

Mid Jan: Congress of Delegates Meeting

The Congress of Delegates is composed of 10 voting elected delegates (regional co-directors or designated delegate), each selected to represent the interest and opinions of the five LMSA regions. At the meeting the COD will be voting on whether or not to pass the resolutions after reviewing the Virtual Committee Report.

3/22/2026: Zoom- What is SALUD summit! 

4/5/2026: Zoom: Key issues we will talk about at SALUD!

4/12/2026: Zoom: Key issues we will talk about at SALUD!

The LMSA National Policy Committee is a dedicated, multidisciplinary team committed to advancing equitable healthcare, uplifting Latino communities, and amplifying the voices of future physician-leaders across the country. Together, this committee spearheads LMSA’s national advocacy efforts, develops policy positions, and ensures our organization remains a powerful force for justice, representation, and systemic change.

At the forefront of this work is our National Health Advocacy & Policy Chair, Lizbeth Alvarez, who leads the committee with strategic vision, collaboration, and a deep commitment to public health advocacy. Supporting her are the National Vice Chairs, Sharad Wertheimer and Bertha Zazueta, who help guide policy development, coordinate committee initiatives, and strengthen our advocacy infrastructure nationwide.

Our policy efforts are truly national in scope. Each LMSA region is represented by its Regional Policy Chairs, who ensure that local needs, regional priorities, and community-specific challenges are reflected in our national work. By bridging local perspectives with national strategy, the Regional Chairs bring essential depth, diversity, and insight to the committee’s mission.

Completing the team are our Policy Fellows, a group of emerging leaders who support research, statement development, legislative monitoring, and special advocacy projects. These fellows bring fresh perspectives and strengthen the pipeline of future advocates within LMSA.

Together, the National Policy Chair, National Vice Chairs, Regional Policy Chairs, and Policy Fellows form the LMSA National Policy Committee—a united body dedicated to championing policies that protect, empower, and uplift the communities we serve.

Exhibitor Fair

The Exhibitor Fair is central to LMSA’s mission to empower medical trainees, especially those from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine, to become the physicians our communities need. Additionally, the Exhibitor Fair provides an ideal forum for medical schools, residency programs, and other educational organizations to engage trainees who share a passion for health equity. For these reasons, we believe participation in the fair is particularly valuable for institutions who seek to recruit and foster a more diverse and talented generation of physicians.

LMSA is delighted to share multiple opportunities to feature our Sponsors and Exhibitors. We encourage your institution to take advantage of the many benefits included in each sponsorship package. These opportunities are explained in detail within the SALUD 2026 Sponsor & Exhibitor Prospectus. 

To register as an exhibitor, please fill out the following form: https://pci.jotform.com/form/252926428436161

Full benefits are detailed in the sponsorship tiers found in the LMSA NC2026 Prospectus. 

The deadline for both registration and completion of payment is: March 29th, 2026 (11:59PM CST)

Late registration will be available until  April 8th, 2026 (11:59PM CST), and subject to availability of space and accepted only at the discretion of LMSA

For help with this process or questions concerning registration and payment details, please contact fundraising@lmsa.net. Label all inquiries with “Prospectus SALUD26”