By: Victoria Rondan, M.P.H., Mercedes Piedra, M.S., and Lia Lopez, B.S.
From September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates National Hispanic American Heritage Month as a means of recognizing the unique contributions of Latine individuals to our nation. As we move through this month, we want to highlight the profound impact our Latine community has on our country’s rich culture and history.
Accounting for approximately 19% of the population in the U.S., Latine individuals continue to excel in all sectors including the arts and sciences, while driving economic growth through active participation in the economy that enhances its overall vitality. The latest data on the economic impact of U.S. Latinos comes from the 2024 US Latino GDP report, showing that the U.S. Latino GDP totals an astounding $3.7 trillion, ranking it as the world's 5th largest GDP and outpacing countries like India and China with the fastest growth since 2019. These indicators of economic vitality are associated with rising wages and higher standards of living which benefit society as a whole, and showcase the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the Latine community despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. While strides have been made in terms of representation, the work continues, as only 6% of physicians in the United States are Latino, and only 2.4% are Latina, which is an alarming mismatch that fails to reflect the diversity of our communities. This month serves not only to honor past accomplishments, but also as a call to action for greater representation and equity in all sectors of American life including healthcare.
Pioneered by a group of visionary Latino/a physicians including Dr. Cesar Padilla, M.D. and Dr. Michael Galvez, M.D., F.A.C.S., who shared particular concern about the state of healthcare in the U.S., National Latino/a Physician Day (NLPD) emerged as a celebration of existing Latino/a healthcare professionals and a rallying cry for increased representation in medicine to better serve our diverse patient populations. The stated mission of NLPD is to improve the quality of care for our patient populations by growing the Latino/a Physician workforce who are uniquely capable of providing the culturally and linguistically concordant care that supports better patient outcomes. Through increasing public awareness of the underrepresentation of Latino/a physicians and the introduction of legislation to formally recognize NLPD, champions of this campaign hope to inspire the next generation of Latino/a physicians and spur the systemic change necessary to advance health equity.
The urgent need for such change is outlined in research from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) which projects significant physician shortages in the coming decades, exacerbating the need to create pathway programming that can support pre-health undergraduates in their matriculation into medical school. One initiative that embodies that spirit for change is the Prep Médico Program at UC Davis Health, whose inception in 2016 began as a way of ushering in the next generation of Latine physicians and has continued to support its strong alumni network with advising, internships, and scholarship opportunities. Funded by a generous gift from our partners at The Permanente Medical Group, the program hosted eight cohorts of summer programming and built a network of nearly 300 highly motivated scholars. Featuring clinical shadowing opportunities at Kaiser Permanente sites and the UC Davis Medical Center, along with simulations, interactive workshops, and presentations, Prep Médico’s comprehensive programming offered its scholars summer experiences that provided them with the resources, inspiration, and sense of community to navigate their path into medicine.
Throughout these years, alumni of the program have gone on to attend graduate and professional programs at world-class universities, engage in cutting-edge research, and enter the healthcare workforce with an unwavering commitment to reducing health inequities. We asked our Prep Médico alumni to share their thoughts on the importance of NLPD to them and their Latine community.
National Latino Physician Day is important to me because it simultaneously acknowledges the challenging hurdles that Latino physicians have to overcome while celebrating the social justice and advocacy work of Latino medical professionals that extends beyond medical care. It is a wake-up call to continue building community and a reminder that our dreams are within reach when we work together.—Maritza Campos, recent UCLA graduate, Prep Médico Alumna ‘22
NLPD is an important reminder to highlight to the next generation, like my niece, that despite the barriers experienced by our people, especially in rural communities, Latinos can be and do belong in medicine. Impossible is nothing. Este movimiento apenas comienza! —Carlos Melchor, MS 2 at UC Davis School of Medicine, Prep Médico Alumnus ‘20
Of the nearly 10% of Prep Médico alumni who have entered medical school thus far, many have gone on to join chapters of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at their respective institutions. These bright students are part of a network of those who are interested in the health and well-being of the Latino/a community. We asked LMSA members at UC Davis School of Medicine to share what NLPD means to them.
National Latino Physician Day represents more than a celebration of heritage; it’s a testament to the dreams and sacrifices of those who came before me. As a medical student and daughter of Mexican immigrants, it inspires me to honor their legacy by contributing to a diverse and compassionate healthcare system.—Lizzy Lupercio, MS2
It is a celebration of resilience, determination, and the power of representation. This day reminds me of the barriers that our community continues to overcome in healthcare, while also inspiring me to contribute to a future where Latine voices are amplified in medicine. It reinforces my commitment to serve my community, provide culturally competent care, and inspire the next generation of Latine physicians!—Cinthia Ramirez Avila, MS3
As a first-generation medical student, NLPD holds a special meaning for me. It's a reminder of the sacrifices my family made and the strength of our community. It symbolizes breaking barriers, pursuing a dream that once seemed distant, and paving the way for those who will follow. It’s more than a personal achievement—it's a commitment to give back, to uplift, and to honor the legacy of resilience that brought me here.—JR Curiel, MS 2
In Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, LMSA hosted a weekend long conference at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, attended by over 1,000 Latino/a pre-medical students, residents, and faculty, including many of our Prep Médico Program staff and alumni! The Prep Médico Program’s longitudinal support includes opportunities to attend conferences such as this one to support our alumni’ professional development as they advance through their journey to medicine.
As we celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month and National Latino/a Physician Day, we recognize the duality of the progress made and also the work that must be done to create a more equitable nation. The economic power and cultural influence of the Latine community in the United States continue to grow and shape our great nation, yet significant disparities in representation persist across many fields, including healthcare. Initiatives like the Prep Médico Pathway Program and the efforts of organizations like LMSA are crucial steps toward advancing health equity. By empowering and investing in Latine individuals interested in pursuing careers in medicine, we move closer to a society where our healthcare workforce reflects the diversity of our population and patient outcomes across the board are better because of it.
To learn more about NLPD and see upcoming events, visit their website.
Check out the Prep Médico Instagram page for tons of resources and our post for National Latino/a Physician Day here!
To find out more regarding the variations of Latino/a and Latine used within this post, click here.
