Students advocate at national summit

Representing McGovern Medical School at the national level, two students traveled to Washington, DC, last month for the Latino Medical Student Association National Policy Summit.

Karla Madrigal, MS3, and Luis Valdez, MS4 (now graduated), hold leadership positions with LMSA Southwest Region. Madrigal is the outgoing policy chair and worked with the national team to put on the LMSA SALUD Summit and recently was elected co-director elect for the Southwest Region. Valdez is the outgoing co-director for the region.

Both students participated in the national board elections and had the opportunity to meet with legislators and their staff, including the offices of U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX).

“Overall, the Policy Summit was an incredible experience,” Madrigal said. “As part of the national LMSA policy committee, it was a great experience getting to see the Policy Summit come together after months of planning.”

The annual summit brings together students from high school, pre-med undergrad, medical school, and residency with practicing physicians to promote the LMSA mission, “to unite and empower current and future physicians through service, mentorship, and education to advocate for the improved health of the Hispanic and Latino community in the United States.”

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