<aside> 🩺 This page summarizes the history of the UTSA LMSA+ Chapter as we feel it’s important to know where our chapter originates from, its journey, and that we’re new compared to many other campus organizations. This will be the first academic year that LMSA+ will be fully in-person instead of solely virtual in previous years!

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Timeline

• Fall 2019: Two students noticed a lack of accessible pre-health organizations.
• Spring 2020: COVID-19 pandemic began & shut down the nation, including campus
• Summer 2020: UTSA’s Health Professions Office held a community discussion about pre-health organizations at UTSA - students shared financial accessibility, safe spaces, and lack of shared resources as common issues.
• Fall 2020: LMSA+ became a registered student organization, but the semester was focused on planning instead of convening.
• Spring 2021: The 1st Executive Board got their “feet wet” with running general meetings and hosting guest speakers virtually (during a pandemic) as a new organization.
• Summer 2021: The Executive Board reflected on the spring semester successes and improvements to implement in the Fall semester.
• Fall 2021: A semester of many firsts and successes! The Executive Board implemented more resources, such as certifications and internships at UTSA, along with hosting guest speakers such as Dr. Lyssa Ochoa, a vascular surgeon based in San Antonio, and Dr. Andre Jones, a dental of doctor surgery based in San Antonio to educate members on different medicinal fields to pursue in healthcare. The Board also implemented a donation drive and social events for members to give back to the community while connecting with one another. This was also the semester that we had active membership merchandise, which was cords!
• Spring 2022: Present merchandise for members such as stoles, cords, and a t-shirt, continue bringing in memorable guest speakers, and educate on topics relevant to Latinos (stress management as first-generation students and physicians). First semester we conducted events hybrid!
• Fall 2022: First semester ever in-person and we are beyond excited! We will be having unique guest speakers in various medical specialties and even a LMSA medical chapter speak to us. We are providing new t-shirts, and will continue with members to earn cords and stoles for active membership. We will also be doing tabling this semester, and having many events that tie back into very important topics in Latinos - such as Hispanic Hertiage Month, accessibility in pathways, local Latino healthcare resources following the pandemic.