The Latino Medical Student Association Faculty Physician Advisory Council (LMSA FPAC) organizes with several organizations the LMSA LHS+ Identity, Development, and Resources Seminar (LIDEReS) in Research.
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Overall goals of the seminar
- Describe LHS+ (Latina/o/e/x, Hispanic or of Spanish Origin+) related research priorities, urgent health challenges and disparities;
- Provide information about how to navigate a career in academic medicine and research, including how to find support and funding for your career through federal, state, and academic organizations;
- Describe the career journeys of physician-scientists and academicians, including those who have obtained research funding;
- Facilitate interactions, networking, and connectedness with researchers, faculty, and representatives from federal, state, and academic organizations.
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Background
LMSA FPAC founded LIDEReS and have adjusted the curriculum for an emphasis on education, research, and service.
In the Spring of 2023, the NIDDK Office of Minority Health Research Coordination (OMHRC) met with the leadership of the LMSA FPAC to discuss ways to address the relative lack of Latina, Latino, Latinx, Latine, Hispanic or of Spanish Origin+ (LHS+) identified individuals in the research and academic medicine workforces.
The LMSA Inc. (Latino Medical Student Association) was formed to increase the presentation and success of LHS+ medical students within medical schools. The 50+ history of LMSA and its antecedent organizations has been detailed in a new book titled Latino, Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin+: Identified Student Leaders in Medicine, Recognizing More Than 50 years of Presence, Activism, and Leadership by Springer Publishing (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-35020-7)
The meeting with the LMSA FPAC resulted in the decision for NIDDK to provide travel awards and support to aspiring LHS+ residents, fellows, and early career individuals interested in careers in academic medicine to attend LMSA’s LHS+ Identity, Development, Empowerment, and Resources Seminar (LIDEReS) in Research in 2024. Key topic areas include the importance of diversity in academic medicine, understanding the NIH grant process, learning how to obtain funding and grant support, potential career paths, recognizing the pitfalls to avoid in the selection of academic appointments and early years of academic tenure, career appointment and advancement, identification, and successful utilization of mentors, among others.
LMSA FPAC continues to offer the program to interns/residents, fellows, junior faculty, post-doctoral researchers who are interested in pursuing careers in research and/or academic medicine and advancing the health of LHS+ populations.
2024 NIH/LMSA LIDEReS in Research Award Program was held on April 12-14, hosted by Universidad Central Del Caribe (UCC) School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
2025 LMSA LIDEReS in Research was held April 12, 2025
LMSA LIDEReS in Research will be help Saturday, March 21, 2026
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Application Process
Gather Required Documents
A signed letter of recommendation from a faculty member/LMSA faculty or staff advisor/medical school leader (Dean of the Medical School, Dean of Research, Dean of GME; Program Director; Chairperson; etc.) who will follow-up with you regarding your research interests and how your institution will support your interests. The letter should also confirm your full participation in the seminar and describe any financial resources to help you participate in the entire program. (Format requirements: Times New Roman, 1.5 spacing, 1-inch margins)
CV (If you are uncertain how to develop or format a CV reach out to your institutional office for faculty affairs or use the following https://www.niddk.nih.gov/-/media/Files/Research-Funding/Process/CVTemplate.pdf
Selection Process
The LMSA LIDEReS in Research Review Committee will review the applications and select awardees based on LMSA FPAC rubric.
LMSA Contact – J.P. Sanchez MD, MPH, exec.director@lmsa.net, Executive Director, LMSA National Inc.