2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Gilberto Osuna-Leon

Gilberto Osuna-Leon, MS3, a medical student in the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), has demonstrated his commitment to the undocumented community for several years, first by co-founding the Dreamers of Wisconsin nonprofit organization as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to his current work as a medical student mentor for the UCI DREAM Center.

His interest in medicine stems from his deep commitment to the service of others. He also serves as a dedicated mentor to undergraduate students through the HELIOS Lab and high school students through the Summer Surgery Program. Osuna-Leon has also previously served as co-president of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). Collectively, his experiences in community advocacy at multiple stages of the educational journey illustrate his commitment to underrepresented students, particularly those who are undocumented/DACA, and his emphasis on the role of mentorship in educational and professional persistence.

“My journey to medicine was inspired by the Latina women in my life,” says Osuna-Leon. “They taught me to always care for others and lean into the things that make me different. What makes medicine worth it to me are those small moments where Latino/a/x patients feel at ease when they see someone that looks like them on their medical care team. Representation matters and those moments of cultural connection are the key to improved health outcomes en nuestra comunidad (in our community).” 

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