Celebrating National Latino Physician Day

Various leaders, including California’s first Latina Surgeon General, Diana Ramos, MD, inspired future doctors at an annual event celebrating National Latino Physician Day at UC Irvine.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, physicians and students from the UC Irvine School of Medicine gathered to celebrate National Latino Physician Day. In the United States, Latinos are 19% of the population but only 6% of physicians. In California, Latinos represent approximately 40% of the population — a number expected to grow to 50% by 2050.

To inspire the next generation of Latino physicians, joint events were held at the UCI Health Medical Center in Orange and on the UC Irvine campus. In Orange, attendees gathered outside of the hospital in the Healing Garden and received pins and information about the need for Latinos in medicine.

On campus, students met at the UC Irvine Student Center and began a “Medical March” to raise awareness, walking across campus to the patio of the Medical Education Building.

“Representation matters,” said Ursula Worsham, EdD, assistant dean and diversity officer for the School of Medicine, as she welcomed the crowd of medical students, practicing physicians, and undergraduate students interested in careers in healthcare. For a population facing significant healthcare barriers, 6% is not enough.

“What difference can a culturally aware, Spanish-speaking physician make?” asked Michael J. Stamos, MD, dean of the School of Medicine. “The answer is a lot.”

Dean Stamos spoke of studies showing how doctors who understand and speak the language of their patients decrease the need for unnecessary in-patient admissions and diagnostic testing, as well as lower hospital recidivism (revisit) rates. He recognized UC Irvine’s Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), which has been training physicians to meet the needs of underresourced Latino communities for more than 20 years. He also highlighted programs, such as Med Academy, that encourage middle and high school students to pursue medical careers. “I welcome and encourage all ideas to change this dismal 6% number.”

Health Disparities: Beyond the Numbers

Medical students Christian Cepeda and Alen Mendiola, co-chairs of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), spoke to the crowd about their own families’ struggles in navigating the healthcare system. “Medicine is not just about science,” said Cepeda. “It’s about building trust, strong enough for families and patients to put their health in our hands.”

Mendiola stressed that health disparities are more than just objective statistics. “Subjectively, they’re exhausting, discouraging, painful and deeply personal,” he said. “Barriers like what language we speak, where we live, and how much money we make can decide whether someone suffers or heals. That’s why today matters.”

Sarah Lopez, MD, a member of the UCI-OC Alliance and PRIME-LC alum, also talked about mistrust in medicine. “Access to care is not just about seeing a doctor,” she said. “It’s about finding someone who understands our stories, our language, our values. This is why representation matters.”

Marco Angulo, MD, the director of medical education at AltaMed and also a PRIME-LC alum, recalled reading an LA Times article 25 years ago, “A Shortage That’s Killing Latinos.” Presenting an even lower physician statistic (less than 5%), the article motivated the aspiring musician to ask, “If not me, then who?” He enrolled in community college and took his first step toward becoming a doctor. He then assured the students that they are not alone in their journey. “We’re all here to guide you. That’s a promise,” he said. “Your patients are waiting for you.”

California’s First Latina Surgeon General

“Buenas tardes!” Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA, California’s Surgeon General and the first Latina hold that position, cheerfully greeted the crowd. She outlined the origins of National Latino Physicians Day, first envisioned in 2022 by her friends Michael Galvez, MD, and Cesar Padilla, MD.

“My role is fundamentally to advocate for public health equity and innovation,” said Ramos, who earned her MBA from UC Irvine. She also serves as a bridge between the government, healthcare systems and diverse communities.

Highlighting the challenges of serving diverse communities, Ramos, an obstetrician gynecologist, spoke of the Latina tradition of staying home for 40 days after giving birth. “Culturally, we see it as a time for healing and bonding,” she said. Yet it can lead to significant disparities in postpartum care. Outlining culturally sensitive solutions, she suggested telehealth visits, “promotores” (trusted individuals), community health workers, and phone check-ins. “As clinicians and leaders, our job is to understand culture,” she said. “That’s how we meet people where they are … [and] each one of you is part of that solution.”

Turning to the topic of innovation — and California’s rich history as a leader in technology and biomedical research — Ramos explained that innovation is not only about technology but also people. “The most powerful innovation we can bring to healthcare is representation,” she said. “And UCI is leading the way, with its PRIME programs at all levels.”

Ramos concluded with a vision of a more compassionate healthcare system. “You are not just future doctors,” she said. “You are leaders shaping what healthcare looks like in this state and beyond. With your partnership, California will be stronger, healthier and more hopeful.”

The 2025 National Latino Physician Day event was coordinated by leaders from the UC Irvine School of Medicine and UCI Health Medical Center in partnership with the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), UCI School of Medicine Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), UC PRIME Pre-Health Pathways Program (UC3P), UCI-OC Alliance, UCI Latinx Resource Center, and Chicanos Latinos for Community Medicine (CCM).

View photos from the event.