School of Medicine National Latinx Physician Day Celebration

Members of PRIME-LC, the UCI School of Medicine Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), the UC PRIME Pre-Health Pathways Program (UC3P), and Chicanos Latinos for Community Medicine (CCM), along with faculty and staff gathered on Sept. 29 on the patio of the Medical Education building to celebrate National Latinx Physician Day.

National Latinx Physician Day (NLPD) is celebrated each year on October 1. In California, the Latinx population makes up approximately 39%, with future increases projected to rise to 50% by the year 2050. However, disproportionally, only 6% of physicians identify as Latino or Latina in the United States.

A special plaque recognizing the School of Medicine’s work in the Latino community was presented to Dean Stamos from Jessica Guerrero, policy advisor from the office of Doug Chaffee, fourth district supervisor in Orange County. Attendees honored current and future physicians working toward increased representation in medicine … as 6% is not enough. They also received a special lapel pin to wear, indicating their support for the day. 

The need for an increasingly diverse healthcare workforce to address these disparities continues to undergird our mission-based programs within the UCI School of Medicine, in particular, the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) and the PRIME-LC Residency Track within the Department of Family Medicine. 

Additionally, the UCI Health Family Health Center, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) continues to improve access to care through medical, dental, behavioral, and social health services impacting patients largely identifying as Hispanic/Latinx and monolingual Spanish speakers.