LHS+ Medical Student History and Heritage of the U.S. Midwest Region

The objective of this chapter is to highlight the path towards the empowerment of Latinos in the U.S. Midwest—both in general and in medicine—through reviews of published literature, statistics, and oral history. Through migration, education, and self-determination, Latinos grew from being an impermanent fixture of the Midwestern labor force in the mid-1800s to a driver of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts regionally and nationally in the late 1900s and early 2000s. This chapter recounts the key sociopolitical and cultural factors that brought Latinos to the Midwest, shaped this community’s presence within the region, and catalyzed activism within this community for increased representation in the physician workforce and improved health outcomes. Lastly, this chapter chronicles the trainee-driven grassroots efforts that culminated in the formation of official medical student organizations. The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) that exists as of this chapter’s writing reflects the hard work of Midwest students and physicians and will rely on continuation of these efforts in order to promote a healthier LHS+ community and a stronger healthcare system for all.