LPOC and NHMA Explore Historic Affiliation Agreement

This past June, the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) held their annual, national conference in Anaheim CA. It was NHMA’s first West Coast annual conference, and the conference was groundbreaking and highly successful.

Most notably, LPOC Board Members Dr. Felix Nunez, and Dr. Hector Flores attended the conference and met with the new NHMA executive leadership led by interim NHMA President Dr. Gil Burgos. Over the last year, NHMA has transitioned leadership and formally split into two independent organizations: NHMA and the National Hispanic Medical Foundation (NHMF). NHMF is a new, independent organization led by former NHMA President Elena Rios.

Dr. Nunez, Dr. Flores and Dr. Burgos met and discussed both organization’s priorities. After their discussions, the three agreed there was a clear-eyed mutual sense of purpose, and that it was important for the 6% of all Latinx physicians in the US, to have a unified, strong voice representing their interests.

Dr. Burgos, NMHA CEO, were invited to meet and discuss the concept of an affiliation with LPOC at the July LPOC board meeting. Afterward, the LPOC Board enthusiastically (and unanimously) endorsed a proposal for LPOC and NHMA to continue to work towards an affiliation agreement.

As a meaningful, first action towards an affiliation agreement, LPOC has agreed to encourage its members to join NHMA, and NHMA has agreed to encourage its California-based members to join LPOC. Updates will be shared in future LPOC newsletters.