Hispanic Heritage Month culminated in a celebration of culture and community at UMass Chan Medical School. Two events, “¡Fiesta Latina! A Hispanic Heritage Celebration Through Dance and Culture,” on Oct. 10, and “Cafecito, Storytelling and Community: A Conversation with UMass Chan’s Latinx Voices,” on Oct. 15, highlighted the vibrancy, strength and resiliency of the Hispanic community at UMass Chan and in the city of Worcester at large.
For the organizers, cultural pride, inclusivity and offering an event that served as a gateway to community connection were overall goals.
“I think this is a great way to foster community among the Latino students of UMass Chan but also to showcase what Hispanic culture is really like,” said Elizabeth Carbonell, medical student and president of the Latino Medical Student Association. “We forget what brings us together and with so many countries represented, there’s so much that we have in common,’ Carbonell continued.
PhD candidate Brianna Dominguez highlighted the importance of having not only medical students and faculty, but also UMass Chan employees present at the storytelling event.
“It’s an opportunity to listen to the real-life experiences that Latinx people from the Worcester community have gone through and still go through. It is always an honor to listen to those older than us regardless of their career trajectory/life path who can provide us with advice on how to overcome barriers and struggles so that we are better equipped if we ever have to face something similar,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez, who will soon assume the role of president of the UMass Chan student chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science is looking forward to implementing new ideas to revitalize the group, which include bringing in guests who can speak to and offer insights on navigating professionalism, cultural identity and the promotion of diversity in one’s profession.
Carbonell’s current mission as president of the Latino Medical Student Association is to bring together the Latinx students at UMass Chan. “We are just trying to build a community, trying to put people together and build something,” she said. Some activities the group is looking forward to include a regional conference with other National Latino Medical Student Association chapters in New England and a panel for medical residents to learn about the experiences of fellow UMass Chan Latinx residents.
Both events were organized by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, the Latino Medical Student Association, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, and Happy Feet, a dance interest group catered to creating an all-inclusive opportunity for medical students to explore dance through different beginner and intermediate classes and school events.
