LMSA Promoting Opportunities for Development & Empowerment of Researchers (PODER) Symposium
2026 LMSA National Conference
Date: September 17-20, 2026
Location: Houston, Texas
Theme: Cultura Cura: Healing Through Heritage
Thank you for your interest in submitting an abstract to the 2026 PODER Research Symposium at the 21st Annual LMSA National Conference. Please read below for information and instructions on submitting your work.
Conference Overview:
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to represent, support, educate, and unify medical trainees, especially those who identify as Hispanic or Latina/o/x. LMSA is run primarily by medical students and physician faculty members, working together towards a common goal of promoting a diverse, inclusive healthcare workforce to support the fastest-growing ethnic population in the United States.
The national conference is our annual flagship event held during Hispanic Heritage Month, a gathering of over 1,500 Hispanic and/or Latina/o/x medical and pre-medical students, resident and faculty physicians, organizational leaders, allies, and more. The 2026 LMSA National Conference will be held at The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria, an epicenter of la cultura and promise for a bright future amongst our community.
Our theme this year, “Cultura Cura: Healing Through Heritage,” is designed to expose students from diverse backgrounds to unique career paths that will allow them to create their own legacy in medicine. Whether it be academia, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, management, law, public health, policy, health information technology, administration, and more—there is a myriad of paths rising physicians can explore. Our backgrounds allow us to draw upon a unique skill set that, with the right guidance, can help us expand beyond traditional paths and leave a lasting impact on the world.
About the PODER Research Symposium
The LMSA Promoting Opportunities for Development & Empowerment of Researchers (PODER) Program aims to connect trainees to opportunities for presenting, perfecting, and publishing scholarly work. In doing so, PODER seeks to empower participants for careers in which they combine research and clinical practice to address healthcare disparities. We invite you to join us in our mission to increase diversity in medicine and mitigate healthcare disparities, especially during this time in which healthcare is experiencing unprecedented changes and challenges.
Important Dates: ( subject to change)
- Abstract Submission Deadline: July 15, 2026 (11:59 PM CST)
- Accepted Submission Notifications: By August 1, 2026
- Deadline to accept invitation to present: August 15, 2026
- Conference registration deadline for PODER symposium presenters: August 15, 2026
- Poster Presentation (in-person): Friday September 18, 2026
- Oral Presentation (in-person): Friday September 18, 2026
Eligibility:
By submitting an abstract, you are confirming that:
- You will be available to participate in-person* and present your poster or oral presentation on Friday September 18, 2026
- The first author a pre-medical, medical, or other student. The PODER symposium is designed as an opportunity for developing professionals. In the spirit of fairness in abstract scoring, we ask that MDs/post-doc-fellow first authors consider other venues for their abstracts.
- Only one poster may be presented by the same author at the Meeting, although a presenter may be a co-author of any number of papers. The material must not have been published prior to submission of the abstract or presented at any international meeting prior to the date of presentation at 2026 Meeting. Simultaneous submission of the same abstract to other meetings is prohibited.
*Note: All poster presenters must be registered to physically enter the conference. Attendee registration can be found at LMSA National Conference 2026 webpage
Please note that you are responsible for printing and bringing your poster to the conference. We will include specifications in your acceptance email. If you have any questions, please reach out to academicaffairs@lmsa.net.
Thank you,
Academic Affairs Chair
LMSA National