The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 NHMA La Próxima Generación (The Next Generation) Scholarship. These outstanding scholars represent the future of Latino health equity across medicine, public health and research.

About the Scholarship

Scholarship recipients receive financial support to attend the 2026 NHMA Annual Conference (May 27–29, 2026) in Leesburg, VA. Scholars gain mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities.

2026 Scholarship Recipients 10 Scholars

Aisha Ayloush

University of California, Los Angeles

Master of Public Health Candidate, Community Health Sciences

Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me, as it reflects my passion for addressing health disparities in underserved communities. As a first generation Mexican-Lebanese, my background continues to shape and motivate my commitment to public health and advocacy.

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Gladys Bello

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine / UCLA Anderson School of Management

Medical Student (MD/MBA Candidate)

Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me, as it reflects the work I've been committed to in advancing health equity within Latino communities. I'm especially excited to connect with mentors and peers who are actively building change in their own communities and to learn from their experiences.

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Athena Corral Carlos

University of California, Irvine

PhD Candidate, Epidemiology 

As a first-generation Latina, this award reminds me why I started, to show up for communities that don't always get to see themselves represented in research or leadership. I'm very excited to connect with like-minded individuals who are driven by the same thing, because those relationships are how we actually turn this work into something our communities can feel.

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Carolina Correa

University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health

Master of Public Health Candidate, Health Policy & Administration

Receiving this scholarship is a profound affirmation of the work I believe in building systems that center the health and dignity of Latino communities. I am most looking forward to connecting with fellow scholars and leaders who share this commitment and to bringing those conversations back to the communities I serve in Chicago.

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Valeriee Gonzalez-Santaella

Keck Graduate Institute

Master of Science Candidate, Applied Life Sciences – Community Medicine

I am truly honored to receive this scholarship and for the opportunity to connect with future leaders in medicine. I look forward to learning and engaging in meaningful conversations about how others are incorporating advocacy and advancing Latino health equity at the NHMA Annual Conference.

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Sara Guevara-Plunkett

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Medical Student

I’m incredibly grateful to receive this recognition from the National Hispanic Medical Association. It truly means a lot to me both personally and professionally. At the NHMA Annual Conference, I’m really looking forward to building mentorship relationships, learning from leaders whose work continues to inspire my own path in medicine and continuing to grow alongside a community dedicated to improving health outcomes for Latino populations.

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George Heredia

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, PRIME-LA

Medical Student, Primary Care and Psychiatry

I'm deeply honored to receive the NHMA La Próxima Generación Scholarship. As a medical student committed to primary care and psychiatry, I'm passionate about raising awareness of the critical intersection between mental health and primary care within Latino communities, where stigma and barriers to access remain significant. I look forward to connecting with leaders and peers at the NHMA Annual Conference who are working to advance equitable, culturally responsive care for Latino populations.

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Alexandra Lopez Vera

California University of Science and Medicine ,Claremont Graduate University

Doctor of Public Health Candidate and Assistant Professor of Medical Education

It is an honor to be selected for this award and to be part of a community committed to advancing Latino health equity. I am especially looking forward to engaging with colleagues who are working to address structural barriers in health care, particularly those related to language access and culturally responsive care.

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Sarah Mata

Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University

Medical Student, Allopathic Medicine

I am honored and grateful to receive the 2026 La Próxima Generación Scholarship Award. I look forward to learning about current health equity initiatives for the Latino community and identifying the critical gaps where the next generation of physicians can make a meaningful impact.

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Carolina Rodriguez Orozco

California Northstate University College of Medicine

Medical Student

I am deeply grateful for the generous support you provided through the La Proxima Generacion Scholarship. As a non-traditional, first-generation Latina and the first in my family to pursue a doctoral degree, scholarships like this make it possible for me to attend conferences like this to gain leadership skills, strengthen my advocacy and network with leaders who are passionate about Latino health and advancing health equity. I am most looking forward to engaging in Capitol Hill visits, attending the workshops and building my network.

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