2022–2023 NHLCC Scholar: Frank Medina

Frank Medina
University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois

3^rd Year Medical Student

Frank Medina is a second-year medical student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Frank was born and raised in Portage Park, Chicago on the Northwest Side of the city. After graduating with his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and before starting medical school, Frank worked as a clinical research coordinator for Northwestern Medicine’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute where he helped orchestrate several phase-3 clinical trials aimed at combating heart failure and cardiac amyloidosis. Prior to and during medical school, Frank continues to work on clinical research in the field of interventional cardiology. As the Co-Community Engagement & Advocacy leader for Pritzker’s Latino Medical Student Association, he created a partnership with the Gage Park Latinx Council in which medical students offer academic and mentorship support to youth through a peer-to-peer model. Following his commitment to fighting for health equity, Frank frequently volunteers with the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Latinos United for Cancer Education, Research, & Outreach program where he helps table blood pressure and blood sugar screenings at community health fairs. He has been featured in a televised segment of WTTW’s Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices in which he promoted LUCERO’s work while emphasizing the disparate health outcomes affecting Chicago’s Latinx community. In recognition of his involvements, he was nominated by his peers and awarded the University of Chicago 2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award. Frank enjoys painting and drawing and has even incorporated art into his advocacy work, such as leading a painting class support group for patients living with cancer and running arts-and-crafts tables for youth at community fairs.