The History of CCM

Chicanos / Latinos for Community Medicine was founded at Cal State Los Angeles during the politically charged atmosphere of the 1960s.  During the 1970s the club was revived after a period of low activity by Gil Barajas (now a periodontal dentist), Leorenzo Garcia (a dean of students), Alberto Pimental (a teacher), Paul de la Rosa (a teacher) and Ruben Armienta (now a dentist).  Students Jacobo Patlan and Alfonso Barba (now a physician) were also influential in re-establishing the club. CCM obtained space on campus which was provided by Dr. Bowers, the chairman of the biology department at that time. After the club was re-established they began fundraising and soon started various programs including a tutorial program to help keep minorities in class and on-campus health fairs for CPR training. They also sponsored wellness clinics in East Los Angeles.

During the height of the club’s activity, CCM had well over one hundred members including pre-medical, pre-dental and pre-pharmacy students as well as medical technologists and nursing students. The goal of the club continues to be the improvement of the quality and quantity of health care in the minority population through service to the community and by increasing the number of students entering professional education. CCM shares this goal with the Health Career Opportunity Program (HCOP) and the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program (MBRS). CCM’s founding has had an impact on other universities, some of which have started their own CCM chapters including UCLA and UC Irvine.

While the history of CCM is one of accomplishment, the early days of the club were not without difficult times. In May of 1980, Jacobo Patlan an influential member of the club who had just been accepted to San Francisco University Dental School was killed in a single-car accident while traveling to UCSF. Jacobo had been a member of Dr. Fratiello’s research group and had published a paper, tutored other students and taught Sunday school. After his death, a scholarship was established in his name and CCM aided in raising funds for this project. The Patlan scholarship continues to be available and is given annually to one or two students who are chosen by a board of former CCM members, CSULA faculty and the Patlan family.

CCM Today

Today, CCM continues its goals to improve the quality of healthcare to underserved communities as well as increase the diversity of students at health professional schools. Members serve the community by putting together regular health fairs in Tijuana, Mexico and East Los Angeles. Through workshops and other events we continue to “promote diversity in health through community service and education.”