20 Interesting Facts about Charles Drew University

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit, historically black university located in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1966, it was named after Charles R. Drew, a pioneering African American physician and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of blood transfusion.

The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in health sciences, including medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, and public health. It also operates a number of research centers, including the Drew Center for Health Equity, which focuses on addressing health disparities among underserved communities.

Charles Drew University is committed to promoting diversity and social justice in healthcare. It is home to the Urban Public Health (UPH) Program, which provides students with the skills and knowledge to address health disparities in urban communities. The university also has a strong commitment to community engagement, with a number of programs that work to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities in underserved communities.

In addition to its academic and research programs, Charles Drew University also operates a number of clinical facilities, including the CDU Health Services Center, which provides primary and specialty care to patients in South Los Angeles. These facilities provide students with hands-on clinical experience and help to ensure that underserved communities have access to high-quality healthcare.

Charles Drew University

Charles Drew University (Wikimedia)

There are a number of interesting facts about Charles Drew University. Let’s take a look at 20 of those facts together.

  1. The university was founded in 1966 as the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School, in response to the Watts riots and the need for more medical professionals in South Los Angeles.
  2. It was the first African American-led medical school in the United States.
  3. The university is named after Charles R. Drew, a pioneering African American physician and researcher who made significant contributions to the field of blood transfusion.
  4. The university’s mission is to provide education, research, and clinical care to underserved communities, with a focus on promoting diversity and social justice in healthcare.
  5. CDU is a private, non-profit university that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
  6. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in health sciences, including medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, and public health.
  7. CDU’s medical school is one of only two Historically Black Medical Schools in California.
  8. CDU is home to the National Human Genome Research Institute’s Minority Action Plan Program, which supports research and training in genomics and genetics.
  9. CDU has a partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to provide healthcare services to low-income and uninsured patients.
  10. The university’s research centers include the Drew Center for Health Equity, the Center for Biomedical Informatics, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science.
  11. CDU is a member of the Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools organization and is committed to promoting diversity in healthcare.
  12. CDU has a student-run clinic that provides free healthcare services to underserved communities in Los Angeles.
  13. The university is a designated Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership, which allows it to collaborate with the National Cancer Institute on cancer research and training programs.
  14. CDU has a strong commitment to community engagement, with a number of programs that work to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities in underserved communities.
  15. CDU is home to the Physician Assistant Program, which has a 100% pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
  16. The university’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  17. CDU has partnerships with several institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the David Geffen School of Medicine.
  18. CDU’s faculty includes several nationally recognized experts in health disparities and health equity.
  19. The university’s Master of Public Health program has a focus on social justice and community-based participatory research.
  20. CDU has a partnership with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to study stroke prevention and treatment in underserved communities.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit university that is committed to promoting diversity and social justice in healthcare. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in health sciences, including medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, and public health. The university’s research centers and clinical facilities provide students with hands-on experience and allow them to contribute to addressing health disparities and improving health outcomes in underserved communities. CDU’s strong commitment to community engagement and sustainability further demonstrate its dedication to serving its surrounding community and beyond. Through its mission to educate and train the next generation of healthcare professionals, CDU is making a significant impact on the health of underserved communities and advancing the field of healthcare.