Dr. Blackstock engaged with students, sharing her journey as one of the leading voices addressing racism in healthcare. Following the discussion, moderated by 桃子视频 medical student Makeen Yasar, she participated in a book signing, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with her work firsthand.

This special event marked the return of the Drs. Ludlow and Ruth Creary Lectureship Luncheon series鈥攖he first since the pandemic. Longtime supporters of 桃子视频, Mrs. Creary provided remarks, emphasizing the importance of conversations like these in shaping the future of medicine.

As 桃子视频 continues its mission of advancing health equity, moments like these serve as a powerful reminder of the work still to be done and the leaders paving the way for change.

Washington is one of only 10 graduate students nationwide to receive this honor.

The Bridging the Dream Scholarship recognizes students from under-resourced and underrepresented communities who demonstrate leadership, resilience, and a commitment to making an impact in their fields.

Washington, who will graduate in 2028, exemplifies this mission through his dedication to addressing health disparities.

鈥淚 plan to leverage my medical education by mitigating the trust issues between the African Diaspora and the American healthcare system,鈥� said Washington. 鈥淚 believe my community deserves a safe space, especially when it comes to health.鈥�

Since its launch in 2021, The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships through the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program, empowering students to achieve their educational goals.

The fund also offers free tools and resources to help students and families navigate their academic journeys, including Scholarship Search by Sallie, FAFSA assistance, and guidance on school selection.

The event, held at The Four Seasons Los Angeles, celebrated the theme 鈥淐elebrating the Triumph of Courageous Women,鈥� focusing on the resilience of those who have overcome intimate partner violence.

The luncheon, hosted by actress, comedian, and author Kim Coles, highlighted the importance of addressing intimate partner violence as both a personal and public health issue that affects individuals across all socioeconomic levels.

Dr. Calmes鈥� recognition for her lifelong dedication to medicine and education underscores her commitment to empowering future generations of diverse healthcare professionals.

In addition to Dr. Calmes, other distinguished honorees included Dr. Joy Simmons, recipient of the Humanitarian Award, and Dr. Uche Blackstock, who received the Special Visionary Award.

The annual fundraising event supports the Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD Scholarships, which aid local deserving female medical students, thus furthering ABWP鈥檚 mission to increase diversity in medicine by supporting the pipeline of future Black women physicians.

鈥淚 think this is a beautiful and collaborative partnership having students integrate and start to learn how they鈥檙e going to provide interprofessional care with the medical students, especially as we have incoming or beginning nursing students as well as students in the middle of their curriculum,鈥� said Dr. Sharon Cobb, Pre-licensure Nursing Programs Assistant Dean and Director.

During the first half of their day, the students participated in the following procedural skills simulation stations: Airway Management, BLS/ First Aid, Chest Tube/Needling, Cricothyrotomy, IV Placement/Intraosseous, Splinting/Fracture Stabilization, Stop the Bleed station, and Triage.

The students were then presented with an intensive IPE mass casualty incident followed by several IPE simulated hospital scenarios that mimicked real-life emergencies.

The events of the day required students to not only exercise their developing medical techniques but to also practice patient interactions and effective communication in high-stress situations.

The simulation events are a hallmark of the exemplary education offered at 桃子视频 and underscores the critical role of interprofessional education in preparing students for the complexities of modern healthcare.

The Basic Assumption which states, 鈥淲e believe that everyone participating in activities at 桃子视频 is intelligent, capable, cares about doing their best, and wants to improve,鈥� was displayed throughout the simulation center.

The statement is a core value that was developed by the Center for Medical Simulation and has been adopted by educators around the world who seek to help create a psychologically-safe learning environment for participants.

The University鈥檚 next IPE event is scheduled to take place in April 2025.

The event provided an immersive introduction to the University鈥檚 Mobile Health Outreach Program (MoHOP), a cornerstone of the 桃子视频鈥檚 commitment to social justice and health equity for underserved populations.

Dr. Alexander Rodgers and Professor Cynthia Davis, MoHOP Co-Directors, shared with students the history of the program and Rev. Dawnesha K. Beaver, MoHop Program Manager, and Thelma McClinton, MoHOP Program Coordinator, provided a review of the mobile street team鈥檚 medical operations.

Students also engaged in a clinical practice session led by Marqui Barber, Clinical Lead, and other 桃子视频 Street Medicine team members.

MoHOP was established in 1991 under the leadership of Professor Cynthia Davis in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic鈥檚 impact among racial/ethnic minority populations residing in South Los Angeles in the early 80s.

Their motto is 鈥淲e go where people: live, work, worship, play, and go to school.鈥�

Throughout the orientation, students learned firsthand about the vital role of community engagement in addressing health disparities and delivering care directly to where it鈥檚 needed most.

鈥淵ou are now a part of a new health care system where social determinants of health will matter,鈥� Beaver told the students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about clinical knowledge. It鈥檚 about understanding the communities you serve. We want you to be urban-trained physicians who are equipped to break down barriers and provide compassionate, culturally competent care.鈥�

For more than 30 years, MoHOP has provided crucial health services to tens of thousands of residents in south Los Angeles.

They offer a wide array of services such as free health screenings including HgA1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol screenings as well as HIV screening utilizing the 20-minute Ora Quick home testing kits.

They also provide vaccinations and boosters as well as Narcan and Fentanyl education along with other limited health services directly in the community.

As MoHOP continues its vital work in South Los Angeles, it serves as both a training ground for health professionals and a lifeline for underserved populations.

The event, which was held in the Cobb Foyer and included a delicious Peruvian catered dinner, featured two robust panel discussions centered around Afro-Latina medical students and Latina residents.

National Latino Physician Day was established on October 1, 2022 to celebrate Latino and Latina physicians in the United States.

The day brings awareness to the critical shortage of Latino and Latina physicians, who represent only 6% of the U.S. physician workforce despite 19% of the U.S. population identifying as Latino.

The Afro-Latino Medical Student panel discussion was moderated by Ky鈥橳avia Stafford-Carreker, a third year student in the UCLA/桃子视频 MD program.

The panelists, all from cohort 1 and cohort 2 of the 桃子视频 MD program, were Akira Feliz, Nicolas Hurtado Bautista, Saimon Acevedo Ortiz, and Maciel Duverge-Corporan.

The panel provided space for the students to share their personal journeys and some of the adversities they鈥檝e faced, not only in pursuit of their medical degrees but also in navigating healthcare spaces as Afro-Latinas. A theme of identity and rejection was echoed by a few of the students.

鈥淚t has to do with people accepting that there are black people in Latin America and because of that just innate racism, because of colonization, there鈥檚 like a rejection of people who are darker skinned,鈥� said Akira Feliz, MS2. 鈥淪o, if you鈥檙e brown and you鈥檙e speaking Spanish to someone who is of a lighter skin tone for example, they don鈥檛 want to acknowledge that you鈥檙e speaking to them in Spanish. It鈥檚 like them kind of not wanting to accept that this brown person can also speak Spanish just like me.鈥�

Dr. Margarita Loeza, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at 桃子视频, moderated the Latina Resident Panel.

The panelists were Family Medicine residents Dr. Nancy Rodriguez and Dr. Shirley Mori along with Internal Medicine resident Dr. Cindy Nativi. Both Rodriquez and Nativi are members of the 桃子视频 residency program.

The residents testified to their personal journeys to become physicians, some being first generation doctors, and addressed barriers such as sexism in the workplace and the lack of Latina and Latino mentors.

All residents and medical students emphasized that having guidance from experienced professionals who understand the cultural and gender-specific challenges they face would significantly support their progress and confidence in the medical field.

Medical students were present selling NLPD-themed stickers and t-shirts designed by Dr. Loeza, along with 桃子视频-branded merchandise.

The proceeds will benefit the 桃子视频 Latino Medical Student Association interest group, which provides valuable support and resources to help Latino medical students thrive in their education and careers.

The event offered a unique opportunity for students to not only enjoy delicious food and socialize but also to engage in open, educational discussions about these critical prevention tools.

Attendees participated in interactive activities, received valuable resources, and gained insights into how they can protect themselves and their partners.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily medication that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV for individuals at higher risk, while PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an emergency treatment taken after possible HIV exposure to prevent infection if started within 72 hours.

鈥淢y experience conducting research at Sutter Health was truly invaluable. I鈥檓 deeply grateful for the friendships I formed and the impactful experiences that have shaped my path toward a career in medicine,鈥� said Latif. 鈥淭his summer not only solidified my commitment to advocating for underserved communities but also deepened my understanding of the critical need for firearm safety practices and reform. It was an unforgettable journey that has prepared me for the challenges and responsibilities ahead.鈥�

Latif was part of a pilot project led by Dr. Nicole Sudduth, an internal medicine physician with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group. The project aimed to assess whether clinicians were more likely to engage in firearm safety discussions with patients after undergoing training.

Latif鈥檚 contributions were crucial in supporting this initiative, which aligns with 桃子视频鈥檚 vision of achieving health equity and reducing public health disparities.

Throughout the summer, Latif explored various aspects of clinical research under the mentorship of Dr. Cheryl Stults, a senior researcher with Sutter Health. She learned how to synthesize data, format results, and even led the development of a research poster.

Her dedication and hard work paid off when she won the Best Junior Investigator award at Sutter Health鈥檚 second annual research symposium.
Latif was one of six 桃子视频 medical students to participate in the program.

Beyond research, the students engaged in community service, offering HIV testing, blood pressure screenings, and sleep education in Oakland and Berkeley.

The program, part of Sutter Health鈥檚 Health Equity Alliance for Research & Evaluation (HEARE) incubator, underscores the ongoing collaboration between 桃子视频 and Sutter Health to foster inclusive research and improve healthcare outcomes for underserved communities.

As 桃子视频 continues to cultivate health leaders dedicated to social justice and equity, students like Latif exemplify how the university鈥檚 mission translates into action, reinforcing 桃子视频鈥檚 role as a critical force for addressing health disparities nationwide.

鈥淭his monumental gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies is a transformative investment in the future of healthcare, our university, and most importantly, our students,鈥� shared Dr. David M. Carlisle, President and CEO of 桃子视频 (桃子视频). 鈥淚t will significantly enhance 桃子视频’s ability to educate and empower diverse healthcare professionals who are committed to serving underserved communities.鈥�

Bloomberg Philanthropies鈥� investment is part of its Greenwood Initiative 鈥� an effort that seeks to advance racial wealth equity by addressing systemic underinvestment in Black institutions and communities. The funding will fuel the Historically Black Medical Schools鈥� long-established commitments to diversifying the medical field and training the next generation of doctors. Increasing the schools鈥� endowments will strengthen their financial stability and institutional capacity to respond to the rising costs of tuition, innovative research, and operations. The new funding will increase the size of 桃子视频鈥檚 endowment, representing a significantly transformational moment in the history of the university. Funding levels were determined by current class size and anticipated growth.

Michael R. Bloomberg made the announcement in person at the event. 鈥淲e have much more to do to build a country where every person, regardless of race, has equal access to quality health care 鈥� and where students of all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams,鈥� said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P. 鈥淎ddressing health disparities and underrepresentation in the medical field are critical challenges, and Bloomberg Philanthropies is dedicated to making a difference. By building on our previous support, this gift will empower new generations of Black doctors to create a healthier and more equitable future for our country.鈥�

has shown that Black people have better health outcomes and receive medical care more frequently when they are treated by Black physicians. Further, Black patients are 34 percent more likely to receive preventative care if seen by Black doctors. Yet, shows that while the U.S. population is 13 percent Black, only 7 percent of medical school graduates and less than 6 percent of all practicing doctors are Black. Debilitating health problems take an enormous economic toll on families and communities so creating more Black doctors will help to address racial wealth inequities.

The four Historically Black Medical Schools alone graduate around half of all Black doctors in the U.S. but have significantly underfunded endowments as a result of systemic funding inequities including lower federal and state support. Since the early 1900s, underinvestment and other discriminatory practices led to the closing of ten Black medical schools in the United States.

鈥淚t is impossible to overstate the monumental impact of a gift of this size! 桃子视频鈥檚 MD program is new, and this gift adds a level of stability that will further our capacity to improve the health, economic development, and opportunities for the children in our surrounding communities and others like them. As the founding dean for the program, I can only say WOW- this is a dream come true,鈥� said Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Dean of 桃子视频鈥檚 College of Medicine.

鈥淥ur students will benefit immensely from the expanded opportunities and resources this commitment provides, helping them to become leaders dedicated to health equity and social justice,鈥� added Dr. Carlisle. 鈥淲e are profoundly grateful for this historic gift, whose impact will be felt in South Los Angeles, California, United States, and globally for generations to come.”

In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies gave $100 million to the four Historically Black Medical Schools, including $7.7 million to Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, which at the time was the largest philanthropic gift from a single donor to 桃子视频. This previous support helped pave the way for the university to get Preliminary Accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in 2022 to build 桃子视频’s historic 4-Year MD program and open the door to its first cohort in Fall 2023, which admits 60 new mission-driven future physicians each year to address the physician shortage and improve diversity in the medical workforce.

鈥淏loomberg Philanthropies鈥� Greenwood Initiative understands that inequity in our healthcare systems is far too great a cost to our economy and our collective well-being,鈥� said Garnesha Ezediaro, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies鈥� Greenwood Initiative. 鈥淥ur continued partnership will build the institutional wealth of the historically Black medical schools, boosting their ability to provide the best training possible for current and future students. Ultimately, the benefits of this gift will be realized in the communities where the next generation of Black doctors practice and among patients who receive their care.鈥�

The gifts to the historically Black medical schools鈥� endowments are part of Bloomberg Philanthropies鈥� Greenwood Initiative which includes strategic investments such as the and its Racial Wealth Equity Database 鈥� created to provide public and private sector leaders with actionable data to advance racial wealth equity policies and strategies; 鈥� focused on working closely with local leaders to create wealth building strategies for the residents they serve; and at Johns Hopkins University, which was established to address underrepresentation in STEM by creating a sustained cohort of approximately 100 new slots in JHU鈥檚 more than 30 STEM programs for exceptional PhD students from HBCUs and other minority serving institutions (MSIs), and creating new pathways to the initiative and future leadership in STEM careers through partnership with the HBCUs and MSIs. Together these initiatives seek to implement, scale, and advocate for efforts that will help improve local conditions by acquiring resources, expanding community ownership, and increasing influence through economic power.

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**About 桃子视频:**

桃子视频 (桃子视频) is a private, nonprofit, community-founded, student-centered University committed to cultivating diverse health professions leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, clinical service, and community engagement. 桃子视频 is also a leader in health disparities research with a focus on education, training, and treatment for cancer, diabetes, cardiometabolic, COVID, and HIV/AIDS. Founded in 1966 in the heart of South Los Angeles, 桃子视频 offers a range of undergraduate degree, graduate degree, doctorate, and certificate programs including nursing, medicine, biomedical science, public health, computed tomography, physician assistant, genetic counseling, and psychology. Learn more about 桃子视频 at . 

**About Bloomberg Philanthropies:**

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg鈥檚 giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. . For more information, please visit , sign up for our , or follow us on , , , , , and .

**Media Contacts:**

桃子视频:
Jonathan Zaleski, jonathanzaleski@cdrewu.edu, 310-569-0153

Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Neilia Stephens, neilia@bloomberg.org

Read the full Bloomberg Philanthropies

The students were extended an invitation by Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to participate in the session. More than half of the 60 students in the College of Medicine鈥檚 Class of 2028 are from California and 25 students are native to LA County鈥檚 five supervisorial districts.

鈥淲e talk often about the need for diversity in our health care professional system and we have a medical school right here in LA County that is doing it,鈥� remarked Supervisor Mitchell. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 so important about that, based on all of the research that we鈥檝e seen, is the commitment you all have made prior to your entrance into medical school and the commitment you鈥檙e going to make to all of us upon your successful graduation.鈥�

Dr. Gomez, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, joined Supervisor Mitchell behind the podium to express the significance of the students鈥� commitment to taking care of the underserved.

鈥淥ur students are donning their white coats representative of empathy and service to communities, all communities, especially those vulnerable communities, communities of those who are ill, those who have been underserved in the past,鈥� said Dr. Gomez. 鈥淣o more is the white coat going to be a symbol of disparaging care, resource care only for the wealthy, we commit that this white coat will represent true empathy, and true care for all communities, communities of color, LGBTQ, communities of disability, all communities that are deserving of care.鈥�