Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. It is a private, historically black graduate institution located in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to cultivating diverse health professional leaders committed to social justice and health equity for underserved populations. Founded in the wake of the Watts riots, the university was named in honor of the pioneering African American surgeon and blood bank innovator, Charles R. Drew. It maintains a crucial academic affiliation with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and is a cornerstone of the South Los Angeles community.

History

The university's origins are deeply intertwined with the civil rights movement and the need to address healthcare disparities in South Los Angeles. It was established in 1966 as a response to the Watts riots, initially operating as a postgraduate medical school under the auspices of the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. In 1973, it was renamed in honor of Charles R. Drew, whose work on blood plasma preservation saved countless lives during World War II. A pivotal moment in its development was the 1981 affiliation agreement with the University of California, Los Angeles, creating the Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program. The institution achieved full university status in 1987, expanding its mission under the leadership of figures like M. Alfred Haynes and later presidents including Susan Kelly and David M. Carlisle.

Academics

The university focuses exclusively on health sciences education and offers a range of graduate and professional programs. Its core academic units include the College of Medicine, the College of Science and Health, and the Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing. Key degree programs include the Doctor of Medicine (offered jointly with UCLA), Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Physician Assistant studies, and various nursing degrees. The curriculum emphasizes community health, primary care, and preparing practitioners to work in medically underserved areas. The university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and its medical program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

Campus and location

The university's main campus is situated in the Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles, adjacent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital and the historic Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. This location places it at the heart of a region with significant health needs. The campus features modern facilities for medical education and research, including the Mervyn M. Dymally Health Education Center. Its strategic position within the Los Angeles County healthcare infrastructure facilitates extensive clinical training opportunities for students across multiple affiliated hospitals and community clinics.

Research and community impact

Research at the university is centered on eliminating health disparities, with major focuses on HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and mental health within minority populations. It is home to specialized research centers such as the Million Dollar Neighborhoods initiative and the Urban Health Institute. The university operates the Charles R. Drew Health Center, a network of community clinics that provide vital services to thousands of local residents. Its faculty and students are actively engaged in community-based participatory research, addressing issues from asthma to violence prevention, solidifying its role as an anchor institution in South Los Angeles.

Notable people and alumni

The university's community includes distinguished leaders in medicine and public health. Notable alumni include former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, who served as a faculty member, and California State Senator Steven Bradford. Renowned faculty have included cardiologist and health disparities researcher Keith C. Norris and former president Susan Kelly. The institution's namesake, Charles R. Drew, though not directly affiliated, remains its foundational inspiration. Its graduates consistently assume leadership roles in the National Medical Association, local public health departments, and community health organizations across the United States.

Category:Universities and colleges in Los Angeles Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States Category:Medical schools in California Category:Educational institutions established in 1966