ADMINISTRATION
PRESIDENT ’ S BREAKFAST
GUN VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
Dr . David M . Carlisle , CDU President and CEO , hosted the 8th Annual President ’ s Breakfast in February 2023 . Attendees to the virtual event witnessed a timely discussion around this year ’ s theme , “ Gun Violence in America : A Public Health Emergency .”
The event began with opening remarks by President Carlisle followed by a welcoming statement from Rob Bonta , Attorney General , State of California . Attendees were then treated to a lively panel discussion .
Dr . Deborah Prothrow-Stith , Dean of CDU ’ s College of Medicine , served as the panel ' s moderator . The panelists included Fernando Rejón , Executive Director , Urban Peace Institute , Dr . Garen Wintemute , Distinguished Professor of Emergency Medicine and Baker – Teret Chair in Violence Prevention , UC Davis , and Chuck D , Co-Founder of the Hip Hop Group Public Enemy .
Dr . Wintemute , a renowned expert , testified to the reality of gun violence as a public health emergency and what role health professionals can play .
Rejón , an expert on the concept of “ community violence ,” addressed the “ unseen gun violence ” facing communities and the ways in which it should be approached .
Chuck D , whose music brought the plight of gun violence and repression in Black and Brown communities to the attention of broader populations , spoke to the role that celebrity culture plays in helping understand as well as prevent gun violence .
“ This is a health issue , a government issue and a societal issue so deep that what culture does is it reflects it ,” noted Chuck D .
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ADMINISTRATION Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science