ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Community Health Worker Academy Develops Innovative Clinic-Based Curriculum
The CDU Community Health Worker Academy , in partnership with Providence Health , developed a clinic-based curriculum and trained 13 Community Health Workers ( CHW ) who were placed for internships in a variety of federally-qualified health centers , hospitals , and other community health clinics in June 2021 .
With the funding support from Cedars-Sinai and the California Community Reinvestment Grants Program ( CalCRG ), the Community Health Workers completed a 200-hour training course and five months of supervised , hands-on CHW experience at 7 clinical sites throughout LA County . By the end of the internship , all CHWs had secured full-time employment at their internship site or another Los Angeles community organization .
At the Academy ’ s graduation , all CHWs shared testimonials about their experience in the program . In these testimonials , it is clear that while different paths may have led them to the program , they share common values and ambitions – to care for their community , to find meaning in their profession , and to achieve health equity .
“ One of the most fulfilling parts of helping put on this program is meeting the CHWs , and hearing about their personal journeys and transformations ,” said Nazaret Nuñez , CHWA Program Manager . “ For many of them , this isn ’ t just vocational training , it ’ s a program of self-empowerment and personal growth .”
Many of the interns begin the program with no prior medical experience , yet they finish the program with the proper skills and practice to function comfortably as members of a health care team .
The CHW Academy began training its second cohort in August of 2021 . The 13 interns are set to graduate in February 2022 . Alongside training two cohorts of CHWs , the CDU CHW Academy has also produced three peer-reviewed publications , as well as received two awards for its work .
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In early June , California state legislators approved $ 50 million in the state ’ s annual budget to be allocated to the construction of CDU ' s upcoming health professions education building , which will house the forthcoming four-year medical degree program , pending accreditation .
Governor Gavin Newsom signed and approved the budget , which benefits the state of California by increasing the number of Black and Latino medical graduates in the healthcare workforce . The University has already contributed significantly to the diversity of the nation ’ s healthcare workforce over the last five decades . More than 70 % of University graduates since 2000 are people of color , and a California
Wellness Foundation report estimated that one-third of all minority physicians practicing in Los Angeles County are graduates of the CDU medical school and / or residency training programs .
“ We are deeply appreciative of this support from the State Legislature , which will help us increase the diversity of doctors practicing in the State of California ,” said CDU President and CEO Dr . David M . Carlisle . “ This will not only enhance CDU ’ s reputation as a health professions university , but it will also help us towards our mission by providing resources and infrastructure necessary to train the health professionals who will address the medical needs of the diverse communities where they live and work .”
The CDU medical degree program is currently pending accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education ( LCME ), which will visit the campus as part of the review process in 2022 .
CHARLES R . DREW UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE 25