CHARLES R . DREW UNIVERSITY
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Physician Assistant Alumni Detail Program ’ s History During Black History Month Panel
To kick off its 50-year anniversary celebration , the Physician Assistant ( PA ) Program held a Virtual PA Pioneers Celebration in February 2021 . Various PA alums , ranging from inaugural MEDEX students to recent PA graduates , participated in an hour-long conversation recalling their experiences at CDU and the rich legacy of the PA program .
The event was hosted by the CDU Alumni Relations Unit and moderated by Sylvia Drew Ivie , who spoke of her admiration for the program . “[ The PA Program ] carried the very philosophy of the University – of connectivity with the community , and belief in the guidance and insight that the community can offer in training providers ,” she said .
“ I ’ ve been to many institutions in the state , and [ CDU ] is the only place where I felt I belonged the most ,” shared Alabi Akinloye , PA-C ’ 95 . “ In my other programs , I was the only person of color in my class , which can be alienating . [ At CDU ], I felt as if I was at home .”
Sonya Early , PA-C ‘ 93 , shared how she wouldn ' t be who she is now without the training she received at CDU . “ Wherever I go , I let people know that I am a [ CDU ] graduate and that I trained at the original [ King-Drew Medical Center ],” said Early . “ The excellence that is displayed there every day and [ sense of ] commitment to the community runs through my veins to this day .”
Panelists spoke highly of their time at the university , noting that the training they received at CDU made them much better prepared and more robust health professionals .
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