ANNUAL REPORT 2021
A case can be made that you are holding the most unique Annual Report in the long history of our storied institution . For me , it certainly is the most inspiring . At the start , putting this report together seemed like it would be an almost Sisyphean task . The 2020-2021 academic year was completely engulfed in the early days of the global pandemic . This historic public health crisis cast our campus , the physical and spiritual hub of the University located in South Los Angeles , into closure .
The academic year began with our students , staff , and faculty scattered in every direction . Our partners were equally mired in emerging challenges . The surrounding community was struggling with a shifting landscape of uneven public guidance and scarce support . Everyone was grasping with the realization that this was not going to go away any time soon , and the future was looking increasingly uncertain .
Events like the Commencement Ceremony , the President ’ s Breakfast , Jazz at Drew , and the State of the University address long held by CDU were cancelled or moved online . Fundraisers were taken off the calendar . Student groups that usually met on campus and held activities on campus lost their venue and audience . In-person recruiting of prospective students ceased . Community engagement opportunities became scarce in a world of social distancing .
These were the activities that generated the items that usually graced the pages of prior reports . The Annual Report is supposed to serve as the tale of our year . What were we to do ? We had no story to tell .
Or so we thought .
We put the call out to the CDU community to share the stories of this hard and harrowing year . We started strategizing how we would stretch the expected trickle of activity into a full report .
Then it happened . From every corner of the university , every department , and every program , came the tales of heroic fortitude , stories of innovation and grit , and portraits of determination and dedication . Each new anecdote and account that came our way raised above the darkness like a bright beacon and signaled that the flame of the Mighty Lions was still burning strong and unabated .
Somehow this horrible unfolding crisis had turned into our best moment . How did that happen ? It was through partnerships , community , and commitment .
The partners we presumed were too busy to help were just busy figuring out how to help . The students , staff , and faculty had coalesced in unprecedented ways to adapt with grace while remaining fully on track and laser focused towards seeing the University ’ s mission to fruition . The hurdles of supporting our local communities became a triumph of forging new and innovative connections with our neighbors that will last far into the future .
This report that we thought would be a collection of items that would “ just have to do ” became a testament to the very best of what we espouse as an institution … outstanding education , important research , selfless clinical service , and community engagement . Every success you read about in the following pages was achieved under sometimes crushing circumstances by extraordinary people refusing to give up on the tireless pursuit of social justice and health equity .
Thank you ,
“
The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its
" members . – Coretta Scott King
David M . Carlisle , MD , PhD President and CEO
CHARLES R . DREW UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE 5