CommonSpirit Health and CDU Pledge to Form Partnership
CDU and CommonSpirit Health held a special event in February to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ) formalizing the two organizations ’ intentions to form a partnership to advance the practice of health professions and education . This gathering marked the next step in leveraging the organization ' s complementary goals .
CommonSpirit Health is among one of the largest non-profit health systems in the U . S . with more than 1,000 care sites in 21 states coast-to-coast and serving approximately 20 million patients in big cities and small towns across America . Their mission is to improve the health of the people they serve , especially those who are vulnerable , while advancing social justice for all .
“ We ’ re really enthusiastic about this MOU , and we ' re looking forward to CDU entering into a broader and deeper relationship with CommonSpirit ,” said David Carlisle , CDU President and CEO . ” We ’ re really looking forward to joining arms with CommonSpirit to enable this University ' s future growth to the benefit of all Californians , especially those from under-resourced communities and underrepresented populations .”
The ceremony included inspirational speeches by a range of guests including CommonSpirit Health President and COO , Marvin O ’ Quinn as well as CommonSpirit Health Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer , Kathleen Sanford .
“ This synergy is made apparent by the similarity of our complementary missions , our visions and our goals ,” said Lloyd Dean , CommonSpirit Health CEO . “ This partnership will not only be a step toward addressing the need for well-educated professional diverse nurses and nurse leaders . I am convinced , we are convinced , that it will strengthen the certainty that healthcare equity will be achieved during this decade that we are all a part of .”
This closely aligns with CDU ’ s mission to cultivate diverse health professional leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations , making the two organizations ideal partners with a shared vision of achieving health equity for everyone .
The event , which was kicked off with an invocation by CDU General Counsel John W . Patton , included CDU and CommonSpirit Health leaders . The day featured the ceremonial signing of the MOU by senior executives from both institutions . The document codified the framework for the developing partnership . The MOU acknowledges the critical need for nurses and health professions of color throughout the healthcare continuum in the U . S .
“ We ’ re really enthusiastic about this MOU , and we ' re looking forward to CDU entering into a broader and deeper relationship with CommonSpirit ,” said David Carlisle , CDU President and CEO . ” We ’ re really looking forward to joining arms with CommonSpirit to enable this University ' s future growth to the benefit of all Californians , especially those from under-resourced communities and underrepresented populations .”
The day concluded with closing remarks from CDU Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost , Steve Michael , who spoke of the commonality between the MOU ’ s signees . “ The overlapping mission to serve the underserved population in our communities ... the overlapping mission to serve the disadvantaged and increase the diversity of health professionals … this is what brought us together ,” said Michael . “ Organizations don ’ t sign MOUs , people do . Like-minded people can move mountains if they ' re committed .”
Learn more about CommonSpirit Health at www . commonspirit . org and visit www . cdrewu . edu for more information about CDU .
2022 Annual Report Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science
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