August 2023 Page 8 CDU Newsletter
CDU Awarded $ 2 Million Grant From The California Wellness Foundation
CDU was awarded a $ 2 million multi year grant from The California Wellness Foundation , strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two organizations . With this grant , Cal Wellness ’ total support to CDU over the years reaches nearly $ 6 million .
The grant is the culmination of the profound alignment between CDU ’ s and Cal Wellness ’ visions and missions , as CDU launches its own independent medical education program to significantly expand the number of medical students it will reach .
Both organizations share a commitment to health equity , justice , and advocacy for underserved communities .
This partnership represents a crucial step towards improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations and fostering diversity within the healthcare workforce .
“ The California Wellness Foundation ’ s mission resonates deeply with our own . At CDU , we are dedicated to cultivating health professional leaders who champion social justice and health equity for underserved populations ,” remarked Dr . David M . Carlisle , CDU President and CEO . “ With the support of this generous grant , we can further our mission and create a lasting impact in the lives of our students and the communities we serve . Together , we are working towards a world where excellent health and wellness are accessible to all , without disparities .”
The $ 2 million grant will be utilized to fund critical initiatives at CDU , including $ 1.3 million dedicated to supporting students in the CDU ’ s brand new 4-Year MD Program .
This allocation will provide $ 15,000 annually for four years to 20 students , fostering the growth of future physicians and healthcare leaders from diverse backgrounds .
The funding will also provide staff and operational support to enhance CDU ’ s capacity to secure philanthropic opportunities and funding for its College of Medicine , College of Nursing , and College of Science and Health .
Additionally , funding towards marketing support aims to increase the visibility of the new CDU 4-Year MD program , thereby attracting more diverse and talented students and furthering the University ’ s reach and impact .
“ The California Wellness Foundation applauds CDU ’ s national leadership in expanding pathways to and through stateof-the-art medical education for underrepresented communities of color ,” said Lori Cox , Cal Wellness vice president of programs . “ This marks one of the largest grants awarded by Cal Wellness in recent years . I am deeply grateful to our board of directors for making such a profound investment in the success of CDU ’ s future and for its commitment to the foundation ’ s long-standing goal of creating a diverse and culturally competent physician workforce for California .”
The partnership between Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science and The California Wellness Foundation stands as a testament to the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in advancing health equity and wellness for all .