March 2024 Page 12
CDU Newsletter CDU Alumna Appointed as LA ’ s First Deputy Mayor of Homelessness & Community Health
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has appointed CDU alumna Dr . Etsemaye P . Agonafer , as the city ’ s first Deputy Mayor of Homelessness & Community Health . Dr . Agonafer will focus on improving the coordination and delivery of social , health and behavioral services to homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless .
“ We must continue to address this homelessness crisis with urgency and comprehensive strategies that work ,” said Mayor Bass in a statement . “ We know that health , both physical and behavioral , is a vital part of bringing stability to unhoused Angelenos and Dr . Agonafer ’ s diverse experience and deep understanding of healthcare and homelessness in Southern California will be a crucial step forward in addressing the homelessness crisis and supporting those with health challenges .”
Dr . Agonafer will be tasked with building a team and leading efforts on housing and health outcomes for homeless Angelenos . According to the mayor ’ s office , Agonafer has experience in advancing health equity and justice for vulnerable populations because of her work as an internal medicine physician , educator and community researcher .
Dr . Agonafer obtained a Master of Public Health and Medical Degree from the UCLA / Charles R . Drew University PRIME- LA dual-degree program . She graduated from the program in 2014 .
“ Dr . Etsemaye Agonafer is one of the most skilled and capable individuals I know ,” said Dr . David M . Carlisle , CDU ’ s President and CEO . “ As a physician , she is an expert on the ‘ social determinants of health ’ that drive the health status of our community – chief among them being homelessness . I am very proud that she is an alumnus of Charles R . Drew University of Medicine Science as she exemplifies everything our institution stands for .”
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Information , achieving parity serving that area ,” said CDU would require an additional student Daniel Cordova who
37,000 Latino physicians was matched to the University in the state . While recent of Southern California . “ I chose physician graduates from the
Emergency Medicine because I Black community are wellrepresented , they still only wanted to work with people and help them on their worst days . constitute 4 % of the overall I ’ m really excited to work with physician workforce , in contrast them , especially vulnerable to their 5.6 % share of the total populations as well .” population .
CDU student Nonye Ikeanyi was matched to UCLA Medical Center where she ’ ll pursue Orthopaedic Surgery through their Non-Primary Care track . “ I think it ’ s also amazing to be a Black woman matching in ortho …,” said Ikeanyi . “ I think it ’ s an opportunity to represent and give patients a sense of security and hopefully safety when they see me walk in a room . They will see that I ’ m there for them and that I ’ m going to put them first in terms of making sure that they get the best care .”