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Congresswoman Nanette Barragán Visits Campus for Bill Presentation
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán visited campus to present the H . R . 189 - John Lewis National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities ( NIMHD ) Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2021 .
“ This bill is going to help colleges like CDU , other schools across the country that are educating those in the medical field , historically black colleges and minority serving institutions ,” said Congresswoman Barragán . “ As we know there is a shortage of people in healthcare now , and there ’ s still and continues to be a huge shortage of people of color in healthcare . And that is where Charles R . Drew University continues to make a difference day in and day out .”
The bill , which is Congresswoman Barragán ’ s first standalone bill , allows for current and former NIMHD centers of excellence to receive research endowment funding to promote minority health and health disparities in research , increase diversity in a scientific and healthcare workforce , and improve recruitment and retention of individuals from communities underrepresented in a scientific workforce . It will improve access to resources and money that is critical in the fight to reduce minority health disparities .
“ Congresswoman Barragán ’ s leadership to author the John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Revitalization Act will continue to help CDU and our students lead the way ,” shared Dr . David Carlisle , CDU President and CEO . “ I see nothing but a bright horizon ahead . I see a direct path to our ultimate destination – a world without health disparities .”
The event also featured student Lesly Torres-Gonzalez , a graduating student in the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences . Torres-Gonzales was featured in a Spectrum News story when the bill was signed .
As the eldest English speaker in a foreign-speaking household , Torres-Gonzalez served as a link between her family and their environment . So from an early age , she understood that there are barriers in the healthcare system and medicine – many of them language-based in minority communities
“ As a student researcher , minority member , of this community , I do feel that I do understand the needs and the importance of this bill and what potential impact it can have ,” said Torres-Gonzalez . “ It ’ s important for the message to get out . To understand that there is a need for diversity in healthcare and medicine , and research has to also be directed toward minority communities because of lack of participation , a lack of research in those communities may lead us to miss key things that can be addressed in healthcare disparities .”