Interview with
Interview with
Kelsey Martin, MD
Dean, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine:
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Impact of the IMEP on the UCLA / CDU Relationship
Will the UCLA / CDU relationship be affected by the independent medical education program?
Dr. Martin: We are steadfastly committed to our 40-year relationship and we hope that it continues to be strong in the future.
What are the benefits associated with Charles R. Drew establishing this program?
Dr. Martin: There ' s clearly a need for more physicians in Los Angeles, in California, and beyond. I believe that the independent medical program at Charles R. Drew has the potential to contribute positively to solving that need. Given CDU ' s mission, it ' s likely that the graduates will especially be in tune with the needs of the south Los Angeles community.
Do you envision that CDU will receive support for this project from the existing medical schools in the County?
Dr. Martin: I ' m certain that all of the schools in the region, like us, will be rooting for this program to be successful and will be helpful. We all share a mission of really improving our community and we all need to work together and support each other.
As a member of CDU ' s Board of Trustees, what role do you envision the Board will play in advancing this project?
Dr. Martin: As a Trustee, I ' ll offer whatever insight that I have gained from leading a medical school and hopefully contribute to the success of the endeavor. I ' ll also be listening for ways that the David Geffen School of Medicine can be supportive of the effort.
How will the organizers of the independent medical education program benefit from the experience of you and your colleagues? What types of questions do you recommend be asked of you and other leaders?
Dr. Martin: Starting a new medical school is hard, and we haven ' t done that. Somebody did it way before my time at UCLA. But we do have experience on our team in building education programs. Setting up the curriculum in navigating LCME accreditation; and in really growing support for the program over time. In all of these areas, we ' re ready to offer insight from our experience.
I ' m highly supportive of this effort. The affiliation is deeply valuable to us. So I ' m really committed to making sure that we continue to have a strong affiliation in the future but also am supportive of CDU developing this four- year program.
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