A Message From The Dean
Dear Colleagues,
Now that we have closed out 2020, it is time for reflection. With all of the world-shaking events including a pandemic of epic proportion and an election like none other in American history, it is no wonder that many of us think of it as a difficult year. Quite frankly, it was.
There are many takeaways from 2020 that encourage that mindset. The year was a textbook example of how important clear vision is needed in a time of turmoil and uncertainty. Within a year of the pandemic threat being recognized for its impact on our lives, the number of cases worldwide topped 108 million, resulting in over 3.25 million deaths. Here in America, 486,000 of our fellow citizens have died.
The year’ s events, however thought-provoking, provided clarity on three important subjects:
• In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and other people too numerous to fully mention here, the anti-racism efforts that began as a grassroots effort are still required and serve as a constant drum beat that no person of color is immune to being ill-treated.
• Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is worldwide, we global citizens are interdependent. We need each other because the solution of being collectively on-guard to practice safety protocols will save individuals, communities, and nations. Black and Brown citizens are essential to the whole society and contribute mightily to the greatness of this nation. There is no such thing as dispensable people.
• The November 3rd election was a heroic effort that proved that what we contribute as citizens exercising our right to organize and vote does matter. We offer kudos to persistent, fearless souls like Stacey Abrams. We salute all of those right-thinking people who voted, and we offer the recommendation that in order to right size this country, we can’ t stop forward momentum now.
That sentiment was reflected close to home. The CDU family stepped up on the COVID-19 front and served as a model of how people with the right agenda can make a huge difference. Today, we are proud that the University is still stepping up.
Despite the challenges brought on by the hurlyburly of 2020 events, progress continues. The CDU Medical Degree Program planning continues uninterrupted. Mighty efforts to launch the new Internal Medicine residency have been put forth.
The University will be guided by a new 2021- 26 strategic plan that will reflect the insight of a thoughtful cohort of stakeholders. As the University heralds the start of the pre-medical academy, four new Rise Up houses have been built through the CDU Advantage program in Zambia. A new child and adolescent training fellowship points us toward a bright and thoughtful future. Let’ s count our blessings.
Deborah Prothrow-Stith, MD Dean of the College of Medicine Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 2