Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Graduates Physicians in South LA for the First Time in 15 Years
By Chantel Carter, Communications Specialist, Office of Strategic Advancement
( L-R) Drs. Gigi Simmons, Joan Choi, Roquell Laney, Nadia Mian, Leslie Johnson, Francisca Mata.
The Family Medicine Residency Program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine( CDU) graduated its first cohort of seven residents during its 37th virtual Commencement Ceremony on Monday, June 7, 2021, marking the first time that medical residents have graduated in South Los Angeles, specifically Service Planning Area( SPA) 6, in 15 years.
Graduate Medical Education returned to the University and by extension, South Los Angeles, in July 2018, following the L. A. County Board of Supervisors’ 2017 approval of $ 800,000 in funds to develop two new residency programs at CDU in Family Medicine and Psychiatry. A Medical School Affiliation Agreement between the County Health Agency and CDU, equipped with $ 14 million in funding, will provide the programs with ongoing support through 2023. Other supporters of the University’ s residency programs include LA Care Health Plan and the California Office of Statewide
Health Planning and Development.
The importance of completing residency training in medically underserved areas is often highlighted, as multiple studies show that those who do so often go on to become practitioners in those same communities. Additionally, research has shown that 80 percent of CDU students return to practice in underserved communities after graduation.“ SPA 6 is comprised of 1.35 million people and represents Los Angeles County’ s most vulnerable population. Residency training in South Los Angeles is a tremendous health equity and economic benefit for this area,” said CDU President and CEO, David M. Carlisle, MD.
“ Since 2018, we have retrained and developed nearly 50 residents whose focus is providing care throughout SPAs 6 and 7,” said Deborah Prothrow- Stith, MD, Dean of the College of Medicine.“ I offer my sincere congratulations to our newest Family Medicine physicians and wish them continued success in providing culturally appropriate care to the communities that need it most.”
CLASS OF 2021 FAMILY MEDICINE GRADUATES
Joan Choi, MD Tiffany Davis, MD Leslie Ann Johnson, MD Roquell Laney, MD, MPH
Francisca Mata, MD, MBA Nadia Mian, MD Gigi Simmons, MD
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 24