New CDU MD Program Receives a Rousing Sendoff( continued)
difference-makers.“ They spurred elected officials to act,” he said. He also cited earlier administrators and deans such as Mitchell Spellman, David Satcher, and M. Albert Haynes. Dean Prothrow-Stith had made the DAC memberpartners in the process, he said in thanking her.
Chief Medical Office of LA Cares Health Plan Dr. Richard Seidman, a 1988 graduate of the joint CDU / UCLA medical training program, stated that it was a thrill to be in attendance at the day’ s event. He echoed the sentiment that the day was an incredible milestone for future medical training. Jeff Kim, Program Director of the California Wellness Foundation cited the organization’ s support of CDU for more than two decades.
Dr. Curley Bonds, Chief Medical Officer of Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, has been an active presence at CDU for many years as an administrator, faculty member, and speaker.“ I’ m so excited to be here because of what we do.” He cited the year 2005, when he arrived to help rebuild the institution as Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.“ This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Bonds. He noted the strong community attachment and the need to serve.
Faculty Executive Board Chair Dr. Eleby Washington thanked all of the people who contributed to the effort. Dr. Steve Dubinett, Dean of UCLA’ s Geffen School of Medicine acknowledged the longstanding relationship between the two universities and stated that this moment is extraordinarily positive.
contributions of President Carlisle, Senior Vice President Angela Minniefield, Interim Provost Sylvia Manning, and Dean Prothrow-Stith for their various assistance in making the University what it has become today.
Dean Prothrow-Stith thanked Dr. Mark Shuster, Dean of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine for his multiple instances of support. Dr. Shuster noted that CDU is a bedrock institution in so many areas of medicine. In her remarks, Dr. Elena Rios, President and CEO of the Hispanic Medical Association, congratulated CDU and noted that President Carlisle was a classmate at UCLA.
The event was closed out by CDU General Counsel John Patton and Sylvia Drew Ivie, Senior Special Assistant to President Carlisle. Mr. Patton, an Elder at West Angeles Church of God in Christ, noted that the University is the only historically Black university west of Texas and one of four in the nation with an accredited medical school.“ We’ re on hallowed ground,” he offered up prayerfully. 56 years ago, as the story goes, a group of people made a difference.“ God has answered our prayers. We are standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. Blood was shed by people crying for justice who felt a need,” he stated.“ Years from now, yet unborn people will look back on this day.”
Ms. Drew Ivie offered the assessment that pioneers such as Lillian Mobley and Mary Henry were integral to the execution of the day’ s triumph.“ President Carlisle and Dean Prothrow-Stith have channeled the work of the early institution builders. This moment is very rich, and home grown,” she added.
Dr. Rasheed Ivey noted that he is a recent graduate of the joint CDU / UCLA medical training program as well as a product of the city of Compton school system. He thanked the people who had come before him, and also acknowledged the information that he received from The Sharpest Scalpel for inspiration. The new medical school will bring an additional level of compassionate care to local residents, he said.
This moment of celebration is based on a major, major accomplishment, noted Dr. Vidya Kaushik, CDU Board of Trustee member in offering his congratulations. He cited the
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