Dear CDU Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff:
We are also gearing up for the National Medical Association (NMA) Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly which will be held in Toronto, Canada from July 27th-31st. This annual event reunites many alumni from our Graduate Medical Education Program, Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program, and the College of Science and Health.
I would be remiss in any message to the CDU family not to mention the Trayvon Martin case. As a father myself, I mourn the loss of this young man. I cannot understand the basis for the tragedy that resulted from the Stand Your Ground law, and stand with our Nation’s President in seeing this law amended. Nevertheless, during times like these, I respect and encourage all of us to express our feelings and voice in a way that honors the life of Trayvon and respect his parent’s call for peace.
The article below was written by Dr. Robert K. Ross, President and CEO of The California Endowment. The original can be found at 
A lot of us are trying to make sense of the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case. For too many Americans, the pain of this young man’s death feels like more than we can bear.
President Obama said that if he had a son he’d look like Trayvon. Our sons across California look like Trayvon, too. Tonight in Fresno, in Oakland and in Los Angeles they’ll be walking home from their summer jobs or pickup soccer games or from looking in on their grandmothers. When we look at these young men, we should see future teachers, doctors, fathers and community leaders. We should look at them with love not fear. They are the future of California. If we invest in them, they will rise to this challenge. Our future is inextricably bound to theirs. We are in this together.
Poster created by Oakland Residents
On Tuesday, June 18, the College of Science and Health welcomed back students who had previously participated in the University’s College Bound Prep program. College Bound Prep Alumni Day provided students with sessions on financial aid, choosing the right college and a keynote address by Charles R. Drew faculty member, Dr. Christopher Reid. College Bound Prep alumni also attended a presentation by COPE Health Solutions, providing students with opportunities to gain valuable clinical experience while in college. All participating students received a certificate of appreciation recognizing their efforts. Students were reminded by Dr. Reid that, “a plan is simply a dream with a schedule”, and that with adequate planning, those dreams will be achieved. The success of this program was made possibleby the
U.S. Department of Education, Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) Grant # P120A070063 and P120A090069.
Special thanks to all who participated.
On Tuesday, June 18, the College of Science and Health welcomed back students who had previously participated in the University’s College Bound Prep program. College Bound Prep Alumni Day provided students with sessions on financial aid, choosing the right college and a keynote address by Charles R. Drew faculty member, Dr. Christopher Reid. College Bound Prep alumni also attended a presentation by COPE Health Solutions, providing students with opportunities to gain valuable clinical experience while in college. All participating students received a certificate of appreciation recognizing their efforts. Students were reminded by Dr. Reid that, “a plan is simply a dream with a schedule”, and that with adequate planning, those dreams will be achieved. The success of this program was made possible by the U.S. Department of Education, Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) Grant # P120A070063 and P120A090069. Special thanks to all who participatedNMA Region VI Partners with CDU to Produce Historical Exhibit About Black Doctors
Richard Allen Williams, MD, Regional Chair for the National Medical Association Region VI has entered into collaboration with CDU to produce a historical display and exhibit that will premiere at CDU’s Annual Reception for Alumni, Faculty, and Friends on July 29, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. The display, entitled “The Black Physician: Emergence, Evolution, and Education,” will elaborate on the history of the appearance of black doctors on the American scene before, during, and after slavery, and will also highlight not only the careers of individual doctors but also the development of the medical schools and h ospitals which trained them.
Dr. Williams states, “This historical exhibit is very timely when we are focusing on healthcare disparities among people of color in America. The fact that less than 6% of doctors in this country are Black points to a deficiency which cries out for a remedy. We hope that healthcare reform under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will increase diversity in the medical field so that there will be more Black doctors to treat Black patients. It’s a simple equation with a logical solution: in order to improve healthcare delivery to needy minorities, we must increase the number of Black medical students so that we can produce more Black doctors. This is not rocket science, and it is eminently doable. But before we can move forward, we have to know where we’ve been, and this exposition accomplishes that. It is entirely appropriate to have the largest Black medical organization in the world, the NMA (founded in 1895) to join with CDU, the n ewest of the historically Black schools and universities to put forth this display and focus the effort to achieve racial and ethnic equity on historical grounds.”
The CDU reception will be held in conjunction with the National Medical Association Annual Convention and Symposium, July 27 – 29, 2013, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The COSH Radiologic Technology Program held its Annual Picnic and Softball Game on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Holly Park in Hawthorne. The event provided an opportunity for team building and bonding among the program’s junior and senior classes of students, and was a fun and enjoyable way to bid the senior class a fond farewell. The food was great, the weather was fantastic, and the ball game was competitive—with the seniors being the ultimate winners.
Summer Pre-MPH Skills Workshops
The Summer Pre-MPH Skills Workshops, funded by a CDU Mission Maker Mini Grant awarded to Sondos Islam, PhD, MPH, MS, Director of the Urban Public Health Program (UPH) in the College of Science and Health, is a three-week hands-on workshop series designed to prepare incoming students to succeed as graduate health professional students. Topics include:
This workshop series will enhance the knowledge, skills and competencies of the Urban Public Health Program’s incoming students as they embark on their graduate studies. In addition, their self-efficacy and confidence will be increased along with their ability to apply the newly acquired skills in a hands-on setting. It will also enhance their critical thinking, writing and research skills, thus ensuring student success and furthering CDU’s and the UPH Program’s missions. By participating in this workshop, CDU’s incoming students, and eventual MPH graduates, will be better equipped to enter the workforce and excel as health professionals.
On June 17, 2013 CDU received the official response from WASC on the outcomes of their review of the Interim Report we submitted this past March. WASC commended CDU “for a singularly direct and accurate portrayal of the financial condition of the institution.” In recognition of our substantial financial progress and with the intent of reducing our reporting obligations, WASC granted a deferral of their next Special Visit to CDU from spring 2014 to spring 2015. In place of a spring 2014 site visit and comprehensive report, we must provide a Progress Report that updates the financial status of the university.
Next month on August 11th, join community leaders and CDU for the 23rd Aztlan Annual 5K Classic run/walk at East Los Angeles college in Monterey Park. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Edward R. Roybal Scholarship Fund.There will be live entertainment following the run/walk, that includes the band Plaza de la Raza performing live mariachi and de flamenco music. The run/walk begins at 8 a.m. Aztec dancers kick off the activities by performing a ritual dance to bless the runners/walkers. This beautiful cultural experience is a not miss so make sure to set your alarms! To register to participate in the run/walk, click on the link below and register with Team CDU