*A California college is launching a new medical school this summer that aims to address the need for Black doctors.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5 percent of doctors in the United States are Black, CBS News reports. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Willowbrook is currently renovating space for a new medical school to address the lack of private practice doctors in the community.
“If you look around this community, if you drive around, do you see private practicing doctors, no. Do you see private practicing pharmacists, no, dentists, no. You certainly don’t see cosmetic plastic surgeons anywhere around here for example,” said Dr David Carlisle, CDU president and CEO. “And the secret sauce here is taking students who grew up in this community, they are much more motivated to return and serve this community.”
The university launched its first independent four-year medical degree (MD) program in October 2022.
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Sixty new medical students are reportedly slated to attend CDU’s new medical school beginning July 10, according to Dr. Arthur Gomez, CDU associate dean of medical education.
“Here we will be teaching them not only the science of medicine, but also how to advocate for policy change with a leadership experience,” said Gomez.
The university reportedly received 1,000 applicants for the new school ahead of the Feb. 28 deadline.
CDU is one of four historically Black medical colleges in the U.S.
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