HBCU Global Health Consortium Gathers at CDU
CDU hosted the HBCU Global Health Consortium Annual Meeting on campus.
Over 20 participants from South Africa, Zambia, Tennessee, Atlanta, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles attended the meeting, including representatives from the three other historically Black medical schools Howard, Morehouse, and Meharry.
The consortium’s work is currently focused on global health initiatives, particularly addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia and Malawi.
“HBCUs contribute significantly to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia, leveraging their expertise and resources to enhance the quality and reach of treatment and prevention services,” said Dr. Lejeune Lockett, Co-Principal Investigator, HBCU Global Health Consortium. “In Malawi, the Consortium collaborates with local health authorities to train hundreds of young girls to be employed as Community Health Care Workers.”
This marked the first time the annual gathering was held in Los Angeles. The meeting included sessions exploring program-sustaining opportunities, finalizing workshops, setting goals and objectives, team building, strategic planning for years 2-5, and proposal development.
“The meeting emphasized the Consortium’s commitment to impact and sustainability, building relationships and collaborations, and progress toward the provision of HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support in Africa,” explained Dr. Lockett. “Expansion plans demonstrate the Consortium’s dedication to leverage resources and broader healthcare improvements through its current projects being implemented in Zambia and Malawi.”
The agenda also allowed for some flexibility to accommodate unexpected topics, urgent matters, or extended discussions, while still maintaining the overall objectives and timeframes.
Time was allotted for open discussions, brainstorming, and sharing of ideas among consortium members to enhance collaboration and collective decision-making.