CDU Board Chair John Baackes to Retire as CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan
CDU Board of Trustees Chair John Baackes has announced his retirement as CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, effective at the end of 2024.
While stepping down from his leadership role at L.A. Care Health Plan, Baackes will continue serving CDU in his capacity on the Board of Trustees, ensuring his transformative impact on the University endures.
Baackes has been a pivotal figure in both healthcare and higher education leadership.
Joining CDU’s Board in December 2021, he became Chair in 2024, guiding the University through a transformative period.
His tenure has included the post-pandemic recovery, the historic launch of CDU’s independent MD program, and significant advancements in the University’s mission to train diverse healthcare professionals dedicated to addressing health inequities.
During his time as CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, Baackes led the organization through strategic growth and championed initiatives to improve healthcare access for underserved populations in Los Angeles County.
His leadership also fostered a powerful partnership between L.A. Care and CDU, marked by groundbreaking achievements that have had a profound impact on the University and its students.
Key milestones of this partnership include L.A. Care Health Plan’s Elevating the Safety Net, which provides full-ride scholarships to CDU MD students, freeing them from financial burdens and enabling them to focus entirely on their education.
Additionally, L.A. Care Health Plan has contributed over $19 million to CDU initiatives, including HIV/STD research, the Saturday Science Academy II, and flagship events like the President’s Breakfast and Jazz at Drew. Baackes also played a critical role in securing a $5 million planning grant to launch CDU’s MD program.
CDU extends its deepest gratitude to John Baackes for his extraordinary contributions and looks forward to his continued leadership as a member of the Board of Trustees.