CDU Celebrates Topping Off Ceremony for Health Professions Education Building
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) celebrated a major milestone in the construction of its Health Professions Education Building (HPEB) with a topping off ceremony, marking the placement of the structure’s final steel beam.
Set to become the new home of CDU’s College of Medicine, the HPEB will expand access to medical education in South Los Angeles and support the University’s mission to cultivate health professional leaders dedicated to social justice and universal access to quality health care. The project is being led by Turner Construction Company in partnership with CO Architects.
Once completed, the 100,000 gross square feet facility will feature classroom space, anatomy laboratories, and collaborative spaces to support CDU’s more than 240 medical students. The building along with the new 4-Year Medical Degree Program at CDU is also expected to create 749 local jobs and generate more than $86.8 million in annual economic impact (direct and indirect) for the Watts/Willowbrook community.
“This has been a dream of this community for over 60 years,” said CDU President and CEO Dr. David M. Carlisle. “This building represents not just an advancement in healthcare, but an advancement for this community. Little kids not even yet born will now see this building and say, ‘Maybe I can become a doctor or a nurse or a PA.’”
Juresha Alemayehu, Project Manager with Turner Construction Company, acknowledged the swift and collaborative effort it took to reach this milestone.
“This is like a record-breaking time—three weeks to get this beautiful structure,” said Alemayehu. “Thank you to CDU for entrusting us to provide this building, and thank you to our amazing Turner team and workers who worked tirelessly in the rain and heat.”
The Health Professions Education Building is expected to open in 2026 and is funded in part by a $50 million investment from the State of California. Once completed, it will stand as a beacon of opportunity and inspiration for generations to come.
