CDU Holds White Coat Ceremonies for Radiologic Technology and Physician Assistant Students
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) celebrated two major academic milestones with White Coat Ceremonies recognizing students in the Radiologic Technology Program’s Class of 2027 and the Physician Assistant (PA) Program’s Class of 2025.
A total of 42 students were coated during the Radiologic Technology Program’s ceremony, welcoming members of the program’s 55th cohort into clinical practice. As the oldest academic program on the University’s campus, the Radiologic Technology Program represents a longstanding legacy of workforce development and service rooted in health equity.
“Your conduct, your confidence, your compassion, all of these reflect not just on you as individuals but on Charles R. Drew University and our mission,” said Reynard Ezra-Simbwa, Radiologic Technology Program Department Chair. “When you step into your clinical role, you’re not simply acquiring experiences, you are part of a legacy of equity and advocacy. You’re the voice and the hands of health care for those who need it most.”
The PA Program’s Long White Coat Ceremony honored 26 students and symbolized their transition into clinical practice and into the communities that need them most. Home to California’s first PA program, established in 1971, CDU has trained generations of physician assistants dedicated to delivering quality, culturally responsive care.
The ceremony comes at a pivotal moment for the profession, as financial barriers and policy shifts threaten access to PA education for low-income students. At the same time, California faces a significant physician shortage, a gap physician assistants are uniquely positioned to help fill.
“These students, most of whom will practice right here in California, will serve underserved communities such as inner cities, rural areas, and regions facing critical shortages,” said Lucy Kibe, DrPH, Program Director of CDU’s Physician Assistant Program. “It’s a great win for our underserved communities, giving them a chance to make a difference.”
As Charles R. Drew University approaches its 60th anniversary, the White Coat Ceremonies underscore a legacy defined by service, advocacy, and community centered care.