Health Professions Education Building Reaches Electric Milestone
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s Health Professions Education Building (HPEB) reached another construction milestone in February as electricians delivered power to the project, enabling crews to complete final touches on the building’s exterior.
With the building now enclosed, the project shifts into its next phase: the installation of interior systems and finishes that will define the classrooms, anatomy laboratories, and collaborative spaces.
As interior planning moves forward, the CDU community will play a role in shaping the building’s interior. Faculty, staff, and students have been invited to evaluate sample furniture options and feedback collected will help guide furniture selections for classrooms and other areas throughout the building.
“As we celebrate 60 years of Charles R. Drew University, the Health Professions Education Building stands at the nexus of education, equity, and economic opportunity for South Los Angeles,” said Dr. David M. Carlisle, CDU President and CEO. “For decades, this community has envisioned a medical school rooted in Watts/Willowbrook and this building brings that vision to life through expanding access to medical education while advancing health equity for generations.”
The Health Professions Education Building is slated to open Summer 2026 and will house CDU’s 4-Year Medical Degree program with classrooms and common spaces serving the entire CDU student body. The building is 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.