CDU Announces the Retirement of Its 14th Dean and Founding Dean of Its New Medical School


As Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU)
celebrates its 60th anniversary, the University also marks a historic leadership transition: the retirement of Deborah Prothrow Stith, M.D., the 14th Dean of the College of Medicine and the Founding Dean of CDU’s independent medical school.

In recognition of her retirement, CDU is honoring Dr. Prothrow-Stith with the title of “Dean Emeritus of the College of Medicine and Founding Dean of the CDU MD Program, in perpetuity.” Her decade of service has been transformative, advancing CDU’s mission, expanding its reach, and strengthening its role as a national leader in health equity and community rooted medical education.

Recruited to CDU in 2016 with two ambitious mandates—to restart residency training in South Los Angeles and to establish CDU’s own independent medical school—Dean Prothrow Stith has been the driving force behind achievements that many once thought impossible. Her leadership has shaped clinical partnerships, research growth, educational innovation, and philanthropic momentum across the University. Indeed, many of the accomplishments of CDU over the past decade are inseparable from the accomplishments of its College of Medicine under her stewardship.

Among the many milestones achieved during her tenure, Dr. Prothrow-Stith:

  • Restarted residency training in South Los Angeles after an 11 year hiatus. CDU now hosts four residency programs and two fellowships, with additional programs in development.
  • Established CDU’s independent medical school, supported by planning grants from Cedars-Sinai and The California Endowment and a landmark $5 million award from LA Care. CDU will award its first full MD degrees in 2027.
  • Opened the Health Professions Education Building in July 2026, following seven years of planning and fundraising—including a pivotal $50 million state allocation signed by Governor Newsom in 2021.
  • Welcomed the fourth class of 60 students, bringing total enrollment to 240 medical students.
  • Expanded clinical partnerships across Los Angeles County, including St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, Cedars-Sinai, Sutter Health, LA County Rancho Los Amigos, LA General, and multiple county clinical sites.
  • Established the CDU-Sutter relationship, providing 15 full tuition scholarships annually and creating new clinical clerkships toward a Sutter Track at CDU.
  • Received $75 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies to strengthen CDU advancement, expand financial aid, and build an endowment for student scholarships.
  • Expanded student benevolence and wrap around support through the Physicians’ Aid Association, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the California Wellness Foundation.
  • Developed and implemented new courses to enhance student exam performance and professional readiness.

Dr. Prothrow-Stith stated: “As I retire and assume the titles of Dean Emeritus of the College of Medicine and Founding Dean of the CDU MD Program, I do so with profound gratitude. These ten years have been among the most meaningful of my professional life, and I want to thank each of you for the wisdom, partnership, generosity, and steadfast commitment that made our shared mission and accomplishments possible.”

CDU President David M. Carlisle, M.D. remarked, “Dean Deborah has been an extraordinary leader of the CDU College of Medicine. She has been a key contributor to university-wide initiatives and an outstanding representative of CDU in the broader community. She built a strong team and leaves the College of Medicine in excellent hands.”

CDU Board Chair John Baackes added, “CDU owes tremendous gratitude to Dean Deborah for her mission-driven leadership and tireless work. She created a model for fulfilling the dream of a community medical school that trains physician leaders from under-resourced communities to return and serve.”

Gene Grigsby, Ph.D., who has chaired the Dean’s Advisory Council since its creation in 2016, noted, “Her leadership is remarkable. She accomplished what many doubted could be done. Starting a new medical school is a heavy lift, and the DAC was pleased to support her efforts and takes pride in the results.”

CDU will announce plans later this year for a celebration honoring Dean Deborah Prothrow Stith’s extraordinary contributions and expressing the University’s gratitude for her decade of service, leadership, and vision.