HRSA Administrator Johnson Visits CDU for Roundtable and Grant Announcement
CDU was visited by Administrator Carole Johnson of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a unit of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Administrator Johnson announced a five-year, $2.5 million grant for the university in support of integrating mental healthcare into primary care training.
Administrator Johnson also moderated a lively discussion highlighting the importance of the national Primary Care Training Enhancement – Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health (PCTE-RTMB) program funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
“I was pleased to visit Charles Drew University College of Medicine on Friday to see and hear firsthand how their staff and medical residents are poised to use HRSA’s Bipartisan Safer Community Act funding to make a real difference in mental health care for kids and build a healthier community in East LA,” said HRSA Administrator Johnson. “HRSA is proud to support Charles Drew’s work to train family physicians in places where children and adolescents live and gather. We know that health and well-being are not just what happens inside the clinic’s walls – it’s also about what happens in the community, and Charles Drew is training the next generation of health care professionals to understand and meet these needs.”
This newly awarded funding will support integrated behavioral health training and patient care in CDU’s Family Medicine Residency, Psychiatry Residency, and Physician Assistant programs.
“It was a pleasure hosting representatives from HRSA on our campus for a timely discussion highlighting the importance of mental health resources in underserved communities,” said Dr. Lisa Barkley, Chair, Department of Family Medicine & Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for CDU. “Everyone at the University looks forward to continuing our critical work with our partners at HRSA.”
The roundtable discussion was attended by a range of CDU stakeholders including students, staff, faculty, and researchers. The engaging conversation was live-streamed and is available for viewing on CDU’s YouTube channel.