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Twenty nine graduating medical students gathered on the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) campus in South Los Angeles with friends, family, faculty, and supporters to participate in a Match Day event on Friday, March 17. At 9:00 AM local time students simultaneously opened envelopes to reveal where these soon-to-be doctors will complete their residency and training positions going forward.

On the third Friday of every March, thousands of graduating medical students across the country simultaneously learn where they will be training for residency for the next several years. Residency is where doctors train in a specialty, so this has a huge impact on the student’s future.

The CDU ceremony is particularly impactful considering that most of the students come from disadvantaged communities across South Los Angeles and beyond, and have pledged to return to communities where they are most needed as part of CDU’s commitment to addressing health disparities.

The majority of the graduating students were first-generation college graduates or Pell Grant recipients, and represent the University’s commitment to diversity. CDU is the second-most diverse university nationally in terms of student and faculty diversity, is a minority-serving institution, and is recognized by the Department of Education as a Historically Black Graduate Institution (HBGI). One of only four Historically Black Medical Colleges, the University is also a charter Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools member as well as a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Since its inception, CDU has helped nearly ten thousand students start or accelerate their careers in the medical and health professions.

The ceremony featured remarks from CDU faculty and staff including CDU President and CEO Dr. David M. Carlisle , College of Medicine Dean Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Student Affairs Dr. Daphne Calmes, and Interim Provost and Interim Executive VP of Academic Affairs Dr. Sylvia Manning.

“As interns and residents, you will be responsible for the care of your patients; you will have high points and you will have low points,” shared CDU President and CEO, Dr. David M. Carlisle. “So, to all of the family members, all the loved ones, who have been investing in these young individuals…your support is still needed because they are going to be entering into some really challenging positions, but I can assure you that they’ve gotten the best training at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science as they embark on the next part of their career.”

“For us who work at CDU, this is an exciting day because we swell with pride. We are so proud of you,” remarked Dr. Sylvia Manning, Interim Provost and Interim Executive VP of Academic Affairs. “When you reach the peak of the success you’re going to reach, stretch your hand back, reach out to another young person who is as intelligent and motivated and gutsy as you are, and give them a hand because CDU helps to bring just a bit more justice in the world through you.”

All twenty-nine CDU students were successfully matched with a residency. CDU’s soon-to-be doctors were selected to serve their residencies at top-tier institutions across the country from Massachusetts General Hospital on the east coast to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The University of California’s programs were well represented as well with 70% of the graduating seniors remaining in California and 50% of the students picked to complete their residency in Southern California. Specifically, 55% of the students matched in Primary Care specialties, and 10% matched in Family Medicine, which is twice the national average. Some of the most competitive specialties such as Urology were also well represented.

The University of California’s programs were well represented as well with 70% of the graduating seniors remaining in California and 50% of the students picked to complete their residency in Southern California. Specifically, 55% of the students matched in Primary Care specialties, and 10% matched in Family Medicine, which is twice the national average. Some of the most competitive specialties such as Urology were also well represented.

The momentous occasion evoked emotions of excitement for students as they learned where they will receive the next step in their physician training.

CDU student Cristina Valdovinos was matched to the University of California, Los Angeles where she’ll pursue internal medicine through their Primary Care track. “It’s such a full circle moment for me to be here today,” said Valdovinos. I graduated from the high school next door so this is a really, really special day.” Valdovinos is a graduate of King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science which is located directly adjacent to CDU’s campus.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private non-profit student-centered University that is committed to cultivating diverse health professional leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, research, clinical service, and community engagement.  Located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, CDU has undergrad, graduate, and doctoral degree programs, as well as certificate programs, to help start or accelerate careers in health care. CDU is also a leader in health disparities research with a focus on education, training, treatment and care in cancer, diabetes, cardiometabolic and HIV/AIDS.