CDU Students Attend Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Meeting
The inaugural class of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) 4-year MD program, residents, and College of Medicine leadership made a memorable appearance at the July 11 meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The students were extended an invitation by Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to participate in the session, where they were acknowledged for their presence during the discussion of Agenda Item 10.
“We are joined today by an amazing group of young people who are the inaugural class of the Charles Drew University of Medicine Medical School,” said Supervisor Mitchell. “This is the second day of medical school, and they have chosen to come and be with us today as a reflection of their commitment to not only study medicine, but what the study of medicine will do in their effort to address issues of social justice and racial inequality. And so I’m glad that you’re here to witness your government in action– the good and the bad, if you will.”
The agenda item, titled, “New Actions to Provide Debt Relief and Support to Student Borrowers,” resonated with the CDU students, many of whom are facing significant financial challenges in pursuit of their medical education. The motion presented by supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Lindsey P. Horvath proposed a series of actions aimed at helping student borrowers cope with the burden of loans, including disseminating information about debt relief programs.
While expressing her support in favor of the motion, Supervisor Mitchell addressed the extra weight the first-year medical students were carrying in pursuit to become physicians.
“When we recognize the extra burden they will face as first-year medical students, because of the supreme court decision, when we recognize the number of Latinx and African American doctors this medical school will produce for L.A. county, and we are asking them to incur this debt on top of the debt that they’ve incurred as undergrads, please know that we tip our hat to you,” remarked Supervisor Mitchell. “Stay in there. Stick with it. You know, we need you. So, I’m glad that this motion asks for our county departments to stay involved in that process, and I think it’s great for us to be proactive about our outreach and communication to the public.”
Following the discussion, the motion was unanimously carried 5-0, signifying the Board’s commitment to supporting student borrowers and exploring avenues to ease the burden of student loans.