CDU Welcomes New Class of Medical Students
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) celebrated a milestone as 60 students received their white coats in a symbolic ceremony, becoming the fourth cohort to join the University’s historic four-year medical degree program, bringing total enrollment in the program to 240 students.
The white coat ceremony marked the beginning of the students’ journey into the medical profession and served as a powerful affirmation of CDU’s mission to cultivate health professionals dedicated to social justice and health equity.
During the ceremony, David M. Carlisle, MD, PhD, CDU President and CEO, reflected on the University’s founding following the 1965 Watts uprising and the role it plays in the Watts/Willowbrook community.
“We are here to serve this community and communities like it. To serve people who cannot get access to care and who are underserved medically,” shared Dr. Carlisle.
“If you ever wonder why we are here, what you’re doing, whether you’re going to pass that examination in the morning, just remember, you’re here for this community, because this community is here for you.”
Kareem King, Jr., second-year medical student and Class of 2029 President, welcomed the incoming class and encouraged them to embrace their responsibility.
“CDU is a gem that we must fiercely hold on to and protect,” said King. “Whether you come from the exact backgrounds that birthed this institution or not, it is now your collective responsibility to carry that mission forward, and it is your duty to leave Willowbrook and South Central Los Angeles better than you found it.”
Delivering the keynote address was Rasheed Ivey, MD ’19, an anesthesiologist, physician entrepreneur, professor, and proud CDU alumnus. Dr. Ivey expressed the magnitude of the moment and the commitment that accompanies wearing a white coat.
“The white coach you received today represents preparation. Preparation to remain calm when others panic, preparation to listen before speaking, preparation to keep learning long after graduation, and preparation to earn trust one patient at a time,” said Dr. Ivey. “Wear this coat with humility, excellence, and compassion. Stay curious, stay teachable, and stay grateful.”
The Class of 2030 is composed of 36 women and 24 men, with students reporting proficiency in 16 languages other than English. Many are first-generation college students and come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, bringing lived experiences that reflect the communities they will one day serve.
The future physicians will be positioned to help address the need for greater physician workforce representation and expanded access to care to under-resourced communities across Los Angeles County and beyond.
The milestone took on added significance as CDU officially unveiled its new Health Professions Education Building immediately following the ceremony. The four-story, 60,000-square-foot facility will serve as the new home of the College of Medicine and a learning hub for students across the University.