Historically Black Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in California has established a new partnership with Sutter Health, a national health care system, to address inequities in the health care industry across the state of California.
At the start of the current academic year, Charles R. Drew University established its newly accredited medical school with its inaugural class of 60 medical students, making it the fourth historically Black medical school in the United States. With support from Sutter Health, the new medical school will expand its scholarship, academic, and research opportunities over the next 10 years.
Sutter Health has pledged an initial investment of $7.5 million to Charles R. Drew University which will support two initiatives. Through the 2028 academic year, the funding will provide a total of 25 full-tuition scholarships, with the goal to increase the number of diverse physicians in California. The investment from Sutter Health will also establish the Health Equity Alliance for Research and Evaluation to serve as a lab for health equity and clinical practice research. Additionally, the health care company will provide learning opportunities to Charles R. Drew University students through its Institute for Advancing Health Equity.
“This unique collaboration marks a significant step toward building a more equitable health care system in California,” said David M. Carlisle, president and CEO of Charles R. Drew University. “This is just the beginning of our work to clear paths for medical education, enhanced clinical care, robust research, and improved community health.”
