Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), a historically Black medical school in California, has recently established a new partnership with City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States. The partnership aims to educate a more diverse workforce in cancer research to combat the lingering racial and ethnic gap in representation among oncology doctors and scientists.
City of Hope National Medical Center, the organization’s academic institution, will offer internship opportunities to CDU students and provide them with a curriculum in healthcare equity, diversity, and inclusion. Students will have the option to receive mentoring and coaching from City of Hope faculty, who will also teach a four-week class on hematology and oncology for CDU medical students.
“This partnership between City of Hope and CDU represents a significant step towards fostering innovative research and educational opportunities that will benefit both our institutions.” said David M. Carlisle, president of CDU. “By working together, we aim to address health disparities and promote diversity in specialized medical fields, ultimately improving health care outcomes for the communities we serve. This partnership will pave the way for groundbreaking research and provide our students with unparalleled training and mentorship opportunities.”
Going forward, the two institutions plan to expand their partnership by collaborating on other initiatives such as academic exchange programs, training in other medical specialities, research projects, and clinical trials. City of Hope will also look to establish similar partnerships with other historically Black colleges and universities and minority serving institutions.
