Who We Are
A Private University with a Public Mission
We are a private, nonprofit, community-founded, student-centered University committed to cultivating diverse health professions leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations.
Â鶹´«Ã½Å®Íøºìoffers undergraduate and graduate degrees, and certificate programs, across a range of health and medical professions.
We are the second-most diverse university in the nation in terms of both student and faculty diversity. We are also proud to be one of only four Historically Black Medical Colleges, a charter Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools member and a Historically Black Graduate Institution (HBGI).
At CDU, we envision a world without health disparities. We are actively investing in tomorrow’s healthcare leaders for the good of underserved communities across the nation.
Mission Driven, Community Focused
Charles R. Drew University is located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of south Los Angeles and was founded in 1966 in the wake of the Watts uprising. Â鶹´«Ã½Å®Íøºìwas founded to address inadequate medical care in the region and to provide equitable medical education opportunities for under-represented students.
Â鶹´«Ã½Å®Íøºìoffers the only historically black Doctor of Medicine program west of the Mississippi, and is strongly invested in the local and regional community. The university leads multiple partnerships and programs to provide equitable healthcare resources in a variety of south Los Angeles neighborhoods.
President and Leadership
David M. Carlisle, MD, PhD
University President
Dr. Carlisle is a published author in health policy, quality of care, medical education diversity and eliminating health disparities. A board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, his clinical work has always revolved around caring for the underserved.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Å®ÍøºìAdvantage
Breaking New Ground
Learn more about Â鶹´«Ã½Å®ÍøºìRising, our comprehensive fundraising campaign to help fuel our mission and propel our vision. Included in this campaign is the construction of a brand new Health Professions Education building.
