Six California-based institutions collaborate to guide CDU

Six California-based institutions specializing in health, hospital, university and nonprofit health announced today the formation of a new and unprecedented collaboration effort to rescue, restructure, reinvigorate and guide Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) towards a new, resurgent and financially viable future. With the support and cooperation of the Board of Trustees at CDU, leaders from The California Endowment, Catholic Healthcare West, Cedars-Sinai Medical, Kaiser Permanente, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC) have committed to develop new governance, reorganize the Board of Trustees, and develop a new management team at CDU.

“CDU's Board of Trustees are pleased to have collaborated with the leaders of these civic-minded institutions to forge a new future for the University. This effort will allow CDU to continue to train the next generation of health professionals who serve our community.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas encouraged the development of this new institutional collaboration to forge a more stable and vibrant future for CDU in South Los Angeles. "This is a timely and critical development for the health, productivity, and well-being of the residents of South Los Angeles," Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said. "Charles R. Drew University is a health professions, research, and economic engine for the community, and I am thrilled that Los Angeles' leading health, academic, and philanthropic institutions are committed to continuing CDU's pivotal role in our community and establishing a dynamic future for the University."

Emeritus Assembly Speaker Karen Bass noted, "I commend this collaborative effort to save and strengthen an institution that is mission-critical to the health of South Los Angeles."

Bart Williams, Esq., the immediate past-chair of the Board of Trustees, stated, "CDU's Board of Trustees are pleased to have collaborated with the leaders of these civic-minded institutions to forge a new future for the University. This effort will allow CDU to continue to train the next generation of health professionals who serve our community." Mr. Williams also stated, "Our outgoing Board members want to acknowledge the leadership role that Dr. Keith Norris has played as interim President and CEO during a difficult financial period at the University." Dr. Norris will resume his position of Vice President of Research at CDU to provide academic and research leadership in service to the community.

Dr. Robert K. Ross, president and CEO of The California Endowment, speaking on behalf of the CDU Collaboration, said, "We have moved with a sense of urgency to protect and preserve a historic institution. These are difficult economic times. The CDU Collaboration was formed to prevent the loss of a significant health research and medical education resource in Los Angeles."

"Over more than 30 years, the University of California and UCLA have had a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Our participation, designed to strengthen Drew, is emblematic of that affiliation," Dr. A. Eugene Washington, UCLA Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences and Dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine said. "Our overarching goal is to help Drew fulfill its mission - which we at UCLA share - to 'care with compassion' for underserved populations," Dr. Washington said.

Dr. C. L. Max Nikias, president of the University of Southern California, commended Supervisor Ridley-Thomas for his determination and leadership in bringing together public and private institutions to help re-launch CDU. "Charles R. Drew University is a community treasure, not just for the citizens of South Los Angeles, but for the nation. Medical research, public health care, and the training of physicians is a high priority for USC and for our partners. We are pleased to serve CDU in this advisory capacity," Dr. Nikias said.

"The role that Charles Drew University plays in advancing healthcare through professional education and research is very important, both as a resource for the community as well as a training center for the physicians and nurses of the future," Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System said. "Cedars-Sinai has a long history of working collaboratively with CDU's faculty and students, and we are pleased to work alongside the other organizations in this effort to forge a stable and strong future for Drew," Mr. Priselac said.

"Our mission is to ensure that quality health care is accessible to everyone," Marvin O'Quinn, executive vice president/chief operating officer for Catholic Healthcare West said. "A strong medical education program at Charles Drew University is a vital part of ensuring the future of health care in South Los Angeles and we're proud to be a part of making this happen," Mr. O'Quinn said.

Dr. M. Roy Wilson, Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Colorado Denver and a renowned ophthalmologist, researcher, and academic leader, was named Chair of the new CDU Board of Trustees. Dr. Cornelius Hopper, Vice President of Health Affairs, Emeritus, University of California, was named Vice Chair. The Board of Trustees is the entity with fiduciary and operational responsibility for the University.

"Our partnership in the CDU Collaboration is part of our shared vision to build healthy communities," Dr. Benjamin Chu, president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said. "At this point in our nation's history it is imperative that we train future generations of health care professionals dedicated to providing culturally responsive care to reduce health disparities," Dr. Chu said.

The new CDU Board of Trustees is expected to include:

• Chair - M. Roy Wilson, M.D., M.S., Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Colorado Denver
• Vice Chair - Cornelius Hopper, M.D., Vice President for Health Affairs, Emeritus, University of California
• Eric Bing, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Endowed Professor of Global Health and HIV, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Diana M. Bontá, R.N., Dr.PH., Vice President, Public Affairs for Kaiser Permanente Southern California
• Patrick T. Dowling, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Director Professor, UCLA and Chair, UCLA Dept. of Family Medicine
• Andrew B. Leeka, M.B.A., M.P.H., President and COO, Good Samaritan Hospital
• James Lott, M.B.A., Executive Vice President, Hospital Association of Southern California
• Marvin O'Quinn, M.P.H., Executive Vice President and COO, Catholic Healthcare West
• Thomas M. Priselac, M.P.H., President and CEO, Cedars-Sinai Health System
• Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., Dean, Keck School of Medicine of USC
• Eugene Washington, M.D., Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences and Dean, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

In addition, a Board of Councilors, chaired by Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, was formed to advise the CDU Board of Trustees and is comprised of senior healthcare and education leaders dedicated to the improvement of health services in South Los Angeles. The Board of Councilors includes:

• Chair - Mark Ridley-Thomas, Ph.D., Supervisor, Los Angeles County
• Gene Block, Ph.D., Chancellor, UCLA
• Benjamin K. Chu, M.D., M.P.H., M.A.C.P., President, Kaiser Permanente Southern California
• Lloyd Dean, Ed.D., President and CEO, Catholic Healthcare West
• Mildred Garcia, Ed.D., President, California State University, Dominguez Hills
• C. L. Max Nikias, Ph.D., President, USC
• Thomas M. Priselac, M.P.H., President and CEO, Cedars-Sinai Health System
• Robert K. Ross, M.D., President and CEO, The California Endowment