HBCU Medicine
CDU Welcomes 26 New Physician Assistant Students, Extending a 55-Year Legacy of Care
Twenty-six new students have joined the Physician Assistant program at Charles R. Drew University, carrying forward a 55-year legacy of expanding primary care access in underserved communities.
Published August 19, 2026 · HealthHBCU Newsroom
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) has welcomed 26 new students into its Physician Assistant (PA) program, continuing a 55-year institutional legacy of preparing healthcare professionals to serve underrepresented communities. The incoming cohort joins a profession originally established more than six decades ago to address critical shortages in primary care medicine.
Today, physician assistants serve as essential providers across the medical landscape, conducting exams, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medication, and managing treatment plans. At CDU, the PA program specifically emphasizes delivering compassionate, high-quality care to medically underserved populations, directly aligning with the university's core mission to eliminate health disparities.
Addressing Workforce Shortages and Health Disparities
The need for diverse clinical providers remains urgent, particularly in Black communities that disproportionately face chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Research consistently shows that patient outcomes improve and trust in medical advice increases when care is delivered by culturally competent, diverse healthcare teams.
By preparing new cohorts of PAs, CDU plays a pivotal role in strengthening the healthcare safety net. Graduates are trained not only in clinical excellence but also in understanding the social determinants of health that affect patient wellness long after they leave the clinic or hospital.
A Tradition of Community-Centered Care
Founded in South Los Angeles in the wake of the 1965 Watts Rebellion, CDU has long stood at the intersection of medical education and health equity. Its PA program stands as one of the oldest in the nation, routinely producing clinicians dedicated to primary care and community medicine.
As these 26 students begin their intensive academic and clinical training, they carry forward a tradition built on service, advocacy, and representation. Their entry into the workforce will help expand clinical capacity in regions that need it most, ensuring that more patients receive timely, accessible primary care.
