Building the Next Generation of Health Professionals: A Student-Centered Initiative

The Framing the Future Task Force highlights that “a decreasing percentage of MPH graduates will be employed in traditional public health agencies, while an increasing percentage will be employed in a wide-range of settings.” Research in the area of health disparities and health equity determine that inter-professional approaches better address population health. Thus, MPH programs should provide an inter-disciplinary education to meet employers’ needs, foster student learning, and prepare them for their changing workforce as the Task Force stated. After interviewing multiple stakeholders for the planning of an inter-disciplinary seminar, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) hosted a one-day student summit entitled, "Growing the Next Generation of Health Professionals".  This summit engaged Los Angeles County (LAC) students across various academic programs with leading experts in an overview of defining, understanding, and addressing health disparities within the context of community engagement, translational research, and clinical service. Outcomes included a student-led research initiative in which students come together to support community health in LAC, while developing inter-disciplinary skills. Students developed a mission “to foster a student driven research initiative that promotes a healthier South LA through innovative efforts in community partnered research education and service” centered around values of compassion, empathy, and humility.