Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Higher EducationCalifornia, United States501-1000 Employees
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, nonprofit institution focused on higher education in medicine and health sciences, based in Los Angeles. Located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, the university emphasizes educating and training health professionals who can serve underserved communities and promote wellness through education, research, and clinical services. It traces its roots to the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School, established in 1966, and became a university in 1987, adopting the current name to reflect its broader academic mission. CDU has been designated as a minority-serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education and is recognized as a Historically Black Graduate Institution, underscoring its role in diversifying medical education. In early 2026, the university launched the Bio-Entrepreneurship Initiative Pathway Accelerator program, signaling an expanded emphasis on biotechnology-related education and entrepreneurship.