Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

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Mayor Villaraigosa Identifies Local Students as Examples of Success During Saturday Science Academy II Junior White Coat Ceremony

Los Angeles , CA --On January 14, 2006, the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s Saturday Science Academy II welcomed City of Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio R. Villaraigosa, as keynote speaker for its Sixth Annual Junior White Coat Ceremony. The Drew University “White Coat” symbolizes the achievement of academic success in the areas of mathematics and the sciences. Held at the King/Drew Medical Magnet High School Gymnasium, the event acknowledged 182 students, as they were presented with the “white coat” symbol of accomplishment while this annual rite of passage was witnessed by friends, family, faculty and fellow classmates.

The Saturday Science Academy II is dedicated to giving minority youth (ages 4 – 18) an opportunity to visualize their dreams of becoming physicians, scientists or other health care professionals through three 8-week sessions highlighting the human anatomy, marine biology, plant life and the natural sciences. This experience is complemented by one 4-week summer intensive mathematics enrichment course geared toward preparing the student for the mathematics component of the scholastic aptitude test (SAT). This innovative program also combines a rich and rigorous curriculum with sessions geared toward career guidance, tutoring, mentoring and parental advisement.

“The annual ceremony represents the pride and tradition our students acquire as they begin to see themselves in the medical field,” said Lorraine Grey, Director for the Charles R. Drew University Saturday Science Academy II. “These students pledge to treasure what they have learned and to continue their quest of one day becoming a dedicated physician.”

As students prepared to put on their first white coat, symbolizing the medical profession; Mayor Villaraigosa gave an inspirational speech to the over 450 attendees, expressing how much talent we have in our community. In his congratulations to the students, the Saturday Science Academy and Drew University; Mayor Villaraigosa praised the event as a “model example of success.” Speaking directly to the students, the mayor remarked:

“I am here because important things are happening here,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “I am here because you are doing important things here. I am here because you are important.”

Shortly after his comments, students recited the Saturday Science Academy II Oath, representing their commitment to higher education and their eventual pursuit of medical and health professions. As a further example of student perseverance in pursuit of becoming a medical professional, Ms. Anekia Braxton, a former graduate of the Saturday Science Academy and now a third year medical student enrolled in the Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program, delivered a motivational presentation to the students on keeping their dreams alive.

Others in attendance at this year’s ceremony included: Bart Harper Williams Esq., Drew University’s Board of Trustees Chairman; Thomas Yoshikawa, MD, Drew’s Provost-COO/Acting President; Randall Foster, MHA, Drew’s Vice President for Administration; Ron Edelstein, EdD, Dean of Drew’s College of Medicine and many of the University’s faculty, students and staff.

For more information about the Saturday Science Academy II, call (323) 563-4926.

Founded in 1966 in response to the lack of adequate medical facilities in the area, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is the only historically Black institution for graduate education in the health professions west of the Mississippi. A private not-for-profit institution, the University’s mission is to conduct education and research in the context of community service in order to train physicians and allied health professionals to provide care with excellence and compassion, especially to underserved populations.