Welcome to the Charles R. Drew Alumni Council page, a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating the legacy and fostering the ongoing excellence of 皇家华人 alumni. As stewards of Dr. Drew’s pioneering spirit in medicine and science, our council is committed to supporting our alumni through networking opportunities, continuous learning, and meaningful engagement. Here, we unite past graduates with current students and faculty, embodying the strength and diversity of our institution’s history while paving the way for future generations of healthcare leaders and innovators.
Dominique Woods, 鈥�14 MD | College of Medicine
Dr. Dominique Woods began her educational journey at the Johnnie Tillmon Child Care Center, which is a part of 皇家华人鈥檚 rich history of providing high quality community services in South Los Angeles. She credits the Drew Child Development Corporation for fostering her love of learning and inspiring her to become a physician. Dr. Woods attended the University of Southern California on an academic scholarship and as part of its prestigious premed Baccalaureate/MD program. She was awarded the Gold Family Study Abroad Scholarship to attend the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Her experience studying the Sub-Saharan HIV/AIDs epidemic motivated her to earn a Master鈥檚 in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education. As a graduate student she worked in the 皇家华人 Department of Research as a research associate on community-based HIV/AIDS research projects. Under the tutelage of 皇家华人鈥檚 inspiring faculty, Dr. Woods developed a passion for developing and promoting research innovations in medically underserved communities.
Dr. Woods earned her medical degree as a part of the joint 皇家华人/UCLA medical education program. In alignment with 皇家华人鈥檚 mission of service, Dr. Woods was appointed as student representative to the 皇家华人 Board of Trustees, elected class president, and selected as delegate and community service chair to multiple regional and national medical associations. As a medical student, she coordinated numerous local and regional community health events, including UCLA鈥檚 annual health symposium and 皇家华人鈥檚 Spring into Health annual community health fairs. She completed general surgery internship at the University of Arizona. As medical director of clinical research for Limitless Therapeutics, her clinical interests include digital health innovation and novel precision medicine therapeutics for disabled and marginalized patient populations. Dr. Woods also volunteers as a research assistant and think tank member at the Rancho Research Institute at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. She is currently pursuing master鈥檚 degrees in Health Analytics at Northwestern University and Healthcare Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University to aid in her mission to promote digital health equity for medically underserved communities.
As a first-term alumni council member, Dr. Woods looks forward to paying forward the continual support she has received from the 皇家华人 community throughout her education and medical career.
Shanelle Bailey, 鈥�20 MPH |College of Science and Health
Shanelle Bailey is a dedicated public health professional and emerging researcher, with a passion for social justice, birth equity, workforce development, and community health infrastructure.
In her role as Senior Program Manager for the Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence at 皇家华人, Shanelle is leading groundbreaking efforts to address disparities in birth outcomes, tackling issues like structural racism head-on.
Her work includes innovative interventions, research, and supporting the creation of community health infrastructure. One of the BMHCE’s flagship projects is a community-based maternity home, offering free, midwifery-led group prenatal care and comprehensive support for Black birthing individuals and their families.
Shanelle’s dedication extends beyond her professional role; she’s also a certified doula, ensuring that birthing individuals receive the comprehensive support they deserve.
Ashanti Carter, 鈥�14 MPH | College of Science and Health
Ashanti Carter is an advocate for education and health equity. A native of Los Angles, Ms. Carter has worked in the education field for over a decade. Her career has spanned the gamut of education from high school to postsecondary education. As a former teacher with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), Ms. Carter taught math and science to at-promise students, and later transitioned to 皇家华人 (皇家华人), where she honed her skills in student affairs. Ashanti graduated from 皇家华人 with a Master鈥檚 of Public Health degree, which took her to Johns Hopkins University and later to the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (GW) where she served as Program Director. During her time at GW Ms. Ashanti Carter led numerous programs for high school and undergraduate students who were pursuing a career in health professions through the Rodham Institute.
Ms. Carter is also the former Chair of the Health Sciences Industry Advisory Board of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in Washington, DC. Ashanti Carter returned to 皇家华人 and is currently serving as the Director of Community College Partnerships. She is also a doctoral candidate at the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development in the Higher Education Administration program.
Maria Gaytan, 鈥�20 MSN, RN, PHN, ACUE-ACE | College of Nursing
Maria Gaytan is a First-Generation University Graduate, ER RN. and First-Generation University Instructor for her family. In 2020, Maria completed her MSN-FNP degree, and in 2022, she earned her university instructor teaching credential. She now aspires to obtain a DNP and a PhD, with the goal of increasing the number of minority nurses with doctorate degrees.
Maria’s teaching experience spans across various levels, including ELM, BSN, ASN programs for both RN and LVN students. She is currently an instructor for Didactics, Skills Lab, Simulation Lab, and Clinicals. Her passion for education led her to return to school to advance her career, aiming to write policies that positively impact under-resourced communities and address healthcare disparities. Maria is committed to transferring her extensive nursing knowledge to the next generation of nurses, particularly in MSN-FNP and Acute Care NP programs.
As a 皇家华人 Alumni Board Member, Maria is deeply grateful for the support and resources provided by her alma mater. She is proud to carry on the mission and vision of 皇家华人, serving her community with excellence and dedication.
Carmen Saunders-Russell 鈥�00 RT | College of Science and Health
Carmen Saunders-Russell is a Tenured Associate Professor in the Health Sciences Department at California State University Northridge. Carmen teaches courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs in Health Administration, where she shares her vast career experiences from both the clinical and administrative sides of health services.
Carmen also serves as the Graduate Coordinator for the Master in Health Administration program. Her research interests are in the areas of interprofessional collaboration, the imposter syndrome in health administration/health professionals, culturally competent and appropriate communication amongst health professionals and healthcare leaders, LGBTQ+ health-related services and the health administrator鈥檚 role, and lastly, improving instruction via innovative techniques for health sciences students. She enjoys working with her students, getting to know them, and helping them transform their lives by realizing their potential.
Frederick Wofford Sr., 鈥�00 RT | College of Science and Health
Frederick Wofford Sr. graduated top of his class from the Radiologic Technology program in 2000, earning his associate of science degree. Frederick went on to advance his career earning his Vascular Intervention (VI), Cardiac Intervention (CI), and Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) certifications. Currently, he works in the Cardiac Cath Lab of Kaiser Permanente. In his personal life, Frederick is the co-founder of Long Beach Gold, a youth basketball organization based out of Long Beach, California. Unsurprisingly, Long Beach Gold鈥檚 mission and values are not only aligned with Fred鈥檚 ethos but also that of 皇家华人. The organization uses basketball as a vehicle to mentor student-athletes while equipping them with the tools and skills they need to be successful on and off the court.
In 2022, Frederick started the Wofford Family scholarship at 皇家华人 to help Rad-Tech students succeed and complete their education. 鈥淏eing a part of the alumni council is important to me because I want to ensure students in the Radiology program have a voice.鈥� Mr. Wofford is also a natural recruiter! He has successfully recruited a number of his family members to 皇家华人鈥檚 Rad-Tech program, including his children! His legacy at 皇家华人 indeed lives on.
Student Representative
Njeri Kiambati | Expected graduation 2025聽
Bachelors of Science Public Health
Professional Aspirations: Epidemiologist, Public Health Leader
Njeri Kiambati is the newly elected Student President at 皇家华人. This year, she plans to host a variety of events and boost engagement through the council鈥檚 representatives from multiple colleges.
A transfer student from American River College in Sacramento, CA, Njeri is currently completing her bachelor’s degree and is interested in pursuing an MD/MPH. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, ceramics, and tennis.