CHDMM

Each year, Loma Linda University Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine hosts an annual Health Disparities Research Symposium on topics is biomedical medicine. 

The Annual Health Disparities Symposium was hosted by the Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine (CHDMM) on July 30, 2025 in Wong Kerlee International Conference. 
 
A special thank you goes to the faculty members from the Schools of Medicine, Behavioral Health, and Public Health who generously opened their labs and served as mentors for the summer program. This year, the symposium featured  student researchers from various programs who presented outstanding posters and short oral presentations.
•    Apprenticeship Bridge to College Program (ABC)
•    Undergraduate Training Program (UTP)
•    LLU-NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program (IMSD)
•    Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
•    Behavioral Health Research Training Program
•    Macpherson Society Scholars
•    School of Public Health Participant (SPH)
•    Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Health Care Participant (VA)
 
CHDMM's pathway programs, including ABC, UTP, and IMSD, have been instrumental in shaping the careers of 650 alumni. Of these, 205 have enrolled in doctoral programs nationwide, including 53 at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. These programs, along with other LLU research initiatives, are collectively working towards nurturing the next generation of health professionals and researchers. Their dedication to reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes in communities is truly commendable.

The central theme of the symposium is student development and training. The symposium showcases the outstanding biomedical research work of our doctoral and summer research fellows. The number and quality of the scientific presentations speaks highly of our students and the commitment of our faculty mentors. 

There is national consensus of the urgency to develop a competent scientific and medical workforce to address serious health needs affecting our communities, especially, disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by preventable diseases. The Loma Linda University Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine (LLU CHDMM) is a center of excellence committed to training a biomedical workforce that is becoming instrumental in eliminating health disparities and developing healthier communities nationwide and globally.

The CHDMM is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) designated Center of Excellence in health disparities. The CHDMM was established in 2005 by an award from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH (1 P20 MD006988). The Center also hosts the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program funded by an educational research training award by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH (2R25 GM060507). Integrating these programs has provided synergy to our research and educational goals at the LLU School of Medicine. The Center has four integrated cores:

  1. Administration
  2. Research
  3. Research Training and Education
  4. Community Outreach and Partnership

These core areas are key in achieving the Center’s mission and implementing health and research initiatives.

Past Health Disparities Research Symposiums