CUSM Receives Grant From Bank of America to Support Access to Healthcare in Rural Inland Empire Communities

The $10K grant will support clinical skills training to rural IE health providers

COLTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) today announced the receipt of a grant from Bank of America to support the university's efforts to provide in-situ simulation-based clinical equipment and training to healthcare facilities and providers in the most rural areas of the Inland Empire.

"We are pleased and proud that Bank of America shares our mission to address the most pressing healthcare challenges in our region," said Paul Lyons, MD, President and Dean of CUSM. "In addition to our teaching mission, we are committed to finding near-term, innovative solutions to provide training, access, and equipment to current providers in areas suffering most severely from a lack of healthcare resources. The generous Bank of America grant will help us make this happen."

CUSM utilizes a state-of-the-art clinical simulation suite designed to educate medical students, train residents, and provide ongoing training for practicing physicians and other healthcare professionals across the Inland Empire. The facility is equipped with 15 individual patient rooms dedicated to Standardized Patient encounters, allowing for realistic patient interaction and assessment. Additionally, the center features four large-team simulation rooms equipped with high-fidelity simulators. These rooms are designed for team-based training, enabling collaborative learning and crisis management in a controlled, clinical environment. To maximize learning outcomes, the suite also includes three debriefing rooms in which students and professionals can reflect on their simulation experiences and discuss improvements and strategies. This comprehensive setup ensures a thorough and immersive learning experience that prepares healthcare providers for a wide range of clinical scenarios.

"The CUSM clinical simulation center is pivotal in equipping our future rural doctors with the practical experience, in-depth knowledge, and essential decision-making skills required for effective medical practice," stated Gordon Green, MD, CUSM Senior Associate Dean for Simulation and Patient Safety. "This training is instrumental in ensuring current doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can deliver the highest standard of patient care." Dr. Green highlighted the operational challenges of replicating such a dynamic training environment in real-world settings, expressing gratitude for the support that makes it possible. "We are immensely grateful to Bank of America for their partnership and generous contribution. Their commitment is crucial in helping us extend the reach of this valuable training to the field."

CUSM enrolls 130 new medical students each year for the four-year MD degree and 60 students in the 10-month Master of Biomedical Sciences program. On average nearly 30 percent of incoming MD students are from the Inland Empire region and 22 percent are the first in their families to pursue higher education. CUSM provides admissions priority for both programs to qualified students from the Inland Empire.

"Access to essential health care is a major determinant for personal and financial success. That is why CUSM's focus on our rural communities is so important," said Bansree Parikh, president, Bank of America Inland Empire. "As one of the fastest growing and largest combined counties in the nation, it takes innovative approaches like this along with strong partnerships to get these critical resources to those who need it most."

About California University of Science and Medicine

California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) is dedicated to advancing the art and science of medicine through medical education, research, and compassionate healthcare delivery in an inclusive environment. The university provides medical education and community resources designed to inspire, motivate, and empower students to become excellent and caring physicians, scientists, and leaders. CUSM is a not-for-profit health sciences university established in 2015 through a private-public partnership with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center as its teaching hospital, the County of San Bernardino, the City of Colton, and Prime Healthcare Foundation.

Learn more at www.cusm.edu.