King/Drew

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

King/Drew Medical Center (also known as Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center or King/Drew) is a hospital located in Willowbrook, an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The hospital was named after civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Charles R. Drew, a pioneer in blood transfusion and storage.

History[edit | edit source]

King/Drew Medical Center was opened in 1972 as a direct response to the Watts Riots in 1965, where it was determined that medical services in South Los Angeles were insufficient. The hospital was designed to serve the surrounding predominantly African-American community.

Services[edit | edit source]

King/Drew Medical Center provides a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, general medicine, surgery, and specialty care. The hospital is also a teaching hospital, affiliated with the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

Controversies[edit | edit source]

The hospital has faced numerous controversies over the years, including allegations of patient neglect, mismanagement, and medical errors. In 2004, the hospital lost its accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Closure and Reopening[edit | edit source]

In 2007, the hospital was closed due to ongoing concerns about patient safety and quality of care. However, it was reopened in 2015 as the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, with a focus on providing high-quality care to the underserved communities in South Los Angeles.

See also[edit | edit source]

King/Drew Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD