LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Susan Kelly, President and CEO of the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Dr. Drew Allbritten were married on Friday, August 24, 2007, in an intimate seaside ceremony in Laguna Niguel in Southern California.
The ceremony started just as the sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean, on whose Australian shores Dr. Kelly grew up. Her 20-year old twin daughters, Petra and Stephanie, walked down the aisle, preceded by Tamlin Allbritten, the groom's sister, as Honor Attendant or "Best Woman."
Drs. Kelly and Allbritten were surrounded by family and friends, and distinguished guests. Among the VIPs in attendance included, Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (52nd District) and his wife, Alice Dymally, Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA 33rd), University Board Members, Bart Williams Esq. (Chair), Drs. Henry Foster, Henry Lucas, Patrick Dowling, and Carole Jordan-Harris, Ms. Martha Valverde, and Emeritus Trustees, Drs. Henry Williams, Norman Cottman, and LaDoris McClaney. Visitors from Australia included the bride's high school English teacher and mentor, Gwen Filbee, her sister, Vivienne Marris, and brother-in-law Richard Marris.
The Honorable Dr. Drew Allbritten was a reformer in the Michigan legislature before spending seven years as a Presidential appointee in urban, economic development and intergovernmental relations in the White House. Since 1988, he has served former Presidents Bush (41) and Clinton on technology and other policy formation. He has held several CEO positions in non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing adult and higher education, public schools, teachers' interests and opportunities for children with disabilities. Currently, he is an Executive Management Consultant with Assist Management Consulting LLC, a private non-profit consulting firm in Pasadena.
Dr. James Kyle Jr., a minister and also Vice President for Strategic Development at the Charles Drew University, performed the moving service. Dr. Kyle spoke of the couple's similar humble beginnings, setbacks and careers of achievement, their devotion to each other and their demonstrated commitment to leaving the world a better place than they found it: these days in the South Los Angeles community they both proudly serve.
The couple met at a Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organizations meeting in Washington D.C. in September 2005.
"I thought, 'here is an intelligent woman, a savvy organizational leader. someone who truly cares about making a difference.' I wanted to get to know her better," Allbritten said. "I guess I did just that!"
In a poignant moment at the wedding reception, the groom shared his admiration for his bride's courage and strength and her devotion to seeing the University's vision become a reality.
"It's hard sometimes," Allbritten said, "to see her with her two cell phones and multiple brief cases at the end of the day, emotional about another blow, carrying the weight of her faculty, students, staff and community on her shoulders. But her determination is fierce and I'm here to tell you that I will be right there with her."
During the official toast, Assemblyman Dymally presented the bride and groom with a special gift from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, reading a letter stating that the $10 million allocated from Prop 1D funds for the University's new research and nursing education building is secure, which means a spring 2008 groundbreaking is on schedule. Former Lieutenant Governor Dymally also presented a personal letter of best wishes from the Governor congratulating the couple on their marriage, a perfect ending to a perfect evening.
Drs. Kelly and Allbritten have taken a brief honeymoon, "Because there is too much work to do at the University and in the community," Dr. Kelly said.
"And, I fully support my wife's commitment and devotion to her work," said Dr. Allbritten.
As witnessed by all in attendance, there is no doubt Dr. Kelly is determined on delivering the promises made to the University and community. "This will be her legacy," said one guest.
ABOUT THE CHARLES DREW UNIVERSITY:
A private non-profit educational institution in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science has provided quality college, graduate and post-graduate education and training to thousands of qualified minority and other students for more than 35 years. As part of its mission, the University has also provided urgently needed healthcare services to chronically underserved residents of the poorest communities in Los Angeles County, serving the 1.7 million citizens in its 94-square-mile service area. If this service area were a municipality, it would be the fifth largest city in the U.S.
The University is widely regarded as an innovative medical education university pioneering in teaching doctors and healthcare professionals, and in conducting quality research, to deal with the special needs of the poor, chronically ill populations in the inner city. By expanding relationships with local medical school, research institutions and community-based organizations, the University is focused on eliminating health care disparities by providing access to and delivery of vital health care services to underserved populations. The University has been remarkably successful in achieving its primary goal of producing physicians and other healthcare professionals who return to the community to serve people who are uninsured or underinsured. It has graduated over 500 medical doctors, 2,500 physician specialists, 2,000 physician assistants and hundreds of other health professionals.
The Charles Drew University's unique environment of providing medical education has been lauded as a national model. Research shows both that its students become more committed to the mission as they progress through their medical education and that 10 years after graduation, 70% of Charles Drew University trained physicians are still working with underserved populations.