Gogian Foundation Grants Another $25,000 to WesternU Disabilities Center
The John Gogian Family Foundation has awarded a second grant for $25,000
to Western University of Health Sciences’ (WesternU) Center for Disability
Issues and the Health Professions(CDIHP).
The grant will fund the purchase of a wheelchair-accessible computer
terminal and table, a Braille printer and learning disabilities software
for CDIHP’s Ed Tessier Learning Center. It will also support the
development of disabilities curriculum for health professionals, according
to CDIHP Director Brenda Premo.
“”The John Gogian Family Foundation was instrumental in getting CDIHP
started,”” said Premo. “”We are open and operating today thanks in large
part to the seed money they provided.”” The previous $25,000 grant helped
establish an Internet site to educate health professionals about
prevention, health maintenance and health care services for persons with
disabilities.
CDIHP was established in 1998 to enhance health professions education and
improve access for people with disabilities to health, health education
and health care services. The initial goals of the Center are to develop
disability awareness curriculum at pre- and post-graduate levels; to
increase the number of qualified health professionals with disabilities;
and to train people with disabilities to become active participants in
their health care. CDIHP also aims to develop and distribute research on
community-based health care education, prevention and services for persons
with disabilities.
Businessman John Gogian founded the Torrance-based John Gogian Family
Foundation in 1982. The Foundation’s main areas of support include the
physically and mentally disabled, the prevention and treatment of child
abuse and care for the elderly. In addition to its support of CDIHP, the
Foundation has established the David Gogian Center for New Viral
Infections at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and
sponsors a major scholarship program for graduates of the Compton Unified
School District.
For more information on CDIHP or the John Gogian Family Foundation, please
contact WesternU’s Media Relations Department at (909) 469-5479 or visit
the University’s Web site at www.westernu.edu.