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.