Charles Drew returned to Howard University in 1941 as a Professor of Surgery at Freedmen’s Hospital. Drew changed his priorities and focused on training African American doctors. His dream to raise the standard training level of “black” doctors became more important to him than his research. He worked hard to train and establish a generation of “black” doctors who would be more highly skilled than “white” doctors. He had high expectations for his students and required the best and most professional attitude. When he taught at the University, the classrooms were always full of ready-to-learn students. Drew’s great knowledge and dedication inspired students and he believed that training new doctors was his “greater contribution to medicine.” When his students where given their certification exams along with “white” doctors, they came out at the top of their class. His students spoke highly of him and went on to be great doctors and supporters of Drew’s efforts. For Drew, it was never about getting rich or working for the money, he did it to serve others.
“Every worth while act of behalf of disadvantaged children only helps the children and the person doing the act, it also tears down another brick in the wall of prejudice.” -Dr. Charles Drew