Michigan State University

College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dean's Update 2025-4

Spring awakening: tradition, tenacity and bold transformation

Spring is a season of new beginnings — and at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), we embrace it with clear eyes and fierce determination.

Remembering a giant in osteopathic medical education

This month, I had the profound honor of attending the memorial service for Dr. John Thornburg, a towering figure in osteopathic medicine whose leadership helped build the foundation we now stand on. Dr. Thornburg taught generations that service, scholarship and a commitment to the osteopathic philosophy must always guide our path. His legacy fuels the work we do today.

MSUCOM at Educating Leaders 2025: Setting the Pace

At the AACOM Educating Leaders 2025 conference this month, MSUCOM made its presence known. Innovation, leadership and the future of osteopathic medical education were the themes — and we were front and center.

Two of our students earned national recognition:

  • Akila Nallabelli — 1st place for her community-driven diabetes education research.
  • Nikila Nallabelli — 3rd place for her study on transportation access and its impact on patient care in street medicine.

Their work exemplifies what MSUCOM stands for: research that matters, education that transforms and service that endures.

Recognition earned, responsibility accepted

At MSUCOM, we don't just rise to the challenge—we set the standard.

Once again, U.S. News & World Report has recognized the strength of our graduates:

  • #2 in the nation for primary care graduates
  • #3 in the nation for service in health professional shortage areas

This isn't luck. This is who we are.

This year, 67% of our graduates will stay right here in Michigan to serve our communities. And 73% of our alums are still here today — healing, leading and making a difference.

In a state with seven medical schools, MSUCOM leads the way:

  • We graduate more physicians each year than any other Michigan medical school.
  • The vast majority stay in Michigan for residency — and for life.
  • Nearly half choose primary care, strengthening the foundation of our health care system.
  • And when it comes to serving underserved communities, we are unmatched.

We don't just talk about service — we live it. We don't just prepare physicians — we prepare changemakers.

At MSUCOM, we are not just a collection of individuals, but a community united by a common purpose. We are proud but never surprised by the achievements of our students and faculty. MSUCOM shows up, and Michigan deserves nothing less. This is the power of our community.

Navigating change

Federal actions are reshaping the landscape of higher education and accreditation nationally. At MSUCOM, we are actively evaluating these changes. We will ensure compliance, but we will not lose sight of our deeper purpose: advancing osteopathic medicine, elevating health care and fiercely protecting our values that make us who we are.

One Team. One Health. One future.

Under the leadership of President Kevin Guskiewicz, MSU is boldly addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges. At the heart of this vision is the One Health initiative, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the health of our environment. This is not just a vision — it's a call to action for all of us to be part of a larger mission.

And who better than MSU, with its breadth and depth across disciplines, to lead the way?

I am honored to represent MSUCOM on the newly formed One Health Council, which will officially launch in the first week of May. Together, we are charged with imagining how MSU can cut across traditional silos to address One Health's challenges through education, research and service.

As part of this transformative work, we are exploring:

  • A unified College of Medicine, offering both D.O. and M.D. degrees — stronger together.
  • A new College of Health Professions to elevate critical health-related disciplines.
  • A Health Sciences Institute focused on driving interdisciplinary innovation at the highest level.

This is more than a moment of change. It's a moment to lead — and MSU is ready.

When it comes to protecting and elevating osteopathic medicine, I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an outstanding group of our own MSUCOM faculty. Together, we are part of a broader task force charged with evaluating and shaping the future of the new College of Medicine.

Representing MSUCOM on this critical effort are:

  • John Goudreau, D.O., Ph.D.
  • J'Aimee Lippert, D.O.
  • Jed Magen, D.O.
  • Anissa Mattison, D.O.
  • Kirsten Waarala, D.O.
  • John Popovich, D.O., Ph.D.
  • Nathan Tykocki, Ph.D.

These exceptional faculty members will be joined by colleagues from other colleges across MSU, ensuring that all voices are heard as we build a future that elevates the entire university in medical and health programs while keeping our osteopathic identity strong and central.

The vision for an Institute for Collaborative Biomedical Research is poised to chart the future of cross-disciplinary innovation at MSU. This task force was formed to break down long-standing silos and create meaningful bridges between discovery science and real-world health outcomes. It builds on MSU's deep strengths in precision health, Global Health, and translational research — bringing together thought leaders committed to reimagining how scientific breakthroughs translate into healthier communities. MSUCOM is proud to be represented by two of our faculty:

  • Terrie Taylor, D.O.
  • Amara Ezeamama, Ph.D.

As part of the broader One Health vision, other university teams will be leading efforts to evaluate the potential launch of a new College of Health Professions and to ensure the accreditation strength of all MSU health programs. These important discussions will help position MSU for long-term excellence across disciplines, and we remain fully engaged as partners in this work.

You can explore the council's work and essential update from President Guskiewicz here.

A proud reflection of osteopathic excellence

During National Osteopathic Medicine Week, we celebrated the core tenets that define us as physicians and as advocates for human connection, whole-person care and community service.

Those principles live daily through our students:

  • In our OMM Clinic, we now serve patients from infants to seniors.
  • We are reaching the most vulnerable in our street medicine and Community Integrated Medicine initiatives.
  • In the new Student-Run Free Clinic, launching this month — because healing belongs everywhere. Stay tuned for additional updates on this new opportunity!

Spring into action: CME opportunities

Ready to keep learning, growing, and leading? Two incredible CME events are on deck:

MOA Spring Conference: May 15-18, Troy, Mich.

Get ready for four days of cutting-edge sessions, inspiring speakers, and some serious Spartan connections! This event has something for everyone, from AI in cardiology to ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care. It's not just about the CME (though there's plenty of that) — it's about recharging with colleagues, sparking new ideas and showing the strength of our MSUCOM community.

Don't miss our MSUCOM reception on Friday evening — a perfect chance to catch up, make new connections, and toast the future of osteopathic medicine. I'll be there and hope to see many of you!

Learn more here.

Join us at the Primary Care Summer Symposium – June 20-22

I'm excited to invite you to the upcoming Primary Care Summer Symposium in Port Huron, Mich.! This event, hosted by MSUCOM, offers a fantastic opportunity to sharpen clinical skills, earn up to 15 AOA 1-A and AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, and reconnect with colleagues and friends who share a commitment to whole-person care.

I'll be there to kick off the event with a Dean's Welcome and would love the opportunity to meet more of our incredible alums, hear your stories and learn about the impact you're making in your communities. Our MSUCOM family is strong, and gatherings like this remind us how powerful our network is.

Let's come together to learn, grow and celebrate the future of osteopathic medicine — I hope to see you there!

More details and registration here.

In closing

Spring is a season of renewal. It reminds us that leadership is not given — it is seized.

Thank you for standing with MSUCOM as we honor our past, drive the present and lead boldly into the future.

With pride and gratitude,

Joyce deJong, D.O.
Dean, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

P.S. I always enjoy hearing from our readers. Feel free to drop me a note: dejongj@msu.edu.