Dean's Update 2023-12

December 19, 2023

Reflecting on the year while looking forward to 2024

The final calendar page on 2023 will soon be turned, and we will turn our attention toward a new year with new opportunities, including the excitement we all share in welcoming our new dean come February. I am particularly pleased that Dr. Joyce deJong has chosen to lead our college. Her numerous clinical, research, educational and outreach experiences will no doubt help guide the college in new and exciting directions, and I, like you, look forward to seeing how our college continues to flourish under her leadership. At this time, however, I’d like to take a moment to briefly review this year, to look at the accomplishments we have achieved in the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and celebrate them.

I will highlight some of those accomplishments here, but note that we will be publishing the 2023 annual report in January and will share more details in that publication. This will be our first annual report in several years, and we hope you find it a useful resource and point of pride.

One of the moments that stick out for me each and every year – and something I’ve enjoyed participating in as dean – is our annual match day and commencement. Those are the highlights for our medical students who learn where they will do their residency and then celebrating those same medical students as they walk across the stage to be hooded during commencement. The culmination of all their work is celebrated in those moments before they leave the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine for the next steps in their careers as physicians.

MSUCOM Student News

The 2023 graduating class continued our impressive match rate into residency with 99% of our students matching. The 2023 graduating class entered residencies in 25 specialties across 18 states, with 44% heading into primary care residencies. Of the class, 77% entered a residency in Michigan. Since I became dean, I have had the pleasure of handing out diplomas to over 1,800 D.O.s, nearly one quarter of the entire output of our college since its inception! Our college has collectively seen an average 98-99% residency placement during each year of my tenure as dean, with about 76% of each class staying in Michigan for their residencies. As I often say, we are Michigan’s Medical School.

We shared the impact our college has had nationally and in the state over the years earlier in 2023 in one of my Dean’s Updates. In fact, for the new incoming President of MSU, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, we provided these details and more as a response to the question, “What makes your college unique at MSU?” I was pleased to hear President-elect Guskiewicz parallels our views that Michigan State is Michigan’s university and hope our example as the lead provider of physicians to the state helps him accomplish his goals, as well. You may see more of those details by reading the Dean’s Update and visiting the Our Impact page of our website where you will find maps and information about our positive impact for patients and the state’s economy.

The continued success of our students in residency placements is in large part due to our Statewide Campus System (SCS) consortium for Graduate Medical Education. This program is the result of longstanding partnerships the college has with more than 30 member hospitals and six federally qualified health centers across Michigan. The SCS, an important educational source for the affiliated hospital members in Michigan, provides educational programs and opportunities for pre-doctoral students, as well as interns, residents and fellows. It is because of this program that most of our graduates entering a Michigan residency enter a MSUCOM-SCS-affiliated program.

The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine also welcomed its second class of students to its Physician Assistant (PA) Medicine Program in May 2023. The PA students are working in their unique curriculum and entering their second semester. At the same time, we are planning for our first PA class to graduate in May.

College Education News

Revisions to our curriculum were launched this year for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and D.O.-Ph.D. students.

Led by Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education Kirsten Waarala, D.O., and the Curriculum Review Task Force, feedback was gathered from students, faculty and staff, in an effort to revise the curriculum to better serve and prepare MSUCOM students for their work as physicians. We also moved back the start date for the D.O. school entering class to July 10 to provide more time for students completing undergraduate programs before beginning medical school, and added a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences for those D.O. students who successfully complete preclerkship coursework, but who may not complete their D.O.

Making a Difference

As we look at our accomplishments over this year, I also want to take a moment to recognize and thank each of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners and friends for serving people and communities and always showing respect and dignity to all people. This important tenet of the osteopathic philosophy is evident each day in our college and through our people. Whether it’s serving patients, supporting students or in our interactions with others, this is demonstrated each and every day.

Thank you for your support and partnership throughout 2023 and during my time here as dean. As we take a moment to look back at 2023, I am grateful for each of you and all we have accomplished together here at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year and discovering the new things we will accomplish together.

Look for our 2023 annual report next year.

Dean Andrea Amalfitano, D.O., Ph.D.