Michigan State University

College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dean’s Update 2024-05

May News and Notes from the Dean’s Desk

 

Looking toward the future

As I reflect on some busy few months in the college and on my first four months as dean, it feels like the perfect time to look ahead. During this period, I’ve engaged with as many people as possible—our faculty, staff and students within the college; colleagues across MSU; and alumni, friends and supporters outside the college like the Michigan Hospital Association and the Michigan Osteopathic Association. To all of you, I extend a heartfelt 'thank you' for such positive experiences!

While I’ve been gathering information and connecting with many of you, the college has been progressing as well. We celebrated the graduation of our 2024 class of osteopathic physicians who are now moving on to their residencies, we welcomed our new class of PA students who just completed orientation and will receive their white coats next month, and we will welcome our new D.O. and D.O.- Ph.D. class in July. As we anticipate these upcoming milestones, I’d like to share with you other activity happening in our college, as well as our plans for the future of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Partnerships cross the college, university and the state

One highlight is IMPART Alliance, housed in the college and led by Executive Director Clare Luz, Ph.D., associate professor in the college’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, was awarded a $25 million state grant to help in its work to support the Direct Care Workforce (DCW) through training and credentialing, as well as career pathways and advocacy. The grant is from the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, using funds through the state’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Spending Plan, supported by the federal American Rescue Plan Act., and will help to establish a Direct Care Career Center to increase pathways into the field and transform the public view to recognize DCWs as a respected profession.

In addition, Luz is co-chairing the statewide DCW Advisory Committee that has been meeting since 2020, which while working with others across the state, has made progress with some issues facing DCWs, including raising pay rates. You may read more about the program here.

This work reflects how our people in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine are reaching across barriers and working to bring together people to serve Michiganders and our communities, embodying MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz’s vision of MSU as One Team. This is a perfect example of a bold project that requires resources and knowledge from across our great institution. I’m excited to see how we and Michigan can lead the way for improvement in the Direct Care Workforce. I also wanted to give a shoutout to Bill Beekman, vice president for strategic initiatives for MSU, for his offer to assist navigating this amazing and complex university to achieve these goals.

College leads profession in OMM

While meeting and speaking with as many people in the college as possible, I recently had the pleasure to visit our Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) clinic. The clinic, along with our Department of OMM, are amazing! I now understand why we are the largest OMM clinic in the country, as well as the largest OMM training program. I had the opportunity to stop in and meet with our faculty who both teach future physicians this medical art and serve patients with OMM, learning more about how these amazing physicians are making a positive impact in so many lives and helping patients reach their health goals.

Initiatives strive to ensure work of the college aligns with our collective values

In addition to this great work, we also initiated efforts to redefine the Dean’s Executive Board (DEB) to ensure it aligns with our collective values and serves our community effectively. In early May, the DEB met to reaffirm and discuss our values as leaders of COM. As we continue these vital conversations, our goal is to achieve alignment and unity within the college, guiding us toward a shared and inspiring vision for the future. Strong leadership is crucial to this process, and together, we will build a brighter future for our college.

This work is part of our broader agenda to develop a new college strategic plan, a process that kicked off this month. We’ve engaged the Academy for Advancing Leadership (AAL) and formed a Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC), chaired by Katherine Ruger, Ed.D., senior associate dean for strategic initiatives and executive chief of staff. Additional SPSC members are:

  • Michael Burry, D.O.
  • Maksymilian Chruszcz, Ph.D.
  • Joyce deJong, D.O.
  • Amara Ezeamama, Ph.D.
  • Stephanie Jalaba, PA
  • Ali Jenner, MS
  • David Kaufman, D.O.
  • Kimberly Lamacchia
  • Rebecca Malouin, Ph.D.
  • Alex Matisse, OMSI
  • Aaron Pahl, CPA
  • Mark Schury, D.O.
  • Arpon Shahed, D.O.
  • Abby Struble, OMSIII
  • John Taylor, Ph.D.
  • Sarah Tilden, Ph.D.
  • Kirsten Waarala, D.O.

Earlier this month, the SPSC participated in an initial retreat with our AAL consulting team to discuss strategic planning, review an osteopathic-oriented environmental scan, and review preliminary data.

As Dr. Ruger shared in her message to the college on May 16, MSU Interim Provost Thomas D. Jeitschko, Ph.D., visited the SPSC and emphasized the college’s significant role within MSU, expressing his enthusiasm and support for our strategic planning process. The SPSC discussed our college’s vision, mission, values and overarching goals derived from an initial SWOT/four frames analysis. We plan to include these ideas in a college-wide survey to gather feedback from everyone. Each voice – your voice – is crucial to creating our shared vision and achieving our collective success.

Additionally, AAL will interview key university and external stakeholders to gather their perspectives and explore ways to best advance COM’s vision. They will also conduct focus groups to collect feedback on emerging strategic ideas identified by the survey and interviews.

2024 Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service Award

I had the distinct honor of presenting the Patenge Medal of Public Service award to Robert G. G. Piccinini, D.O., the highest honor given by our college. For over 20 years, Dr. Piccinini has provided exemplary psychiatric care in Macomb County, demonstrating compassion and dedication to his patients. As the first D.O. in the Forensic Psychiatry Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, he paved the way for D.O.s in prestigious residency programs. His public service is equally impressive, having served in various leadership roles, including president of the Macomb County Osteopathic Medical Association and Michigan's representative to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). In July 2024, he will be elected President-Elect of the AOA, making history as the first MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate and psychiatrist to hold this position. Additionally, Dr. Piccinini contributes to education and public safety as a director of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and supports future physicians through multiple endowed scholarships at MSUCOM. Outside his professional achievements, he values family and friends, and enjoys perfecting his barbeque skills. (At a recent event at Dr. Piccinini’s home, I was able to personally attest to his barbequing skills, which are already perfect!)

This is an exciting time for the college.

Thank you once again for all you do for the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Warm regards,

Joyce deJong, D.O.
Dean