Dean’s Update 2024-06
June News and Notes from the Dean’s Desk
Welcome to the June 2024 Dean's Update, where this month I am highlighting a few of my recent activities and expressing my gratitude to our stakeholders.
Connecting and Building Relationships for the Future
As I continue to meet with individuals connected to and passionate about the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), I am constantly reminded of what a special place this college truly is. Whether speaking with students, faculty or staff, I am inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm for the vital work being done here. I encounter the same energy and commitment when traveling and engaging with our partners across the state and country – such as the Michigan Osteopathic Association and our dedicated alums. It is a fantastic "problem" to have – so many supporters eager to assist me in my journey as dean of this incredible college. I want to personally express my deep gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support.
Part of my role as dean involves maintaining our solid relationships and forging new ones. During June, I had the pleasure of meeting many people whose grace and kindness uplifted me, and I am excited about what the future holds, thanks to all of you. I have had the honor of meeting many of our stakeholders across Michigan and the country, primarily to thank them for their continued support of MSUCOM. These visits have also allowed me to learn more about the college's history and gather valuable feedback about our future. I am particularly excited about the potential of our future collaborations, which I believe will bring about transformative changes for our college.
One of my early June meetings was in Las Vegas with Glen Hatcher, D.O. (MSUCOM 1975). I am pleased to thank Dr. Hatcher for his generous contributions over the years to support endowed scholarships. These gifts significantly reduce debt and stress for our students as they train to become physicians. We also discussed potential future partnerships, including a joint research project and a mentorship program for our students. Dr. Hatcher is a member of MSU's Snyder Society, which recognizes donors with $100,000-$249,999 in cumulative giving, and the Landon Society, which honors those who have included MSU in their estate planning. We are deeply grateful for his support.
In Las Vegas, I also met with Charles McSwain, D.O. (MSUCOM 1985), and Frank Anderson, D.O. (Kansas City University COM 1997), both supporters of our college through financial contributions to student scholarships. During our meeting, we brainstormed ideas and initiatives to increase the enrollment of under-represented medical students, addressing a critical need nationwide. Some of the ideas we discussed include a scholarship program specifically for under-represented students, mentorship opportunities and partnerships with local high schools and community organizations. We will soon share more news about our collaborations with Dr. McSwain and Dr. Anderson on these and other initiatives.
I was thrilled to meet one of our stars, Kamran Khan, D.O. (MSUCOM 2010). Dr. K
I rounded off my visit to beautiful Nevada with a visit to Dr. Keith Blum (MSUCOM 1977), a very busy neurosurgeon in Las Vegas. This was followed by a dinner with Dr. Inge Ferguson (MSUCOM 1998) and Mr. Scott Ferguson, both enormous fans and strong supporters of MSU. Dr Ferguson introduced me to Dr. Mahdi Moezzi (MSUCOM 2019) and Mrs. Lauren Moezzi, an enthusiastic young alum eager to engage with us.
As I write this, I am riding to beautiful Traverse City for the MSUCOM Summer Symposium where I will meet many more alumni and attend an event at the home of Terrie Taylor, D.O., University Distinguished Professor and Foundations Professor at MSUCOM. Dr. Taylor, an internationally recognized expert on malaria, spends half the year in Malawi studying the disease that continues to kill hundreds of thousands, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa. This event will gather Malawi Project supporters, who will receive updates on the program and its impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to engage directly with Dr. Taylor and our program supporters.
These are just a few examples of the incredible partnerships we are fortunate to have and the ongoing work at MSUCOM made possible by our donors and partners. As the dean of MSUCOM, I am extending a warm invitation to our esteemed alumni. If you are interested in learning more about the future direction of the college, have questions or ideas about how to move the college forward or want to explore opportunities to engage with us, such as participating in applicant interviews, teaching our students or providing financial support for scholarships and exciting research occurring in the college, I would be thrilled to connect with you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at dejongj@msu.edu. Your involvement is crucial to the ongoing success of our college, and I eagerly look forward to the possibility of working together.
I want to conclude my message with sincere gratitude to Dr. Norm Beauchamp, the executive vice president of Health Sciences. Although I have only had the opportunity to work with Norm for four months, I will always treasure his influence, guidance and inspiration. He is a truly visionary leader who used the phrase, “Health, Hope and Healing” as a guide to what we are working to achieve in health sciences through collaborations and innovative approaches. Inspired by his vision, I have identified a new guiding message that encapsulates the future of MSUCOM: "Exploration, Empathy and Empowerment." This phrase reflects our commitment to groundbreaking research and exploration, compassionate patient care and empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders to contribute to health, hope and healing for all.
Go Green!
Warm Regards,
Joyce deJong, D.O.
Dean