Celebrating the first six months of progress and achievements together
Wow, what an incredible six months it has been since I stepped into the role of dean! I’m thrilled to share some of the amazing strides we’ve made together, reflecting our collective dedication and passion for excellence.
New Beginnings and Exciting Moves
We kicked things off with a fresh start by moving the dean’s office from a tucked away corner on the third floor of East Fee to the main hallway of East Fee. It’s amazing how a change of scenery can set the tone for innovation and collaboration, and we’re already seeing the benefits. I love mingling with the students and hearing about their studies. As a pathologist, I no longer have many opportunities to use those skills, but I was thrilled when one of our students called me to anatomy to evaluate an abnormal liver. It turned into a bit of pathology training with a few people and ended with glass slides, a microscope and an inspired student. I truly appreciate and enjoy these interactive moments!
I aspire to be more present at our sites at the Detroit Medical Center and the Macomb University Center. My initial visits to these sites revealed the impressive caliber of our college, and its staff, faculty and students, regardless of location. Together, we are training outstanding physicians who serve communities statewide and engage in cutting-edge research.
A Legislative Victory
One of the standout moments for me was meeting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on my second day as dean at the signing of a bill that I began working on back at WMed. This legislation allows counties to establish Opioid Death Review Teams, a crucial step in addressing the opioid crisis. It’s gratifying to see hard work pay off in such a meaningful way.
Strengthening Our Leadership and Strategic Planning
We’ve been fortunate to welcome Katherine Ruger, Ed.D., as the executive chief of staff and senior associate dean of Strategic Initiatives. Together, we launched our strategic planning process, partnering with an outstanding firm to guide us towards a bright future.
We have a few other exciting changes to come in the Dean’s Office that will be announced soon.
Engaging with Our Community
Attending the annual February "Slavery to Freedom" event was a powerful reminder of our commitment to social justice. The speakers' poignant stories and the discussions that followed highlighted the ongoing importance of addressing and rectifying historical and systemic injustices. This event reinforces our dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within our organization and community.
On the practical side of engagement, we are launching new initiatives aimed at strengthening our partnerships with local organizations, increasing our outreach to underserved populations and enhancing our educational programs. These efforts are designed to create tangible, positive impacts in the communities we serve, and to ensure that our commitment to social justice translates into meaningful action.
Additionally, we are on the lookout for a new senior director of development to join our advancement team. This individual will play a crucial role in driving our strategic vision forward, leading our development initiative and ensuring our values of equity and inclusion are embedded in all aspects of our work. We are seeking a leader with a strong track record in fundraising, exceptional organizational and communications skills, and a passion for making a difference. This new addition to our team will be instrumental in helping us achieve our strategic goals and further our mission.
Building Connections Everywhere
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people over the past months — more than 50 meet-and-greets within the college, across the university, with community partners, in various parts of the country and at Henry Ford Health (HFH). Each conversation has been enriching and has strengthened our network. These interactions have provided invaluable insights and fostered relationships that are vital to our mission.
From discussing innovative research ideas to exploring new educational opportunities and collaborative projects, every meeting has contributed to a broader understanding of our collective goals. I am continually inspired by the dedication and passion of everyone I’ve met, and I look forward to building on these connections to further our shared vision.
Celebrating Our Achievements
Our 2024 Match Day was a highlight filled with joy and pride as we celebrated our osteopathic medical students’ future endeavors. We also paid tribute to our generous donors at the Willed Body Program and cheered on our graduates during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies for D.O., master’s degree and D.O.-Ph.D. students. It was truly heartwarming.
Our PA Medicine program had a memorable White Coat Ceremony, welcoming the next class of 38 students with open arms. We are also eagerly preparing for the initial graduation of the PA Medicine Class of 2024 in August, marking a first for the program!
Just recently, we were ranked No.1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for graduates practicing in areas facing health professional shortages. That is right – we are No. 1 in the nation!
Representing MSUCOM on the State and National Stages
It has been a privilege to represent the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) at several key national events. I attended the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Board of Deans meeting in Texas, where we discussed important developments in osteopathic medical education. In Kansas City, I participated in the AACOM Educating Leaders conference, engaging with peers to share insights and strategies. The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) Annual Conference in New Orleans provided an opportunity to connect with fellow osteopathic family physicians and discuss advancements in our field.
At the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) in Troy, Mich., we explored state-level initiatives and their impact on our practice. Additionally, meetings with alumni and donors in Las Vegas were invaluable in strengthening our community bonds. The MSUCOM Continuing Medical Education (CME) program in Traverse City, Mich. and the Michigan Hospital Association (MHA) annual meeting allowed us to showcase our commitment to continuing medical education and healthcare excellence.
Recognizing Excellence and Service
We recently bid farewell to Norm Beauchamp, M.D., MHS, celebrating his legacy and contributions. With Dr. Beauchamp’s departure, MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz appointed the Health Sciences Council to guide and support collaboration on curriculum, interprofessional education, clinical care and the development of strategies to enhance our performance in biomedical and public health research. The council will be pivotal in shaping the future of Health Sciences and I am honored to serve as co-chair of this council!
We were proud to honor Robert Piccinini, D.O., D.FACN, with the 2024 Patenge Medical of Public Service Award and celebrate Terrie Taylor, D.O., who recently received the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
Three of our faculty were also among 49 honored at MSU’s 2024 Investiture for Endowed Faculty. Congratulations to Anne Dorrance, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Maksymilian Chruszcz, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, who were honored as the Walter F. Patenge Chairs of Osteopathic Medicine, and to Karl Seydel, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, as the inaugural Daniel C. and Marsha J. Edson Endowed Professor of Global Health in Honor of Dr. Terrie Taylor.
We also marked a first for the college and the university. Carolina Restini, Ph.D., Pharm.D., associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, was accepted as a member of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics’ (ASPET) Fellows of the Academy of Pharmacology Educators (FAAPE) – MSU’s first ever!
Advancing Our Programs, People and Projects
Exciting developments are happening in our PA Medicine program, as well, including our second of three provisional site visits for full accreditation anticipated in late fall 2026. And, again, our first PA Medicine graduating class of 32 students will walk across the stage next month.
We are thrilled to share J’Aimee Lippert, D.O., was appointed assistant dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. We are also excited about Katie Donahue, D.O., who was appointed as the new chair for the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) department.
I also want to share with all of you that 11 of our faculty members, representing nine departments, were recently promoted by MSU to advanced academic ranks. In addition, a few staff members have also received promotions. Congratulations, once again, for all your achievements!
I also want to take a minute to keep you updated since I am frequently asked about the progress of a new Medical Education Center for our students. We have approval from the MSU Board of Trustees to plan for this initiative. Having said that, I am personally pausing until the Health Sciences Council completes its important work to identify what the new educational center needs to provide before getting into the weeds of the building design. Starting with the end in mind is critical for a building project, and the council will help us define this important end.
Leading and Serving
These past months have been transformative, marked by both hard work and heartwarming moments. Let's continue to embrace Exploration, Empathy and Empowerment as we move forward together.
As always, I enjoy hearing from our alumni. Many of you sent me a note after last month’s update and I look forward to hearing from more of you.
Go Green!
Warmest regards,
Joyce deJong, D.O.
Dean, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
