Dean’s Update 2024-10
October News and Notes from the Dean’s Desk
Reflections from the Field: A Personal Note on Hurricane Helene and DMORT Deployment
This past month, I had the opportunity to deploy to North Carolina with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) under the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Our team, composed of members from across the country, gathered in Charlotte before heading out to assist with the mission. There’s a unique mix of emotions when such a deployment begins—there’s the reunion-like atmosphere among those of us who’ve worked together before, tempered by the gravity of our task and the reality of long days ahead.
One question I often hear is, “What exactly do you do?” Our team’s focus is on the identification of those who have perished. This involves gathering information that can help connect missing individuals with those who have been recovered, as well as conducting thorough examinations of the decedents. While some team members meet with families and friends of the missing to collect essential details, others focus on the physical examination of the deceased, working to gather the information necessary to make accurate identifications. It is a careful balance of technical skill, compassion and respect for the deceased and their families.
Working alongside federal, state, and local agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the affected communities, I saw firsthand the incredible resilience of people facing unimaginable loss. Driving through areas where homes and livelihoods had been reduced to debris, the scale of the damage was overwhelming. Yet, amid this, I found small, deeply human moments—like a pile of yarn tangled among the wreckage, reminding me of the lives, hobbies and personalities lost in the storm.
The work we did was not easy, but the bonds formed during the deployment made a difference. Relationships, both old and new, became a source of strength. It reinforced my belief that life is fundamentally about relationships—whether we’re coming together to provide support in a crisis or building connections within our academic community.
Moreover, experiences like this serve as a reminder of the importance of resilience—not just in the immediate response but in the long journey of recovery. It’s a lesson I hope to bring back to MSUCOM, emphasizing how vital it is to be adaptable, both in times of crisis and in our everyday work with students, faculty and community partners.
I share this story with the hope of inspiring others within our community. You don’t have to join a disaster response team to make a difference—there are many ways to give back, whether through street medicine, medical missions or simply supporting those around you. And for those with a passion for research, there’s a need for more studies on the long-term impacts of such events, helping communities to recover and rebuild.
In every way, this experience has reaffirmed the value of connection, empathy and resilience—principles that I believe are at the heart of osteopathic medicine and what we do here at MSUCOM.
In other News
I'm pleased to share that our PA medicine program received excellent news from its accrediting body, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). They have achieved the highest level of accreditation possible at this time, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students in the program.
I’ve also had the privilege of visiting our campuses in Macomb and Detroit recently. It was wonderful to spend time with students from each location, listening to their insights and ideas. A hearty thank you to the students who made time to meet with me and share their thoughts on how we can continue to improve our programs for the future. Your feedback is invaluable, and I look forward to working together to make MSUCOM even better.
A big thank you also goes out to our DEI committee for sponsoring a truly engaging retreat. The event fostered multiple challenging conversations, providing a space for meaningful dialogue and growth—not to mention the chair massages that were a welcome treat for all in attendance!
Also, please join me in welcoming Jon Goldstein, our new Senior Director of Development. We are thrilled to have him on board, and I am confident that he will be an invaluable addition to our advancement team.
Go Green!
With warmest regards,
Joyce deJong, D.O.
Dean, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine