Dean's Update 2025-3

One Team, One Health: A Stronger Future Through Collaboration

At MSUCOM, we’ve never waited for change to happen – we’ve helped lead it.

Last August, Michigan State University began a bold, forward-looking effort to strengthen collaboration across our health programs. Under the leadership of President Kevin Guskiewicz, this work has taken shape through the One Team, One Health initiative – a vision rooted not in reaction to uncertain times, but in a clear-eyed commitment to MSU’s mission, values and future.

The ideas now under discussion – uniting our medical colleges, launching new academic structures, expanding research and breaking down silos – are fully aligned with MSU’s land-grant promise to serve the public good through education, discovery and innovation. These are not sudden pivots, but thoughtful steps forward built on months of work and long-standing aspirations.

As many of you know, this initiative stems from a comprehensive review of MSU’s health sciences strategy, a process I was honored to co-chair through the Health Sciences Council. Our charge was to explore how MSU could better position itself as a national leader in medical education and healthcare delivery. After extensive discussion and evaluation, we delivered our options – and we are now entering the exciting phase of shaping what comes next.

Among the possibilities: the formation of a unified MSU College of Medicine, with two distinct degree pathways (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., and Doctor of Medicine, or M.D.). If realized, this would make MSU the only university in the country to offer both degrees under a single college – positioning us at the forefront of innovation in medical education and collaborative care.

Other ideas include a new College of Health Professions to align and elevate health programs, and an Institute for Collaborative Biomedical Research to accelerate discovery across disciplines.

Throughout it all, our commitment to osteopathic medicine has remained firm. We will continue to champion our distinctive, whole-person approach to care, even as we build new bridges and think bigger about how we serve our students, our state and the world.

Of course, none of this comes without challenges. The landscape for state and federal funding is becoming increasingly unpredictable, and support from traditional sources cannot be taken for granted. That’s why our next chapter will depend in large part on our ability to be proactive, creative and bold.

While change can feel uncertain, it also brings new possibilities. The One Team, One Health vision is still taking shape, and I want to assure you that these conversations are active, inclusive and grounded in shared purpose. I will continue to advocate fiercely for osteopathic medicine and for MSUCOM’s leadership role in shaping the future of health education, research and care.

This is a moment for bold thinking, for working across silos and for envisioning what MSU can become – not just next year, but for generations to come.

I welcome your input, ideas and concerns as we move through this together. Your voice matters.

A Campaign for a Far Better World

This month, Michigan State University launched its largest philanthropic campaign in history – a $4 billion university-wide effort to shape a Far Better World. This campaign is more than a fundraiser; it’s a call to action to support the university’s most ambitious goals in health, education, research and global impact.

For MSUCOM, this is our opportunity to address longstanding needs and bold aspirations. Chief among them: finally saying goodbye to Fee Hall. Our hope is to secure the resources necessary to build a new home that reflects the caliber of our programs, the innovation of our faculty and the future-focused education we provide our students. A modern, purpose-built facility would not only enhance learning and research – it would better represent who we are and where we’re going.

This campaign also provides a path to significantly increase support for scholarships, research and critical partnerships. Given the uncertainty of future public funding, philanthropy will be essential in keeping MSUCOM strong, competitive and capable of meeting the needs of our students and society.

We’ll be sharing more in the coming months about how you can get involved – whether by giving, sharing ideas, or connecting with alumni and partners who believe in our mission. This is a campaign we’re all a part of.

More details can be found at: farbetterworld.msu.edu.

Celebrating Our Students

Amidst these exciting developments, we also take time to celebrate a defining milestone: Match Day for the Class of 2025! On March 21, our students achieved an outstanding 98% match rate across 25 specialties and 28 states. Even more encouraging – many will remain right here in Michigan, helping strengthen our healthcare workforce in communities across the state.

Additionally, 42% of our graduates will train within the college’s Statewide Campus System, a prestigious postgraduate medical education network comprising 28 member institutions.

This is more than a number – it’s a reflection of the talent, tenacity and heart our students bring to their training and future practice. We could not be prouder.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

With so much unfolding, I am filled with optimism – not just for our college, but for the people who make it what it is: our students, our faculty, our staff and our partners. We are at the beginning of something truly transformative.

To the Class of 2025: congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone. Your journey is just beginning, and we cannot wait to see the impact you will make.

Let’s move forward – together.

Joyce deJong, D.O.
Dean, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine