As a student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), Josh Kooistra, D.O. (Class of 2001), learned to approach medicine with both a scientific lens and a human one — skills that continue to shape him today as the newly named president of Corewell Health in West Michigan.
“Training at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine taught me the value of seeing the bigger picture and taking all facets of that into decision making,” Dr. Kooistra said. “Recognizing how organ systems interact with each other and the impact it has on the whole person is foundational to osteopathic medicine. Taking these concepts into both emergency medicine and now, as a senior physician executive, has helped me make decisions with more insight into potential ripple effects that might not be visible with a narrow focus.”
That whole-person perspective has served Dr. Kooistra well throughout a career that includes more than 20 years as an emergency physician and 15 years in health care executive leadership. He has served as senior vice president, chief medical officer and interim president, to president of Corewell Health in West Michigan in May 2025.
Dr. Kooistra’s leadership style has been described by colleagues as rooted in compassion and humility, with a deep connection to teams and communities alike — qualities that were cultivated early in his schooling at MSUCOM.
“Compassion is my personal true north value. Caring and kindness count,” he said. “Being empathetic, giving each other grace and taking care of yourself and others is important. This was reinforced at the college by the way my class came together and supported one another. The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine focused on collective success rather than individual performance.”
That sense of shared purpose and support, Dr. Kooistra explained, mirrors the way highly functional health care teams operate in the hospital setting: “Everyone must feel supported by each other, and if done effectively, the patients and community win with the team.”
Dr. Kooistra encourages current MSUCOM medical students to keep purpose front and center.
“Find your own altruistic motivation and place it at the center of your decisions,” he advised. “Focusing on this rather than the next step in your career journey will ultimately lead to better leadership, and your role will evolve naturally and authentically.”
Now, leading one of Michigan’s largest health systems, Dr. Kooistra hopes his path can offer encouragement to future Spartan D.O.s.
“You are given an amazing gift to be students and alumni of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine,” he said. “Think big about the impact you have over the lifetime of your career. Whether you are in a formal leadership role or not, you are a leader who the community, team and your patients look to for guidance and wisdom.”
by Andrea Mackey