Dear colleagues,
I write today with an update on our work assessing the organizational structure of Michigan State’s clinical and academic health sciences.
Here are key takeaways:
- The work of the Health Sciences Council I appointed over the summer is on track, and I’m very appreciative of the time and effort the council has put in over the past six months. Following my meeting last Friday with council leadership to discuss the outcomes of their work, I expect a final report in early 2025, which will help inform the course we will take. I’m confident the future is bright for MSU’s medical and health-related colleges and departments, and I know that our internal structure and external partnerships will be stronger as a result of this important process.
- Until long-term structural decisions are made following that report, Norm Hubbard will continue as senior vice president for Health Sciences, with responsibility for our faculty-led clinical operations, MSU Health Care and our external clinical partnerships, including Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences.
- Likewise, Aron Sousa will continue as executive dean of our three health colleges until organizational decisions are made.
I convened the Health Sciences Council to guide and support collaboration on curriculum, interprofessional education, clinical care and strategies enhancing our biomedical and public health research. I asked it to define our priorities and identify growth opportunities, including examining our organizational structure to support our excellence and leadership in health science and to strengthen our partnerships across the state.
As I said in a message earlier this year, given the complexity of modern-day health care both within the university and beyond, it is important that MSU not rush any decisions regarding our long-term structure in this essential area. I’m grateful to the council’s leadership and membership for their diligence in this important work, and I look forward to receiving their final report.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
(pronounced GUS-ka-wits)
President
Professor, Department of Kinesiology