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College of Human Medicine

2025-26 Minutes

The CAC includes one faculty member from each administrative/academic unit of the college, and two medical students and one graduate student, representing different parts of the curriculum. Faculty members are elected for a two-year term by the voting members of the unit. Chairpersons and directors of units are responsible for initiating and supervising, within their respective units, elections in early spring semester with members taking office on August 15. The election procedure is determined by each unit’s bylaws but is limited to eligible internal voting faculty of the college.  In addition to elected voting members, the faculty members representing the college on each university standing committee  serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the CAC and provide a quarterly, or as needed, report of their committee’s activities at a regularly scheduled CAC meeting.  Other ex officio non‑voting members may be added as needed by the CAC and generally include the associate deans for administration, academic affairs, student affairs and faculty development.

  • August 18, 2025

    IN ATTENDANCE

    Elected Members: Mariah Barnes, Julie Christensen, Scott Counts, Natoshia Cunningham, Theresa Estiphan, Charla Jackson, Thomas Kelbel, Cheryl Rockwell, Robey Shah, Nabil Sibai, Nicole Talge, Maximiliano Tamae-Kakazu, Jose Teixeira, Daniel Vogt, Richard Zarbo, Jordan Knepper (sub for Darci Foote), Samantha Tam (sub for Steven Chang)

    Ex-Officio Representatives (per bylaws): Jamie Alan, Jim Anthony, David Barondess, Kathleen Gallo, Jean Kerver, Kathleen Oberst

    Ex-Officio Division Representatives (approved per vote): Ariel Cascio, Ryan Doyle, Dave Schneider

    Standing Guests: Brad Kline, Adesuwa Olomu, Narayanan Parameswaran, Carol Parker, Andrea Wendling

    Staff: Amy Nienhouse, Allison Tilma

    ABSENT:

    Elected Members: Farha Abbasi, Ellen Air, Lee (Carles) Cox, Morteza Mahmoudi, Benjamin Movsas, David Ozog, Robert Quinn, Craig Rogers, Brian Schutte, no rep from Orthopedics given, Graduate Student TBD
    Ex-Officio Representatives (per bylaws): Ana Vasquez, Erika Williams, UCAG Rep
    Ex-Officio Division Representatives (approved per vote): Joseph Junewick, Adam Lamm
    Standing Guests: Wanda Lipscomb, Aron Sousa, CHM Staff Rep (TBD)

    I. Call to order

    1. The meeting was called to order at 1:05pm
    2. Quorum was met with 20 of 22 attending.

     

    II. Approval of agenda

    1. A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. No objections were raised.
    2. Approval of the agenda passed by majority consent.

     

    III. Approval of minutes

    1. May 12, 2025; Attachment A
      1. No objections raised, motioned to approve.
      2. The May minutes were approved as presented.
        1.  

    IV. Introductions and orientation to CAC

    1. Robert’s Rules; Attachment B
      1. CAC uses these rules as framework for meetings
    2. Roles of steering committee Attachment C
      1. Chairperson: Represents CAC in Faculty Senate, facilitates meetings, reviews bylaws and amendments, oversees faculty meetings
      2. Vice Chairperson: Fills in for Chair, serves as liaison to Awards Committee, reviews minutes for distribution.
      3. Secretary: Expanded role to assist with quorum verification
      4. CAC Members were encouraged to consider self-nomination or nomination of peers
    3. Show Teams channel for materials. (Allison shared screen)
      1. Allison Tilma demonstrated the Microsoft Teams CAC channel, containing meeting materials, rosters, and reporting templates.
      2. Members reminded to share key CAC updates with their home departments

     

    V. Remarks/updates

    1. Administrative Update – Carol Parker
      1. Department Chair Searches: Six new departments (Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Dermatology, Pathology, Urology, and one pending) are completing permanent chair hires by late September.
      2. Flint expansion opening the week of August 26.
      3. Secchia Center celebration scheduled for September 24, 2025.
    2. Research Update – Nara Parameswaran
      1. NIH Grant Submissions: PIs limited to six proposals per year.
      2. Open Access Policy: Federally funded research must be published in PubMed Central without embargo.
      3. Foreign Collaboration Compliance: All international collaborations must be disclosed.
      4. Policy and Legal Updates: Executive order adds political oversight to grant processes; IDC protections remain in Senate bill.
    3. LCME Update – Andrea Wendling
      1. LCME draft report (August 2025): Of 19 elements, 15 improved to satisfactory/satisfactory with monitoring.
      2. Four unsatisfactory areas: suspension policy, time-allocation policy, non-involvement in student decisions, and career advising.
      3. Final determination expected October 2025.
    4. Finance – Brad Kline
      1. Budget Reduction: 6% in FY25 and 3% in FY26 (9% total).
      2. CHM Impact: $3.5M FY25 reduction and $1.7M expected FY26.
      3. MERP (Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan): Significant delays (two quarters, ~$18M/quarter). Medicaid rate structure changing.
      4. Personnel: Most reductions via attrition; transparency emphasized.
      5. Action: Share updates with departments; contact Dean Sousa or CFO Kline with questions.
    5. One Team One Health – (Drs. Wendling, Parameswaran, Alan, and Parker)
      1. https://www.healthsciences.msu.edu/one-team-one-health
      2. Objective from the MSU President to explore integration of Colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine.
      3. Led by Dean of Veterinary Medicine and EVP of Health Sciences.
      4. Proposed timeline for the committee: Draft report due August 22; final report August 29, 2025.
      5. Faculty Concerns: Need for transparency and faculty inclusion.
      6. Action: Submit feedback via the One Team, One Health online form (anonymous).

     

    VI. Election of new Steering Committee members

    1. Chair
      1. Scott Counts nominated Natoshia Cunningham for CAC Chair. Dr. Cunningham accepted the nomination but shared with the council that she will be on a leave of absence/sabbatical to Spain from January 2026 – May 2026. No other nominations were made. The nomination was seconded. The formal motion was made to elect Dr. Cunningham as Chair, seconded. No further discussion was held. Motion carried unanimously to elect Dr. Cunningham as Chair.
    2. Vice-Chair
      1. Dr. Cunningham opens the floor for nominations for the vice-chair position.
      2. Dr. Jamie Alan nominated Dr. Julie Christensen to serve as vice chair, the nomination is seconded. No other nominations were made. Dr. Cunningham made a motion to elect Dr. Christensen as vice-chair, it was seconded. No further discussion was held. The motion carries unanimously to elect Dr. Christensen as vice-chair.
    3. Secretary
      1. Dr. Wendling suggested Dr. Roby Shah consider serving as secretary and Dr. Shah agreed
      2. No other nominations were made. Dr. Cunningham motioned to elect Dr. Shah as secretary, it was seconded. No further discussion was held. The motion carried unanimously to elect Dr. Shah as secretary.

     

    VII. Approval of ex-officio division members to serve on CAC and non-voting faculty members to serve on CHM committees; Attachment D. 

    1. There is a brief discussion on the divisions represented. Cheryl Rockwell motions to approve all the names listed on attachment D. The motion is seconded. The motion carries unanimously.

     

    VII. Approval of adjustments on appointment criteria; Attachment E – Carol Parker

    1. Carol reviewed the attachment that provides the guidelines and procedures set forth as a standard to be utilized in the consideration of academic appointment by those departments of the college having clinical and/or adjunct faculty.
    2. Brief questions were clarified, and no further discussion was held. Julie Christensen motioned to approve the adjustments listed in attachment D. The motion was seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

     

    IX. As the meeting was approaching the time limit, Chair Cunningham motions to postpone the rest of the agenda for the September meeting. The motion is seconded. The motion is carried unanimously.

    1. The below items will be tabled for a future meeting.
      1. New/Upcoming business for the year
        1. CHM Bylaws review & Update
        2. Recognizing CHM Honorifics Committee in bylaws as an official sub-committee
        3. Some department bylaws need to be reviewed and updated as well
        4. In bylaws address term limits and continuity of service
        5. How will Henry Ford departments be represented on CAC?
        6. Adding members to the sub-committee for bylaws review
      2. Budget Concerns
      3. Faculty Meetings
      4. One Team One Health

     

    X. Comments on the floor

    1. Allison made a reminder to the council that if voting members are unable to attend a meeting, they need to send a fellow department member (with college level voting rights) in their place. There needs to be at least fourteen (14) voting members present at each meeting to meet quorum.

     

    XI. Adjournment 

    1. Chair Cunningham made a motion to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded and approved unanimously. The meeting ended at 3:00pm.

     

    Future meetings

    September 15, 2025

    October 20, 2025

    November 17, 2025

  • September 15, 2025

    IN ATTENDANCE

    Elected Members: Brian Schutte, Cheryl Rockwell, Daniel Vogt, Jordan Knepper (sub for Darci Foote), Ron Chandler (sub for Jose Teixeira), Julie Christensen, Mariah Barnes, Max Tamae Kakazu, Morteza Mahmoudi, Nabil Sibai, Natoshia Cunningham, Nicole Talge, Rob Quinn, Robey Shah, Caryl Sortwell (sub for Scott Counts), Theresa Estiphan

    Ex-Officio Representatives (per bylaws): Jamie Alan, David Barondess, Kathleen Gallo, Kelly Hodges, Kathleen Oberst, Ana Vasquez

    Ex-Officio Division Representatives (approved per vote): Ariel Cascio, Ryan Doyle, Dave Schneider

    Standing Guests: Aron Sousa, Andrea Wendling, Nara Parameswaran, Carol Parker, Ade Olomu, Wanda Lipscomb, Brad Kline, Supratik Rayamajhi

    Staff: Amy Nienhouse, Allison Tilma

    ABSENT:

    Elected Members: Benjamin Movsas, Charla Jackson, Craig Rogers, David Ozog, Ellen Air, Farha Abbasi, Lee Cox, Richard Zarbo, Steven Chang, Thomas Kelbel, Grad Student Rep, Orthopedic Rep.
    Ex-Officio Representatives (per bylaws):  Rep for UCAG, Erika Williams, Jean Kerver
    Ex-Officio Division Representatives (approved per vote): Academic Specialist Rep, Joseph Junewick, Adam Lamm
    Standing Guests: CHM Staff Rep (TBD)

    I. Call to order

    1. The meeting was called to order at 1:10pm
    2. Quorum was met with 14 of 27 voting members were present

     

    II. Approval of agenda

    1. A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. No objections were raised.
    2. Approval of the agenda passed by majority consent.

     

    III. Approval of minutes

    1. The August 18, 2025, minutes were not finalized. Requesting they be tabled and approved at the October meeting.
    2. A motion was made to approve the August minutes at the October meeting and was seconded. No objections were raised.
    3. Approval to review and approve the August minutes at the next meeting was passed by majority consent.

     

     IV.  News from Aron

    1. Dean Sousa announced his retirement from CHM and new appointment as President and CEO of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He thanked CAC members for their engagement and emphasized faculty governance. Members expressed deep appreciation for his leadership and accessibility. On October 1, 2025, Dr. Supratik Rayamajhi will serve as Interim Dean following Dr. Sousa’s departure.

     

    V. CHM Faculty Survey; Attachment B

    1. A CAC-led survey gathered faculty feedback on transparency and communication related to the One Team, One Health initiative. Over 500 CHM faculty participated. The survey was later shared externally, prompting media attention. Concerns were raised about potential bias, but CAC leadership reaffirmed that it was developed collaboratively by qualified researchers. Reports of intimidation and retaliation surfaced, prompting emphasis on faculty advocacy and safety. The President’s Office plans a special meeting with CHM faculty to address survey results and concerns. CAC will consider drafting a resolution, possibly in collaboration with COM.

     VI. Recommendation for new departments to be joint with COM

    1. The CAC approved the creation of the new departments over the past couple years. Now it is being considered, and input is being asked about making those new departments joint with COM. There has been some interest from COM about joint departments but the CACs for both colleges would need to connect. Joint departments can sometimes be more difficult to run, but COM has funds that would better match with the new departments.

     

    VII. Remarks/updates

    1. Dean’s Update
      1. Info from the state is that the federal government is putting forward the Medicaid Expense Reimbursement Uplift funds. This is 13% of our operating budget and worth $6 million so it’s important to get it moving again.
      2. The university is working on a new budget model that is not RCM based.
      3. Secchia Lectures are Sept. 24 and 25 and the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Secchia Center will follow the lectures.
      4. Ribbon cutting for the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health new building in Flint went well and was enjoyed by all.
    2. Research Update – Nara
      1. The last few weeks in the Federal Grant world have been thankfully uneventful. NIH spending seems to be on track.
    3. Curriculum Update – Andrea
      1. The white coat ceremony was held in GR and 190 new CHM students received their white coats in front of friends and family. This is the first class that will be fully educated in the SDC 2.0 curriculum.
    1.  

    VIII. New/Upcoming business for the year

    1. Forming CHM Bylaws review committee
      1. Julie Christensen, Jamie Alan, Kelly Hodges volunteered to serve on the review committee.
      2. Members on the CHM Bylaws Review Committee don’t necessarily need to be on CAC, but should still be voting members in CHM
      3. Drs. Wanda Lipscomb and Carol Parker emphasized faculty ownership of this process.
      4. Dr. Wendling recognized the success and power this CAC has had, especially regarding the recent faculty survey that was sent out regarding one team one health.
      5. The goal is to get the committee finalized and meeting scheduled before the thanksgiving holiday. CAC members are encouraged to share this in their departments and bring other names of faculty who are willing to serve on this committee.
    2. Faculty Meetings
      1. Meetings typically held in November/December.
      2. Motion made to have the faculty meeting as a hybrid meeting this year. Seconded, no objections. Motion passed.
        1. The Radiology Atrium was suggested for the space and Allison will investigate dates to hold as options. Also, it was requested if there will be a budget for refreshments.
        2. Suggested agenda topics to include One Team, One Health updates, budget review, and governance engagement.
    3. One Team One Health
      1. The President’s office wants to address CHM’s concerns with one team one health.
      2. CAC supports hosting an open CHM faculty meeting with the President’s Office
        1. Faculty should be allowed to submit anonymous questions. CAC requests a discussion-based format rather than a presentation.

     

    IX. Comments from the floor

    1. No comments were provided.

    X. Adjournment

    1. Chair Cunningham made a motion to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded and approved unanimously. The meeting ended at 3:00pm. 

     

    Future meetings

    October 20, 2025

    November 17, 2025

    December 15, 2025

  • October 20, 2025
    IN ATTENDANCE

    Elected Members: Farha Abbasi, Ellen Air, Mariah Barnes, Julie Christensen, Scott Counts, Natoshia Cunningham, Theresa Estiphan, Darci Foote, Thomas Kelbel, Benjamin Movsas, Rob Quinn, Cheryl Rockwell, Robey Shah, Nabil Sibai, Max Tamae Kakazu, Jose Teixeira, Daniel Vogt, Richard Zarbo

    Ex-Officio Representatives (per bylaws): Jamie Alan, Kathleen Gallo, Kelly Hodges, Kathleen Oberst

    Ex-Officio Division Representatives (approved per vote): Ariel Cascio, Ryan Doyle

    Standing Guests: Brad Kline, Ade Olomu, Wanda Lipscomb, Nara Parameswaran, Carol Parker

    Staff: Amy Nienhouse, Allison Tilma

    Guests: Robin DeMuth


    ABSENT

    Elected Members: Steven Chang, Charla Jackson, Craig Rogers, David Ozog, Lee Cox, Morteza Mahmoudi, Brian Schutte, Grad Student Rep, Orthopedic Rep

    Ex-Officio Representatives (per bylaws):  Rep for UCAG, David Barondess, Ana Vasquez, Erika Williams, Jean Kerver

    Ex-Officio Division Representatives (approved per vote): Academic Specialist Rep, Dave Schneider, Joseph Junewick, Adam Lamm

    Standing Guests: Andrea Wendling, Supratik Rayamajhi CHM Staff Rep (TBD)


    1. Call to order
      1. The meeting was called to order at 1:07pm
      2. Quorum was met with 19 of 26 voting members were present.

    2. Approval of agenda
      1. No objections raised, motioned to approve.
      2. Agenda approved passed by majority consent

    3. Approval of minutes
      1. The August and September minutes are still being finalized. Allison has asked for a motion to send them via email to the committee as soon as they are done and ready to be approved
      2. A motion was made to approve the minutes via email as soon as they are completed. The motion was seconded and passed by majority consent. 

    4. Remarks/updates
      1. Administrative Update – Dr. Carol Parker
          1. Chair Retreat: Department chairs presented their top accomplishments and goals for the year. Provost McIntyre attended and shared her vision for the university and college.
          2. Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception was held on October 15, 2023.
            1. 38 faculty were honored for promotions.
            2. Four Exceptional Support Staff Awards were given to Dana Appleby, Lisa Pasberg, Amy Fowler, and Brandy Spies.
            3. Twelve faculty received awards, including Dr. Natoshia Cunningham (Teacher-Scholar) and Jerry Kooiman (Distinguished Service Award).
          3. LCME Reaccreditation: The site visit was completed, and formal notification is expected by November 16. Preliminary signs are positive.
          4. Budget and Finances: The college completed a 6% budget cut for FY25 and anticipates a further 3% cut for FY26. Budget model redesign committees are forming, though CHM currently lacks representation.
          5. One Team, One Health (OTOH): Task forces are meeting, and feedback is/has being provided by faculty from surveys. Reports are due to the President by November 26, with university action anticipated in January 2026.
      2. Research update - Dr. Nara Parameswaran 
        1. The government shutdown has delayed NIH study section meetings, impacting approximately 35 CHM faculty.
        2. The college is monitoring potential issues regarding H-1B visa policy changes and associated fees.
        3. Faculty encouraged to look out for upcoming university-level bridge funding (Jenison funds).
      3. Curriculum Update – Robin DeMuth
        1. SDC 2.0 Implementation: The new first-year curriculum is underway, with positive collaboration among faculty and staff.
        2. Second-Year Transition: Future changes include an earlier start date (May) and flexible two- or three-semester paths.
        3. Clerkships: Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and Family Medicine will expand to six-week clerkships; Surgery will consolidate into one six-week course.
        4. Wellness and Advising: Increased participation in wellness initiatives; new “Wellness Pulse” newsletter launched.
      4. CAC chair update – Dr. Natoshia Cunningham
        1. CHM’s representation in university-level budget model redesign committees.
        2. Updates from Faculty Senate meetings included:
          1. Presentation of the university-wide survey on OTOH integration.
          2. Passage of resolutions on academic freedom and faculty due process.
          3. Adjustments to DEI-related language in promotion and tenure materials.
      5. One Team One Health
        1. CHM OTOH Townhall
        2. University-wide OTOH Survey Results
          1. Upcoming presentation of OTOH survey results to the MSU Board of Trustees scheduled for October 30.

    5. New/Upcoming business for the year
      1. Bylaws – Emergent Needs
        1. Academic Affairs (Dr. Robin DeMuth)
          1. Student Performance and Competence Committees:
            1. Student Performance Committee will transition to focus on student status and promotions, with student members removed due to confidentiality concerns.
            2. Grade Appeals will move to direct course-level handling per university policy.
        2. DEI bylaws (Drs. Jamie Alan and Wanda Lipscomb)
          1. College bylaws updated to replace “diversity, equity, and inclusion” with “climate and culture” and “access, opportunity, advancement, and excellence for all.”
          2. Changes align CHM terminology with university and land-grant mission values.
        3. A motion was made to approve all bylaw changes presented. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
          1. The next step will be to send this to CHM voting faculty for vote and approval
        4. 5-year bylaw review committee
          1. Work is moving along to get the committee together and invite others in the college not on CAC. It will be helpful if the bylaws review could be done and ready for faculty approval at the end of the spring semester.
      2. Faculty Meetings
        1. Possible dates: 12/1 (Monday), 12/2 (Tuesday), 12/3 (Wednesday), 12/8 (Monday), 12/10 (Wednesday)
          1. Conflicts were shared with 12/2 and 12/8
        2. Meeting will be 3-5pm
        3. Do we still want a hybrid of in-person & Zoom?
          1. Allison will check on room availability, but if it’s not available, the council is willing to do zoom only for the fall meeting and reconsider a hybrid version for the spring faculty meeting.


    6. Comments from the floor
      1. Confirmed the December meeting will be held on Dec. 15 even though Hanukah begins that day at sundown. If anyone asks for it to be moved, the CAC is willing to accommodate the request.
      2. Continued emphasis on faculty advocacy and transparency regarding administrative processes.
      3. Discussion on improving communication around One Team, One Health and ensuring CHM faculty voices are represented.
      4. No further topics were addressed

    7. Adjournment
      1. A motion was made to end the meeting and was seconded.
      2. The motion passed and the meeting ended at 2:42pm

    Future meetings

    November 17, 2025
    December 15, 2025