Community Engagement & Outreach

The Community Engagement & Outreach team is dedicated to developing positive relationships with hospitals, community-based organizations, and industry partners, as well as business and community leaders. We also identify opportunities for the college’s faculty, staff, students and alumni to engage locally – from opportunities to share research to participating in service learning to developing coordinated events.

Meet the Team

 

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Advocacy

As a community-based medical school, our team builds and supports positive relationships with federal, state and local policymakers and stakeholders to ensure legislative funding and policy initiatives reflect the needs the College of Human Medicine.

Faculty planning visits to the State Capitol or D.C. should reference the MSU Office of Government Relations guidelines for engaging with state and federal government. 

For advocacy questions, contact Mark Brieve, Director of Community & Government Relations. 

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Community Engagement

The College of Human Medicine's eight statewide campuses are uniquely positioned to provide students with comprehensive training in clinical settings that most closely parallel the environment in which many physicians typically practice.

Our External Relations team covers the following regions:

• Mark Brieve: Grand Rapids, Midland, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula
• Arlynn Dailey: Detroit and Southeast Michigan
• Erica Phillipich: Lansing and Flint

We host a number of events throughout our communities:

• Teddy Bear Health Fair

  The Teddy Bear Health Fair is a free event promoting health awareness in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. Children and their adult friends can take part in engaging activities, explore vendor booths, and interact with health professionals and MSU medical students.

  The event is hosted annually in three of our community campuses: East Lansing, Flint and Grand Rapids. Kids are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal for a "check-up" while adults discover local health and wellness resources.

  For more information, contact Melissa Veneklase.

   

   

• Your Health Lecture Series

  The Your Health Lecture Series is a collaborative community event sponsored by Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in partnership with our community partners throughout the state. The series features researchers and experts presenting on a variety of health care topics. 

  All lectures are free and open to the public, with both in-person and virtual options, unless otherwise noted. 

  For more information, contact Kim Sapkowski.

• Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Lecture Series

  The Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Lecture Series encourages collaboration among biomedical researchers, faculty, students, and entrepreneurs within the medical industry. Made possible by philanthropic support from the Secchia family, the series was established in 2023 by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine to support the value of free enterprise as it pertains to medical research. It features biomedical researchers, medical industry entrepreneurs and business executives, and other experts from the health care community.

  For more information, contact Melissa Veneklase.

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Early Assurance Program

In collaboration with the College of Human Medicine Admissions Office, the External Relations team cultivates and supports premedical pathways with higher education institutions across the state.

Through the Early Assurance Program creates opportunity for premedical students interested in practicing in medically underserved areas or in high need medical specialties. It encourages clinic and service experiences, offers academic advising, and allows for admissions decisions early during their senior year of undergraduate medical education.

Since the program started in 2008, more than 300 students have successfully matriculated to the College of Human Medicine via the Early Assurance Program.

• Early Assurance Partners
  • Alma College
  • Aquinas College
  • Bay College
  • Bay Mills Community College
  • Calvin College
  • Grand Rapids Community College
  • Grand Valley State University
  • Hope College
  • Kettering University
  • Lake Superior State University
  • Lawrence Technological University
  • Michigan State University
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Mott Community College
  • Northern Michigan University
  • Northwestern Michigan College
  • Saginaw Valley State University
  • The University of Michigan-Flint
  • University of Detroit Mercy
  • University of Michigan-Dearborn
  • Xavier University of Louisiana

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