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College of Human Medicine

Dean Rayamajhi’s Weekly Rundown

December 12, 2025

Greetings friends,

As 2025 winds down, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of our achievements and collective efforts that made them possible. Although we can point to many successes throughout the year, there have been a few in just the past couple of weeks I’d like to highlight here.

Intergenerational Living Initiative

Kaylin Burton (M1) with two residents at Holland Home Raybrook.


Kaylin Burton (M1) is spending her first year at our College of Human Medicine living at Holland Home Raybrook, a senior living community featuring independent, assisted, and memory care living. Kaylin, Irving Vega, PhD, Red Cedar Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience, and Chris Skovira (M4) were on hand Tuesday at Holland Home when the media covered this first of its kind partnership. “We're just super excited to start building community around young adults who are passionate about being with, learning from, and caring for older adults. Our student board is volunteering with Kaylin, building excitement, and showing folks that older adults are such a valuable part of our community,” said Skovira. Check out the media coverage: WOOD, WZZM, WGVU, and WLNS.

Lowery Receives Booker Award

A promotional graphic featuring Lisa Lowery, MD, MPH, assistant dean for inclusive learning environment being selected for the Dr. Rhae Ann Booker Award.


Please join me in congratulating Lisa Lowery, MD, MPH, assistant dean for inclusive learning environment, who recently received the Dr. Rhae Ann Booker Award for Inclusive Excellence, presented by the Grand Rapids Chamber’s Talent and Inclusion Summit. In her rousing acceptance speech, Dr. Lowery reminded us that “we were built for such a time as this” and right now more than ever we need to “do the work.”

Red Cedar Distinguished Professorship Award

Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine headshot.


Speaking of honors and doing the work, Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and Cristian Meghea, PhD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, have received the Red Cedar Distinguished Professorship Award. This honor recognizes outstanding faculty and enhances the stature of MSU’s intellectual work to national and global prominence. “I am both deeply humbled and extremely proud, and this recognition energizes me to continue my research to advance pediatric behavioral health,” said Cunningham. “I am honored to be awarded the Red Cedar Distinguished Professorship. It is a reflection of our longstanding community-engaged work to improve maternal health and reduce disparities, with health, policy, and community partners,” said Meghea.

Hong Appointed to Commission

Charles “Chaz” Hong, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Medicine headshot.


Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Charles “Chaz” Hong, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Medicine, to the Health Information Technology Commission in the position of representative of schools of medicine. Chaz said the Michigan Health Information Technology Commission promotes secure health information exchange across providers, ensuring every Michigander receives high-quality care anywhere in the state. “I was drawn to the commission by the promise and risks of health AI. While AI is transforming care for the better, it can widen disparities if not implemented equitably and thoughtfully. The commission’s work to build an inclusive data ecosystem is critical to democratizing health AI so all communities benefit from this revolution."

Six-Year Accreditation Through LCME

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) finalized its review of the MD program. We are pleased to share that the College of Human Medicine remains fully accredited for the next six years. Following a rigorous multi-year process and site visits in 2023 and 2025, the committee cited significant strides in the college’s basic science curriculum, clinical clerkships, student research program, career advising and access to financial aid and wellness services, as well as other initiatives. My thanks to Andrea Wendling, MD, senior associate dean for academic affairs and her team, and the countless students, residents, faculty, community partners, and administrators who were part of the process.

Rx Kids

A photo of members of the RXKids team during a recent media promotion.

As we celebrate more than 20 communities in Michigan now offering Rx Kids, the nation’s first-ever community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, we anticipate an influx of communities joining the program. Beginning this week, applications are open for Michigan communities ready to partner with the program proven to cut evictions, the number of premature babies born with low birth weight, and maltreatment. This program truly bridges the gap between clinical care and upstream determinants of health.

Research Updates

Nara Parameswaran, PhD, senior associate dean for research


For the latest in research news, I’ve turned the last section of the update over to my colleague Nara Parameswaran, PhD, senior associate dean for research.

The FDA released a December 2 draft guidance aimed at reducing the use of nonhuman primates in monoclonal antibody testing by aligning with the “3R principles” of reducing, refining, and replacing animal testing. Science also reported that CDC researchers have been directed to phase out all primate research—marking the first termination of an in-house nonhuman primate program by a U.S. agency since NIH retired its chimpanzees a decade ago. Meanwhile, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 8–3 to recommend ending the 30-year practice of administering the first hepatitis B vaccine dose at birth. The American Academy of Pediatrics, AAMC, and others urged the CDC to reject this recommendation, citing major public health risks. This action follows extensive turnover and policy shifts within ACIP under the Trump administration and growing concern in the medical community, highlighted in a December 3 New England Journal of Medicine perspective authored by 12 former FDA commissioners, that recent federal actions are undermining evidence-based vaccine policy and public confidence.

In other news, NIH released two research security notices outlining new institutional obligations, including required research-security training for senior and key personnel by May 25, 2026, and adoption of the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for applications and progress reports submitted on or after January 25, 2026. Look out for an email from MSU’s Vice President for Research and Innovation Doug Gage on the research security training. NIH also announced that it will no longer accept Letters of Intent or require prior approval for applications requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs. Additional details on ongoing research-related legal cases remain available on the AAMC Federal Research-Related Litigation page.

Many Thanks

As we close out this year of change, challenge, and growth, I want to thank each of you for the resilience, dedication, and heart you bring to the College of Human Medicine every day. There is so much we have accomplished together. May we continue our mission together in the new year.

In Spartan Spirit,

Supratik Rayamajhi, MD, FACP
Interim Dean, MSU College of Human Medicine