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College of Human Medicine

June College News Headlines

June 26, 2025

The Value of Research

  • "It's shocking to just lose the funds for no clear reason. Or for politics,” said Dawn Misra, PhD, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Detroit News reported on the loss of funding for a study that focused on Black mothers in Detroit to better understand why some babies are born preterm.
  • "Women are putting their lives and their bodies on the line to bring these babies into the world, and we should support them,” said Jennifer Johnson, PhD, chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. The Flint Courier News reported on Johnson’s work with the ROSE program which has demonstrated a cost-effective way to greatly decrease the rate of postpartum depression.
  • "Really should be bipartisan, nonpartisan — not even partisan. It’s freaking cancer research,” said Jamie Bernard, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, in the article from the Detroit Free Press about cuts to research funding.

Alumni News

  • Cassandra LaMarche, MD, (’22) received the 2025 Michigan Academy of Family Physician Resident of the Year award as reported by the Daily Press. 
  • Karmyn Vickery, MD, (’25) is the third sister in her family to graduate from College of Human Medicine’s UP Region campus. MyUpNow.com reported on how all three sisters plan to eventually return to serve rural communities in Michigan.
  • The Alpena News profiled recent gradate Brian Harmon, MD, (’25), who previously served as an EMT and volunteer firefighter. Harmon fell in love with the Northeast Michigan area after spending summers in Presque Isle during his childhood. He is about to start residency at Henry Ford Hospital but hopes to return to the area to serve as a rural doctor.

Staff+Faculty Success

  • Chronic pain in children is not only widespread but also persistent. Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, advocated for her work using cognitive behavioral therapy and partnering with school nurses in this Conversation article.
  • Cara Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, has received the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction’s (AMERSA) Betty Ford Award. The award recognizes exemplary work in advancing education, clinical care, and advocacy for people with substance use disorders. Poland has also been appointed vice president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
  • Jennifer Johnson, PhD, chair of the Charles Stewart Department of Public Health, has been named a University Distinguished Professor. The designation recognizes outstanding achievements in teaching, research, and public service.
  • Harvey Bumpers, MD, Michael K. McLeod, MD, and Paul Schneider, MD, professors in the Department of Surgery, were honored for their remarkable careers during an event at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center marking their retirements.

Healthy Communities

  • "We want to have connection between our medical, our mental health groups, and our housing groups…when we bring those three prongs together, we can really provide more wrap-around care for patients,” said David Klee, MD, community assistant dean in Traverse City. WCMU and UpNorthLive.com provided coverage of the Street Medicine program as it was presented to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees during their Traverse City retreat.
  • "How can you say no to these babies? Like how can you say no?” said Mona Hanna, MD, associate dean for public health and C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health. CBS News highlighted the success of the Rx Kids cash prescription program during its Eye on America series.
  • “It demonstrates to the community that the health of children is a priority not just for our department or the college, but for Michigan State University, said Keith English, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development. WILX and WKAR reported on the fun and purpose behind the East Lansing Teddy Bear Health Fair.

College News

  • The second annual Remembrance Conference was held June 6-8 in Buffalo, NY. Spectrum News and WIVB provided coverage on the event which is a partnership between the College of Human Medicine and University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, two communities affected by mass shootings. Related: Yahoo.

Research + Scholarship

  • Mold in your air conditioning unit? Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, offered her expertise on the topic in this Yahoo Life article.
  • Could the MIND (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet help lower the risk of developing dementia? Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, assistant professor and director of the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, discussed how the diet helps improve brain health in this Yahoo Life article. Related: Prevention.
  • “We come into contact with microplastics every day … [they’re] everywhere,” said Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, in this article in HuffPost about the safety of steam-in-bag microwavable meals.
  • Can a five-minute walk make a difference in your brain health? Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, assistant professor and director of the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, offered his expertise in this Prevention article.
  • Kraft Heinz announced the company would no longer include synthetic colors and artificial dyes in their products. Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, offered her thoughts on the move in this report by The National Desk. Related: Women’s Health.
  • Joseph Junewick, MD, professor in the Department of Radiology, warned of higher health care costs if House Bill 4399 and Senate Bill 268 pass in a commentary published by Crain’s Grand Rapids.