Dean Rayamajhi’s Weekly Rundown
March 13, 2026
Greetings,
It’s remarkable to reflect that six years ago today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the restriction of gatherings of over 250 people, including Michigan’s K–12 schools, in response to the emerging pandemic. Two days before, MSU suspended face-to-face instruction, becoming the first public university in the state to do so.
As we continue to move forward, it’s natural to look back. But with each passing year, we gain perspective, resilience, and renewed commitment to progress. Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when we work toward the greater good.
One Team, One Health
Earlier this week, President Kevin Guskiewicz announced the next phase of MSU’s One Team, One Health initiative. This is a continued evolution in MSU’s health sciences enterprise that positions us to lead in a rapidly changing landscape, while building on the strengths that define our college.
I want to reiterate that there are no immediate changes to our programs, accreditation or day-to-day operations. This week's announcement is an intent to pursue next steps of the recommendations of the One Health Council report. I want to encourage you all to read my response to this week's announcement here. You can read the One Health Council’s report to the president here. Additionally, you can reach out to me directly with questions you may have.
Trinity Health Behavioral Health Crisis Center
John vanSchagen, MD, DIO at Trinity Health and associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and Brandon Francis, MD, MPH, CMO at Trinity Health and assistant professor of Health Programs in the Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, led a group on a tour of the Trinity Health Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Grand Rapids. The center is a welcome addition in the fight against the mental health crisis in our country. The 16-bed facility is always open providing nearly immediate crisis stabilization for adults experiencing mental health or substance abuse emergencies. This center allows people in crisis to avoid our hospital emergency departments and our jails. We were also pleased to tour Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital where many of our Spartan MDs are serving as residents.
Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Ceremony
Last month we recognized Kelly Hirko, PhD, fixed-term associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Hend Azhary, MD, Health Programs (HP) associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, Churlsun Han, MD, Mukta Sharma, MD, and in a very special moment for me personally, my sister, Sumugdha Rayamajhi, MD, HP associate professors in the Department of Medicine, at the RPT Ceremony at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. It is a celebration of accomplishment as these individuals have demonstrated a clear record of sustained, outstanding achievements in scholarship, teaching, and service. Fixed-term faculty are the backbone of our academic programs and important contributors to the research mission. HP faculty are practicing clinicians balancing commitments to clinical medicine, teaching the next generation of physicians, and scholarly work. Our college could not do what we do without the dedicated fixed-term and HP faculty members who support the research, academic, and clinical mission areas. Congratulations to Drs. Hirko, Azhary, Han, Sharma, and Rayamajhi.
Outreach and Engagement Awards
The accolades for our faculty and students abound. Please join me in congratulating Andrea Wendling, MD, senior associate dean for academic affairs and director of rural medicine. Last night she was honored with the Institutional Champion Award for Community Engagement Scholarship. Dr. Wendling has partnered with multiple rural communities and health systems throughout the state to create and sustain the Leadership in Rural Medicine (LRM) certificate program. Her vision has always been that students would be trained to be rural physician leaders within communities, a formula that allows the College of Human Medicine to have a footprint across Michigan. Dr. Wendling exemplifies the spirit of this award. Her innovative programs, scholarly impact, and deep commitment to outreach have transformed lives and strengthened communities.
University Distinguished Professor
Jennifer Johnson, PhD, is among the ten people designated 2025 University Distinguished Professors. We were able to recognize and celebrate Dr. Johnson and her work again this week during a reception at Cowles House. She is the founding chair and C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health and leads two National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded center grants: the National Center for Health and Justice Integration for Suicide Prevention.
Sisters in Medicine
From outstanding faculty to our exceptional students who carry the future of the College of Human Medicine. We're thankful to sisters Awatef (M1) and Ayah (M3) Ayesh, for sharing how their journey into medicine has been shaped by family, community, and purpose. Check out the recent features of the Ayesh sisters from Rapid Growth, Common Ground, WOOD TV, and Grand Valley Lanthorn. Awatef and Ayah remind us that we all have a unique path to medicine and that is our strength.
Next week is Match Day. The heartiest of well-wishes and congratulations goes out to all our students across each of our eight campuses as you approach this milestone moment. Your hard work, resilience, and deep commitment to the practice of medicine have brought you to this point, and we could not be more proud. May Match Day bring excitement, clarity, and the beginning of the next chapter you’ve prepared so diligently for. Wherever you match, know that you carry the strength of this Spartan community with you.
In Spartan Spirit,
Supratik Rayamajhi, MD, FACP
Interim Dean, MSU College of Human Medicine