Dean Rayamajhi’s Weekly Rundown

May 8, 2026

Dear colleagues,

In a fast-paced world where many of us are expected to be in more than one place at once, technology makes it possible to stay connected in so many ways. That was especially true during the 2026 Virtual Student Scholarships & Awards Banquet, an evening of celebration and gratitude honoring the generous donors who support our incredible future Spartan MDs. Through their commitment, we are able to continue our mission of Serving the People.

Thanks to the flexibility of a virtual format, I began the program in my Secchia Center office in Grand Rapids and, as the photo above shows, concluded it from my driveway in Okemos. If you missed the program and would like to see all the students celebrated, here is a link.

A Visit to Pine Rest

I was able to reconnect with our partners at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and tour their new 66 bed Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. This transformative facility is designed to expand access to specialized mental health care for children and adolescents across Michigan. Our third and fourth-year students are getting hands-on training at Pine Rest’s Grand Rapids facility, which is the second-largest non-profit behavioral mental health care provider in the country.

Pine Rest and the College of Human Medicine are proud to partner with MIDOCs, a program focused on training physicians in rural and underserved areas of Michigan. In turn, MIDOCs can lift the burden of a substantial amount in student loans for physicians who commit to practicing in underserved areas. We’re thankful to Mark Eastburg, PhD, president and CEO of Pine Rest, and Bill Sanders, DO, chief medical officer and fellow Spartan, for their partnership that allows us to continue to address the gaps in rural healthcare in our state.

Spartan Bus Tour in Flint

We were proud to host President Kevin Guskiewicz and his guests on the Spartan Bus Tour through its trip across the Tri-Cities, highlighting the many ways MSU is making an impact in the Bay Region. In Flint, participants learned about the college’s Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, the nation’s first academic department co-created and co-governed by the community. Shaped in partnership with the community and made possible through the leadership and contributions of Flint residents, this collaboration pioneered a nationally recognized, community-driven model of public health.

At the nearby Flint Farmers’ Market, the group watched a cooking demonstration showcasing programs like Flint Kids Cook and the Pediatric Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. These programs promote nutrition and increase access to healthy food options for children and families. And speaking of kids, Flint is also the birthplace of the rapidly expanding Rx Kids program, which recently announced growth into 20 additional Michigan communities this summer. The program will now reach 60 communities statewide, supporting more than 23,000 births each year. Kenyetta Dotson, DMIN, MSW, director of community-based implementation and engagement; Kent Key, PhD, MPH, associate chair for community-partnered departmental administration in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health; and Ade Olomu, MD, Blanch B. & Frederick C. Swartz Endowed Professor of Medicine, represented the college on this two-day tour.

While I was visiting the Flint Campus, I took the opportunity to tour both McLaren Flint Hospital and Hurley Medical Center, gaining a deeper appreciation for the critical role they play in serving the community. The visits provided valuable time to connect with our hospital partners and strengthen our collaboration in advancing medical education. I always enjoy seeing firsthand our shared commitment to training and supporting our students.

Commencement Celebrations

Congratulations to all our MPH and MD/PhD graduates who were honored last weekend. Several of them met with President Guskiewicz during the Spartan Bus Tour, shown above. During her commencement address, MSU alum Governor Gretchen Whitmer, encouraged graduates to add action to our tagline "Spartans Will.” She reminded us that we can live out that motto by doing the work, keeping an open mind, and recognizing our capabilities.

I hope to offer encouragement in a similar manner tomorrow while celebrating our MD graduates. We are pleased to welcome our commencement speaker, Bobby Mukkamala, MD, president of the American Medical Association, board-certified head and neck surgeon in Flint, and clinical associate professor in our Department of Surgery. His story is remarkable. He’ll touch on building the future of medicine and the critical roles we all play.

On this Mother’s Day weekend, as you are surrounded by loved ones, whether family by birth or by choice, I hope you take time to reflect on your accomplishments, embrace the challenges ahead, and celebrate the people and moments that make this journey meaningful. Your dedication, resilience, and compassion continue to shape stronger communities and a brighter future for those we serve.
 

In Spartan Spirit,

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