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College of Human Medicine

Dean Rayamajhi’s Weekly Rundown

September 11, 2026

Dear colleagues,

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation witnessed tragedy, loss, and uncertainty on an unimaginable scale. In the days and weeks after, we also saw the very best of humanity; the people who stepped forward to help, heal, and serve. As we reflect on the anniversary of September 11, I encourage us all to take a moment to honor those memories and recommit to the values that define our profession and our college: compassion, service, and a steadfast commitment to improving lives.

Secchia Lecture Series

Dean Rayamajhi with John Kennedy and other attendees at the Secchia Lecture series.

One of the ways Peter Secchia committed to improving lives was through his endowment of the annual Peter F. Secchia Lecture Series. The lectures encourage collaboration among biomedical researchers, faculty, students, and entrepreneurs within the medical industry. This year, we heard a message delivered by Autocam Medical CEO, John Kennedy, focused on persistence, mentorship, and knowing when to pivot. His heartfelt and, at times, emotional address, emphasized the critical roles his mentors, including Peter Secchia, played in his early career and how having the courage to pivot or shift towards a new direction, even while at the top of your game, can truly pay off. We were proud to host MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, PhD, Provost Laura Lee McIntyre, PhD, MSU Board Chair Brianna Scott, and Secchia sons Mark and Charlie for this thoughtful conversation. You can watch the lecture here. 

Commitment to Rural Healthcare

headshot of MSU CHM student Elizabeth Phelps (M3).


Our college’s commitment to building the state’s rural physician workforce was showcased in Rapid Growth this week. All our students have personal stories behind pursuing a career in medicine. I’d like to thank Elizabeth Phelps (M3) for sharing her lived experience and her passion to serve those living in our rural Michigan communities. Thank you to Andrea Wendling, MD, senior associate dean for academic affairs and director of rural medicine, and Julie Phillips, MD, MPH, chair of the Department of Family Medicine, for lending their voices to this important story as well.

Doug Gage Retirement

Doug Gage at his retirement ceremony


I’d like to wish the warmest congratulations to Doug Gage, PhD, vice president for research and innovation, on his retirement. Doug served in that position for more than five years and as co-chair of the research implementation work group for the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan. Those of us who know Doug and his selfless work were not surprised to hear his wish at the December MSU Board of Trustees meeting for the entire campus to share in the credit for the research achievements made during his time in leadership. Thank you, Doug!

Research and Innovation

Speaking of research, I was reminded of the extraordinary social impact we have as Spartans while attending the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) Internal Advisory Board Meeting. From funding, to research, to commercialization, we continue to forge a path forward for research enterprises. Vice President of Research and Innovation, Shashank Priya, PhD, will talk to the college during the November leadership meeting to share and provide updates on several new initiatives originating from his office. As a university, we are stronger when we work together to discover and create real-world products and services that make life better.

Partnering in Flint

Dean Rayamajhi at the HFRCC symposium with symposium by Dick Sadler, PhD, MPH; Chelsea Wentworth, PhD, MPH; Nicole Jones, PhD; Jennifer Edwards-Johnson, DO; Gurbaksh Esch, MD, MPH; and Heatherlun Uphold, PhD.

Today I am at the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center (HFRCC) Research Symposium. The event truly shows off our collaboration with our research partners in Flint and what we and our partnering institutions can do when we work together. The college is well represented at today’s symposium by Dick Sadler, PhD, MPH; Chelsea Wentworth, PhD, MPH; Nicole Jones, PhD; Jennifer Edwards-Johnson, DO; Gurbaksh Esch, MD, MPH; and Heatherlun Uphold, PhD, among others. Their involvement reflects a strong commitment to cross-institutional collaboration and to connecting research, education, clinical practice, and community engagement around priorities identified with Flint communities.

If you pick up a theme through this newsletter, may it be simply that we are better together. Whether you chose to mentor, share, include others, or share the spotlight this week, thank you for contributing your time and talents in ways that make our collective impact greater than any one of us could achieve alone.

In Spartan Spirit,

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