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College of Human Medicine

May College News Headlines

May 28, 2026

Student Success

  • Women and Parkinson's Disease. “We all should take a moment to step into the shoes of our patients, coming from a place of curiosity," said Sydney Penrose (M3) in this Healio article about her poster presentation at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.
  • Iron Mountain Daily News featured recent graduate Madiline McNamara, MD ('26). “I was immediately drawn to UPHS-Marquette because of the warm and welcoming faculty and residents. The Upper Peninsula is always the place I’ve called home, so I am very thankful for the opportunity to continue my training here.”
  • “Just because people tell you something is hard and you can't do it, does not mean it's impossible,” said Jacob Charron, MD ('26). Jacob, his wife Alexandra Charron, MD ('25), and their identical twin boys are featured in a College of Human Medicine video by Nadija Kadunic, social media and digital marketing manager, that has attracted a lot of media attention. People Magazine, Yahoo, AOL, and WZZM reported on their story.
  • Luke Witvliet (M2) won the Amway River Bank Run 10K in Grand Rapids. He spoke about how running helps him set the tone of his day as a medical student in this WOOD interview.

Staff and Faculty Success

  • Jerry Kooiman, MPA, assistant dean emeritus for external relations, has won the GIA Distinguished Service Award from AAMC. The award recognizes members for their significant and longstanding contributions to the Group on Institutional Advancement, the AAMC, and to their profession. 
  • Teresa Woodruff, PhD, University Research Foundation Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, has been elected into the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences.

Healthy Communities

  • AI in Rural Healthcare. "I can see a model that would be really positive for a community," said Andrea Wendling, MD, senior associate dean for academic affairs and director of rural medicine. Wendling pushes the need for more physicians in rural parts of Michigan in this Detroit News article focused on AI-equipped vehicles.
  • “These findings, now published in JAMA Pediatrics, underscore the powerful role that economic stability plays in protecting children,” said Mona Hanna, MD, MPH, Rx Kids Director and associate dean of public health. Michigan Advance and University of Michigan Health reported on the results of the new study showing a decline in child welfare investigations.
  • Premature birth declined, fewer babies in the NICU, more pregnant mothers received prenatal care, and fewer smoked. New York Times reported on new Rx Kids research published in The Lancet Public Health.
  • “Because I did have Rx Kids, I did take the time to rest after I gave birth to my son," said one new mother in this Detroit Free Press article about how the program is changing motherhood in Michigan. Related: Yahoo, Bridge Detroit.
  • “We’re reaching over 23,000 babies a year. That’s incredible but that’s not every baby,” said Mona Hanna, MD, MPH, Rx Kids Director and associate dean of public health, in this MLive article focused on what’s next for the Rx Kids program. Related: Grand Rapids Press.
  • “This is important because the relationship stays when individual projects end,” said Jennifer Johnson, PhD, chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, in this Flintside article about how the department is building a model rooted in community. Related: RWJF

Research and Scholarship

  • Philip Gorelick, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Neurology And Ophthalmology, co-authored a study on the relationship between lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in elderly patients with cognitive decline. The study is examined in this MDEdge article.
  • Can an OTC nasal spray lower your risk of getting COVID? Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, offered her take on the claim in this Prevention article.
  • Leonard Fleck, PhD, University Distinguished Professor in the Center for Bioethics and Social Justice, and Micah Lissy, MD, chair of the Department of Orthopedics, are quoted in this Bridge article examining the complexities and frustrations with the U.S. healthcare system.
  • Amber Pearson, PhD, MPH, associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, led a study showing the benefits of trees aren’t equally experienced by all. Futurity, Earth, Medical Xpress, WDET, and Gene Online reported on the findings.
  • Howard Schubiner, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Medicine, spoke about his book Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression, on this AMFM Magazine podcast. Related: Deseret News.
  • “If you are really cleaning out your basement, I guess that’s probably the biggest risk for most people,” said Subhashis Mitra, MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine and interim chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases. He puts widely spreading concerns to rest about the hantavirus linked to a cruise ship in this WLNS story. Related: AOL, Yahoo.
  • "They often see four or more healthcare providers on that journey," said Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor and associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, in this WXYZ story highlighting Lupus Awareness Month and one woman's long road to diagnosis.
  • New long-term approach to cholesterol management guidelines were shaped by the work of Charles “Chaz” Hong, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Medicine. WZZM, WILX, and FOX 2 Detroit reported on how the changes have the potential to save thousands of lives.
  • Women’s Health examined misinformation connected to fluoride in drinking water. Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, reminded readers “sometimes it is hard to interpret scientific data if you don’t see the whole picture.”
  • "We have a lousy system that is dependent on employer reporting," said Kenneth Rosenman, MD, professor in the Department of Medicine and chief of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Rosenman calls the number of cases of an irreversible lung disease showing up in California workers who cut and install countertops truly concerning in this NPR story.

The Value of Research

  • "As a pain scientist, I am committed to continuing to support youth and specifically, children afflicted with chronic painful conditions. Yet, this has become increasingly difficult." Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor and associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, wrote an op-ed titled “The Kids Are Hurting” in MedPage Today. Related: Health Medicine Network.
  • “When Michigan invests in its research universities, it is not just building laboratories. It is securing a return on the tax dollars we already send to Washington and anchoring the next century of innovation in the Great Lakes State.” Kevin Guskiewicz, PhD, president, Michigan State University, wrote a Crain’s op-ed in support of fully leveraging the state’s R1 research universities with the leaders of Wayne State, Michigan Tech, and University of Michigan.

Alumni News

  • Anthony Oraha, MD (’17) was featured in DBusiness Magazine as member of the 2026 Class of 30 in Their Thirties.

Upcoming Events

  • Keith English, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, appeared on WLNS promoting the upcoming Teddy Bear Health Fair in East Lansing. The event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.