2023 Archives
Fashion show brings MSU medical and textile design students together for charity
December 21, 2023
Last Saturday, 25 College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine students walked the runway in the Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre as part of the Anatomy of Fashion: A Runway Show for Charity to raise money for Care Free Medical.
Published Research
December 21, 2023
The latest published research from College of Human Medicine faculty.
Research Grants
December 21, 2023
The latest research grants awarded to faculty at the College of Human Medicine.
December College News Headlines
December 20, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
Philosopher and medical ethicist Leonard M. Fleck named University Distinguished Professor
December 13, 2023
Leonard M. Fleck, PhD, has been named University Distinguished Professor, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a faculty member by the university. Fleck is appointed in both the Center for Bioethics and Social Justice and the Department of Philosophy.
November College News Headlines
November 30, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
Parameswaran appointed senior associate dean for research
November 27, 2023
In his new role as senior associate dean for research, Nara Parameswaran plans to continue a passion that has driven his work for many years: solving problems.
Medical Students Get Hands-On Wilderness Training in the UP
November 16, 2023
Learn about the Northern Wilderness Emergency and Sports Medicine “COMPASS” elective, unique to MSU College of Human Medicine’s Upper Peninsula Region Campus. Students experience the Upper Peninsula’s environment while learning valuable skills they can use as future physicians.
Mahmoudi recognized as global top researcher
November 15, 2023
Morteza Mahmoudi, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Radiology and Precision Health Program, has been recognized in the “2023 Highly Cited Researchers” list, a ranking organized annually by Clarivate Analytics.
MSU and Corewell Health Fund Nearly $1.4 Million in New Research Grants to Advance Therapies for Patients
November 14, 2023
Corewell Health and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine are funding nearly $1.4 million in new research grants that will tackle potential new therapies for diseases including cancer, coronary artery disease and more.
Notable Health Care Leaders in West Michigan
November 3, 2023
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, alumnus and former dean of the College of Human Medicine, and Jack Lipton, PhD, professor and founding chair of the Department of Translational Neuroscience, were named “Notable West Michigan Leaders in Health Care.”
October College News Headlines
October 30, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
MSU Board of Trustees approves six new departments
October 27, 2023
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved six new departments in the MSU College of Human Medicine. The departments – dermatology, otolaryngology, pathology, radiation oncology, urology, and neurosurgery – are being developed as part of the Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences partnership.
Did you track lead from work into your home?
October 25, 2023
MSU and other organizations are urging increased awareness during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 22 to 28, designated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New toolkit empowers clinicians and the LGBTQ+ community to make informed decisions on HIV prevention
October 25, 2023
A passion project for third-year medical student Elena Lafata is now an online toolkit for clinicians and members of the LGBTQ+ community to learn about HIV PrEP and make informed decisions about prevention.
A healthy partnership in Flint includes residents at the table
October 23, 2023
MSU and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation are expanding public health initiatives to improve health and quality of life for the city’s residents.
Celebrating Faculty and Staff Success
October 19, 2023
Congratulations to the recipients of the College of Human Medicine's 2023 faculty and staff awards.
New Scholarships Implemented as part of Indigenous Pathway program
October 18, 2023
In a recent State News article, Dean Sousa discusses two new scholarships to address the shortage of medical doctors serving indigenous communities and reduce health disparities through the Indigenous Pathway program
Dr. Charles Hong named Department of Medicine chair
October 17, 2023
Detroit native Charles (“Chaz”) Hong, MD, PhD, has been named chair of the Department of Medicine.
Ask the expert: How harmful is radiation risk from mobile phones?
October 16, 2023
Mark DeLano, chair of the Department of Radiology in the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine, shares his perspective on the issue of radiation levels from cell phones.
MSU, Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health announce $19M maternal health research center
October 12, 2023
A new statewide center led by researchers at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences and Corewell Health will study ways to reduce an alarming number of pregnancy-associated deaths and complications, particularly among Black, Hispanic and rural residents.
Jayne Ward, DO, FACH, FAAN, appointed chair of the Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology
October 10, 2023
Jayne Ward, DO, FACH, FAAN, has been appointed chair of the Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology.
Prominent cancer researcher joins MSU
October 3, 2023
Internationally renowned cancer researcher Olorunseun “Seun” Ogunwobi joined MSU as chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He also serves as the co-director of the forthcoming Center for Cancer Health Equity Research at MSU.
September College News Headlines
September 29, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
In-home prenatal support improves birth outcomes, reduces disparities, study shows
September 26, 2023
New MSU College of Human Medicine and Corewell Health research led by Cristian Meghea, Ph.D., lead author and associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, shows that in-home, enhanced prenatal services provided by community health workers, nurses and social workers can dramatically reduce the risk of premature births, the main cause of infant deaths among Black and Hispanic populations.
Eneka Lamb Brings Global Perspective to Rural Health Leadership Role
September 26, 2023
Eneka Lamb, a third-year student, took a break from a surgical rotation in Midland to talk about her interest in rural medicine and her recent election as chair of the National Rural Health Association’s Student Constituency Group.
A message from Dean Sousa
September 12, 2023
The news and events of the weekend bring back some of this trauma even as the adjudication of the case is not yet complete. We are going to be in this for a while, but I am glad we have each other. Please be there for one another, and the people in our communities. There are support resources for our students, staff, and faculty, and all of our campuses have psychological support services as well.
$26M NIH grant addresses environmental influences on child health
September 1, 2023
Backed by a $26 million federal grant, researchers at three Michigan universities, a leading health care system, and a state agency will continue a long-term study of how exposure to environmental factors during pregnancy and early childhood can impact health for a lifetime.
Four College of Human Medicine students receive Oliver Goldsmith, MD, Scholarships
August 30, 2023
Of the 12 Oliver Goldsmith, MD, Scholarships awarded this year by Kaiser Permanente, four recipients were College of Human Medicine students. Enrique Cazares-Navarro, Aldana Garcia, Patricio Ruano, and Melanie Valentin received the scholarship for their commitment to social justice and caring for underserved communities.
White Coat Ceremony begins journey into medical profession for 189 MSU medical students
August 21, 2023
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine welcomed its 2023 entering class at the medical school’s White Coat and Matriculation Ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 19, at DeVos Performance Hall. The 189 medical students participated in the time-honored tradition of donning crisp new white coats and taking the medical student oath.
Rizvi family members find home in both MSU medical schools
August 21, 2023
The Rizvi family's connection to MSU runs deep! Ramsha Rizvi, a first-year student at the College of Human Medicine, is following in her family's medical footsteps. Inspired by her brother Syed, who attends the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and her mother Dr. Humaira Rizvi, a dedicated clinical assistant professor at both MSU medical schools, Ramsha is beginning her own journey in medicine.
In Memoriam of Daniel Mazzuchi, MD | 1939 - 2023
August 17, 2023
Daniel S. Mazzuchi, MD, age 84, died August 10, 2023, at Trillium House in Marquette following a battle with cancer. Dr. Mazzuchi was instrumental in developing the Upper Peninsula campus for the MSU College of Human Medicine. A scholarship established in 1983 for Upper Peninsula students was renamed the Mazzuchi Scholarship in 2006 to honor Dr. Mazzuchi.
Medical Student Confronts Firearm Epidemic with Prevention, Advocacy and Curriculum Changes
August 11, 2023
As the nation grapples with the firearm epidemic, MSU College of Human Medicine students directly impacted by gun violence on their own campus are using their role as future physicians to advocate for change. Read Jasmanpreet Kaur's essay on the topic.
In Memoriam of William Dery, MD
August 8, 2023
William Dery, MD, died Tuesday, August 1, 2023. He was a graduate of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and a former program director for the MyMichigan Family Medicine Residency Program in Midland, where he made significant, lifelong contributions to family medicine resident education, serving as a teaching physician for 40 years.
Michigan as a Model to Address Infant Poverty
July 31, 2023
Rx Kids, the nation’s first citywide prenatal and infant cash allowance program, receives approval of $16.5M from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant in the FY2024 Michigan budget to propel a healthy start for all Flint babies during the critical first year of life.
June & July College News Headlines
July 31, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
Olomu honored for efforts toward improving health care for minority populations
July 28, 2023
Ade Olomu, the Blanch B. and Frederick C. Swartz Endowed Professor of Medicine and chief of the College of Human Medicine’s Division of General Internal Medicine, recently received the Society of Internal Medicine’s 2023 Herbert W. Nickens Award. The Society gives the annual award to those who have “demonstrated exceptional commitment to cultural diversity in medicine or to improving minority health.” Ade Olomu, the Blanch B. and Frederick C. Swartz Endowed Professor of Medicine,
In Memoriam of Georgia Johnson, MD | 1930 - 2023
July 27, 2023
Georgia Anna Lewis Johnson, MD, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the age 93 years. Dr. Johnson became the first Black female faculty physician in the College of Human Medicine in 1969, serving as an internal medicine assistant professor in the Department of Medicine. She was director of adolescent services and practiced at Olin Health Center.
In Memoriam of George Rowan, PhD | 1943-2023
July 27, 2023
George Thurston Rowan, PhD, age 80, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023. He was the founder and director of the David Walker Research Institute in the College of Human Medicine and taught classes to first-year medical students in the college, and was an MSU faculty member for more than 35 years.
MSU study links cadmium levels in women’s urine to endometriosis
July 24, 2023
According to Kristen Upson, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, women with a history of endometriosis had higher concentrations of cadmium in their urine compared to those without that diagnosis.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha Named Associate Dean for Public Health
July 19, 2023
Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, was recently was named the College of Human Medicine’s associate dean for public health, a new position created to coordinate and expand the college’s efforts to promote and protect the health of entire communities.
Building a village around LGBTQIA+ youth
June 27, 2023
Backed by a grant from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, second-year College of Human Medicine student Mary Finedore created a pilot program to support vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth and those aging out of foster care.
Dr. Amie Hop presents "Gender Affirming Care: Surgical Office Prospective"
June 25, 2023
In honor of Pride Month, Dr. Amie Hop (she/her) joined our DEI Grand Rounds to talk about the importance of gender-affirming care.
MSU Alzheimer’s disease expert bridges gap between ‘bench’ research and community
June 12, 2023
Michigan State University neuroscientist Irving Vega is often found in his lab studying the impact certain proteins have on the development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. But when he’s not conducting research, Vega makes time to go out into the community to talk about Alzheimer’s disease and engage with students about their interest in science.
NIH awards MSU $4M to study rare children’s disease Bachmann-Bupp Syndrome
May 31, 2023
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a prestigious grant to a College of Human Medicine professor and a Helen Devos Children’s Hospital physician to study a rare genetic disease and related disorders that until recently were unknown.
Celebrating the Class of 2023!
May 25, 2023
On May 13, the Class of 2023 reunited at the MSU College of Human Medicine Commencement Ceremony after spending their third and fourth years of medical school in hospitals and clinics at the college’s statewide community campuses. See all the ways we celebrated them!
Flint Campus student selected for NFL sports medicine program
May 25, 2023
Tamarandobra (Dobra) Ogeh, a third-year medical student at the College of Human Medicine’s Flint Campus will get to complete one-month clinical rotation with the Detroit Lions and Henry Ford Health sports medicine physicians as part of the NFL Sports Medicine Pipeline Program.
Bachmann and collaborators named Inventors of the Year for successful treatment of rare disease
May 16, 2023
College of Human Medicine professor André Bachmann and two Corewell Health physicians, Caleb Bupp and Surender Rajasekaran, have been named the 2023 Inventors of the Year for their discovery of a previously unknown disease and development of an effective treatment.
Marielle He: Finding a Purpose in Medicine
May 10, 2023
As a young girl in China, the thought of becoming a doctor never occurred to Marielle He. After graduation, she begins her residency in general surgery at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He says medicine gave her a purpose and serving as a Navy physician is an important way for her to give back. Read more about Marielle's road to residency.
Nick LeMire: Continuing the Family Tradition
May 10, 2023
Nick LeMire comes from a family of doctors with a long history of serving underserved communities in the Upper Peninsula. After graduating from the UP campus, Nick will begin a residency in family medicine through the University of Washington Chelan RTT. While plans could change, Nick has an eye towards returning to the UP to start his own practice. Read more about his road to residency.
Ellie Gschwendtner: The Parallel Between Ceramics and Plastic Surgery
May 3, 2023
While studying for a bachelor’s degree in ceramics, Ellie Gschwendtner worked as an anesthesia technician. While watching a plastic surgeon work, she was intrigued by the similarities between the two fields and believes her experience in ceramics will make her a better physician. Gschwendtner is a Traverse City Campus graduate with a Leadership in Rural Medicine certificate.
Kelvin Lim: Service Through Medicine
May 1, 2023
Kelvin Lim has always been passionate about serving others. He was initially drawn to politics but found his calling in medicine after serving as a medical scribe. Lim was an emergency medical technician in Los Angeles before med school. After graduating from the College of Human Medicine’s Grand Rapids Campus, he will begin a urology residency at University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital.
Antara Afrin: Detroit native heads to Harvard and Yale
April 28, 2023
After graduation, Antara Afrin is first heading to Harvard for a pediatrics preliminary year, then a three-year dermatology residency at Yale. Her passion for serving underserved communities is fueled by her parents’ example and her Muslim faith. Read about her road to residency.
April College News Headlines
April 27, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
Kulkarni honored with HTRS Lifetime Achievement Award
April 27, 2023
The Hemostasis & Thrombosis Research Society recently presented Kulkarni, MD, a College of Human Medicine emeritus professor of Pediatrics and Human Development, with its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health to expand and strengthen community care
April 27, 2023
On a recent episode of “MSU Today with Russ White,” Dean Sousa, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Ridgway White discuss the visionary partnerships and important community-based research happening within the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health.
Sejal Mehta: From Patient to Pediatrician
April 27, 2023
Sejal Mehta draws on her experience as a patient early in life to provide compassion care to her patients. After graduation, she heads to Baylor College of Medicine for a pediatric residency. Read about her road to residency.
Thomas Barker: Medicine Came Calling
April 25, 2023
Thomas Barker will carry on the family legacy of practicing medicine and community service. Read about his road to residency.
Blue Ridge ranks MSU OB-GYN #4 in NIH research funding
April 25, 2023
The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology has again ranked among the top recipients of research funding from the National Institutes of Health, according to a report by the nonprofit Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.
Rx Kids Program Aims to Tackle Poverty to Improve the Health of City of Flint Moms and Babies
April 20, 2023
Thanks to an intended $15 million “challenge” grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Rx Kids will be the first citywide program in the United States to address maternal and infant poverty with the novel approach of unconditional cash allowances to ALL City of Flint pregnant moms and babies.
Winners of the Annie Li Yang Student Essay Contest
April 10, 2023
Three student essays were chosen for the 2023 Annie Li Yang Student Essay Contest. First place winner was Joshua Rabotnick and his essay “Scar Tissue.” Second place winner was Taylor Lombard with her essay “Medical School: Holding Two Truths.” Third place winner was Patricio Ruano with his essay “Como Te Voy A Olvidar.”
Global genetic study shows link between endometriosis, other debilitating pain conditions
March 28, 2023
Stacey Missmer, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, discusses a global genetic study that shows link between endometriosis, other debilitating pain conditions. Missmer is the U.S. leader of IEGC for the second phase of the study.
March College News Headlines
March 27, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
MSU scientists create start-up to develop gene therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease
March 27, 2023
A new startup, CavGene Therapeutics, Inc., will further research initiated by Kathy Steece-Collier, PhD, a professor of Translational Neuroscience in the College of Human Medicine. For decades, she has led an effort to reduce or eliminate a frequent side effect of a drug commonly prescribed for Parkinson’s patients.
Orezime Uyeh: Inspiring the Next Generation of Doctors, One Book at a Time
March 20, 2023
Third-year student Rezi Uyeh, a 27-year old Nigerian American artist, combined her passion for children, health care, teaching and mentorship to write and illustrate her first book, “Girls for Medicine".
Neuroscience Fair Offers a Look Inside the Brain
March 18, 2023
The Department of Translational Neuroscience hosted the event at the Grand Rapids Public Museum where participants experienced 17 hands-on activities like performing deep brain stimulation on a gelatin brain, extracting DNA from a banana and viewing neurons under the microscope.
Match Day 2023
March 17, 2023
184 rising Spartan MDs at seven MSU College of Human Medicine community campuses statewide learned where they matched for residency this summer. 100% of the college's senior students have secured residency placements.
Student research program focuses on reducing health disparities
March 15, 2023
Since 2018, 37 College of Human Medicine students passionate about reducing health disparities in underserved populations have participated in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health’s Research to Reduce Disparities in Disease (R2D2) Program.
Reach Out To Youth Program Builds Pathway to Medicine
March 7, 2023
This year’s MSU program on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Secchia Center was free and open to children ages 7-11 from public schools in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. The program was sponsored by the Student National Medical Association and the Urban League of West Michigan.
Black History Month Member Interview: Larry Charleston, IV, MD, MSc, FAHS
March 2, 2023
The American Neurological Association celebrated black history month and interviewed the College of Human Medicine's Larry Charleston, IV, MD, MSC, FAHS. Read the full interview.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha: We’re waging war on our children. It has to stop. | Opinion
February 22, 2023 - Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha
We failed our kids, again. But it is worse than a failure. It’s no exaggeration to say we are waging war on our children. A war with many fronts.
MSU study finds pandemic just ‘tip of the iceberg’ for causes of death in pregnant, postpartum people
February 6, 2023
Lead author Claire Margerison, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the MSU College of Human Medicine, finds pandemic just ‘tip of the iceberg’ for causes of death in pregnant, postpartum people.
January College News Headlines
January 30, 2023
Catch up on news headlines and more updates from the college.
David Klee, MD, named Community Assistant Dean in Traverse City
January 30, 2023
David Klee, MD, has been appointed community assistant dean, following the retirement of Dan Webster, MD, founding dean for the Traverse City Campus. Klee is a family medicine physician with a history of working with students and residents. While he’s always had a strong interest in teaching, it also was the lure of the college’s rural health education program that drew him.
"Just Breathe" podcast connects through shared vulnerability
January 26, 2023
Third-year College of Human Medicine student Michael Knox started his podcast “Just Breathe Collective” in 2021 with the intention of connecting with others through shared vulnerability. He has since produced seven episodes and plans to continue it throughout his medical career. We interviewed Michael to learn more about his podcast and what the future holds.
Ferreira’s lab explores rare isotopes to detect and stop cancer at the cellular level
January 25, 2023
Carolina de Aguiar Ferreira, an assistant professor in the Colleges of Human Medicine and Engineering, is opening her own lab to study promising new therapies that hunt down cancer cells and kill them with radioactive isotopes.
Epidemiologist and physician Nigel Paneth retires after nearly five decades of service
January 24, 2023
After nearly five decades as a pediatrician and an epidemiologist specialized in studying the causes and prevention of neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants, Nigel Paneth retired – sort of.
Graduate voice: Iranian-American identity and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement
January 18, 2023
Yasi Zamani-Hank is a graduate of Michigan State University who recently earned her doctorate in epidemiology. She is currently completing her postdoctoral research in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at MSU. Her research focuses on understanding the social determinants of racial and socioeconomic disparities in adverse birth outcomes and the role of adverse life experiences on women’s health.
New model offers powerful tool for studying endometrial cancer
January 17, 2023
A new laboratory model will better enable scientists to study the development of endometrial cancer, the most common gynecological cancer in the U.S.
In Memoriam of Kate Lax | 1984 - 2023
January 12, 2023
Kate Lax, the college's former associate director of development, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023, at the age of 38. She was a friend to many and a ray of sunshine to all. A bridge to donors and colleagues, Kate’s legacy will live on at the College of Human Medicine and at Michigan State University forever, through the students, alumni, and faculty she was so passionate and dedicated to serving.
Ask the expert: What are nanomedicines?
January 12, 2023
Michigan State University researcher Morteza Mahmoudi studies factors impeding the development of very promising and extremely tiny diagnostics and therapeutics known as nanomedicines.