Dean Sousa's Final Update
September 30, 2025 - Aron Sousa, MD
Friends,
With this last update, there is little reason for me to go on at length. I am confident in the work we have done together across the state. We can see the impact of the College of Human Medicine in every city and village of Michigan. Each among our thousands of graduates across degrees helps thousands more people in their career. Continuing from the education of our students and the scholarship and engagement of our faculty and staff, we directly improve the lives of the people around us through novel discoveries, implementation science, new programs, and public intellectual work. You can count mothers saved, cancers and suicides prevented, drugs discovered, addictions treated, vaccines given, evictions averted, and jobs created. More, I fervently believe we make our partners better places for residents to learn and for patients to heal. Ours is good, noble work.
Today, our society wrestles with its past and future in ways we have not seen in generations. Increasingly, doing work in public constitutes an unaccustomed courage. This is not about political party or philosophy; cynicism skulks across the political spectrum. In contrast to emergent nihilism, our professions exist because of and in support of curiosity, learning, and action in communities. We exist because it is fitting and proper for people to understand the world and use that knowledge to improve the general welfare. At a time when so much is at stake, we should avoid interior intrigue in favor of loftier and more material concerns. There is no more urgent time for us to focus our energy exteriorly.
You all have been inspiring to me, and you have changed me. On my best days, I am delighted by your work: the impact of a student organization, the success of a struggling student, how a community group is newly engaged in our work, the progress of a new hire, the results of a long-anticipated experiment, and how families can better afford housing because of what you all do. Thank you for all your work and the benefits you bring to those around you.
Serving the people with you,
Aron
Aron Sousa, MD, FACP
Dean, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine