EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, in a move that will address the state's physician shortage and improve medical education in the state, celebrated its new campus site in Detroit with a grand opening event on Sept. 17.
The event, held at the college's new facility at the Detroit Medical Center, marked the culmination of several years of planning for the college's expansion into the city's downtown, where students began classes for the first time earlier this summer.
"The faculty, staff and students of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine wish to extend their appreciation to all persons whose efforts contributed to the establishment of the college at the Detroit Medical Center," said William D. Strampel, dean of the college. "We will be teaching our students in an environment that will help them to learn how to meet the needs of an urban population."
Mike Duggan, president of the Detroit Medical Center, said the DMC is very pleased to be partnering with MSU.
"The College of Osteopathic Medicine will play a critical role in reducing the physician shortage in our community," he said.
During the event, guests heard from MSU President Lou Ann K. Simon, MSU board of trustees Chairman Joel Ferguson and DMC Chief of Staff John Haapaniemi. Strampel and Gary Willyerd, acting associate dean at the Detroit site, also addressed guests.
The college's expansion into Southeast Michigan also includes a new campus site at the Macomb University Center in Clinton Township, where a new facility will be completed next year. Students currently are using existing classroom space.
Plans for the expansion have been in the works for several years; sites were approved by the MSU Board of Trustees in May 2007, and the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation approved the expansion in September 2008.
"By expanding to two sites in Southeast Michigan, we can significantly enhance the college's mission while simultaneously serving the area of the state with the greatest population and some of the greatest need," Simon said.
For more information on the college, visit http://www.com.msu.edu/.
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