GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas and Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon have announced two new initiatives that will support clinical research and patient safety.
The two universities have agreed in concept to offer a joint graduate certificate in clinical research trials management. Simon spoke about the developments during her speech to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids this week.
"This online certificate program is an example of a partnership that provides the infrastructure to support clinical drug research trials in the region," she said.
Simon and Haas emphasize that the agreements foster collaboration, something that is mandatory given the state's economic climate.
"The location of MSU's College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids provides an opportunity for Grand Valley and MSU to work together on behalf of the region," Haas said. "We're obligated to the taxpayers of Michigan not to duplicate academic programs."
The second initiative announced today is an additional collaborative relationship between Grand Valley, the College of Human Medicine, Spectrum Health and Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners. It emerged in response to reports by the Institute of Medicine on the importance and challenges of providing safe, quality health care to patients.
"The partners are developing an inter-professional patient safety program to educate our health care students and providers in safety behaviors to improve patient care," said Jean Nagelkerk, Grand Valley's vice provost for health.
Grand Valley and MSU already have on-going cooperative programs, including the Early Assurance Program that links pre-med Grand Valley students to MSU's College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids. The first six Grand Valley students in the program have begun their studies.
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