EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State University Institute of International Health recently hosted a group of visitors from Merida, Mexico, as part of the emerging collaboration between MSU and the Yucatan Department of Health.
"This emerging partnership between MSU and the Yucatan Department of Health provides both parties with opportunities for exchange of new knowledge, new scientific discoveries and - most importantly - the development of mutually beneficial research programming," said Reza Nassiri, director of the institute. "Both sides get to work closely with each other on health-related matters, leveraging their progress to address the health challenges of Mesoamerica."
The group met with William Strampel, dean of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine and Jeff Riedinger, dean of International Studies and Programs. The group also visited the hyperbaric wound clinic at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and toured Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills and MetroHealth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
The purpose of the visit was to help the group establish links with MSU faculty members from a number of disciplines. Collaborative research programming will focus on community health, environmental health, osteopathic medicine, disease prevention and infectious diseases.
The strategic partnership between the college and Yucatan Department of Health has been the foundation for the new osteopathic clinic being built next to Hospital O'Horan in Merida, Mexico. At what will be MSU's first international osteopathic medical clinic, College of Osteopathic Medicine-affiliated physicians are able to apply for clinical practice in the state of Yucatan, and MSU medical students and residents have a valuable opportunity for international training and research programming.
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