The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine has named Kirsten Waarala as assistant dean for its Macomb University Center site. She will assume leadership at the Clinton Township location May 15.
Waarala will assume administrative responsibility for osteopathic medicine programs in southeast Michigan, including developing collaborative relationships with leaders, faculty and staff at all three sites in the area, supervising staff members responsible for academic programs and student services functions and enhancing relationships with other leaders in southeast Michigan and on the East Lansing campus.
Waarala was most recently the director of medical education at Garden City Hospital, where she also served as an administrator in clinical informatics and quality. She previously served as the director of medical education and internship program director at Mount Clemens General Hospital, which is now McLaren Macomb Hospital.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. Waarala completed an internship and then a residency in internal medicine, both at Riverside Osteopathic Hospital in Trenton, Mich. She also completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Botsford Hospital, formally Botsford General Hospital, in Farmington Hills, Mich.
“Dr. Waarala’s leadership, her technical knowledge and her considerable experience in working with residents and student doctors makes her an excellent fit for this role,” said MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean William Strampel. “She possesses an outstanding mix of administrative and clinical skills and thoroughly understands the challenging world of medical education. She’ll be a great addition to our college leadership team.”
Waarala succeeds Kari Hortos who has moved into the role of chief academic officer for the college’s Statewide Campus System.