Michigan State University College of Human Medicine announced the formation of two new clinical divisions — a Division of Neurosurgery and a Division of Otolaryngology — in partnership with two Southeast Michigan medical practices, a move that expands its statewide presence and opportunities for its students.

The new Division of Neurosurgery includes physicians from Michigan Spine and Brain Surgeons which has offices in Wayne and Oakland counties. The division’s director will be Teck Soo, founder of Michigan Spine and Brain Surgeons, and assistant clinical professor at MSU College of Human Medicine and chief of neurosurgery at Ascension Providence Hospitals.

The new Division of Otolaryngology includes physicians from the Michigan Ear Institute, a Farmington Hills-based practice specializing in treating hearing, dizziness, inner ear, skull base and facial nerve disorders. 

Seilesh C. Babu, assistant clinical professor at MSU College of Human Medicine, and president and senior partner at the Michigan Ear Institute, has been appointed division director.

“With our medical schools’ statewide footprint, these new divisions will help Michigan State University meet our ultimate goal of improving the health of Michigan residents,” said Norman J. Beauchamp, MSU executive vice president for health sciences. 

Both Southeast Michigan practices are national leaders in their respective fields, including in research and education, said Aron Sousa, the College of Human Medicine’s interim dean.

“Giving our medical students access to that kind of work will be good for our college and the state,” Sousa said. “It’s particularly good for our students who want to go into those two specialties.”

“This is highly significant for us as a campus,” added Valerie Overholt, community assistant dean for the Southeast Michigan Campus. “Both of these practices are very involved in research and are committed to medical education. The formation of these divisions will create new opportunities for our students in research and clinical rotations.” 

While the new divisions will serve all of the college’s students statewide, they also represent an expansion of its presence in Southeast Michigan. The College of Human Medicine’s Southeast Michigan Campus is the newest of the college’s seven statewide campuses, opening in 2015 with teaching partner Ascension Providence Hospital, in Novi and Southfield.                   

"MSU has been a remarkable medical education partner to Ascension Providence Hospital,” said Manhal Tobia, chief medical officer for Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi and Southfield. “This occasion will further consolidate our joint partnership. The shared resources and expertise will foster advanced educational collaboration."