Joyce deJong, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, and Jeff MacKeigan, senior advisor in the Office of Research and Innovation at MSU, served as co-chairs of the Health Sciences Council for the past seven months. Below, they share their reflections on the council’s work and its impact.  

We were a council of thirteen leaders, appointed by President Kevin Guskiewicz, charged with rethinking and reimagining the future of MSU’s health sciences. From the outset, our charge was clear: generate bold, transformative ideas. Our mission, while straightforward, was ambitious — assess the current landscape, identify opportunities for restructuring and strengthening our colleges, deepen existing partnerships while forging new ones, and attract and retain top-tier talent.

 

Beginning in August, the council committed to an intensive schedule, embracing challenges and opportunities with a think tank mentality. Alongside our regular meetings, we convened for two strategic retreats — stepping away from daily responsibilities to engage in deep, focused planning. We tackled homework assignments between meetings that pushed us to refine our ideas and explore every possible angle. The council’s collective expertise shaped discussions that would influence the trajectory of MSU’s health sciences.

Transparency and rigorous evaluation were at the core of our approach. Every idea — no matter how unconventional — was documented, analyzed, and weighed for its benefits and trade-offs. Rather than presenting a single recommendation, our final report to President Guskiewicz laid out multiple pathways and options, each offering distinct advantages and strategic considerations.

The vision of One Team, One Health was a cornerstone of many discussions. From the beginning, we were energized by the potential of integrating all facets of health sciences within a unified, collaborative framework. MSU is uniquely positioned for this vision, with world-class programs in veterinary medicine, human and osteopathic medicine, and nursing. Beyond these, our strength extends across MSU’s diverse colleges, fostering an environment rich in interdisciplinary research, integrated training and education. This convergence of expertise creates a powerful foundation for a truly integrated approach to health care. With our deep-rooted culture of collaboration and a track record of pioneering innovation, MSU is poised to lead the way in redefining health sciences education, research, and clinical practice.

 

Over the past months, we have also come to appreciate the profound value of collaboration — not just between the two of us but across the entire council. We are deeply grateful to our fellow council members for their dedication, insights, and the rigorous discussions that shaped the council’s work. Their diverse perspectives allowed us to challenge assumptions, refine ideas, and ensure a comprehensive, well-vetted set of options for MSU’s leadership.

What became undeniably clear is that transformational change is not just an opportunity — it is a necessity. Our work has reinforced that bold, strategic restructuring will position MSU as a leader in medicine and health sciences. The One Team, One Health philosophy is more than a strategic initiative; it is a call to action that has the power to redefine our collective future.

Our journey as the Health Sciences Council has been both demanding and rewarding. We take immense pride in the strategic roadmap our health sciences team has developed. As we look ahead, we remain hopeful and confident that these possibilities will translate into concrete actions, strengthening MSU’s position as an innovator and leader in health care for generations to come.