Reimagining Health Sciences at MSU Frequently Asked Questions

Mission/Vision

Why is MSU considering reimagining health sciences?

To come together as one team to better prepare our students and the university to be leaders in health sciences, focusing on innovative and collaborative research, education, and clinical care.
In July 2024, President Guskiewicz convened a Health Sciences Council to reimagine the strategic priorities and organizational structure of MSU’s health sciences. From the Council’s assessment, we understand that our strengths in human, animal, and environmental health provide MSU with a unique opportunity to be a leader in One Health.
By integrating our efforts in these fields, we can enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional education; attract more funding and support more groundbreaking research; recruit and retain top talent; and create a single docking point for our state-wide medical partners.

What are the benefits of restructuring/reimagining?

By creating stronger connections between our health colleges, we open new opportunities for students and researchers while expanding our role in community-based care.
A combined College of Medicine could allow us to enhance research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and improve student experiences through shared services, additional faculty, and interdisciplinary training.
A new College of Health Professions could offer transformative education, increase our impact, and prepare students to better serve communities while amplifying MSU's ability to attract funding and deliver groundbreaking research.
Job growth in the health care industry continues to increase as needs emerge and new career paths appear on the horizon. MSU is committed to being a leader in these emerging areas in order to produce the talent that can meet the needs of the future.
A new MSU Institute for Collaborative Biomedical Research explores building a critical mass of talented researchers to enable high-impact research, attracting funding and increasing our institutional reputation.

How would this new structure align with the university’s long-term strategic goals?

The Sustainable Health pillar is part of MSU’s 2030 strategic plan, which envisions a Michigan State University that has significantly expanded opportunity and advanced equity, elevating its excellence in ways that attract vital talent and support a vibrant, caring community.
In addition, this effort aligns with the Innovation for Global Impact portion of the strategic plan and continues MSU's trajectory as a leader in developing transdisciplinary solutions to ecological and human problems affected by social, economic, political, climate, and environmental changes.

Would this simply be an administrative restructuring, or would it truly serve the land-grant mission and MSU’s long-term goals?

Michigan State University’s land-grant mission has always been about adapting to societal needs, and One Team, One Health and the College of Medicine initiative are strategic steps forward in fulfilling that mission. Universities do not stand still—to remain a leader, MSU must evolve to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.
By integrating health sciences, MSU is positioning itself as a national leader in training healthcare professionals, advancing medical research, and improving community health. These initiatives reinforce MSU’s commitment to public service, rural healthcare, and cutting-edge research, ensuring that we continue to lead in areas that matter most to Michigan and beyond.
This is not about changing Michigan State University’s identity—it is about building on our strengths and ensuring that MSU remains at the forefront of health sciences education and research for the future.

Leadership/
Organization

Who will lead this new venture?

If we create a new unified College of Medicine and new College of Health Professions, it will be important to continue to gather feedback before finalizing the leadership structure. The president will remain involved in overseeing our clinical partnerships while the provost will ensure academic excellence across both colleges.

How will this affect the College of Nursing?

Spartan Nurses would continue to play a key role in building a healthier future for our communities and they are part of this discussion to envision the future of health education, research and clinical care.
Michigan and the nation face a critical shortage of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. Aligning with our clinical partners to address this workforce gap is a key priority of this initiative.
We are evaluating whether a standalone College of Nursing or an integrated College of Nursing within a newly established College of Health Professions would be the most effective approach, based on peer institution benchmarking and opportunities to enhance interprofessional education (IPE).

Process

What is the timeline for restructuring?

We are currently in the engagement phase, gathering input from the MSU community to help shape the future of health sciences. The next step in the process is broadening this dialogue, sharing the vision, and collecting feedback through online surveys and town halls, both in-person and virtual.

What is the decision-making process for next steps?

This initiative is not about deciding whether to move forward in focusing on improved health sciences at MSU, but about determining the best way to do so. The Health Sciences Council has been gathering input for months, and faculty, staff, and students are actively contributing to shaping this transformation.
Engagement is key. Multiple town halls, online surveys, and working groups have informed and will inform this process, and feedback is being carefully considered. Updates will continue to be provided through official university channels, ensuring ongoing transparency. MSU is committed to inclusive decision-making, and faculty, staff, and students will continue to be integral partners in determining the structure and implementation of these efforts.
Following these intitial engagement meetings, it is most likely that the President will name a One Health Council and several working groups to take the exploration to the next phase.

Operational Impact

What are the budget and financial implications of this initiative? Would it save money, require new investments, or divert funds from existing programs?

The One Team, One Health initiative would be designed with long-term financial sustainability in mind. Any structural changes would be based on thorough financial analysis, ensuring that they create efficiencies, support strategic growth, and enhance MSU’s ability to attract funding.
A more integrated health sciences framework would allow MSU to streamline operations, increase research funding, and strengthen partnerships with philanthropic and industry stakeholders. While there may be initial investments, the long-term goal would be to create a more sustainable, impactful, and financially secure model for MSU Health Sciences. The university remains committed to financial transparency, and stakeholders will be engaged in evaluating cost-effective, mission-driven strategies for implementation.

Student Impact

How will this affect current students/applicants?

Current students will see no changes to their curriculum and will graduate from the college they were admitted to.
Students applying to our medical schools, nursing schools and related healthcare programs will not see a shift in programs during their application process. We will communicate any future changes that impact student experiences as they are developed.

How will this impact overall student experience and academic outcomes?

Student success is at the center of MSU’s health sciences initiatives. One Team, One Health aims to expand student opportunities while maintaining clarity and stability in academic pathways.
A unified College of Medicine would preserve the MD and DO pathways and degrees while improving clinical training, research experiences, and interprofessional education. Students would benefit from enhanced academic advising, expanded clinical site access, and greater interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring they are well-prepared for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
A unified College of Medicine would preserve the MD and DO pathways and degrees while improving clinical training, research experiences, and interprofessional education. Students would benefit from enhanced academic advising, expanded clinical site access, and greater interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring they are well-prepared for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
The establishment of a College of Health Professions would create new opportunities for students pursuing careers in allied health fields. By integrating programs across disciplines, this college would enhance collaboration, provide clearer career pathways, and ensure students receive the highest quality education in healthcare professions beyond medicine.

Research Impact

What about impacts to research?

There would be no change to research at MSU (on behalf of the One Team, One Health Initiative), aside from opening possibilities of enhanced opportunities, including a combined research portfolio and improved clinical infrastructure.
We would maintain pre- and post-award grant support, with Health Colleges Research Services continuing to assist our units in Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Nursing.
A key component of this initiative is the proposed Institute for Collaborative Biomedical Research, which would provide additional resources and streamline processes to support interdisciplinary projects. This approach would not replace existing research efforts but enhance them, ensuring that MSU’s research enterprise continues to grow and innovate.

Faculty/Staff Impact

How would this impact faculty and staff?

We are working to better align our efforts to support Michigan’s growing healthcare workforce needs, which would create more opportunities for faculty and staff rather than fewer. A well-organized structure could help us attract additional funding, expand programs, and ensure long-term sustainability. Faculty and staff would play an integral role in shaping this process, ensuring that their expertise and contributions remain at the core of MSU’s future.

What efforts would be made to ensure a smooth transition for faculty members?

We would ensure that every step will be communicated to our faculty and staff who may be impacted by potential changes. Currently, we are gathering information through online surveys and a series of in-person and virtual town halls.

Partnership Impact

How would this affect MSU’s current healthcare partnerships?

Our partnerships would only grow stronger under a new structure.
The mission and vision of the partnership meet our institutional goals as it is focused on setting a new standard for how individuals and communities experience care across the state of Michigan and the nation.
A new structure would provide the opportunity to further unlock the potential of our partnerships and allow for more connections to be made across the university.

Accreditation/
Curricular Impact

How would this impact accreditation and the distinctiveness of MSU’s medical degree pathways?

Ensuring the highest academic standards is a fundamental priority. The proposed College of Medicine with two distinct degree pathways (MD and DO) is separate from the broader One Team, One Health vision and would be designed in a way that fully aligns with all accreditation requirements, preserving the distinctiveness of both the MD and DO degrees while leveraging opportunities for collaboration and efficiency.
MSU would proactively work with accrediting bodies to ensure that any proposed changes maintain the excellence and integrity of all programs. This process is not about diminishing accreditation, but about strengthening MSU’s leadership in health sciences education. MSU’s commitment to academic quality remains unwavering, and any changes would be implemented only if they enhance the quality of education.