The decision — effective this coming June — was approved by the alliance’s education board, of which MSU was a member, said Marsha Rappley, dean of MSU’s College of Human Medicine, which oversaw the programs.

Rappley said she is unaware of why the decision was made, although members of the board apparently had expressed an interest in working with Central Michigan University instead of MSU. Central Michigan’s College of Medicine announced in December a partnership agreement with Synergy, set to begin in summer 2012.

Synergy President and CEO Terrance Lerash did not return a call Monday seeking comment on the decision.

Twenty-eight third- and fourth-year MSU medical students will be affected by the decision. The program offered with Synergy allowed students to train in leadership roles in medical care for underserved populations.

The affected students are studying in South America, but have been notified of the change, which was “more abrupt than we would have liked,” Rappley said.

Rappley said the college will work on placing students elsewhere to continue training under the program, which will be offered at other, to-be-determined locations within MSU’s medical network.