Another step in the effort to move MSU's College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids was taken last week, with the appointment of a new discussion facilitator.

Steven Heacock, a former Kent County Commission chairman, was asked to join a group of stakeholders in the transition, which includes leaders from MSU, Spectrum Health, Saint Mary's Health Care and Grand Valley State University.

The group is led by David Van Andel, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.

Heacock will work with the team of leaders to gather perspectives so each member of the group will have the same background information.

"I'm very encouraged that this project has the potential to be a very significant win-win - both for Michigan State and the West Michigan community," he said.

Heacock will meet with MSU College of Human Medicine Dean Glenn Craig Davis today to discuss the move.

Heacock will take over full time with the college's transition in February, he said.

Establishing a timeline and objectives as soon as possible will help the project move forward quicker, Heacock said.

Patrick Kelly, the vice president of communication and development at the Van Andel Institute, said Heacock's educational credentials and personal experience made him ideally suited to help facilitate the process.

Heacock is chief administrative officer and chief legal officer of IdeaSphere Inc., a Van Andel-run private company that manufactures and supplies dietary supplements.

"This is a very complex issue," Kelly said. "The med school is a complex entity with a lot of issues that need to be worked out."

Both MSU President Lou Anna Simon and former President M. Peter McPherson have met with Heacock.

"The people from Grand Rapids who are on the group felt that they needed someone to help coordinate and staff this effort," Simon said. "That's a very positive development."