The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20, 2023.
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees voted Friday to merge the university's two medical schools into one that will be named Michigan State University Medicine.
The College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine will now be housed under one roof. The vote follows over a year of deliberation after the merger was first introduced by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz as part of his “One Team, One Health” initiative in February 2025.
Provost Laura Lee McIntyre said this unification will allow for the two colleges to optimize resources while still maintaining the identities and unique elements of both degree granting programs.
“It will facilitate a singular front door for our clinical partners,” McIntrye said. “It will facilitate greater opportunities for curricular overlap. It will facilitate opportunities for faculty, research and clinical and instructional collaboration in a way that isn't present at current configuration.”
McIntyre said that the implementation of this merger will take “quite a long time”, around two years before the two are fully unified as they plan.
Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson stressed that this unification will “respect the individuality” of both colleges.
“I talk often about the things that are uniquely MSU where I think we will lead nationally and globally and I think this is one of those incredible opportunities,” MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz said at the meeting.
However, the unification of the college has been met with consternation from some faculty.
"I would be remiss to address you without noting that plenty of faculty and many others on campus have concerns about the implementation of the One Team, One Health plans," Faculty Senate Liaison John Aerni-Fleschner told the board during the meeting.
In responses to a survey of College of Human Medicine faculty conducted in the fall of 2025, some faculty also warned that merging the colleges would be unproductive or destabilizing.
According to the board resolution implementation planning has already begun, with the first steps being to establish a steering committee and working groups, focusing on key academic and operational areas.
The steering committee, according to the resolution, will be co-chaired by the two deans of the Colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine and also include around 10 working group leads to inform decision making in the committee.
Those working groups will focus their attention on curriculum and accreditation, department structure, human resources, budget and finance, marketing and communications, student success and central operations.
“Faculty representation from each college will also be included to ensure broad and balanced input,” the resolution stated.
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