College of Medicine Dean's Welcome

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as dean of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University, soon to be located in the MyMichigan Health CMU Medical Education Building in Saginaw, Michigan. I am excited to join an institution that has established itself as a nationally recognized leader in educating physicians who improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities throughout Michigan and beyond.

From my earliest conversations with faculty, staff, learners, health care partners, and university leadership, I have been inspired by the strong sense of purpose that defines this college. The mission to train compassionate, skilled physicians, advance scientific discovery, and address the health needs of rural and medically underserved populations has been evident in every endeavor. 

The medical industry is evolving rapidly, and academic medicine must continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of patients, communities, and health care systems. I believe the foundation for success in this fluctuating environment depends on meaningful collaboration, thoughtful innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in education, research and clinical care. 

The college is well-positioned in these areas. Our accredited M.D. program engages students in active learning, combining traditional pre-clerkship coursework with hands-on training in our simulation centers and real-world medical environments at our teaching hospital partners Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health, as well as a variety of clinical affiliates throughout the state. Graduate medical education is provided through CMU Medical Education Partners, which offers accredited residency programs, including emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and podiatric medicine and surgery.  They also offer accredited fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry and critical care medicine, and additional programs are planned.   

In addition to its educational programs, the college devotes significant resources to increasing the variety, scope and impact of its research initiatives. Our faculty members and learners have access to state-of-the-art technology and use modern methodologies to conduct basic and translational research, as well as clinical and public health research, with a particular emphasis on health disparities affecting the people in our region. 

Our academic medical center, CMU Health, is a trusted name in the region, with eight locations that manage more than 90,000 patient visits annually. These clinics provide primary care services from preventative care and chronic disease management to urgent, same-day care.  CMU Health is home to leading medical specialists in endocrinology, infectious disease, obstetrics and gynecology, podiatry, and psychiatry, as well as subspecialties such as sports medicine and cosmetic services.  

Beyond clinical education and training, the college also collaborates with public health agencies and local organizations on projects that address some of the region's most pressing health challenges, including women's and children's health, mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use disorders. Through cooperative efforts with programs like the Area Health Education Centers and the Rural Health Excellence Institute, the college is working to improve access to care and develop innovative approaches to serving rural and medically underserved populations.  

As dean, I am eager to work alongside you as we build on the college's many accomplishments and explore new possibilities. I am committed to maintaining an atmosphere that allows learners, faculty and staff to thrive. Open communication, transparency, and mutual respect will guide my leadership. I look forward to engaging with members of our college and the communities we serve as we work together to train the next generation of physicians and transform the future of health care for all. 

Sincerely,

Joshua Nosanchuk, M.D.
Dean, Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University