A new vision for medical education at CMU

Since late 2022, Central Michigan University’s Advancing Health Together initiative has been working toward an exciting goal: construction of a new medical education facility in Saginaw, Michigan, that would strengthen and expand the university’s health care footprint in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Today, Joshua Nosanchuk, M.D., dean of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University, unveiled new images of the soon-to-be-constructed facility. The MyMichigan Health CMU Medical Education Building is set to break ground this September and welcome its first students in fall 2028. It will join other medical, health and wellness partners in the new Medical Diamond taking shape in Saginaw.

“Every aspect of the design of our new building focuses on strengthening medical education, collaboration and mentorship,” Nosanchuk said. “Together with our partners at MyMichigan Health and Covenant HealthCare, we are creating a truly comprehensive academic and clinical campus environment in the heart of our region.”

Plans for the building include modern classrooms, problem-based learning rooms, anatomy teaching spaces, high-fidelity simulation rooms, a Standardized Patient exam suite, and more.

The building’s exterior was thoughtfully designed by HDR, Inc., to reflect the mid-century modern aesthetic of the neighboring MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw, and will be constructed with sustainable materials including glass, brick, wood and resilient metals.

“The building blends CMU’s identity with the MyMichigan Health campus, using mass timber and natural light to honor Saginaw’s lumber heritage and create a sense of belonging for students, faculty, and staff,” said Chad Menard, principal from HDR, Inc., the architectural firm leading the project.

"The design and construction teams met frequently with leaders, faculty and staff from the medical school to ensure that the facility meets the current and future needs of the college,” Nosanchuk said. “All of the interior spaces are being designed to be flexible and adaptable, and to encourage collaboration and sharing.”

For example, classrooms will be designed to shift from lecture to testing to group activities, and there will be several spaces dedicated to student success, including a fitness center, kitchen and student commons.

Construction is set to begin this summer, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, on the site of the new building.

Advancing health, together

To date, the college is on track to meet its $100 million fundraising goal, thanks in large part to the philanthropic support of the two healthcare partners and early donors who generously supported the project’s vision. 

And, as the college prepares to shift its educational program to Saginaw, Dr. Nosanchuk said there will still be a strong medical presence on CMU’s Mount Pleasant campus.

“We will continue to offer clinical health services, to engage in vital basic science and research, and to partner with academic and community partners to enhance health and wellness on the Mount Pleasant campus and throughout the community,” he said.

There are also exciting plans ahead for partnership with The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions and the Rural Health Excellence Institute.

“We have adopted an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to wellness that includes collaboration with the other academic colleges and departments, as well as with community partners,” Nosanchuk said. 

Improving education, improving health

Across the state, underserved communities struggle to address barriers to health care, including lack of access to providers. In Michigan, nearly 90% of counties have at least a partial designation as a health professional shortage area. 

“As a college, our mission is to educate and train physicians to provide comprehensive care to underserved populations here in Michigan,” Nosanchuk said. “To do that, we have to offer the highest quality education aligned with the best practices in teaching and learning, and to work collaboratively with our partners throughout the state to identify and meet needs.”

Again this year, the college was listed among the top medical schools in the nation for placing graduates in rural and underserved communities. The 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings for Graduate Medical Schools listed CMU 9th in the nation for placing graduates in underserved areas, and 13th in the nation for placing graduates in rural communities. It was also among the top 50% of all medical schools for placing graduates in primary care specialties.

In November 2025, Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health announced major philanthropic support for the new building, and CMU’s Board of Trustees approved final construction for the project at its meeting in June 2026.