Projects include expanded anatomy teaching, rural health, economic development
Central Michigan University will receive nearly $6 million from the federal government to support its mission of investing resources in support of rural communities.
“We are deeply grateful to our lawmakers for securing this vital federal funding that invests in programs and research that furthers CMU’s mission of making a positive impact in the communities we serve,” CMU President Neil MacKinnon said. "By expanding healthcare training and access in underserved communities and driving innovations supporting our national security, these projects will make a profound difference, especially across rural Michigan.”
More than $1.2 million through the U.S. Department of Education will build upon a previous federal investment to help CMU’s The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions expand access to health care education using in-person and distance learning technologies.
The program allows CMU faculty to partner with high school teachers on a dual-enrollment, college-level anatomy and physiology course. Students in the course examine systems of the human body and explore anatomical models.
“Our goals with this grant and partnerships with select schools are to introduce secondary students to university-level education, demonstrate to them they can be successful in college-level coursework, inspire them to pursue a health or medical degree at a college or university and encourage them to return to their communities to serve in their health professions career,” said Greg Zimmerman, the college of health profession’s associate dean.
For the first round of funding, CMU partnered with four rural high schools in the Great Lakes Bay Region. With this second round, CMU plans to expand the number of high school partnerships.
The funding was secured through the office of Sen. Gary Peters.
“Michigan’s rural communities are in critical need of well-trained health care professionals that can help meet the unique staffing challenges they currently face,” Sen. Peters said. “I was proud to secure $1.226 million to support Central Michigan University’s innovative approach to bringing training opportunities directly to students in the communities that need it most. This project will help to address workforce shortages and expand access to the health care that rural Michiganders deserve.”
A second $1 million award will allow the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University to provide state-of-the-art training in rural areas where access to certain specialty services and procedures is lacking.
The grant, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will fund medical and surgical simulators, ultrasound machines, medical equipment and high-definition video connectivity to be installed in a mobile simulation vehicle.
The training we can deliver with this mobile simulation unit will help rural health providers expand their clinical skills, said Dr. Steven Vance, associate dean of clinical education in the Office of Medical Education.
“This funding will provide critical technical infrastructure that will allow us to extend highly effective simulation-based medical training to rural and underserved areas of Michigan, including rural VA practices and critical access hospitals,” he said. “Consistent with our mission, this educational outreach will enhance access to care in these regions and improve patient safety. We are grateful for Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s support of this transformative project.”
The money was secured by the office of U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.
“We owe our veterans the very best care. That means making sure they can access the latest medical training and expertise, whether they’re seen at a VA clinic or a rural hospital here in mid-Michigan,” Rep. McDonald Rivet said. “We fought hard to secure this funding because where you live shouldn’t determine the quality of care you receive.”
“It’s exciting to see it becoming a reality that will make a real difference for veterans and families across our communities.
Additional funding of more than $3.5 million through the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology will help the CMU Research Corporation strengthen academic and industry partnerships focused on developing critical materials in rural mid-Michigan.
The money is expected to help CMU develop strategies for advanced research into national security technology. It will invest in infrastructure to create jobs and research opportunities, and help CMU enter into strategic partnerships across Michigan.
“This investment deepens industry collaboration, prepares a next-generation workforce, and transforms research into lasting economic momentum for our region,” said Erin Strang, president and CEO of CMURC.
The money was secured by the office of U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar.
“CMU is conducting innovative research on critical minerals, which supports economic growth and job creation,” said Rep. Moolenaar. “This funding for the CMURC will bring additional coordination between the university and industry leaders to help develop this vital industry here in rural Michigan.
“As the only member on the House Appropriations Committee from our state, I will always work to ensure vital federal funding is brought back to Michigan to strengthen rural communities and improve quality of life for residents.”
