Joshua Nosanchuk named new dean of medicine

Central Michigan University Provost Paula Lancaster today announced the appointment of the new dean of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University.

"We are thrilled about the exciting, extensive medical education experience and leadership Dr. Joshua Nosanchuk will bring to CMU. He is an accomplished educator, researcher and leader whose work has contributed to improvements in medical education and interventions on a global scale,” Lancaster said. “His commitment to high-impact, high-quality medical education makes him the ideal leader to advance the mission of the college and the university and to strengthen health outcomes for patients and communities in Michigan and beyond." 

Nosanchuk will step into the role July 1, 2026.

“I am delighted to join this outstanding community of scholars,” Nosanchuk said. “There are tremendous opportunities to grow and strengthen our medical education programs, to grow and strengthen our research activity, and to expand healthcare access throughout mid- and northern Michigan. Together, as we enhance medical education, including our residency and fellowship programs, we will increase the likelihood that our graduates will choose to stay in Michigan and practice in high-need areas.”

Nosanchuk comes to CMU after more than three decades with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he led medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic while also developing the policies and practices that allowed the college to remain open. At Einstein, he holds the titles of Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, as well as Senior Associate Dean Emeritus. He holds a hospital appointment as an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, NY, and is board certified in infectious diseases and internal medicine.

“Illness is a complex puzzle, and I have always been driven to understand why some people become ill when others do not. I enjoy the intellectual challenge and the collaboration required to seek ways to help people feel better faster and enjoy healthier, longer lives,” Nosanchuk said. “When we learn something new, when we are able to identify patterns or innovative interventions, we do not just improve the lives of our patients at a local level, we are building knowledge that can changes lives on a global scale.” 

Since 2013, Nosanchuk has also served as advisory researcher for the Center for Technological Development in Health, a research and innovation unit within the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Health in Brazil. He has held leadership roles with the World Health Organization, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Nosanchuk received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College and completed his internship and residency in the Department of Internal Medicine at Cornell University Medical College, the New York Hospital, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He also was a clinical fellow in the Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, and the Jacobi Medical Center/Bronx Municipal Hospital. 

Nosanchuk was also a research fellow in the Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology at Einstein. He has made significant contributions to medical education and practice, including more than 390 published articles and numerous contributed chapters, presentations and consultations worldwide. He plans to continue his research at CMU.

He also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Board of Medical Examiners and United States Medical Licensing Examination, which oversees licensure examinations for US physicians. At the NBME, he has served as a Board Council member, chair of the Interdisciplinary Review Committee, and as a chair or member of numerous other committees and task forces. 

Since 2004, he has held numerous leadership and membership roles on panels, study sections, and committees at the National Institutes of Health. Nosanchuk has also been involved with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Medical Education Senior Leaders, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Infectious Diseases Society of New York, the Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, and the Association of American Medical Colleges’ COVID-19 Task Force.

Tina Thompson, who has served as interim dean of the college since May of 2025, chaired the search committee. She said committee members considered the needs of the college and its medical education programs, both now and in the future, when making the recommendation to select Nosanchuk.

“Dr. Nosanchuk is a well-known and highly regarded member of the medical education community, and he is dedicated to evolving and strengthening medical education and training worldwide,” Thompson said. “We were impressed by Dr. Nosanchuk’s extensive leadership history, significant international research background and deep understanding of curriculum development and improvement. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Nosanchuk as we strengthen and grow our programs and impact."

As dean of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University, Nosanchuk will be responsible for the executive administration of the college, provide leadership in the development of strategic initiatives, foster and strengthen relationships with healthcare partners, diversify and expand academic offerings, and participate in long-term planning for the success of CMU’s medical education programs. As dean, Nosanchuk also will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for CMU Medical Education Partners.

“We have some big challenges ahead at CMU, but with those challenges also come exciting opportunities,” Nosanchuk said. “The shift of the college to Saginaw will be a challenge, yet from it will come new opportunities to engage students in clinical experiences earlier and more often. Growing our research enterprise will be a wonderful challenge and will provide opportunities for new partnerships across the university and beyond.”

For example, Nosanchuk said he hopes to work with deans, faculty and leaders across CMU and to leverage the strengths of many academic disciplines in a transdisciplinary approach to enhancing wellness.

“Working in medicine means that we are always learning, sharing knowledge, and growing together to improve wellness, which doesn’t stop with medicine,” Nosanchuk said. “Wellness can involve art and music, nutrition, and so many things. Interdisciplinary education is a best practice and part of accreditation, and it can expand beyond traditional health profession programs. Medical education is all about growing people’s capacity to provide care to other people and about increasing providers’ abilities to have a positive impact on their patients and the communities they serve. It is about working together to improve healthy lives and lifestyles.”