Working to become a national model for quality and safety in health care is a top priority for Michigan State University. On August 31, the Board of Trustees took another step toward achieving this by approving the creation of a new multi-specialty group practice for MSU’s colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and Nursing.
The new entity, Michigan State University Health Care, will replace the MSU HealthTeam. As a separate 501(c)(3) organization, MSU Health Care can form joint ventures with a broader set of other health care entities, which will increase clinical practice and research opportunities. Additionally, MSU Health Care can now work with medical practice partners to provide more health care services.
“The new MSU Health Care can partner with area hospitals, health systems and other health-related entities to more easily foster high-quality, cost-efficient clinical services throughout the region,” Interim President John Engler said.
The university will be the parent organization of MSU Health Care, which will have its own management structure and governing board. In his role as associate provost and assistant vice president of health affairs, Norman Beauchamp Jr. will serve as chair of the governing board. Other members of the board are:
• June Pierce Youatt, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
• Tony Avellino, assistant provost for student health, wellness and safety and chief medical officer of MSU Health Care
• Randolph Rasch, dean of the College of Nursing
• Andrea Amalfitano, interim dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Michael Herbert, chief executive officer of MSU Health Care
• Three faculty members to be appointed by deans Beauchamp, Rasch and Amalfitano
“The new MSU Health Care is an opportunity for us to demonstrate what can be done when we work on a variety of health care practice issues, research and evidence-based practice to improve the health outcomes of the public,” Youatt said. “This is another way we are working to create a culture of responsibility, safety and respect.”
MSU Health Care is another institutional change led by the new Office of Health Affairs created last February. Led by Beauchamp, the Office of Health Affairs provides strategic direction and oversight for the university’s health colleges, clinical practices and student health and wellness programs. Beauchamp said this new organization will help MSU become a national model for health care delivery.
“MSU Health Care will transform health by fully engaging and aligning our strengths into a healing and learning environment,” he said. “We are committed to providing care that is compassionate and focuses on patients and their families.”
MSU Health Care has 260 providers from 14 clinical departments at MSU, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, therapists and nutritionists. It partners with health systems throughout Michigan.
For more information on the actions MSU has taken to protect patients and improve patient care, please visit https://msu.edu/ourcommitment/.