To Be...A Spartan MD

As Michigan works swiftly to expand its health care workforce to combat the exponentially rising number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the state, Michigan State University is making available hundreds of health care students who successfully completed their program requirements to Michigan health care systems earlier than usual. As a result of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s continued efforts to increase the speed at which health care professionals can get into the workforce to assist with COVID-19, these health care systems will soon have access to 87 baccalaureate-prepared nurses, 61 medical doctors and 213 osteopathic physicians. MSU is working with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in expediting the licensure of health care professionals entering the workforce. “MSU has one of the largest training programs of health professionals in the nation," said MSU Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Dr. Norman J. Beauchamp, Jr. “We recognized ea...

MSU College of Human Medicine student Neej Patel is working with MedSupplyDrive to collect and donate unused PPE to local hospitals, ERs, and clinics in Michigan. We spoke with Neej to learn more about MedSupplyDrive, his efforts in Michigan, and how others can get involved to donate items or volunteer. Can you tell us a bit about MedSupplyDrive? MedSupplyDrive is a non-profit, student-run group created by students at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and carried forward all around the nation. In Michigan, our mission is to mobilize students and volunteers across the state to collect and donate medical supplies to local hospitals in need. We are responding to an urgent appeal for medical supplies from healthcare workers on the frontlines. They emphasize that this is not just a localized issue, but one that is affecting our entire country. Just as our community needs to protect itself, so do our healthcare heroes. Across the country, many hospitals are running danger...

These continue to be very unusual times. As such, we recognize that the COVID-19 crisis is life-disrupting for everyone and that colleges and universities are navigating this crisis in varying ways.  Many of our current and future applicants are facing uncertainty about how 2020 winter and spring courses will continue and be graded, including coursework that is traditionally considered prerequisite or recommended for many medical school admissions processes. The challenge for medical school admissions committees is that accurate and specific information is always preferred.  When committees are faced with ambiguity, their bias may factor a pass as a “C/D” or 2.0/1.0 rather than a higher grade.  So, if you have an option to proceed with a letter grade for prerequisite coursework, many schools (including the College of Human Medicine) would prefer this option.   For those of you in which a Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade is rendered for any of these ...

Dr. Joel Maurer, CHM Assistant Dean for Admissions These are clearly some very unusual times, and it appears that things change on a daily (if not hourly) basis.  Nonetheless, I want to provide reassurance that we are prepared for (and looking forward to!) the upcoming application cycle. Currently, we do not anticipate any significant delays or obstacles in providing a fair and equitable application process. Having said this, we also rely on others outside CHM for implementing a smooth process.  Unfortunately, the March 27 and April 4 MCAT exams have been canceled, and we hope that further dates will remain viable or makeup dates offered. Otherwise, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has informed us that “all AAMC Services [including the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the Fee Assistance Program (FAP), and The Medical College Application Test (MCAT)] are continuing regular operations and there are no changes to our programs’ deadl...

In response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Human Medicine Office of Admissions will continue to be available, though under modified operations. Admissions staff will be working remotely for the foreseeable future in an effort to keep our communities healthy and safe. We will remain accessible primarily through email as we continue to provide essential services to applicants. The admissions team appreciates your understanding. Our thoughts are with you as we collectively work to adjust through these unprecedented circumstances. Please stay well. MSU is closely monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. You can find out the latest updates on what the university is doing to keep campus safe and support our students, faculty and staff by visiting msu.edu/coronavirus . Office of Admissions Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Friends, Through social distancing, Spartans Will…Flatten the Curve This is about altruism. The move from in-class to online teaching in universities across the country, and our moves to cancel group events (like Match Day lunches, the Dean's Staff Appreciation event, and the NCAA tournament) are all efforts at social distancing. I want to be clear, social distancing is our only way to control this virus, and it is how we will save lives. Michigan now has 12 cases, including cases in our communities, and we are way behind on the kind of case finding and testing that should have been going on. So, there is not a day to lose. This piece has been making the rounds of faculty, and it is an accessible description of what we are facing and how social distancing is our key weapon to manage this crisis. (Read the whole thing, but really understand Chart 8 and Chart 22, which shows that even a day’s delay leads to thousands of cases.) Getting this virus will not particula...