April 2007 to April 2011: The College of Medicine, from the beginning


It was four years ago this month a Central Michigan University medical school was first suggested.

At the April 20, 2007 board of trustees meeting, Trustee Sam Kottamasu asked then-University President Michael Rao to explore the feasibility of a medical school at CMU because the mid-Michigan area was see a shortage of up to 600 doctors in the near future.

Since then, CMU has received both criticism and recognition for its College of Medicine, but school administrators are no less certain of their intent to see the project through.

"In the long run, this is a very important project, a very significant mission for CMU,” said Kottamasu, now vice chairman of the board. “It is quite a huge project, and the first time we do it, it has to be done right.”

Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said any discontent expressed by the public is similar to what was seen while the College of Health Professions was developing 10 years ago.

“Every time they enter into something new like this, there is some kind of backlash ... (and now the College of Health Professions is) highly successful,” Smith said. “We cannot accommodate the number of kids who want to come here and learn at our College of Health Professions right now.”

With a medical school, the university could qualify for up to $220 million in research funds annually, additional corporate funds and potential drug trials, Kottamasu said in 2007. The college is an expensive undertaking, he said, but is not as pricey compared to other medical colleges.

Kottamasu said the amount of time the project is taking is normal for new medical schools from conception to creation.

“In some respects, (the College of Medicine) is what I thought (it would be),” Kottamasu said. “In some ways it is better, with the two hospitals in Saginaw.”

The college has partnered with Saginaw-based Synergy Medical Education Alliance, Covenant Health Care and St. Mary’s hospitals where students will gain experience during their four years of medical education at CMU.

It also has affiliated with eight hospitals for students to do clinical training, including Central Michigan Community Hospital, 1221 South Drive.

David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services, said the college is focused on two goals: Achieving Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation and opening in summer 2013.

“That’s how you measure success,” Burdette said. “And there’s a lot of people spending a lot of time trying to bring those to fruition.”

Personnel turn-over, challenges

Dr. Ernest Yoder was hired as the college's founding dean in 2010, replacing Dr. Cam Enarson, who had served as interim dean in 2009.

Enarson was offered the position now held by Yoder, but turned it down in January 2010 for family and personal reasons. The two other finalists from the initial founding dean search dropped out of the running.

Also hired in 2010 were four associate deans. In October 2010, their salaries plus Yoder's totaled $1.37 million.

Dr. Nehad El-Sawi was hired in the first week of May 2010 as associate dean of Medical Education and Faculty Development, but  resigned Jan. 25 for personnel reasons. Neither she or university officials have commented on the details of the departure. CMU is currently reviewing two finalists to replace her.

Two weeks following El-Sawi’s resignation, the university announced the college would delay opening by a year. University President George Ross said the decision was made to “prepare for the stringent accrediting process.”

Provost Gary Shapiro said he anticipates a visit from the LCME this fall at a Mount Pleasant City Commission meeting.

“We are hiring new faculty and hope to add (them) this fall,” he said.

Finances

The school has raised $1,035,000 — about $35,000 more than was raised as of last fall. Yoder has said fundraising is "on track." This is 4 percent of the fundraising goal of $25 million.

Kathy Wilbur, vice president for Development and External Relations, would not confirm or deny any additional funds given to the college on Monday this week.

“You can look for good news at the board of trustees meeting,” Wilbur said.

The project received a fundraising setback following the resignation of Rao when Todd Anson, a 1977 CMU alumnus, redirected his $100,000 donation from the college to the Events Center renovation. He had donated the amount after both Rao and Kottamasu pledged $100,000 in December 2008.

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