CMU receives $80 million in gifts to move its College of Medicine to Saginaw
Central Michigan University President Neil MacKinnon smiles as he walks into the CMU College of Medicine atrium, in the College of Medicine building, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. MacKinnon was announcing new information regarding partnerships with Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health. “Today, we are thrilled to announce a new step in this partnership,” MacKinnon said. “Today, we can share that both of our hospital partners, Covenant HealthCare, and MyMichigan Health, have committed gifts of $40 million each to help CMU construct its new college of medicine location in Saginaw, Michigan.” (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine announced two gifts from its healthcare partners, Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health, on Nov. 21.
These gifts totaled $80 million and are in support of the “Advancing Health Together” initiative. It will support the future development of the college’s new medical education building in Saginaw.
CMU President Neil MacKinnon said these gifts are the two largest in the university’s history.
"But even more important than that, they will have a profound and meaningful impact on our College of Medicine," MacKinnon said. "On our university and on this region for generations to come."
With the new building, a new name will come along as well.
The College of Medicine will be called Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University, with its new home in Saginaw inside the CMU MyMichigan Health Medical Education Building, located on the MyMichigan Health campus.
“The decision to bring all four years of the medical school from CMU to one single place, and for the CMU Board of Trustees to affirm Saginaw as that home,” Beth Charlton, president and CEO of Covenant HealthCare, said at the press conference. “It's a really big deal, and a bold and forward-looking step.”
She said that individuals and families across the Great Lakes Bay Region are experiencing a high need for well-educated medical professionals. Charlton said that through this initiative, the teams will collaborate to ensure patients continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve.
"Our relationship with CMU runs deep," Lydia Watson, president and CEO of MyMichigan Health, said. "In 2010, our partnership with the CMU College of Medicine has helped shape the education of future healthcare professionals."
CMU said in a news story that its College of Medicine was established in 2010 to address disparities in health care, and it rapidly grew in Mount Pleasant, from 60 to 100 students per class year. Currently, first- and second-year medical students are studying in Mount Pleasant, while the third- and fourth-year medical students are finishing their education in Saginaw.
"This will allow us to bring all of our students together in Saginaw, where we also have our hospital partners and our medical residency programs as well," MacKinnon said. "So, to have this in one location will help with education, will help with research, and just hopefully provide better quality education."
He said CMU hopes to break ground on its new campus in 2026 and will continue with fundraising efforts to reach its goal of $100 million for the building.
