Central Michigan University has selected Dr. Joshua Nosanchuk as the next dean of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine, university officials announced Tuesday.

Nosanchuk will begin the role July 1, succeeding interim dean Tina Thompson, who has led the college since May 2025.

The news comes over a year after previous dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. George Kikano, stepped down.

Provost Paula Lancaster said Nosanchuk's background in medical education, research and leadership made him the right person to guide the college into its next phase.

"We are thrilled about the exciting, extensive medical education experience and leadership Dr. Joshua Nosanchuk will bring to CMU," Lancaster said in a university release. "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 joins CMU after spending more than three decades at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served in multiple leadership positions, including Senior Associate Dean Emeritus. He previously was a professor of medicine, infectious diseases, microbiology and immunology and practices as an attending physician within the Montefiore Health System.

In a statement, Nosanchuk said he is excited to join CMU and sees opportunities to expand medical education, research and health care access throughout Michigan.

"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," Nosanchuk said in the press release. "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 also acknowledged the college's planned move to Saginaw back in July of 2024, which was previously reported on.

"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," Nosanchuk said.

Nosanchuk held leadership roles with several national and international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. According to the press release, he has also served as an advisory researcher for a Brazilian health research and innovation center affiliated with the country's Ministry of Health since 2013.

According to the university, Nosanchuk has authored more than 390 published articles and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Board of Medical Examiners and the United States Medical Licensing Examination program. He said he plans to continue his research after arriving at CMU.

Thompson, who chaired the search committee, said committee members focused on both the current and future needs of the college during the search process.

"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."

As dean, Nosanchuk will oversee the college's operations, help develop strategic initiatives, strengthen partnerships with health care organizations and guide long-term planning for CMU's medical education programs. He will also serve as chair of the board of directors for CMU Medical Education Partners.

Looking ahead, he said he hopes to work with faculty across campus to strengthen interdisciplinary education and wellness initiatives.

"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," Nosanchuk said. "It is about working together to improve healthy lives and lifestyles."