Last week, after many weeks of broad community discussion, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted to expand the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine to the campus our School of Medicine shares with the Detroit Medical Center. The depth of the support expressed for Wayne State University and its School of Medicine was very heartening, and I want to thank everyone who made the effort to stay informed and to speak out on behalf of our colleagues and students. We had hoped that the MSU Board would delay its decision pending the outcome of a comprehensive review that is being undertaken by the panel formed by Detroit Renaissance and the Detroit Regional Chamber and led by former U.S. Congressman and State Senator Joe Schwarz, M.D.

We remain concerned that the decision to add MSU osteopathic students to a system that is already strained for teaching capacity may force us to find alternative training facilities for our students. As we have stated in all of our communications about this issue, we are fully committed to providing the best possible education to our medical students and we will do what is necessary to maintain the quality of that education.

Wayne State University will continue to work closely with the newly commissioned panel as it undertakes a thorough examination of health care delivery and medical education in our region. We will keep you apprised of pertinent developments and look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely,
Irvin D. Reid
President