Wayne State and Oakwood Healthcare Inc. signed an affiliation agreement June 5 for an academic and clinical care partnership. This agreement, which is non-exclusive on both sides, will create a long-term partnership between both institutions that will result in the creation of programs that support enhanced medical education, research and clinical care. "This affiliation provides an opportunity for us to expand our educational commitment to our students," said Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid. "We are first and foremost an educational institution, and this partnership will help us to broaden training opportunities for the medical professionals of tomorrow. It also will enhance our ability to conduct research that will assist in bringing the benefits of nationally significant academic medicine to the clinical needs of the community. Our partnership strengthens the delivery of education, research and patient care, which are critical to the future of health care in our region and beyond."