This article rehashes the knotty issue of contract negotiations between the WSU School of Medicine and The Detroit Medical Center. There is concern that the medical school could lose accreditation for certain graduate medical programs if an agreement is not reached. If that should happen, Detroit could lose 900 medical residents and a large number of the 700 faculty physicians who train them, the story points out. Richard Bernstein of the WSU Board of Governors called the situation "a crisis." Dr. Robert Mentzer, dean of the School of Medicine, has said that the school remains dedicated to the city and is trying to spread its training programs among several health systems so that its students have a variety of opportunities for learning and because the school isn't sure which residency programs the DMC is prepared to support. Paul Bozyk, president of the WSU/DMC Resident Council, indicated that residents are experiencing anxiety about the uncertainty of the situation. He also expressed concern about how the stalemate might impact Detroit residents who rely on DMC services. Dr. Mark Kelley, CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group, had the following comment: "I haven't seen any city hospital survive a fractured relationship with its academic partner." He pointed out that the DMC and the WSU School of Medicine are very important to the region. Both sides say they are committed to negotiating a contract but each contends the other has held up negotiations. In an Oct. 19 letter, Jacquelin Washington, chair of the WSU Board of Governors, called for a joint informational meeting "as soon as we can assemble." A sidebar gives facts about the medical school and the DMC.