About | Henry Ford + MSU | Michigan State University

A catalyst for change

Our partnership is a catalyst for change, reimagining how we think about, innovate, and deliver health and wellness. Our goal is to set a new standard for how individuals and communities experience care across the state of Michigan and the nation.

Through a joint research enterprise, a premier cancer center, and a focus on academic medical and health education of the future, this partnership is working to fight the health disparities that plague our most vulnerable communities. We’re fueled by passion, curiosity, and a little bit of grit—tirelessly developing solutions, treatments and programs to make life collectively better.

Collaboration on big goals for lasting impact

We have ambitious goals and recognize that progress will take time. We’re committed to working with communities across the state to achieve meaningful, long-term change through this generational partnership. Because together, we can achieve more. Together, we can transform lives.

For more than a century, Henry Ford has embodied clinical research expertise, introducing the newest therapies for patients. MSU, an academic powerhouse for more than 150 years, has renowned strength in basic biomedical research. Together, we are bringing discoveries from bench to bedside. Our world-class research facility in Detroit, set to open in 2027, will further fuse basic and translational research, serving as an epicenter for innovation and discovery.

Two powerhouses: stronger together

By aligning our health sciences research, physician and nurse education, and clinical care, Henry Ford + MSU is poised to exponentially grow our ability to impact the health of those we serve.

A history of innovation and discovery

For more than a century, Henry Ford Health has embodied clinical research expertise, pursuing the newest therapies for patients. Michigan State University, an academic powerhouse for more than 150 years, has a renowned strength in discovery research.

Among the nation’s original land grant universities and one of the top 100 research universities in the world, MSU’s discoveries across health sciences include the cancer fighting drug cisplatin, and plant sciences research to increase productivity, quality and nutrition of food crops being consumed around the globe.
In 2022, MSU introduced The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, the world’s most powerful heavy-ion accelerator – enabling scientists to make discoveries about how the universe formed, while advancing innovation in medicine, nuclear security, environmental science and more.
A world-leader in medicine for over 100 years, Henry Ford’s ground-breaking work is far-reaching as well, and includes the drug commonly known as tPA for acute ischemic stroke, advances in treatment for severe sepsis and septic shock, and surgical innovations, including robotic surgery for prostate cancer and neuronavigation technologies for brain and spine surgery. Henry Ford also hosts one of the world’s largest brain tissue tumor banks.

We can’t wait to see what we will discover together.

We are bringing together research and clinical applications to create a national and international destination for access to the most advanced cancer therapies and research. Partnership investments in cancer research total nearly $3 million in seed funding and integration grants designed to foster collaboration, with the aim to advance innovative clinical trials that improve patient outcomes.

We are working together to prepare the next generation of physicians and nurses to deliver patient-centered care. We have introduced a new campus of the MSU College of Human Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and expanded the MSU College of Nursing programs throughout the health system. We have also strengthened the long-standing partnership between Henry Ford Health and the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

On January 1, 2026, we signed the Master Services Agreement (MSA). The MSA formalizes the integration of clinical services, including expanding services, improving access to quality care across Michigan, and implementing evidence-based best practices. The Henry Ford Medical Group, a nationally respected team of more than 2,800 providers and researchers, brings operational and financial expertise to support these goals. This is accomplished through shared leadership with MSU. MSU Health Care has adopted Henry Ford Health’s established systems to leverage economies of scale, access vendor networks, and tap into its expertise.

A deep commitment to the city of Detroit lies at the heart of this partnership. Henry Ford Health and MSU are leaders in advanced research, medical education, complex care, precision health, population health management, and value-based care. As closely aligned partners, we are positioned to make a greater impact than either could individually. We anticipate this partnership will result in:

Job creation for Detroit residents
Expanded access to health care in the city
Medical and nursing education and training opportunities for Detroit residents
Increased diversity of future healthcare providers
Establishing Detroit as a destination for the nation’s top practitioners, researchers and students
Attracting industry partners and start-ups focused on health innovation

About Us

A catalyst for change

Collaboration on big goals for lasting impact

Our Partnership Leaders

Two powerhouses: stronger together

Henry Ford Health

Michigan State University

A history of innovation and discovery

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