Michigan State University College of Human Medicine recently announced the appointment of six interim department chairs. They will serve in pivotal roles and help develop the medical school’s newly established departments as part of the Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences partnership.
“I’m proud to welcome six renowned physicians to the ranks,” said Aron Sousa, M.D., Henry Ford + MSU board member and dean of the College of Human Medicine. “Their academic leadership, clinical excellence and commitment to community will strengthen the educational and research opportunities for Michigan State University students and improve their access to residency programs in those medical specialties.”
The interim chairs will oversee the expanding medical school faculty across the state of Michigan. Additional faculty members will eventually join the college across its eight community campuses. The majority will be based at Henry Ford Health in Detroit.
“This is a pivotal step in our integrated approach to medical education and care,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., Henry Ford + MSU board member, and CEO of both the Henry Ford Medical Group and Henry Ford Hospital. “Each interim chair currently leads a department at Henry Ford Health and will now serve in a dual role to shape new academic programs, drive discovery and expand care in our communities.”
Ellen L. Air, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. She is associate clinical professor at MSU College of Human Medicine and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and co-medical director of the Neuroscience Service at Henry Ford Health.
“I am excited to help build an academic home at Michigan State University that fosters innovation and educational excellence in neurosurgery, while serving as a model for equitable access, cutting-edge training and interdisciplinary innovation,” said Air.
Steven S. Chang, M.D., FACS, has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He is an associate clinical professor at MSU College of Human Medicine, the Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery, and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Health.
“I am pleased to help shape MSU’s first department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery,” said Chang. “My hope is to help provide opportunities for people interested in surgical subspecialties to explore our field and provide those interested in other fields such as family medicine or pediatrics an opportunity to learn more about the specialty and the myriad disorders we treat.”
Benjamin Movsas, M.D., FASTRO, FACR, FARS, has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. He is a professor at MSU College of Human Medicine, the Herndon Endowed Chair in Oncology Research at Henry Ford Health, chair of Henry Ford Health Radiation Oncology Department and medical director of Henry Ford Health Cancer.
“Now is an important time to expand the Department of Radiation Oncology at Michigan State University and I look forward to taking our educational and research programs to the next level,” said Movsas.
David M. Ozog, M.D., has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Dermatology. He is a professor of medicine at MSU College of Human Medicine, the C.S. Livingood Endowed Chair of Dermatology, and chair of the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Health.
“I look forward to extending the mentorship culture and clinical excellence we’ve cultivated at Henry Ford with MSU medical students, faculty and the broader community—while building bridges with colleagues across departments who share a commitment to advancing care, education and discovery,” said Ozog.
Craig G. Rogers, M.D., FACS, has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Urology. He is a professor at MSU College of Human Medicine and chair of the Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, at Henry Ford Health.
“This role presents an exciting opportunity to build meaningful connections with students, faculty and researchers across institutions,” said Rogers. “Through collaboration, we strengthen our shared mission to advance education, discovery, and patient care.”
Richard J. Zarbo, M.D., D.M.D., has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Pathology. He is a professor at MSU College of Human Medicine and serves as system chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Henry Ford Health.
“Our combined Henry Ford and MSU educational and health care enterprise offers unique opportunities to make a significant statewide impact on the education, training and quality of future generations of health care professionals,” Zarbo said. “The new department is poised to play a pivotal role in that success - echoing Dr. William Osler’s insight from over a century ago: ‘As is our pathology, so is our practice.’”
Formed in 2023, the new departments are part of a commitment by Henry Ford + MSU to achieve critical health care and educational goals while addressing social issues that impact health outcomes for patients in Michigan and beyond.
Originally published by Amy Nienhouse from MSU College of Human Medicine.