Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine logo

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Kalamazoo, MI

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

2012
Founded
Private medical school
Type
337
Total Students
Special Focus Four-Year
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

WMed: Pioneering medical education, rooted in Kalamazoo's rich healthcare legacy.

The Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) stands as a beacon of innovative medical education in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Established in 2012, this private medical school uniquely combines the academic excellence of Western Michigan University with the clinical prowess of local teaching hospitals, Beacon Kalamazoo and Bronson Healthcare. With a current student body of 337, WMed is dedicated to shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders through a collaborative and dynamic learning environment.

WMed offers a comprehensive suite of academic programs designed to meet the diverse aspirations of its students. Beyond the core Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, prospective students can pursue dual MD-MBA and MD-PhD programs, integrating clinical practice with business acumen or rigorous research. The school also provides a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. WMed's commitment to excellence is underscored by its full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in 2018, assuring a high-quality, nationally recognized medical education.

Deeply intertwined with Kalamazoo's medical heritage, WMed's history is marked by significant community commitment and philanthropy. The school's foundation was bolstered by landmark anonymous donations, including an initial $100 million gift and a later $300 million commitment aimed at enhancing scholarships and diversity. Housed in a 330,000-square-foot facility that once served as a pivotal research hub for the Upjohn Company, WMed connects its students to a legacy of groundbreaking medical discovery. Graduates consistently achieve exceptional outcomes, evidenced by a residency match rate of 99% or higher, reflecting the school's robust training and preparation for medical careers.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Established in 2012 as a private medical school, fostering collaboration with Western Michigan University and two major teaching hospitals.
  • ✦Offers comprehensive Doctor of Medicine (MD), MD-MBA, MD-PhD dual degrees, and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences.
  • ✦Achieved full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in 2018.
  • ✦Boasts an outstanding residency match rate of 99% or higher for its graduating students in recent years.
  • ✦Operates from a 330,000-square-foot facility in downtown Kalamazoo, formerly a historic research site for the Upjohn Company.
  • ✦Benefited from significant philanthropic support, including a $100 million founding gift and a $300 million commitment for scholarships and diversity initiatives.
  • ✦Serves 337 medical students and provides training for over 240 resident physicians across diverse specialty programs.

Timeline

2007
Western Michigan University President John M. Dunn first discusses the possibility of developing a medical school.
2009
Planning for the Western Michigan University School of Medicine (WMed) begins after positive feasibility studies.
2011
Hal B. Jenson, M.D. MBA, named founding dean; WMed receives a $100 million anonymous cash gift.
2011
William U. Parfet donates the 330,000-square-foot former Upjohn Company research building to WMU for WMed's new home.
2012
The Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies (MSU/KCMS) merges into WMed.
2014
New medical school building completed; WMed receives preliminary accreditation and welcomes its first class of 54 students.
2014
The school is named the Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, and the $100 million gift is revealed from Ronda Stryker and William Johnston.
2018
WMed is granted full accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
2021
WMed celebrates its 10-year anniversary and receives a $300 million commitment as part of the historic Empowering Futures Gift to WMU.
2024
WMed residents and fellow physicians vote overwhelmingly to unionize.
🏛️
14 Years
of Excellence

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