Michigan State University

For over a century, UM Health-Sparrow and Michigan State University have partnered to educate the next generation of health care providers in mid-Michigan. In 2010, that long and fruitful relationship was cemented with the signing of an affiliation agreement that expands research, medical education and clinical services, while attracting physician specialists and nurses to address the state’s looming shortages of health-care professionals.

Medical Education

Lansinghas longstanding partnerships with MSU’s College of Human Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Nursing. The MSU-UM Health-Sparrow affiliation strengthens these programs through the formation of a Joint Academic Enterprise Committee to guide the implementation of key research, education and service collaborations.

UM Health-Sparrow serves as the clinical center for 20 residency programs offered in collaboration with MSU:

Center for Innovation and Research

Our affiliation agreement was expanded in 2012 with the creation of the Center for Innovation and Research. MSU and UM Health-Sparrow researchers at the Center will seek new methods to continuously improve care and deliver Patient-centered, evidence-based best practices. For more information, click here.

Nursing

Nursing education has been offered at Michigan State University since 1925, when a five-year program was instituted jointly between the School of Home Economics and the UM Health-Sparrow Hospital School of Nursing (1899-1961). Today, UM Health-Sparrow Hospital continues to serve as a clinical center for the training of MSU nursing students.

Fundraising

UM Health-Sparrow and MSU have a long and successful history raising funds for community health care initiatives. Today, Head Football Coach, Mark Dantonio serves as the honorary chair of this event, which spans more than 30 years of celebrating miracles. MSU Basketball Head Coach, Tom Izzo, served as Honorary Chair for 15 years for the Tom Izzo UM Health-Sparrow Health Classic golf event. The late Ron Mason left a legacy of compassion with a named endowed fund (The Ron Mason Fund) to support pediatric rehabilitation at UM Health-Sparrow.

Former MSU head football coach, Nick Saban, initiated the Pediatric Emergency Room project. This $5 million campaign was successful due in large measures to the dedication of concerned Spartans and the pledged support of the entire MSU Athletic Department by then Director, Clarence Underwood. The campaign's success sparked a number of other fundraising endeavors, including Coaches for Kids, Athletes for Kids, and Officials for Kids. Today, MSU Students help raise money for the UM Health-Sparrow Children’s Center through an annual Dance Marathon.

The affiliation calls for UM Health-Sparrow and MSU to share resources in fundraising endeavors.

UM Health-Sparrow and MSU’s Athletic Department have proven to be a great team in raising funds for initiatives that improve the health of local communities.

  • Spartan Football Head Coach Mark Dantonio and wife Becky are honorary chairs of the UM Health-Sparrow Children’s Center Day of Miracles, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals telethon, broadcast on WILX Media 10.
  • Women’s Basketball Head Coach Suzy Merchant is involved in numerous activities through the Sparrow Foundation, including Women Working Wonders events such as the 5K/0K which was held for 10 years, and serving as emcee for the Dapper Dads Challenge.
  • Many MSU student-athletes show their heart and spirit by getting involved in Spartan Buddies, which brings them to UM Health-Sparrow to visit the Children’s Center. The athletes go through an official training process before visiting regularly with pediatric patients and their families. The program was begun in 2005 by former Spartan, and current NHL player, Drew Miller.

Volunteerism

Many leaders from MSU have volunteered their time and expertise to serve the community as UM Health-Sparrow Board members. These include: former MSU President John DiBiaggio; the late MSU Trustee Faylene Owen; former faculty member MaryLee Davis; and distinguished alumnus Duane Vernon. MSU students are also active in volunteerism at UM Health-Sparrow Hospital. In a recent year, more than 300 MSU students donated nearly 37,000 hours providing a caring and healing environment for UM Health-Sparrow patients, families and visitors. If you're interested in volunteering at UM Health-Sparrow, please visit our Volunteering page.