Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

A new 25-year affiliation agreement between the Central Michigan University College of Medicine and Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw will strengthen their collective support of medical student education and research.

Through the agreement, CMU medical students will continue to complete clinical rotations at Covenant facilities under the supervision of physicians who serve as CMU faculty members. It also increases opportunities for clinical research on public and community health issues prominent in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

“Covenant is a regional leader for health care and an important partner to Central Michigan University for medical education and training,” said Dr. George Kikano, vice president of health affairs and dean of the CMU College of Medicine. “By cementing our long-term relationship with Covenant, communities and residents across our region and beyond will benefit from improved access to health care as we fill the critical need for medical professionals.”

CMU President Bob Davies said the agreement marks a significant milestone in the strong and growing relationship between the two organizations.

“The region, state, our students — and more importantly, the residents and communities of our region — will benefit significantly from this historic agreement, which will be the first of many of its kind,” Davies said.

CMU’s College of Medicine, one of six fully accredited medical schools in Michigan, prepares diverse, culturally competent physicians to improve access to high-quality health care, especially in medically underserved populations.

Covenant HealthCare is a nonprofit health system and the most comprehensive health care provider in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It offers a broad spectrum of programs and services throughout east-central Michigan and is the primary medical education site for the CMU College of Medicine.

“Covenant has long recognized the critical role that medical education plays in community health. This agreement provides our long-term commitment of resources and support for the CMU College of Medicine and is an affirmation that Covenant will serve as the primary site for medical education in the region,” said Covenant President and CEO Ed Bruff.

“Together we will attract the physicians needed in our communities and elevate patient care through collaboration and advanced research.”

CMU and Covenant increasingly collaborate on education, training, professional development, clinical research, community engagement and public health issues.