Doctor’s gift advances CMU medical research

Dr. Marilyn Haupt wanted to be a scientist from a young age. And when she decided to dedicate her life to medicine, her passion for science followed her. 

Haupt spent 45 years as an intensive care physician and educator, including nearly a decade with the Central Michigan University College of Medicine. She also conducted research throughout her career, seeking answers to some of the most difficult questions related to fluid resuscitation, sepsis and acute lung injuries in critically ill patients.

The physician and professor recently retired and has made a $2 million donation to the CMU College of Medicine. 

This legacy gift establishes the Marilyn T. Haupt Chair in Medical Research and the Marilyn T. Haupt College of Medicine Student Research Endowment, which support student and faculty research into etiologies of diseases and a vast range of scientific endeavors. 

Not all future physicians are interested in direct involvement in research, but Haupt’s gift will find and inspire those who are.

“I’d like my gift to seek out those unusual students, perhaps it’s one or two per class, who want to be physician scientists — those who continue to seek improvements for the patient populations they choose to serve,” she said. “These students have a spark for incorporating research into their practices and careers, and we must train them in the skills they need to do quality research.”

Dr. Sethu Reddy, CMU’s senior associate dean of research, a national expert in diabetes research, assumes the Marilyn T. Haupt Chair in Medical Research position. This is the first endowed chair in the college.

“Dr. Haupt’s transformational gift will advance medical research at CMU and empower future generations of medical researchers,” CMU President Neil MacKinnon said. “This generous investment in our faculty and students advances scientific knowledge and expands the impact of our commitment to excellence in medicine.”

Haupt said her investment in the CMU College of Medicine combines her values with the opportunity to continue to inspire tangible results.

“Research is in my blood; it’s part of me. We need to look for better ways to care for people with the modern medical issues we’re experiencing,” Haupt said. “I could have given to a larger research institution, but at CMU, I know the people. And they’ve encouraged me to stay involved. Continuing to interact with faculty and students sold me on the contribution and reflects the work I’ve pursued throughout my career.”

CMU Advancement and College of Medicine leaders and staff worked closely with Haupt to create a gift unique to her interests and care for others.

“Dr. Haupt’s dedication to the College of Medicine has benefited so many lives already, and now her impact will continue for years to come,” said Jennifer Cotter, CMU vice president for advancement.

The future of medical research

Dr. George Kikano, executive vice president of health affairs at CMU and dean of the College of Medicine, said Haupt’s gift showcases her passion and personality.

“Dr. Haupt is an amazing teacher and a great physician, but also a lovely person with a good heart. She’s supportive and collegial, and she cares about the mentorship of students and residents,” Kikano said. “This is a 100% genuine gift from the heart — she’s doing this for all the right reasons.”

Kikano also said all CMU College of Medicine students are engaged in research, as are many of the faculty. Haupt’s gift will support those students who are interested in more in-depth, focused research projects and will help recruit, retain and support the research endeavors of the best senior researcher in the college. 

Kikano said even as a relatively new college of medicine (the first class started in 2013), CMU has already made significant strides in research.

“We have neuroscience research funded by the National Institutes for Health and manage a multitude of externally funded grants through the CMU Rural Health Equity Institute to positively impact communities across Michigan,” he said.

Haupt received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York and trained in internal medicine and critical care at North Shore University Hospital, Memorial-Sloan Kettering Institute and Albany Medical College. Prior to becoming a founding faculty member of the CMU College of Medicine in 2011, she worked at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, and Geisinger Health System. 

She also established the Dr. Marilyn Haupt Endowed Scholarship in 2017, which is awarded to qualifying students who reside in central or northern Michigan. Haupt remains an instructor and student advisor for the College of Medicine.