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MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

joined Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University as the third Dean on July 1, 2026. In my formal assessment, the college is excelling in each of the core pillars of our mission and, as I look to the future, I see tremendous potential to increase that impact throughout the region, the state and globally. Our annual report invites us to look back on the milestones, accomplishments, partnerships and people that have shaped the past year and moved the medical school forward. Although I was not yet part of the college when the achievements detailed in this report took place, I am honored to have joined an institution with such a strong record of educating physicians, advancing research, serving patients, and working alongside communities to improve wellness. This report reflects the dedication of the faculty, staff, learners, alumni, clinical partners, and community members whose time, talent, and collaboration have helped shape our college. This report also demonstrates the impact and outcomes that are possible when people come together with passion and expertise to improve health for individuals and communities through education, discovery, clinical care, and service.

I see our medical students and residents who are gaining the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to become capable, compassionate physicians. I see faculty who are teaching, mentoring, conducting research, and finding new ways to improve the health of the communities we serve. I see partnerships that connect our college to hospitals, health systems, physicians, researchers, educators, and community organizations throughout Michigan. And I see opportunities to build on these relationships to expand what we can accomplish together. I also see a path to strengthening the connections among education, research, and patient care. My own career has reinforced for me that some of the most meaningful advances occur when we bring different perspectives and areas of expertise together. The questions we encounter in the classroom and clinic can inspire new research, and discoveries in the laboratory can ultimately change how we understand and treat disease. Creating more connections among these areas will be an important part of our work ahead. Most importantly, I see a college that understands its greatest strength lies in its people. Medical education and biomedical research are deeply collaborative endeavors. The best ideas emerge when people are willing to listen, learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and work toward a shared purpose. I look forward to fostering that spirit of collaboration and to learning from the many people who helped make this college what it is today. As the college prepares to move our year 1 and 2 components of undergraduate medical education to Saginaw and bring all four years of M.D. students together in one geographic location, alongside our clinical partners, we will create new opportunities for students to learn from one another, for faculty and learners to collaborate, and for education, research and clinical care to intersect in meaningful ways. Our new medical education home will place the college at the heart of a growing health care and bioscience community, strengthening relationships with Covenant HealthCare, MyMichigan Health and other partners while enhancing our service to patients and communities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. I am proud to have joined the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at this point in its history, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together. We have a great deal of momentum, and our responsibility now is to build upon it to make the next chapter of this college even stronger.

Sincerely, Joshua Nosanchuk, M.D. Annual Report 2026

CELEBRATING OUR GROWTH AND RECOGNITION Landmark gifts bring transformative growth with a new name and a new home

In November 2025, CMU announced landmark philanthropic gifts from two of its health care partners, Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health, in support of the college’s “Advancing Health Together” initiative. Each partner pledged $40 million to support the development of a new medical education building in Saginaw, Michigan. These gifts are the two largest in the university’s history and stand as a testament to a united partnership that will strengthen medical education, enhance the medical student experience, improve patient outcomes and expand health care access in the Great Lakes Bay region. The goal of the “Advancing Health Together” initiative is to bring the majority of the college’s medical students together into a single geographic area which will provide greater opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring and student engagement, allowing for more interaction between and among students and faculty and opening doors for further collaboration in research and clinical education across the region. With these gifts, the college of medicine established a new name, the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University and moved forward with the design and development of a new home, the MyMichigan Health CMU Medical Education Building, to be located on the MyMichigan Health campus in Saginaw. The University broke ground on the site in September of 2026 and hopes to begin classes in new space in the fall of 2028.

Mission-driven outcomes lead to high national rankings The 2026 US News and World Report for Graduate Medical Schools ranked the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU among the top institutions in the country for making an impact in rural and underserved regions. Out of the 172 schools surveyed nationally, the college ranked in the top 10 (#9, up from #13) for placing graduates in underserved areas and in the top 15 (#13, up from #20) for placing graduates in rural communities. In addition, the college ranks in the top half of all U.S. medical schools for placing graduates into primary care specialties, reflecting a continued dedication to improving access to essential health care for all. This noteworthy achievement is a testament to the fact that our graduates are living our mission and making a commitment to serving vulnerable populations in designated health professional shortage areas. It is proof that mission-driven education can result in measurable, meaningful outcomes for patients and communities. Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

STUDENT MILESTONES Commencement In May, the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. It was a joyous occasion as 105 graduates received their hoods and recited the Declaration of Geneva, officially becoming Doctors of Medicine. Every member of this class will continue their medical training in July as they begin residency programs across Michigan and throughout the country. Their placements span a wide range of specialties, reflecting the diverse interests of the graduating class and the exceptional skills they have developed throughout medical school. The ceremony featured remarks from graduating student, Grant Raymor, M.D. He spoke to the class about how the time they spent in medical school will help shape the future of medicine. He reminded them that they were all here to serve; their patients, their colleagues and humanity, and that they would each have opportunities to make an impact in the world with the tools they developed in medical school. The guest speaker was Carly Joseph, M.D., an alum from the college of medicine’s Class of 2023. Joseph is currently in her third year of residency in the internal medicine and geriatrics program at Maine Medical Center and is preparing for her role as an attending rural primary care physician in Delta, Colorado. She spoke about her own journey and recognizing the impact she had by being present and focusing on service to her patients.

White Coat Ceremony The incoming Class of 2029 was the 13th cohort of students to enter medical school at CMU.The college welcomed 104 new students with a traditional White Coat Ceremony featuring keynote speaker Brian William, M.D., who earned notoriety and became an expert in gun violence prevention following the 2016 sniper incident in Dallas, Texas. Stats: 8,513 applicants / 86 MI applicants selected / 8 CMU grads enrolled

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Provost Paula Lancaster presented the George E. and Mona Kikano Leadership in Medical Education Awards to one faculty member and one staff member who have exhibited a strong commitment to the college’s mission and outstanding leadership in their fields. The faculty award was presented to Kelly Levasseur, D.O., a member of the University Pediatricians Group and associate professor with the college of medicine. Levasseur is a forerunner in the field of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and has successfully built a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship program. She exemplifies excellence through visionary program development, mentorship of future academic leaders, and scholarship that advances medical education and quality patient care. The staff award was given to Carol Delahanty, who serves as the residency program coordinator for Internal Medicine. Delahanty manages accreditation, scheduling and other logistics while also focusing on ways to improve the curriculum. She is a constant advocate for the learners’ well-being and professional development and has created a smart tracking system to help residents achieve every milestone. Her efforts help shape physicians who are not just skilled, but compassionate and resilient, too.

Annual Report 2026

Match Day In March, the Class of 2026 participated in the annual, nationwide Match Day celebration. All 105 graduating students were selected to begin residency training after commencement. These students are advancing our legacy by choosing paths that align with our mission to provide exceptional medical service and increase health care access in areas of need. Stats: 53% of graduates staying in Michigan for residency / 68% of graduates pursuing primary practice roles and general specialties of need

CMU MEDICAL EDUCATION PARTNERS AND GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION Residency Graduation

Fired-Up Residency Awards

CMU Medical Education Partners (CMEP) celebrated its 56th residency graduation in June in the Shaheen Performing Arts Center at the historic Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw. The ceremony honored 52 physicians who successfully completed their residency and fellowship training in a range of medical specialties. During the event, Covenant HealthCare presented 8 junior resident scholarships to individuals who demonstrated quality care and compassion towards patients. Additionally, MyMichigan Health Saginaw gave awards to 7 residents who exemplified outstanding citizenship, medical knowledge and commitment to self-improvement.

To celebrate the residents and fellows who provide outstanding support through teaching, student mentorship and by fostering a positive clinical learning environment, medical students from the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU formed a Resident Teaching Award Committee and launched the new Fired Up! Resident Teaching Award.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Tina Thompson, Ph.D., presented Sam Shaheen, M.D., with an award recognizing the significant impact he has had on the college and on the advancement of medical education, training and delivery in the Great Lakes Bay Region during his 13-year tenure as President and CEO of CMEP.

Nominations submitted by third- and fourth-year medical students are reviewed three times annually. The committee, which includes student representatives from each clinical campus, evaluates the submissions and selects up to six recipients during each review cycle. Selection is guided by the positive impact the nominee has had on learners and influenced, in part, by campus size, residency program presence, and student–resident interaction opportunities.

WILLIAM BALLEW ““My favorite thing about medical school was being able to apply the knowledge and skills I learned in my first two years to my clinical rotations. I felt prepared to engage in any clinical encounters, especially in the operating room. This confidence helped me in choosing my future specialty of general surgery.” -William Ballew, completing residency at Detroit Medical Center - Wayne State University.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

Congratulations

TO OUR FIRED UP! RESIDENTS

Samer Dubaisi, DO Detroit

Karanvir Takhar, DO

Lakeland

Keith Bouffard, DO Saginaw

Joseph Jolly, MD Saginaw

Adil Mohammed, MD

Kassra Taghizadeh, MD

Saginaw

Award Committee Members Joe Cummings, Alyx Everitt, Autumm Heeter, Merlin Kochunilathil, Jessie Liu, Angela Shehu, Elsa Varughese For the inaugural award cycle, the committee received 27 nominations and the winners of the first Fired Up! Resident Awards were: » » »

Joseph Jolly, M.D. – an emergency medicine resident at CMU Medical Education Partners in Saginaw. Kassra Taghizadeh, M.D. – a general surgery resident at CMU Medical Education Partners in Saginaw. Keith Bouffard, D.O. – an internal medicine resident at CMU Medical Education Partners in Saginaw.

Annual Report 2026

» » »

Samer Dubaisi, D.O. - an internal medicine resident at Henry Ford St. John Hospital in Detroit. Adil Mohammed, M.D. – an internal medicine resident at CMU Medical Education Partners in Saginaw. Karanvir Takhar, D.O. – an internal medicine resident at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IMPACTS MEDICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH CAREDELIVERY National study to advance perinatal mental health care The Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University and CMU Medical Education Partners were selected as one of 32 clinical sites to participate in a national research initiative led by the UMass Chan Medical School to improve maternal mental health. The Pathways to Perinatal Mental Health Equity study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), aims to address perinatal mood and anxiety disorders – conditions that affect approximately one in five individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The multi-site study will evaluate two models of care: (1) a

health-system focused approach, which integrates screening, evaluation and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders into prenatal and postpartum care; and (2) a health carecommunity partnership, which will include the health-system focused approach along with the Peer Support Program developed by Postpartum Support International, which pairs individuals in need with a trained volunteer who has also experienced and fully recovered from a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. This study marks the first time CMU has participated as a site for a PCORI-funded study. By collaborating in this national clinical trial, the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine and CMU Medical Education Partners will contribute patient-centered evidence to inform scalable models of perinatal mental health care.

RICA GENEROSO “What I appreciated most about medical school was how much it pushed me to grow both personally and professionally while introducing me to lifelong friends and colleagues. Some of my favorite moments were the everyday ones we commonly overlook - showing up early and consistently in the hospital, debriefing long days with friends over dinner or drinks, mentoring younger students, and the privilege of getting to know patients during some of the worst or best moments in their lives. Medicine, I’ve learned, is just as much about being personable and adaptable as it is about book smarts, and I’m grateful to have attended an institution that encouraged me to grow in both respects as a student doctor.” -Rica Generoso, completing residency at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists sites student research Fourth-year medical student Hannah Yang and Dr. Yosra Elsayed, an alum from the Class of 2025, were the lead authors on a series of research papers exploring the effects of COVID-19 and its treatments on pregnancy which were published by Springer and Thieme. The students worked alongside their advisor and mentor, Beth Bailey, Ph.D., professor of psychology and biostatistics and Victoria Zablocki, the coordinator for public population health studies. In the first paper, “Birth Outcomes Following Anti-Viral Therapy for Treatment of COVID-19 During Pregnancy,” the students examined birth outcomes after the use of Ritonavir-Boosted Nirmatrelvir (NMV-r). They reviewed data from 141 patients who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy and concluded that patients who are pregnant and take NMV-r as treatment for COVID-19 appear to have better birth outcomes than those who do not, with no identified adverse effects in the small sample. In the second paper, “Decreased Newborn Size following COVID-19 Infection during Pregnancy: The Role of Timing of Infection,” they examined how the timing of maternal COVID-19 infection affected newborn size at birth and found that infection in later pregnancy was associated with reduced newborn size. The data suggests that the trimester in which a pregnant person contracts COVID-19 may play a critical role in fetal bone growth. The conclusions from both studies will help inform clinical decision-making and counseling for obstetric patients, as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will cite this research in a practice bulletin about the effects of COVID-19 and the safety of COVID-19 medications during pregnancy.

Faculty members’ publication included in the International Association of Medical Science Educators Manuals series Faculty members Neli Ragina, Ph.D., assistant dean for UME and GME research and Sarah Yonder, M.D., associate professor of family medicine, along with Shay Dawson, Ph.D., a faculty member from the CMU Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services, will have their piece entitled “A Guide for Development and Integration of Patient-Centered Curriculum Interventions for Improving Healthcare for People Living with Disabilities” published as part of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) 2026-2027 Manuals series. Selection for the IAMSE Manuals series is highly competitive and reflects the scholarly impact, innovation and relevance of the authors’ work. Their guide was selected from hundreds of submissions worldwide to serve as a practical resource for medical educators globally. The manual provides evidence-based strategies and actionable guidance for integrating patient-centered approaches into health professions curricula to improve health care for people living with disabilities.

Annual Report 2026

Summer Research Scholars Program awards new Great Lakes Bay Cardiovascular Wellness Research Scholarship In the summer of 2025, the Summer Research Scholars Program awarded the new Great Lakes Bay Cardiovascular Wellness Research Scholarship, supported by the CMU Pulse3 Endowment for Community Cardiovascular Health. This scholarship will fund research relevant to the cardiovascular concerns of the communities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The first recipient, Matteo Mazzella, designed a study to determine whether patients with abnormal pre-operative stress tests were at an increased risk for post-operative complications after undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). The primary aim of Mazella’s research was to determine whether patients with abnormal pre-operative stress tests undergoing EVAR were at an increased risk for post-operative complications. The study also sought to evaluate whether the connection between patients having an abnormal stress test and developing post-operative complications was significant enough to warrant the stress test, given its limited access and high cost in underserved populations. The study analyzed 6,680 patients who underwent EVAR between January 2016 and December 2023. In his results, Mazzella concluded there was no difference in primary outcomes between patients who did and those who did not have a pre-operative stress test. He notes that patients with an abnormal stress test were more likely to have a longer hospital stay, but feels his results prompt questions regarding the value of routine stress testing prior to EVAR.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation funds student research initiatives Fourth-year medical student Nathanael Brookshire and third-year medical student Emma Butler have both been chosen to receive a $3,000 research grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Student Award Program, which supports medical and doctoral students in Michigan who aim to improve health care outcomes within the state. Brookshire’s project “Pathways to Healthcare Access - A Needs Assessment Survey of Michigan StudentRun Free Clinics” will help identify key medical, social and structural barriers to care and generate actionable data to enhance health care access. Butler’s study “Understanding Barriers and Enablers to Assessing and Treating Pain in Patients with Intellectual Disability” investigates clinicians’ perceived barriers and facilitators to pain assessment and treatment in patients with intellectual disability, aiming to promote standardized, patient focused pain management pathways. Their proposals were among just 19 selected from over 90 applications and were chosen based on their innovative ideas, academic excellence and potential to drive positive changes in health care.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND SCHOLARSHIP AACE recognition for longstanding distinguished service During his tenure as senior associate dean of Research in the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) honored Sethu Reddy, M.D., with the Yank D. Coble, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Service Award. For more than 45 years, Reddy has been passionate about imparting clinical skills to medical students and trainees at all levels. He founded the longest-running board-oriented endocrinology course at the Cleveland Clinic, reaching several thousand clinical endocrinologists throughout the United States over the last three decades. His research interests have focused primarily on clinical endocrinology, including obesity and thyroid disorders, and the epidemiology of diabetes and its complications. Reddy has published more than 200 articles, abstracts and book chapters concerning these and related topics. Reddy is a pillar of the AACE community. He has served on over 100 committees and as a past president. In 2007, he earned the distinction of Mastership in the American College of Endocrinology. He continues to be active on several AACE initiatives and is an internationally recognized endocrinology speaker.

TYLER ANDERSON ““You start the first year super excited; you’re bright-eyed, you’re ready to go. And then those classes hit and it’s hard. You’re studying 12 hours a day. It gets exhausting and you’re not really accomplishing what you wanted to accomplish. But then you start clinicals, and you actually start getting to apply the things that you’ve learned. And that for me would be the thing that I enjoyed most; the process of becoming more decisive, of starting to recognize those patterns, of starting to make those connections and those realizations that everything’s kind of interconnected and you start trusting your judgment more. Third year and the 4th year is … where that change happens. Those first two years, you feel kind of stuck at it. But after that, just the progress and the process of learning and growing and applying the things that you’ve learned is very rewarding.” -Tyler Anderson, M.D., completing residency at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington state.

Annual Report 2026

NACUA recognizes distinguished service in the higher education legal profession Manuel R. Rupe, J.D., Ph.D., senior associate dean for Administrative and Legal Affairs in the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU, has been recognized by the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) for his outstanding service to the higher education legal profession. Currently, Rupe leads the college’s Offices of Legal Affairs, Faculty and Staff Employment Services, and Healthcare Information Technology. He is an integral member of the Advancing Health Together Executive Steering Committee, working to bring the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine to its new home on the MyMichigan Health campus in Saginaw. Rupe also teaches a course on Higher Education Law in CMU’s College of Education and Human Services and as part of the Medicine and Society course for the medical school. Rupe has held various leadership roles for NACUA for over 20 years. During this time, he has served on the Board of Directors, the Committee on Annual Program, the Committee on Legal Education and the editorial board for the Journal of College and University Law. He has also served as a speaker, moderator and session coordinator for numerous conference sessions on diverse higher education legal topics. In addition, Rupe served three terms as chair and one term as vice chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, consisting of the general counsels for Michigan’s public universities, as part of the Michigan Association of State Universities.

MICHELLE MOUFAWAD “My favorite part of medical school was meeting so many incredibly genuine and intelligent people. Whether it was working with my peers in small group style learning or with residents and attendings in clinical settings, I feel so fortunate to have been surrounded by individuals sharing their knowledge. I’ve learned so much and am excited to apply it to my practice as a resident. It’s an honor and privilege to graduate and be their colleague.”

EMILY HEINRICH “What I loved most about medical school was the friendships and lifelong connections I made along the way. Some of my favorite memories came from the experiences I shared with classmates who later became some of my best friends, and I know those relationships will stay with me long after graduation.” -Emily Heinrich, completing residency at AdventHealth Orlando in Florida.

-Michelle Moufawad, completing residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

American Medical Association Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship awarded to CMU medical student for the first time In early 2026, Arlene Chan became the first medical student from CMU to receive an American Medical Association Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship. Chan was one of 66 students from across the country to receive a $10,000 scholarship to help fund her final year of medical school in the fall. Since 1950, the AMA Foundation has provided millions of dollars in scholarship support to help future physicians overcome financial barriers to medical education. Now, the Physicians of Tomorrow program is one of the AMA Foundation’s flagship initiatives, designed to support and elevate the next generation of physician leaders. By providing substantial tuition assistance and national recognition, the program invests in medical students who demonstrate leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to improving care and outcomes for patients and communities. Chan’s scholarship was funded by the United Health Foundation through its Health Care Scholars United program. The United Health Foundation has funded scholarships for health care students since 2007 as part of its commitment to help people live healthier lives. By providing scholarships and support to current and aspiring health care professionals, the program aims to build the workforce of the future and help improve health care access, experiences and outcomes for all.

AUSTIN BASSO “As an undergraduate at CMU as well, it was a privilege to continue my medical education within the same community where I first began my academic journey. What I enjoyed most about medical school was the opportunity to build relationships with peers who became not only close friends, but also future colleagues I will remain connected with throughout my career! I enjoyed learning both clinical and life skills that I will continue to build on throughout my journey as a lifelong learner.” -Austin Basso, completing residency at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Annual Report 2026

KATHERINE MESAROS What I liked most about medical school, specifically at CMU: While CMU might not have a big academic name or decades of alumni, it was the most incredible education. From professors to clinical faculty every member of this program truly wants their students to succeed, and they push them to do so. I feel prepared for residency in ways I don’t think other medical schools could have provided. I am eternally grateful.” -Katherine Mesaros, M.D., completing residency at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Kristen Carrillo-Kappus, M.D. As a girl, Kristen Carrillo and her family lived with her grandparents in Austin, Texas. She often accompanied them to medical appointments, observing gaps in care and the effects of untreated chronic disease on her family. Those were formative experiences. Kristen was first in her family to graduate from high school and first to graduate from college. She earned a master’s in public health and managed large grants that funded breast and cervical cancer screenings in medically underserved communities. Yet her childhood memories pushed further. She wanted to be the doctor leading the care. The future physician was attracted to Covenant Healthcare College of Medicine at CMU because of its mission to educate doctors determined to provide care where it is most lacking. She felt a strong connection during her interview, as CMU faculty genuinely cared about her and what her experiences would mean to patients. A National Health Service Corps Scholarship paid for her education in exchange for a commitment to work in a rural or medically underserved community. It was the financing she needed to become an OB-GYN in a high-need area. Upon earning her M.D. in 2020, Carrillo-Kappus became the first CMU physician to land one of the nation’s top OB-GYN residencies at Duke Health in North Carolina. Duke is renowned for its leadership in complicated maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and reproductive endocrinology/fertility care. The high-intensity, fast-paced experience gave her confidence and skill in complex cases. Her residency prepared her to go anywhere, and Carrillo-Kappus chose to join Isabella Citizens for Health, a federally qualified health clinic in Mount Pleasant, in the fall of 2024. Her work with patients, who live up to three hours away, addresses a desperate need for care. The woman-to-OB-GYN ratio is 3,035:1 in Isabella County — nearly three times the state average. Since becoming an M.D., Carrillo-Kappus has delivered more than 750 babies, performed more than 500 gynecologic surgeries, and cared for more than 3,000 individuals.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Leonard Verhey, M.D. When Leonard Verhey, M.D., an alum from the Class of 2018, reflects on his trajectory to becoming a neurosurgeon, he doesn’t start in an operating room or a research lab—he starts at Central Michigan University. Verhey has completed a prestigious pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, one of the top children’s hospitals in the world. In July, he returned Grand Rapids to begin his career as a neurosurgeon. Along the way, he has achieved a milestone that stands out in our university’s history: he is the first graduate of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU to become a neurosurgeon. As a member of one of the earliest classes in the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU, Verhey experienced a program still finding its footing—but energized by possibility and a collaborative spirit that helped create an environment where students and faculty worked closely to refine and strengthen the program in real time. Verhey’s interest in neurosurgery traces back to a deeply personal moment. As an undergraduate student, he watched his young sister recover from a serious brain injury after a traumatic accident. Seeing the care and precision of her medical team sparked something lasting. That spark turned into a calling—one that would require years of relentless training. After earning his degree from CMU in 2018, Verhey completed a seven-year neurosurgery residency at Corewell Health West in Grand Rapids, becoming the first resident in the program’s history. The road was long and demanding, filled with early mornings, late nights, and time away from family. In the final stages of his fellowship, Verhey focused on refining his expertise and received specialized training in fetal neurosurgery. In Grand Rapids, he has the opportunity to contribute to the next phase of neurosurgical care and training at Corewell Health West and looks forward to utilizing his expertise here in Michigan to serve patients in need.

Annual Report 2026

IMPROVING HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND DELIVERY THROUGH OUTREACH AND COLLABORATION

CMU Street Medicine provides medical services to Michigan Renaissance Festival entertainers and artisans

The CMU Street Medicine team started a new collaboration with the Renaissance Entertainers, Services, Crafters United (RESCU) Foundation to provide medical care for the entertainers and artisans at the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, Michigan. The team hosted two early morning medical clinics for the actors, musicians, craftspeople and service workers who make the festival such a wonderful, memorable place for thousands of attendees each year. Many of the people who perform in the shows or run the booths at the Michigan Renaissance Festival are full-time festival workers. They are professionals in their craft and masters at bringing joy and merriment to people across the country. But, this life of magic-making means they may travel around the country from festival to festival without consistent access to medical services and they may lack access to affordable health insurance.

The goal of the CMU Street Medicine program is to provide high-quality health services to underserved, migrant, unhoused and rough-sleeping communities. The students and faculty work to cultivate direct engagement by meeting people in their living spaces and helping to bridge crucial gaps in health care and social support. By bringing access to care directly to people, these individuals do not have to significantly disrupt their daily lives to receive needed medical care. The team works primarily in mid-Michigan communities and is striving to expand its impact into surrounding areas where need exists. The RESCU Foundation was founded in 2003 by a group of dedicated individuals committed to providing resources to aid with the medical needs of the Renaissance Festival community. The organization has served thousands of individuals. RESCU provides education and wellness programs to help the Renaissance community stay healthy and has disbursed over $1.9 million in direct medical aid. Beyond that, RESCU mentoring and advocacy programs have enabled well over $4.7 million in medical bill abatement to aid and empower the people they serve.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

CMU’s Pulse3 remains committed to improving community wellness Through events, education and partnerships, CMU’s Pulse3 Endowment for Community Cardiovascular Health works to help residents live healthier lives while preparing individuals and communities to respond when cardiac emergencies occur. Pulse3’s signature Shocks and Saves hockey game is in its 18th year and continues to raise funds for CPR training and automated external defibrillator (AED) placement in schools and community settings. Since the event began, fundraising has helped Pulse3 train thousands of people in CPR and place nearly 500 AEDs throughout the region. These efforts have contributed to more than 20 lives being saved. Pulse3 also hosted its third annual Hearts and Paddles Pickleball Tournament and Community Health Expo, bringing together 260 players and connecting participants with more than 25 local health organizations. This year’s event raised more than $43,000 to support cardiovascular initiatives, including youth exercise and wellness programs and student research opportunities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Together, these events support the mission of Pulse3: to live, learn and save lives by improving cardiovascular health and emergency preparedness across the Great Lakes Bay Region. By bringing people together around physical activity, health education, CPR training and lifesaving technology, Pulse3 is helping build safer, healthier and better-prepared communities.

Annual Health Fair brings free medical screenings and services to Isabella County In April, approximately 150 community members attended the annual free health fair held at the MyMichigan Medical Center in Mount Pleasant. This year’s event was coordinated by nearly 40 medical students from the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU in partnership with MyMichigan Health. Providers from MyMichigan Health offered services in psychiatry, pediatrics and endocrinology. The CMU Street Medicine team conducted a variety of health screenings under physician supervision, while the Health and Nutrition Student Interest Group provided education on healthy eating, including an interactive build-your-own trail mix station. The MyMichigan Trauma Program distributed free helmets, and the Isabella Substance Awareness Coalition hosted a prescription drug take-back program. In addition, 24 community vendors were present, offering educational materials and giveaways. Other event highlights included a raffle, a Teddy Bear Clinic for children, and the distribution of nonperishable food and hygiene products for community members in need. Annual Report 2026

Area Health Education Center hosts unique Summer Experience at CMU In August, the Central and Western Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hosted students from Grand Rapids Innovation Central High School for an immersive, day-long learning experience at CMU. The visit introduced them to careers in medicine and health professions and gave them firsthand experience of college life. Organized in collaboration with the AHEC, this event supports CMU’s commitment to providing hands-on educational opportunities that inspire young people to explore higher education and careers in health care. Students spent the day participating in sessions led by faculty, staff, and current CMU students. The agenda was robust and included guided tours, a campus dining experience, and interactive course labs in Physical Therapy, Physician Associate, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Clinical Health Foundations. The students also had the opportunity to get involved in a hands-on Suture Clinic. CMU medical students used practice kits to demonstrate a variety of suture techniques while the high schoolers followed along, suturing their own kits under the supervision of AHEC staff.

The event was part of a week-long Summer Experience program offered to students in the Academy of Health Sciences and Technology (AHST)—a career-focused academy for grades 9–12 housed at Innovation Central High School. The Summer Experience is designed to introduce AHST scholars to medical and health professions programs through day-trips to four different schools and a visit to Chicago’s International Museum of Surgical Science.

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU

Annual Report 2026

CMU an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight. (see www.cmich.edu/ocrie). 21869 MGX 10/26

Main Campus Locations MOUNT PLEASANT CAMPUS 1280 S. East Campus Drive Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 SAGINAW CAMPUS 1632 Stone Street Saginaw, MI 48602

Primary Clinical Sites COVENANT HEALTHCARE 700 Cooper Avenue Saginaw, MI 48602 MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER SAGINAW 800 S. Washington Avenue Saginaw, MI 48601 MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER MIDLAND 4000 Wellness Drive Midland, MI 48670 HENRY FORD ST. JOHN HOSPITAL 22101 Moross Road Detroit, MI 48236