Exciting Updates from the Dean: August 1, 2025 | College of Human Medicine Insights

Last week, I visited Flint for the Baby Parade, which is part of the Rx Kids initiative. This week, I had an enlightening meeting with seniors at the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals (HASP) in Holland. HASP, linked to Hope College, fosters lifelong learning through lectures and courses. The energy in the room was refreshing, with around 200 attendees eager to engage.

During our discussions, I met Russell Dykstra, MD, an alum who practiced family medicine in the Holland area. His journey is inspiring: he joined the Navy during the draft, became a high-level technician, and then used the GI Bill to pursue his education at Hope and later the College of Human Medicine. Russell shared how the Navy taught him to think critically, mirroring the education approach of our college.

Russell’s insights underscore a vital point: effective education relies on real-world applications. It’s not just about learning facts but acquiring skills that graduates can apply confidently in their fields. Our College of Human Medicine uses a focal problems curriculum, one of the first of its kind in U.S. medical schools, to achieve this. Now, almost every medical school has adopted some form of problem-based learning (PBL).

Our curriculum integrates case-based teaching through created patient scenarios. These exercises teach students everything from anatomy to health policy. It’s a way of simulating real patient care, helping future doctors think critically and diagnose effectively.

Shifting from traditional lectures to a case-based method can be tough. Students often struggle with this transition. Personally, I faced this shift during my clerkships, while Russell made this adjustment earlier in his Navy training. It highlights the importance of adaptability in learning, something that resonates with all of us.

This approach not only prepares future healthcare professionals but also encourages lifelong learning. In our ever-evolving world, staying current and adaptable is essential, and programs like HASP exemplify this idea wonderfully.

In a recent survey by the American Medical Association, nearly 80% of medical students reported that they preferred case-based learning over traditional lectures, emphasizing its growing popularity. The future of education seems to be leaning into these interactive learning styles, and I’m excited to see how it evolves.

Serving the community alongside you,

Aron Sousa, MD

Dean, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

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