A lasting solution: business can help craft a permanent DMC/WSU medical education partnership

Detroiter, March, 2007 by Tammy Carnrike

The Detroit Region is working hard to transform its economy in order to thrive in an intensely competitive global marketplace. Many hurdles need to be overcome to achieve this goal. One of these obstacles is the absence of a lasting solution between the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University over the future of their joint medical-residency program.

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The recent announcement from Pfizer to shut down its research center in Ann Arbor and lay off over 2,000 workers is a clarion call for Southeast Michigan leaders to redouble our efforts to resolve this issue for the long haul to ensure the region remains a hub of medical research and education.

Last fall, Gov. Jennifer Granholm brokered a three-year agreement that will continue the partnership between the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University for educating medical students. The deal keeps intact the core training programs as a joint venture between the two institutions. However, each organization may negate the agreement after 18 months in order to seek out alternative partnerships, and both organizations retain the right to operate smaller, independent programs. The agreement is a step in the right direction, but the lack of a long-term, stable settlement undermines the region's efforts to diversify and strengthen the local economy.

There is lingering concern at the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education, the official body responsible for accrediting medical schools around the nation, and within the Detroit Region's business community over whether the arrangement will hold long term. Losing the accreditation would severely challenge the program's viability as students and federal funding migrate to other accredited programs around the state and nation.

The benefits of an enduring solution are innumerable. It will help Southeast Michigan become a biomedical hub. This is critical given the region's desperate need to diversify its economy. Health care is one of the fastest growing industries; therefore, the Detroit Region needs to cultivate the growth of this very promising sector of the economy. With a world-class biomedicine program, the region will be in a strong position to attract human talent and federal dollars for medical research.

Operating a joint medical residency program between a local hospital and an educational institution is a model being used in other regions to attract federal research and development funding and human talent. For example, Michigan State University recently announced it is opening a medical school in partnership with a local hospital in Grand Rapids. West Michigan clearly understands the economic benefits of these programs, so should the Detroit Region.

The governor should move forward with her proposal to create a Blue Ribbon Committee of regional business, community and political leaders to resolve the dispute between the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University. It is in the community's best interest to craft a workable, long-term solution.

Tammy Carnrike is chief operating officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber.