Oct. 21, 2011 | WMU News
KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University trustees approved a measure Sept. 28 authorizing the University president and treasurer to develop bylaws and articles of incorporation for the new WMU School of Medicine.
The measure also authorizes the use of the University name as part of the school and gives the University administration the authority to carry out all other actions necessary to establish the school. The execution and delivery of contracts, instruments, filings and other documents were specifically outlined as measures authorized on behalf of the board.
The action marks the second time the board has taken official action in regard to the establishment of a medical school. In November 2009, the board endorsed plans for establishing a medical school and authorized the administration to hire a transitional dean to direct the school's formation. At that time, the board also accepted an anonymous $1.8 million gift characterized as "seed money" to begin establishing a privately funded medical school.
Since then, the School of Medicine, which is a partnership involving WMU and Kalamazoo's two teaching hospitals--Borgess Health and Bronson Healthcare--has hired a founding dean, begun the accreditation process and secured a foundational $100 million anonymous gift. Detailed planning for all aspects of the school's operation is now under way, and a fall 2014 launch has been announced.
