Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine announced that it has received two historic philanthropic commitments from its healthcare partners, Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health, to support the College’s “Advancing Health Together” initiative. Each health system pledged $40 million to help fund a new medical education building in Saginaw, Michigan.
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These contributions represent the largest gifts in the university’s history and highlight the strength of the partnership between CMU and its healthcare collaborators. CMU President Neil MacKinnon said the donations demonstrate a shared commitment to addressing healthcare challenges and promoting economic growth in the communities they serve. He emphasized that this collaboration will enhance medical education, improve patient care, and expand access to healthcare across the Great Lakes Bay Region. MacKinnon added that the partnership will positively impact lives and communities for generations and reflects the spirit of the Advancing Health Together initiative.
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The College of Medicine will now carry a new name, the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University, and will have a new home in the CMU MyMichigan Health Medical Education Building on the MyMichigan Health campus in Saginaw. Beth Charlton, president and CEO of Covenant HealthCare, said the gift reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to medical education and the development of future physicians. She highlighted that supporting education ensures a strong pipeline of well-trained medical professionals who can meet the growing healthcare needs of the Great Lakes Bay Region. Charlton added that the initiative will help ensure patients continue to receive high-quality, local care for years to come.
Lydia Watson, MD, president and CEO of MyMichigan Health, said her organization is proud to contribute to the Advancing Health Together initiative. She noted that the collaboration strengthens medical education and helps prepare students to serve in underserved areas, including rural communities. Watson emphasized that the partnership will expand the number of healthcare providers and improve access to care, equity, and overall health outcomes for communities across the region.
Michigan faces significant healthcare shortages, particularly in underserved areas such as the Great Lakes Bay Region, where many counties are designated as health professional shortage areas. MacKinnon said the need for a strong, community-focused medical education program and a pipeline of physicians has never been greater. Established in 2010, CMU’s College of Medicine has grown rapidly, expanding from an initial class of 60 to more than 100 students per year. First- and second-year students currently study in Mount Pleasant, while most third- and fourth-year students train in Saginaw. Consolidating all students in Saginaw will strengthen engagement, peer mentoring, and research collaboration according to Dr. Tina Thompson, interim dean of the College of Medicine.
The new Medical Diamond project in Saginaw will become the state’s third bioscience hub and the only one serving northern Michigan. It brings together CMU’s College of Medicine, Covenant HealthCare, MyMichigan Health, and other educational and healthcare organizations. The project will also include a riverfront park open to the public. With these major gifts, CMU plans to move forward with the design and construction of the new medical education building, aiming to break ground in 2026 while continuing fundraising to reach a $100 million goal. MacKinnon said relocating the College of Medicine to Saginaw will also allow CMU to expand other health programs at the Mount Pleasant campus, including the new four-year nursing program. He concluded that the partnership between CMU, Covenant HealthCare, and MyMichigan Health aligns their missions and will provide lasting benefits to the communities they serve.
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