Welcome from the Dean

As spring arrives, let us embrace the renewal it brings, not only to the landscape around us, but also to our spirits and academic pursuits. This season offers a chance to blossom with fresh ideas, re-energize our collaborations, and step into the vibrant possibilities that lie ahead. Let's seize this moment to cultivate our creativity, nurture our curiosity, and collectively flourish in the coming months.

As we approach the end of another semester, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work and achievements that we have accomplished together as a community.

• We continue to increase our collaborative outreach initiatives. We have added the Sanilac County Community Mental Health Authority. We also have the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, the Veteran’s Health Administration, Henry Ford Health, and Corwell Health.  In addition, we have been working to arrange agreements with health institutions in the Upper Peninsula.
• The Anatomage Table, the world’s most advanced real-human medical education platform, has arrived and will be ready for student learning soon. We thank the donors for this incredible gift. This state-of-the-art platform offers digitized human cadavers and superior learning tools, transforming health professions' education and training. It will be housed in the Department of Kinesiology; however, it will be available for use by all HHS departments. We will figure out a process by which it can be scheduled to be used.
• As previously mentioned, the nursing department’s reaccreditation site visit was on Feb 24-26, 2025. The team worked diligently to ensure a successful site visit. While we will not get the final word from the commission until the end of September, the site team reported that the nursing programs met all standards and did not find any compliance concerns! Congratulations!
• We will continue to work on the three major projects, which include establishing the Malcom Field Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (MFBSRI) within Bachand Hall, the SVSU Graduate Health Sciences Building within the Medical Diamond in downtown Saginaw, and hopefully a comprehensive Health and Wellness Center.

SVSU is in the final stages of completion of its new strategic plan. HHS is very active in all six priorities. A commitment to community has always been at the heart of our college. Whether your interests lie in the health sciences, social work, kinesiology, occupational therapy, or nursing, as a student at the SVSU you will enjoy a rewarding educational experience enriched by collaboration with peers and mentors from an extraordinary range of personal and professional backgrounds. As you gain the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience that prepare you for a career that makes a real difference to the health and well-being of people within the region, state, and beyond, you will also form a lifelong network of friends and colleagues. Our students, faculty, and staff provide tremendous services, deliver care, and translate new discoveries for the many populations we serve. Research and service learning are embedded within our academic programs to ensure students can experience evidence-based practice across the lifespan. I want to thank all of you for your perseverance throughout the semester. 

Advancements in health technology, improvements in standards of practice, and expanding health care roles continue to create new opportunities for graduates of the health professions. We pride ourselves on the ability to produce highly qualified and competitive candidates that are sought out by health profession employers. We invite you to visit us and experience all our college has to offer. We are interested in creating partnerships that can ensure the health and wellbeing of the many communities we serve.

We believe that together we can be better!

Dr. Marcia Mastracci Ditmyer
Dean, College of Health & Human Services