Kevin C. Bergquist
Bergquist is the internal communication strategist in the executive vice president for medical affairs/dean’s office in Michigan Medicine Administration. He develops internal and external communications programs and materials for Medical School initiatives, and provides communications, administrative and project support to Medical School operations, which includes the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. Bergquist has a B.S. in communications from Illinois State University and a M.A. in communications from Eastern Michigan University.
Medical School News
Keith E. Cook, PhD, MS, appointed Chair of Biomedical Engineering
The Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Keith E. Cook, Ph.D., M.S., as the William and Valerie Hall Department Chair of Biomedical Engineering, effective Jan. 1. He is returning to the University of Michigan after 13 years at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he served as the David Edward Schramm Professor and head of CMU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Medical School News
Regents approve Urology acting chairs, Cell and Developmental Biology interim chair
The Board of Regents on Oct. 15 approved the appointments of two acting chairs and one interim chair in the Medical School. Effective Sept. 18, Brent K. Hollenbeck, M.D. M.S., is acting chair of the Department of Urology through Feb. 28, 2027. Effective March 1, 2027, Todd M. Morgan, M.D., will assume the role of acting chair. Billy Tsai, Ph.D., is interim chair of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, effective Sept. 9.
Medical School News
Akbar K. Waljee, MD, MSc, appointed Associate Dean of Global Health Research
The Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Akbar K. Waljee, M.D., M.Sc., as associate dean of global health research, effective Oct. 1. In his new role, Waljee will report to the dean and will be responsible for leading and coordinating international research efforts in the Medical School Office of Research.
Medical School News
Amy S. Kelley, MD, MSHS, appointed Associate Dean for Population Science
The Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Amy S. Kelley, M.D., MSHS, as associate dean for population science in the Medical School, effective Oct. 1. The Department of Internal Medicine previously announced her appointment as chief of the Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, and director of the Geriatrics Center and the Institute for Gerontology, also effective Oct. 1.
Medical School News
Medical School well-represented among Strategic Initiative Fund’s first recipients
On Aug. 26, the University of Michigan announced 37 projects that will receive $40 million in initial funding from the Strategic Initiative Fund to pursue bold ideas.
Medical School News
Michigan Medicine to celebrate GME Professionals Day August 21
Graduate Medical Education (GME) Professional’s Day — August 21 — is a dedicated moment to pause, recognize, and celebrate the extraordinary team members who serve as the backbone of the GME educational mission at Michigan Medicine.
Medical School News
H. David Humes, MD, named 2026 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year
H. David Humes, MD, is being awarded this year’s Distinguished University Innovator of the Year. The award is the highest honor for U-M faculty members who have developed transformative ideas, processes or technologies and shepherded them to market for broad societal impact.
Medical School News
Podcast: Supporting student success: Building well-being into medical education
In the latest episode of the Well-Being at Michigan Medicine podcast, host and Chief Well-Being Officer Elizabeth Harry, M.D., is joined by Seetha Monrad, M.D., Associate Dean for Medical Student Education, and Erin McKean, M.D., Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, to discuss how Michigan Medicine is creating a learning environment where students can succeed without compromising high standards.
Medical School News
Medical School’s Lori J. Pierce, MD, named Distinguished University Professor
Medical School professor Lori J. Pierce, M.D., is one of six U-M faculty members recognized for their outstanding teaching and service with one of the university’s most prestigious honors: the Distinguished University Professorship. Each professorship bears a name determined by the appointed professor in consultation with their dean. Pierce is the Allen S. Lichter Distinguished University Professor of Radiation Oncology.
Medical School News
Michigan Medicine to host inaugural Learning Health System Summit on Oct. 9
The Michigan Medicine Learning Health System Summit on Oct. 9 will bring together leaders, clinicians, researchers, educators, staff, and learners from across the organization to explore what it will take to fully realize the vision.
Medical School News
Renuka Tipirneni, MD, MSc, picked for prestigious health policy fellowship
A general internal medicine physician who has devoted her career to studying how health policy decisions affect patients like hers nationwide will spend the next year advising policymakers in Washington, D.C. directly, through a prestigious national fellowship. Renuka Tipirneni, M.D., M.Sc., an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, was selected by the National Academy of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as one of eight RWJF Health Policy Fellows for 2026-2027.
Medical School News
Susan Murphy, Sc.D., OTR, named UMMS faculty chair-elect for women’s careers
Susan Murphy, Sc.D., OTR, FAOTA, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and internal medicine, and research professor in the Institute of Gerontology, has been appointed faculty chair-elect for women’s careers in the Medical School. The chair-elect is one of several Medical School roles that focus on the advancement — and overall thriving — of women pursuing careers in academic medicine and science at Michigan Medicine. Murphy will become chair-elect in January 2027, serve as faculty chair in 2028-29, and after her term is complete, she will serve in an advisory role as post-chair in 2030-31.
Medical School News
Swap and shop events help laboratories donate and find valuable supplies
The Medical School is helping researchers save money and reduce waste by connecting laboratories with surplus supplies to those that can put them to immediate use. At three Lab Swap events held in the spring, more than 100 participants donated and “shopped” for valuable laboratory supplies at Medical Science Research Building 2, North Campus Research Complex, and A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building. The events rehomed more than 3,500 pounds of lab supplies, with a value of nearly $115,000.
Medical School News
Voting victories: Medical School Vice Dean Edje enjoys election wins at AMA meeting
Louito C. Edje, M.D., MHPE, FAAFP, the Medical School’s vice dean for medical education, emerged victorious in elections on two fronts at the recent American Medical Association (AMA) meeting in Chicago, including chair-elect of the AMA Council on Medical Education
Medical School News
Service appointment: Medical School COO shares his time, expertise outside of U-M
In his role as Medical School Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director for Administration, Matthew C. Comstock, MBA, MHSA, oversees the administrative ecosystem that supports the school's mission of education, research, and patient care. He also contributes his time and expertise through various leadership service roles, both at U-M and nationally.
