Organized in the 70's in response to legislative recognition of the need for more physicians to practice Family Medicine in Michigan, our department has grown significantly over time. It is now a home to more than 40 physician and PhD faculty members, and more than 250 voluntary faculty, engaged in research, education and clinical care. Family medicine as a specialty is committed to providing personalized, front-line medical care to people of all socioeconomic strata, delivering the majority of care for America's underserved rural and urban populations. The Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at the Wayne State University School of Medicine upholds and furthers this legacy through a commitment to excellent patient care, rigorous medical education and groundbreaking research. Many faculty and students are engaged in research on health equity and disparities, including studies on cancer, heart disease, asthma, obesity, HIV, and maternal and child health. This work is primarily focused on Detroit and other cities in Michigan but includes work nationally and internationally.

Our department offers education programs for students, as well as residency opportunities and a graduate master's program.

If you are a student interested in Family Medicine as a specialty choice, we have some exciting and innovative educational programs, a robust Family Medicine Interest Group, Family Medicine Clerkship and Robert Frank Student Run Free Clinic. Our students have the opportunity to receive scholarships and awards.  We have best in class practicing family physicians who host our students.  If you are a student interested in more information or a family physician interested in precepting student in your practice, please read more about our Medical Student Education Programs.

Our Family Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital has maintained its ACGME-accreditation since inception.  Our residents work in a Family Medicine Practice, designated as a Patient Centered Medical Home.   Our Transitional Year Residency Program is a one year university-based ACGME accredited residency, designed to prepare students for transitional into a categorical residency program. Read more about what our Family Medicine Residency and Transitional Year Residency Programs can offer.

The Masters of Public Health Program in our department is only one of three programs accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH) in the State of Michigan.  Our program prepares its students within a culture of inclusion to service our communities as leaders in public health.  Peruse the MPH Program website to learn more about what we offer.  

We encourage you to explore our website to learn more about our programs, faculty, residents and students.  Feel free to contact any of our faculty directly if you have any questions about the programs we offer or wish to collaborate with us.

Jinping Xu, MD
Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine & Public Health Sciences
Director of MetroNet, Practice-based Research Network