As we enter the new academic year, I am delighted to welcome our new faculty, staff and residents and MPH students to the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences. Your expertise and fresh perspectives are invaluable to our mission, and I look forward to working together to advance the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

I would also like to reflect on the impressive strides our department has made. This past period has been marked by exceptional achievements and significant milestones that truly showcase our collective commitment to advancing medicine and public health.

In May, our department proudly hosted the 46th Annual Michigan Family Medicine Research Day. This in-person event, the first since 2019, was a resounding success with over 160 attendees from all over the state. The conference featured over 30 oral presentations and 40 posters, highlighting cutting-edge research in quality improvement, clinical practice, and public health. Dr. Abdul Al-Sayed’s keynote address on “Patient Advocacy: Finessing Change for Those We Serve” was particularly inspiring, emphasizing the importance of advocacy in addressing health disparities and improving care for underserved populations.

Our collaborative research with the Detroit Community Health Awareness Group, Inc. (CHAG), long-standing community partner, also reached a significant milestone with the publication of a study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy. The study underscores the importance of community-based interventions and highlights areas for future research and action.

We have proudly celebrated the achievements of our graduating residents from the Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Transitional Year Residency programs, as well as our MPH graduates and AHEC scholars. Watching you all grow into skilled, compassionate professionals has been an honor, and we are incredibly proud of your accomplishments. To our graduates, as you move forward in your careers—whether in clinical practice, public health, or further training—know that your dedication will continue to impact the lives of countless individuals. We are excited to see the positive changes you will bring to your communities and beyond. Congratulations, and best wishes for your bright futures!

As we celebrate these accomplishments, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each member of our department. Your dedication, collaboration, and innovative spirit are the driving forces behind our success. As we move forward, I am optimistic about the exciting developments ahead. Together, we are making significant strides in research, education, and community service. I look forward to another productive year as we continue to grow, collaborate, and serve.

 

 

Warmest regards,

Jinping Xu, MD, MS, FAAFP
Professor and Chair
Department of Family Medicine
and Public Health Sciences