Greetings from the Senior Vice President for Health Affairs

Dear Alumni and Partners in the Health Sciences Community:

I am excited to begin my journey as senior vice president for Health Affairs at Wayne State University. It is a profound privilege to join an institution with such a rich tradition of excellence in education, research, and service to our vibrant community. Primary among the key factors that compelled me to choose Wayne State is its deep history of commitment to serving the people of Detroit, since its genesis as the Detroit College of Medicine in 1868. I look forward to working closely with the School of Medicine, College of Nursing, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the emerging school of public health to advance the priorities of President Kimberly Espy’s Prosperity Agenda.

I have begun meeting with stakeholders throughout campus and community, including our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external constituents. I believe it is critical to listen carefully to your perspectives, learn about your successes and challenges, and gather your ideas on how to continue advancing our shared mission. I will also be hosting open forums where we can come together for open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

One of my top priorities is to work side by side with our deans and other leaders to deepen our collective influence and interdisciplinary impact. I am eager to learn more about the breadth and depth of our research expertise, explore innovative approaches to interprofessional education, and strengthen our healthcare partnerships regionally and beyond. These collaborations are essential to providing exceptional student experiences, addressing persistent health disparities, and improving outcomes for the communities we serve.

I have been thrilled with your exceptionally warm welcome – despite chilling temperatures over the last several weeks. I look forward to getting to know many of you in person and discovering together how we can further elevate Wayne State’s commitment to excellence. Working and learning together, as a team, we will continue to be a force for positive change throughout Detroit, Michigan, and beyond.

Sincerely,

Bernard J. Costello, M.D., D.M.D., FACS
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
Wayne State University