Michigan Medicine marks milestone anniversary in 2025
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - The University of Michigan Medical School is marking 175 years of education this year.
The origins of the school are traced to an 1848 report from U-M Regent Zina Pitcher who called for the creation of a medical school that would be "an example worthy of imitation." Five faculty members and 95 students met for the first classes in fall 1850 in a near building near the part of campus now known as the Diag.
The institution is now a respected center of medical education, research and advanced clinical training; while also running one of the largest health care systems in the country.
"Our 175th anniversary comes at a time of great change for our world, our nation, our university and Michigan Medicine," Marschall Runge, dean of the Medical School, CEO of Michigan Medicine and executive vice president for medical affairs, said in the announcement.
"Amid that change, our Medical School and our entire institution can continue serving the public good through discovery, innovation, education and evidence-based care. Sharing and learning from our history can inspire us all, including a new generation of innovators, scholars and medical professionals."
To honor that history, Michigan Medicine will share and host exhibits, events, links and videos about the legacy of the medical system via announcements on its anniversary website.
There is 175th anniversary apparel for sale, with proceeds going to a fund that will help fund new advancements. Those with memories and photos they would like share can do so on the website's online form. Social media posts from Michigan Medicine will include the hashtag #michmed175.
One of the stories that will be told is that of the 100th anniversary of the University Hospital known as "Old Main." It served patients from 1925 to 1986. A newer hospital, the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, will open this fall near where Old Main once stood.
Michigan also was the first major medical school of its time to admit women, and one of the first to admit "students of color."
The lookback will also include reflections and perspective from the modern era.
"While we take pride in our achievements, it is also important to remember that there were times when we could have done better. Learning from those lessons can help us continue to enhance the lives of countless people in Michigan and beyond," said Joel Howell, an emeritus professor of medicine and history at U-M who co-wrote a 2017 book on the Medical School.