Albion College Forms Revolutionary Partnership with Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

The unique collaboration focuses on diversity and offers students opportunities to explore medical education directly out of high school.

February 16, 2021

Albion College's Science Complex atrium is a great place to study and host events such as the annual Elkin R. Isaac Student Research Symposium poster session. The Science Complex is home to Albion's Biology, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Physics departments.Albion College, one of the top 50 innovative liberal arts colleges in the country, announced today a unique partnership with Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed), offering students an 8-year educational program. Students have the opportunity to receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Albion College and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from WMed with acceptance into both degree programs directly from high school. The program provides enrichment opportunities for students during their years at Albion College where they must meet and maintain program standards to advance to the M.D. degree program. Albion College President Dr. Mathew Johnson and Founding Dean of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Dr. Hal Jenson made the announcement.

The collaboration has two components: first, to establish the Albion College and WMed Joint Admissions Program, which admits exceptionally qualified high school seniors from diverse backgrounds into both Albion College and WMed at the same time for a B.A. degree from Albion and an M.D. degree from WMed; and second, to establish a preferred relationship between Albion and WMed that allows all qualified Albion students to participate in the WMedStart early decision program.

“Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen significant increases in students looking to enter the medical field and serve their communities. Putting that sense of public purpose into action is what an Albion education is all about,” said Dr. Mathew Johnson, Albion College President. “Albion College is leading the way in premedical education, with an almost 100% success rate among Albion students seeking acceptance into medical school. We are thrilled to build on this with the launch of a collaborative relationship with WMed to create even more opportunity for the next generation of physician leaders. As a key driver in the diversification of the medical student population at WMed, Albion College is living out our commitment to belonging by creating and sustaining impactful opportunities for all students. These future physicians should be just as diverse as the communities they work with.”

Albion College embraces not just diversity, inclusion and equity, but true belonging. In the last 10 years, Albion has undergone a dramatic change to welcome a more diverse and inclusive student body. The percentage of students at Albion that identify as students of color has increased from 18% in 2013-14 to 41% in 2019-20. More recently, Albion has invested in the creation of the Cutler Center for Student Success and Academic Achievement, and has been awarded a Department of Education TRiO grant to support the success of underrepresented and first-generation students many of whom are interested in our STEM, premedical and health related pre-professional programs. This program also supports WMed’s mission to build a diverse and inclusive environment that serves the medical needs of our communities – specifically those from underrepresented groups in medicine (African American, Hispanic, and Native American).

While at Albion College, students will develop cultural competence, communication skills, teamwork skills, and social skills through meaningful community engagement. Albion students accepted into the program will attend the Lisa and James Wilson Institute, a national leader in premedical education. The Wilson institute, named after gene therapy pioneer and alumnus James Wilson, ‘77, prepares students to become altruistic leaders in healthcare through an innovative academic curriculum and immersive clinical, research, and community engagement initiatives. At WMed, students will benefit from learner-centered medical education as they become leaders in the medical field.

"Albion College’s liberal arts education produces thoughtful and inquisitive students with a diverse set of skills who are able to think beyond traditional classroom instruction--all aspects that create successful medical students,” said Dr. Hal Jenson, Founding Dean of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. “At WMed, we prepare students for the medical profession by elevating learning opportunities, and this program is in alignment with that vision.”

Applications for the fall 2021 school year are now being accepted at albion.edu/apply. For more information, contact the Wilson Institute at 517-629-0258 or .

About Albion College

Albion College is a private liberal arts college of approximately 1,500 students and is nationally recognized for its academic excellence in the liberal arts tradition, a learning-centered commitment and a future-oriented perspective. The College is a leader in preparing students to anticipate, solve and prevent problems in order to improve the human and global condition. Albion immerses students in the creation and processing of knowledge and graduates skilled architects of societal change, active citizens and future leaders. The College is dedicated to the highest quality in undergraduate education and is committed to diversity as a core institutional value.

Albion, Michigan is a culturally diverse community in the south-central part of the state. The College recognizes the value of community, both on- and off-campus and has invested resources in supporting the revitalization of the greater Albion community. This work offers an increasingly vibrant city around the campus that provides students with a fuller experience as they prepare to become engaged citizens in their own communities.

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching hospital systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The inaugural medical student class graduated in 2018 after completing an innovative, patient-centered four-year curriculum that prepares them to be exceptional clinicians, leaders, educators, advocates, and researchers of tomorrow. WMed also offers three Master of Science degrees programs in Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Informatics, and Medical Engineering. There are more than 200 residents and fellows in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. WMed has Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services. Housed in several locations through Kalamazoo and Portage, WMed Health is accredited by The Joint Commission with certification as a Primary Care Medical Home. The 350,000 square foot educational building on the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo underwent a more than $78 million renovation and expansion including two laboratory research floors, forensic pathology lab, and a state-of-the-art Simulation Center that is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. The Innovation Center on the Parkview Campus is a life science, technology, and engineering incubator serving the earliest startups to maturing companies with laboratory, office and conference space, access to core scientific equipment and expertise, and a wide range of support services.