Michigan’s Wayne State, Henry Ford Health System may boost research collaboration

DETROIT, Michigan — Wayne State University and the Henry Ford Health System are inching toward an agreement that would bring a greater emphasis on translational research, the school announced Tuesday.

Wayne State and Henry Ford signed a letter of intent to “conduct extensive and formal discussions” to develop a deeper partnership that would be implemented by the middle of next year.

Among the items up for discussion: combining the research efforts at both institutions with an emphasis on translational research, and adding a new research center in TechTown, Wayne State’s research and technology park. Wayne State received $115 million in grants last year and does strong research in areas of pediatric medicine and oncology, among others.

Wayne State also wants to increase the number of medical students that train at Henry Ford, and the school wants to create a “more comprehensive education in integrated health systems and best clinical practices,” according to the release.

The Detroit Free Press points out that Wayne State, which has one of the largest medical schools in the country, needs help solidifying the medical school because of ongoing problems with its other partner, Detroit Medical Center.

The two organizations already collaborate in several ways. Henry Ford already has a lab in tech town, that handles cytogenetic diagnosis, DNA and drug discovery. The hospital has been an academic affiliate of the school of medicine since 2002, and Henry Ford physicians and researchers who teach at Wayne State receive academic appointments as faculty.

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user Henry Ford Hospital]