Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dean

Michigan State University (MSU) appointed Joyce deJong, DO, as Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

deJong is a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. She joins MSU from Western Michigan University, where she has been a professor and founding Chair of the Department of Pathology at Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine since 2014. This role allowed her to address the pressing need for exceptional medicolegal death investigations, expand her influence on public health, and provide innovative educational experiences for future physicians. Under her visionary leadership, the department flourished, attracting top talent, fostering collaboration, and significantly contributing to medical education and research. deJong was previously the Medical Director of Forensic Pathology at Sparrow Hospital, where she met the challenge of overseeing a rapidly growing department serving multiple counties. Her exceptional leadership skills and dedication to quality medicolegal death investigations allowed the department to expand its reach, providing essential services to a larger population. deJong has also served as a forensic pathologist for the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the past 26 years. deJong has made significant contributions to disaster response and mass fatality management. Deploying multiple times with the federal government to various catastrophic events, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti, she has displayed her commitment to serving humanity in times of crisis. Her experiences in Haiti have profoundly influenced her perspective on healthcare and further solidified her dedication to promoting health equity.

As the President of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), deJong made history as the first osteopathic physician to lead this esteemed organization. This milestone achievement, highlighted during her acceptance speech, demonstrated her dedication to promoting osteopathic principles within forensic pathology. 

deJong holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Grand Valley State University. She earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed her anatomic pathology residency at Grand Rapids Area Medical Education Consortium/Michigan State University, and forensic pathology fellowship at Emory University and Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

Jamie Sands led this search with Kennedy Kearney-Fischer, Alice Holland, and Lily Sethares.