MSU and Hillel: a vital partnership Inspired for good He didn't know it at the time, but David Kaufman's path to practicing medicine began N when he met Laryssa, the woman who would In August 2011, MSU Hillel was one of two campus Hillel organizations to receive the Indispensable Campus Partner Award at the Hillel Professional Staff become his wife. Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. There are more than 500 Hillel Foundations internationally. Kaufman, professor and founding chairperson of Michigan State University's Department of The award recognized MSU Hillel for its strategic Neurology and Ophthalmology, started out alliances with Michigan State University. MSU Hillel pursuing sports journalism at the University of Wisconsin (UW), where the couple met. He k David Kaufman, professor and chairperson, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology earned a bachelor's degree in zoology and history from UW in 1973 and a DO from the connects with the campus community in a variety of ways—from offering programming for Jewish and non-Jewish students to organizing Alternative Spring Break trips in various parts of the United States and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine "Sparrow is a very fertile area for clinical research in 1978. Israel. Hillel also has a voting position on the and education for the Colleges of Osteopathic Associated Students of MSU student governing body "My wife preceded me in medical school," he says. Medicine, Human Medicine, and Nursing," says through its Jewish Student Union (JSU). "It changed my life's path, watching her. It's funny Kaufman. "Our partnership allows faculty to how people inspire you. I don't think my wife assist with clinical care of people in the knows how much she's influenced me." community and provides outstanding educational opportunities to our students." Kaufman came to Michigan State in 1984 as an That ability to help patients remains a source of Medicine. inspiration for Kaufman, whose own research interest in me that I had in it," he says. As the college continued to expand, Kaufman was selected in 2000 to chair the then new Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, the relationships built with the university," says MSU Hillel Director Cindy Hughey. "We're very connected with MSU. We're special and unique because of that assistant professor in the College of Osteopathic "I was quite fortunate that MSU had the same "Our dynamic Hillel is successful in part because of relationship." uses the eye as a simplified model of what MSU Hillel happens in the brain to determine the establishes its effectiveness of medical interventions for distinctive position conditions that include multiple sclerosis, stroke, by working with and cancer. various campus administrative and "Medicine provides people with extraordinary the first clinical department created at MSU since opportunities," says Kaufman. "I can't imagine a 1975 to be jointly administered by the Colleges of better way to live your life." Osteopathic and Human Medicine. Since then, academic units. For example, MSU Hillel recently Ask Big Questions fellows promote their Laugh in Peace comedy show last November. MSU Hillel partners with MSU's Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives on the Ask Big Questions initiative. the department has experienced significant Kaufman and his wife, Laryssa, a physician in worked with MSU's growth, deploying faculty researchers around MSU's Department of Internal Medicine and Culinary Services to the world, receiving major funding from the Department of Physiology, have passed on their introduce a new National Institutes of Health, and specializing in passion for medicine to their children. Sarah, 24, kosher meal service multiple disciplines of neurology. currently is enrolled in a dual MD/PhD degree program to accommodate those with special dietary program at Washington University in St. Louis, An expanding partnership between MSU and needs. MSU's kosher meal service program was and Matthew, 26, is an administrative fellow at Sparrow Health Systems offers more ways for developed in partnership with Hughey, Rabbi Jason the Detroit Medical Center. Miller of Kosher Michigan, and Chuck Radd, principal Kaufman and fellow faculty and students to owner of Woody's Oasis restaurant in East Lansing. reach patients in mid-Michigan. Additionally, MSU Hillel is working closely with MSU's Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives on Ask Spart,?.:r: Qrc- givates on the r dar of interriF:tionai COntinU2d Big Questions, a national initiative that helps diverse international internships. And it also helps Ron Cichy, who notes that 77 of the school's groups of students explore the deep questions at the participants "unpack" their experiences and translate approximately 850 students participated in study heart of life that many share. Through this program, them in a way that resonates with potential abroad programs across all seven continents during employers. summer 2010. students of diverse backgrounds are finding commonality through their conversations. Hughey initially brought the initiative to Paulette Granberry "Unpacking Your Study Abroad Experience: How to "MSU is committed to providing international learning Russell, senior adviser to the president for diversity Sell Your Study Abroad Experience to Employers and experiences for our students," Cichy says. "Study and director of the Office for Inclusion and Graduate Schools"—a joint offering of the Office of abroad complements the international segments that Intercultural Initiatives. Study Abroad and Career Services Network—provides we teach in our courses on campus." students with the information and skills needed to effectively communicate their international experiences in their résumé and application cover letters and during job interviews. The School of Hospitality Business has found study abroad to be critical to student success, says Director About 3,500 of the nearly 48,000 students enrolled at One of the top 25 majors declared by freshmen in MSU are Jewish, and Hughey says MSU Hillel helps MSU's fall 2011 class, hospitality business helps that segment feel welcome while also reaching out prepare students by integrating a global perspective to non-Jewish students through organizations such throughout the curriculum and promoting flexibility as the JSU and other vital campus partnerships. 9 regarding job relocation, he says.