Leadership Academy Aims to Foster Innovation and Collaboration

In a collaborative effort, 24 leaders from Henry Ford and MSU have been selected to participate in the Henry Ford + MSU Health Innovation Leadership Academy (HILA). This new Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences initiative will drive integrated collaboration, reinforce team alignment and lay the groundwork for future joint ventures.

“I can’t be more excited to launch this inaugural class of HILA,” said Scott Dulchavsky, M.D., Ph.D. Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Committee vice chair and Henry Ford Innovations CEO. “This novel program has the double bonus of providing key leadership and team building skills to the participants and forging durable connections between our institutions as these new ambassadors learn about the partner organizations.”

The program successfully launched in September and includes nine engaging sessions that feature case studies and problem-solving workshops, interactive team exercises, expert-led sessions and project-based learning. Co-leading the HILA program are Vikas Relan, program director of Henry Ford Innovations Education and Collaboration; James Adams, advisor for Henry Ford Innovations Education and Collaboration; and Dorothy Carter, associate professor in Michigan State University's Department of Management.

"Henry Ford and MSU share a vision of improving the health of all people. This academy was established to help realize that vision by cultivating leaders who drive innovation at the intersections of disciplines, perspectives and institutions,” said Christopher Contag, Ph.D., Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Committee vice chair and director of MSU’s Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ). "This inaugural cohort will serve as a force multiplier, amplifying our impact and shaping the future of health."

The Fall 2025 cohort includes the following 12 MSU members and 12 Henry Ford members: