Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed), established in 2012 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was created through a landmark $100 million gift from the family of Homer Stryker, the orthopaedic surgeon who founded Stryker Corporation. The school uses a fully problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum and is housed in a purpose-built education and biomedical research complex in downtown Kalamazoo. Clinical training occurs at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Ascension Borgess Hospital, and a network of community sites. WMed emphasizes self-directed learning, interprofessional education, and physician advocacy.
What makes it different
Endowed by a $100 million gift from the Stryker family, WMed is one of the best-funded new US medical schools. It uses a fully problem-based learning curriculum and a highly selective interview model. The downtown Kalamazoo Education Center is purpose-built with advanced simulation and standardized patient facilities.
Course & teaching
PBL curriculum. 4-year MD fully using PBL case-based learning in small groups; no traditional lectures in the pre-clerkship phase. Standardized patient encounters begin in Year 1. Years 3–4 core rotations at Bronson Methodist and Borgess hospitals in Kalamazoo. Research scholarly project required.
Research strengths
WMed — Homer Stryker School of Medicine (MD) has notable research strength in Musculoskeletal disease, Cancer biology, Health equity, Medical education, Community health.
Interview
WMed — Homer Stryker School of Medicine (MD) interviews via MMI (multiple mini-interview, 8 stations, in person). WMed uses an 8-station MMI with stations of approximately 8 minutes each, assessing ethical reasoning, communication, critical thinking, and self-awareness. The interview day is held at the WMed Education Center in downtown Kalamazoo and includes a tour of the facility, a student panel discussion, and an overview of the school's unique problem-based learning curriculum. WMed MMI stations frequently test ability to handle ambiguity and incomplete information — consistent with the school's PBL philosophy. Interviewers are faculty physicians, community clinicians, and standardized patients.
Intake
Approximately 85 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 2012, based in Kalamazoo, MI. Programmes offered: Primary Care, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Rural Health, Biomedical Research.