East Michigan News

George E. Kikano, M.D., has been acknowledged by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Leader in Health Care. Kikano holds the position of executive vice president for Health Affairs at Central Michigan University (CMU), serves as dean of the CMU College of Medicine, and is the board chair of CMU Medical Education Partners. He joined CMU in 2015.

During his early years at the university, Kikano played a key role in the accreditation process for the newly established College of Medicine. He also secured important long-term affiliation agreements with hospitals across the state to provide diverse clinical experiences for medical students.

In 2023, Kikano initiated the creation of the CMU Rural Health Equity Institute to support and expand the college's mission to assist rural and underserved communities. He actively participates in various state and national organizations and serves on nonprofit boards focused on improving community health.

“Dr. George Kikano is a visionary leader for central Michigan,” stated Sethu Reddy, M.D., senior associate dean of research at CMU’s College of Medicine. “He is a master of understanding the big picture and an excellent champion for the College with both the physician and lay communities. It is crystal clear that his motivation is only for the long-term success of the College’s graduates.”

Under Kikano's leadership, over 700 new physicians have graduated from the college. Each year, these graduates apply to residency programs through the National Residency Matching Program. The college boasts a historic match rate of 98%, with more than half continuing their residency training within Michigan and 60-75% opting for primary care positions.

Recently, US News and World Report recognized CMU College of Medicine among its 2024 Best Graduate Schools for Medicine due to achievements aligned with addressing physician shortages and serving underserved areas. Among 168 medical schools, it ranked 43rd for serving rural areas, 52nd for placing graduates in primary care, and 67th for graduates working in health professional shortage areas.

CMU President Robert Davies remarked, “Dr. Kikano’s leadership has significantly transformed the College of Medicine at CMU and has created a lasting impact throughout the entire state.”

Before joining CMU, Kikano was named a Health Care Hero by Crain’s Cleveland in 2012 due to his work as vice dean for Community Health at Case Western Reserve University where he led initiatives at Weatherhead Institute for Family Medicine and Community Health.