Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Van Andel Institute and Western Michigan University Join the National Network of Depression Centers

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (May 1, 2024) — Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed), Van Andel Institute (VAI) and Western Michigan University (WMU) have joined the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) as the organization’s newest joint members after a recent vote by the NNDC Board of Directors.

The membership draws on WMed’s expertise in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, WMU’s excellence in behavioral treatment approaches and VAI’s expertise in research on the next generation of depression diagnostics and therapeutics.

It also builds on a longstanding collaboration between Eric D. Achtyes, M.D., M.S., DFAPA, chair of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, and Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in Van Andel Institute’s Department of Neurodegenerative Science. Together, Brundin and Achtyes have led numerous federally funded clinical studies that have revealed powerful new insights into the biological roots of depression. Their findings also are laying the groundwork for an objective blood test to potentially evaluate depression severity and suicide risk.

“We are delighted to join the world-class institutions already a part of the NNDC,” said Achtyes. “We will combine excellence in patient care, biomedicine and psychiatry at WMed with cognitive behavioral therapies for which Western Michigan University is known, along with excellence in basic and translational neuroscience at Van Andel Institute. Reinforcing our collaboration under the NNDC will allow us to make significant contributions in depression care to both the NNDC and the people of West Michigan.”

WMed has oversight for a 50-bed adult, geriatric and adolescent inpatient clinic that sees approximately 10,000 inpatient visits per year, as well as a 10-bed Adolescent Partial Program, an eight-bed dedicated psychiatry emergency department, and provides electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) services at Ascension Borgess Hospital. The program also does more than 1,100 hospital consultations per year at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Methodist Hospital, and at the WMed Psychiatry Clinic located on the Ascension Borgess Hospital campus, residents and faculty practice side-by-side treating 5,000 patients annually.

“Together, we hope to make significant strides in our understanding of depression through leading-edge research, which we then can translate into actionable care through our clinical partners at Western Michigan University and Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine,” Brundin said. “It is an honor to join the National Network of Depression Centers, and we look forward to a fruitful and impactful relationship.”

Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Van Andel Institute is an independent basic and translational research institute that is home to more than 500 scientists, educators and staff. The Institute’s researchers leverage the latest technologies to explore the underpinnings of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and more. As part of the Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Brundin’s lab investigates the links between inflammation and depression and suicide risk with the goal of informing improved care.

Further, the partnership will allow integration and collaboration with psychotherapy and behavioral sciences for which Western Michigan University is known.  

“Western Michigan University and the Department of Psychology are honored to join the National Network of Depression Centers. This collaboration with WMed and VAI is a vital step toward furthering important research, enhancing professional training, and providing clinical services to address the needs of people with depression,” said Jonathan C. Baker, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA the Psychology department chair with Western Michigan University. “We look forward to the chance to collaborate with our partners in Southwest Michigan, as well as the whole NNDC Network, toward this common goal.”

This is the NNDC’s first induction and collaboration of three separate member organizations unified as one joint-associate member of the NNDC.

“We are thrilled to welcome Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Western Michigan University and Van Andel Institute as the newest joint members of the NNDC,” said Matt Samocki EdD, executive director of the NNDC. “Given their expertise in bio-psychosocial training for students and residents, as well as excellence in basic and translational neuroscience and commitment to furthering healthcare that assists patients of all ages in reaching optimal mental health and well-being, we think they will contribute immensely our network and advancing the lives of those living with depression and other mood disorders.”

The NNDC is a national network of world-class institutions and collaborators united to lift the burden of depression, bipolar and other mental health conditions to advance people’s overall wellness. The organization works to transform people’s lives through innovations in research, driving care solutions and advancing collective community impact.

Now with 26 member sites across the United States, the Network works to address next-generation mental health concerns through focused and collaborative commissions of researchers that include participants from NNDC member Centers of Excellence. The NNDC research priorities represent a shared commitment to further state-of-the-art depression and mental health research and corresponding clinical care.

The NNDC has worked since 2008 to develop and foster connections through a national network in order to advance scientific discovery and provide stigma-free, evidence-based care to people with depressive and other mental health illnesses. The organization looks forward to expanding the network of member sites to further the next chapter of impact, collaboration and growth.

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About the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
WMed is committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality patient- and family-centered care, research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine. The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo’s two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. As a private nonprofit corporation, WMed is supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. We offer the Doctor of Medicine degree and two Master of Science degree programs in Biomedical Sciences and Medical Engineering. We train physicians in 10 accredited residencies and five fellowships. WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in locations throughout Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery.

About Western Michigan University
WMU students are individuals who are truly unique. At Western, we celebrate the passions that drive students and the possibilities that inspire them. For us, a degree is a pursuit of purpose where students are empowered to learn and where an experience-driven education leads to a meaningful career. Broncos prosper. Nine out of 10 graduates* are employed quickly, working in their field in jobs they like. WMU students make their mark on the world—Grammy recipients, Super Bowl champions, doctors, teachers, pilots and countless others have flourished here. Western is the place where students become the best version of themselves.

About Van Andel Institute
Van Andel Institute (VAI) is committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations through cutting edge biomedical research and innovative educational offerings. Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to more than 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with a growing number of national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute’s scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology. Learn more at vai.org.

About the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC)
The NNDC is a national network of world-class institutions and collaborators united to lift the burden of depression, bipolar and other mental health conditions to advance people’s overall wellness. The organization works to transform people’s lives through innovations in research, driving care solutions and advancing collective community impact. Founded in 2008, the NNDC has since grown to 26 members representing the top and most well-regarded psychiatry programs in the nation. Learn more at www.nndc.org.