The MSMS Alliance is achieving a major milestone: 100 years of providing public health advocacy across the state of Michigan. To celebrate this legacy, their Centennial Meeting will be held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island on May 29-31, 2026.
In 1926, Caroline Bartlett Crane of Kalamazoo gathered at a meeting at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. As they were all spouses of members of MSMS, they called themselves the “the Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary.” Their objective was to benefit their communities, their families, and the profession of medicine. The name was changed in 1992 to the Michigan State Medical Society Alliance (MSMSA), to be more inclusive of all medical relationships.
Caroline Bartlett Crane was an extraordinary individual. She was a public health leader, suffragist, human rights advocate, and ordained minister. She was foundational in instituting federal regulations for meat safety, and was a major leader in clean water and sanitation in urban centers, as well as prison reform. Her husband was Warren Augustus Crane, MD, one of the pioneers of modern radiology.
Honoring the Alliance’s history, the speakers are talking about issues that are key to the organization’s ideals: better access to medical education, supporting public health initiatives, strengthening bonds and connections across communities, and pursuing political activism. The keynote speaker is Katherine Martinko, whose book is titled Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance. She will be speaking about building healthier relationships with technology, particularly for kids, but also for adults. William D. Nettleton, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department, and Calhoun County Public Health Department, will present on the state of public health. Wanda Lipscomb, PhD, the Senior Associate Dean for Access and Inclusive Engagement, and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, will discuss the Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE) Program, which has helped prepare more than 300 students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter medical school.
Attendees can earn 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for the program. Registration and the schedule can be found at the following link https://tinyurl.com/5xtpkyer. The hotel block is full, but attendance is open. The Alliance looks forward to spending time on the island, which is rich with Michigan medical history. Please join them for a celebration of their history, and all that will come in the future.
Statement of Accreditation:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Michigan State Medical Society and Michigan State Medical Society Alliance. The Michigan State Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement:
The Michigan State Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.