A Gift of Leadership: Dr. Don W. and Kathy Maine

Don and Kathy Maine understand the vision for the new home of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Indeed,it was their unfaltering advocacy for the Secchia Center, the $90 million future home of the college in Grand Rapids, that jump-started the fundraising campaign.   The Secchia Center is an innovative state-of the art facility named in honor of the lead donors, Ambassador Peter and Joan Secchia.  But much of the momentum for the campaign is due to Don (Education, ’65; ’71) and Kathy’s leadership.  

 

“The partnerships that Don and Kathy helped MSU forge with key partners for this project were critical to our success,” said President Lou Anna K. Simon. “Without the leadership of Don and Kathy Maine, the medical school might have never come to fruition.”

 

Don and Kathy believe the value of the Secchia Center is far reaching. “This venture will improve medical education, and ultimately patient care throughout the state,” said Don.  “This project creates a seamless research and healthcare continuum that translates cutting edge biomedical discoveries into improved diagnostic tools, technology and treatments, recruiting world-class researchers, clinicians, faculty and the best and brightest medical students.”

 

 Kathy Maine agrees. “The college and its home at the Secchia Center will be a crucial element that elevates Michigan’s life sciences corridor from what can be imagined, to what can be accomplished by intersecting medical students and physicians with researchers,” she explained. “It is part of the economic transformation that needs to take place in order for Michigan to thrive in the 21^st century. The MSU College of Human Medicine creates a synergy among unlikely, yet logical partners who together are able to deliver a standard-setting medical education and community-based health care model for generations to come.”

 

After graciously agreeing to serve as co-chairs of the Leadership Cabinet for the Campaign for the Secchia Center, Don and Kathy quickly recruited Mike and Sue Jandernoa, and Steve and Brenda Heacock to the cause, along with a stellar group of community, business and philanthropic leaders to spearhead the campaign. Since that time, Don has served as the emcee and speaker for virtually every public event surrounding the College of Human Medicine capital campaign.

 

In 2010, when the Secchia Center will open for the first four-year class of medical students, MSU plans to admit 200 students — effectively doubling the college’s current enrollment. CHM Dean Marsha Rappley notes that the destiny of the college is to inspire those who need hope and train those who deliver it. “Thanks to Don and Kathy Maine, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help establish a home state legacy belongs to all of us. We are enormously grateful for Don and Kathy’s commitment of time, talent and personal resources to this project and for sharing in our inspiration and vision for this important facility.”

 

 

Don served as chancellor of Davenport College (now University) for two decades, during which he spearheaded the growth from a two-year to a four-year college, launched an MBA program and guided Davenport to university status. In 1999, Don received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the MSU Alumni Association. Don and Kathy’s estate gift to establish the Donald W. Maine Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Higher Education Administration and his leadership for the Secchia Center project represent Don’s strong feeling that it is important to give back to MSU since it launched him on his successful career path. 

 

Kathy Maine is chief legal counsel for Michigan Medical, PC, the largest physician owned multi-specialty group in West Michigan.  Formerly, Kathy was a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Varnum, specializing in Health Law. She has facilitated mergers, joint ventures and other transactions among providers. Kathy is committed to sharing her skills through service with local nonprofit organization boards. She serves the community as a board member of a number of arts, healthcare and social service organizations.