Northwood University announces the appointment of Dr. George E. Kikano as Executive Director of an initiative to innovate the university’s health care management education offerings to meet 21st-century demands with an entrepreneurial and free-market focus.
“Northwood is leveraging its reputation as America’s Free Enterprise University to shape the next generation of healthcare leaders—professionals who combine sharp business acumen, advanced technology expertise, and exceptional interpersonal skills,” stated Northwood President Kent MacDonald. “This initiative is designed to develop business-oriented, technologically savvy leaders ready to transform and guide tomorrow’s healthcare organizations.”
Dr. Kikano is a nationally recognized physician executive with more than three decades of distinguished leadership in academic medicine, health system transformation, and community health.
“Dr. Kikano is a true visionary who is passionate about health care innovation and educating the next generation of health care leaders,” added President MacDonald.
Dr. Kikano most recently served as Dean of the College of Medicine and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at Central Michigan University (CMU), where he led a decade of transformative growth in medical education and rural health innovation.
“I am honored to join Northwood University, an institution that champions personal responsibility, limited government, and the power of free enterprise,” said Dr. Kikano. “I look forward to working with Northwood’s leadership, faculty, and industry partners to design innovative educational programs to empower future leaders to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and expand access through entrepreneurial solutions.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kikano as Northwood University launches a bold initiative to reimagine health care management education,” said Provost and Academic Vice President Dr. Kristin Stehouwer. “Dr. Kikano’s proven track record of building nationally recognized programs and forging partnerships across sectors makes him ideal to help solidify Northwood’s standing in preparing individuals for careers as health care leaders.”
“Northwood’s Health Care Management BBA has helped undergraduates gain the management tools to lead health care organizations to financial and industry success. We believe it’s imperative to continually update our curriculum to meet the emerging needs of health care organizations,” said Health Care Management Chair Dr. Leeza Bacon. She added, “Our graduates from this program are sought after for health care management positions.”
Dr. Kikano will lead an effort to ensure Northwood offers cutting-edge health care management education at the undergraduate level on its campus in Midland, Michigan, and online nationally, and to facilitate the development of offerings through the DeVos Graduate School of Management.
“Many health care organizations offer tuition reimbursement for their employees to earn college degrees, and Northwood’s health care management offerings will help employees add new value to their organizations,” stated Dr. Matthew Bennett, Vice President of Enrollment, Strategic Partnerships, and the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies at Northwood University.
During his tenure at CMU, Kikano built the College of Medicine into a nationally ranked institution for training physicians who serve in rural and underserved communities. Under his leadership, CMU achieved full LCME accreditation, expanded its residency and fellowship offerings, and launched the CMU Rural Health Equity Institute. Kikano was instrumental in developing strategic clinical partnerships and the Women and Children’s Center in Saginaw, which provides essential health care to children from birth to adolescence and women of all ages in central and northern Michigan.
Dr. Kikano is board-certified in family medicine and previously served as Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Case Western Reserve University. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named a 2024 Notable Leader in Health Care by Crain’s Detroit, and receiving 2025 Physician/Psychiatrist of the Year honors from the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Michigan.
For more information about Northwood University, a nonprofit, private school dedicated to developing free-enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress, visit www.northwood.edu.
