Ferris State University is partnering with BAMF Health, a world leader in molecular imaging and theranostics headquartered in Grand Rapids, to provide students with in-demand skills in a rapidly changing field and support the company’s trailblazing work.

BAMF, which stands for Bold Advanced Medical Future, started in 2018 and uses the most advanced AI-enabled technology to detect and treat cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, heart disease, and more.

Leaders from BAMF Health and Ferris State on Friday signed an agreement pledging to explore collaboration in a variety of areas to grow and enhance Michigan’s workforce. The goal is to support the growing theranostics field in the state by providing in-demand skills for Ferris State students and continuing education opportunities for BAMF Health employees at all levels.

This collaboration has strong support from several Michigan state legislators including House Speaker Joe Tate. Speaker Tate, along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are committed to growing Michigan’s knowledge economy through public-private partnerships such as this. Speaker Tate was on hand for the signing ceremony at Ferris State’s David L. Eisler Center.

The Ferris State – BAMF Health partnership includes creating certification programs for Quality Control/Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, and Nuclear Medicine Technologists. Areas of focus also include creating student experiences and research opportunities and looking at ways to improve patient experience and program thinking.

Ferris State President Bill Pink said there is already a strong connection between the two, as many Ferris State and Kendall College for Art and Design of Ferris State University alumni play key roles on the BAMF Health team.

“Ferris State, throughout its nearly 140-year history, has partnered with leaders in many fields to help our students gain valuable, in-demand skills and grow a talented workforce,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “We are especially proud to work with BAMF Health, an innovative organization that is committed to finding new ways to tackle some of society’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Our students will have unimaginable opportunities to be a part of impactful work, and we can help BAMF Health employees gain new skills to help them advance in their careers.”

BAMF Health is revolutionizing precision medicine and theranostics by leveraging the most advanced imaging technology to detect and treat cancer and other devastating diseases. The company is also a leading clinical trials site for testing new diagnostic tools and therapies developed by radiopharmaceutical companies around the world.

“BAMF Health has ushered in a new frontier of medicine and is pushing the limits of what’s possible,” said BAMF Health CEO Dr. Anthony Chang. “We need new talent with advanced skillsets to make precision medicine accessible and affordable for all. Strategic partnerships with academic centers like Ferris State help us to curate this next generation of talent who will do what we never thought possible.”

The company is planning to work with Ferris State’s College of Pharmacy and other programs to train current employees as well as work with Ferris State students looking to enter the field.

This partnership connects so many dots for our university’s numerous stakeholders,” Provost Bobby Fleischman said. “From our alumni working at BAMF Health, to our students and faculty who will work together at the company’s cutting-edge facility, this represents one of our strategic pillars—and, that is, innovation. Taken together with our applied learning approach to instruction, it distinguishes Ferris graduates from others as they graduate to the tech-focused workforce in West Michigan and throughout the state”.

Kasey Thompson, Ferris State’s special assistant to the president for innovation and entrepreneurship, said the collaboration with BAMF is a perfect example of how the university can work with partners in new ways, building a talented workforce here in Michigan. 

“It’s exciting to think about the impactful work that will transpire through this collaboration,” said Dr. Kasey Thompson, an associate professor and special assistant to the president for innovation and entrepreneurship. “Bringing together the expertise of Ferris State faculty and the innovative team at BAMF will create opportunities that we are still imagining.”