Research & Technology

Spectrum Health Announces New Research VP

Sandra A. Rempel, PhD, has been named Spectrum Health’s new vice president of research. She assumes her new role today.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Rempel,” said Matt Van Vranken, executive vice president, Spectrum Health Delivery System. “Sandra’s leadership and experience will be invaluable as we create and build an academic framework within the strong alliance established by Spectrum Health, Van Andel Research Institute and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.”

The new vice president will oversee all clinical, translational and basic research at Spectrum Health, including planning, recruiting, quality, compliance and support of all clinical research activities.

Dr. Rempel most recently served as associate director of research for the Josephine Ford Cancer Center at Henry Ford Hospital. She also served as director of the Barbara Jane Levy Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology and as director of basic research for the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital.

Dr. Rempel is an adjunct associate professor with the Department of Pharmacology, at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a member of the Tumor and Microenvironment Program at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. During her career, she has received multiple honors and awards for her extensive expertise in research. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, a number of book chapters and has led numerous presentations at national and international meetings.

Dr. Rempel received her PhD in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Calgary, Canada, and her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Winnipeg. She also was a post-doctoral fellow at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in San Diego.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 130 ambulatory and service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling 751 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 19,100 employees. The organization provided $204 million in community benefit during its 2012 fiscal year.