The challenge is to get the attention of candidates who sometimes have preconceived notions about the Michigan economy or life in Grand Rapids, says Dr. Marsha D. Rappley, dean of the college. But, like Fazleabas, “once they come, they want to come back,” she says.

“There is an opportunity to do something here that, quite frankly, is not being done many other places in the country,” says Leach, 56, an Alma College alum. “It’s really an opportunity to do something from the ground level. That message of vision is the same vision that I was able to communicate to Dr. Risinger and Dr. Fazleabas, and both of them were also visionaries in that way.”

So with the physical infrastructure built, the job, as Fazleabas says, is “to build a nucleus of excellent scientists that are going to attract others” to continue developing a world-class health care setting.

Fazleabas followed Leach to MSU and now some of his researchers from Chicago are coming to join him. He also just hired a Chinese researcher who had been working in Sweden. Vocation aside, what the incoming professionals are finding is that the culture of Grand Rapids is world-class in its own right. Among the recruits is an avid golfer who most certainly finds this area green.

“The bottom line is this community has all of the arts and entertainment that my wife and I need,” Leach says. “It has a tremendous sense of community that’s palpable. It’s very refreshing.”