Oakland University took a significant step to address budget deficits by announcing the closing of Meadow Brook Health Enhancement Institute last Friday, March 14. MBHEI will close Friday, April 25.

MBHEI has a long history of commitment to innovative and quality service to its clients and patients. Its focus on health management and disease prevention was unique to the health care industry when it opened in the early 1980s. Over the years, MBHEI programs expanded to include comprehensive health evaluations, health-risk screening, stress-management, nutrition, weight-control and smoking-cessation programs, and so much more.

More recently, many health care facilities began offering similar programs to control the expenses associated with the treatment of serious illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. As these mainstream programs increased, the community’s need for MBHEI services decreased.

“The state budget situation and Oakland’s focus on its primary mission of educating students, combined with the simple fact that Meadow Brook Health Enhancement Institute is having difficulty meeting its expenses means Oakland is no longer in a position to operate the institute,” said Virinder Moudgil, interim vice president of academic affairs and provost.

The small MBHEI staff learned of the final decision to close on Friday. University Human Resources is working with MBHEI staff members to help them find employment on campus or provide resources to find employment elsewhere.

Patients and members also are being notified of the decision. Members will have the opportunity to switch their membership to Oakland’s Recreation Center. Oakland University will maintain patient records, and patients will be informed how to contact the university for them.

Shotwell-Gustafson Pavilion will continue to operate as a rental facility for the community.

For more information about Oakland University’s budget situation and ongoing cost-containment efforts, visit the Budget Web page from the Administration button, then under Finance and Administration.