Dr. Renée Branch Canady serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPHI, a public health institute comprised of process and subject matter experts with a shared vision of a just world that is healthier for all. Dr. Canady is author of the highly acclaimed book, "Room at the Table: A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity andJustice." In this well-received book, Canady elevates the leadership oppurtunity to leverage difference and justice as assets, pushing leaders to become change agents within health/public health and other fields.
Prior to joining MPHI, Dr. Canady served as Health Officer and Director of the Ingham County Health Department, located in Lansing, Michigan. In that role she oversaw the county's statutory responssibility to protect and promote the health of county residents and lead the development of innovative and nationally known public health interventions.
Dr. Canady has held faculty and administrative positions at Michigan State University in the College of Nursing where she developed a research trajectory in maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Previously an assistant professor in the C.S. Mott Department of Public Health, and now in an adjunct appointment, Dr. Canady developed and chaired core courses in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program.
Dr. Canady is recognized as a national thought leader and sought after speaker. She is a passionate and relationship driven leader who battles forces that damage relationships whether interpersonally or systemically. She has published and presented broadly on these topics and her passion for this work is evident in her personal, academic, and professional life. While serving on numerous national boards, review panels, and advisory groups, Dr. Canady has been highly influential in broadening the discussion of working across difference for the health of all.
Canady earned her PhD in Medical Sociology from MSU, a master's degree in public administration from Western Michigan University and bachelor's degree in public health nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Chris Sell from the MSU Burgess Institute / Spartan Founders Club will be George Siegle's guest on Nov. 7 and will meet Rotarians at 11:45 AM, prior to our regular meeting, to talk about opportunities for Rotarians to get involved with entrepreneurship. This could be mentoring, supporting, connecting student and alums to other people, and angel investing opportunities. This is a follow up from Jeff Smith's MSU Research Foundation talk several weeks ago; during the Q&A several Rotarians asked about getting involved. Please RSVP to George at sieglege@gmail.com for this informal get together.
Several of you mentioned interest in helping plan future Loftus Days—but if you didn’t get a chance to share that or want to make it official, now’s the time! We’re forming our planning committee and would love to have you join us.
Our first committee meeting will be held Friday, November 7, immediately following our regular meeting, in the Michigan Room. We’ll begin planning for 2026, with a focus on Evergreen Cemetery. If you’d like to be part of the committee, please let Cathy know.
This is a special tradition, and we’re excited to keep it going with your help!
Each year our Foundation looks to its members to identify International Projects worthy of our assistance. Members of the Rotary Club of Lansing can sponsor grants to organizations which advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The International Committee meets to review and score applications for funding. Funding is typically in the $1,000 to $5,000 range per project. Annually our Foundation has typically awarded a totally of $30,000 to $40,000 for international grants. If you’re interested in submitting a grant application or serving on the international committee, please contact: Kevin Schumacher, schumacher@glassenrhead.com .
The Rotary Club of Lansing invites you to the Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon on January 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. to be held at the Lansing Center. Our Club will reserve one or more tables at the celebration depending on participation. This year we will be taking deposits to confirm your seats. To sign up, or for any questions please contact:
A top priority for Rotary is growing and diversifying our membership to make sure we reflect the communities we serve and are inclusive of all cultures, experiences, and identities. We're creating an organization that is more and inclusive, fair to all, builds goodwill, and benefits our communities. To help us achieve our goal, the RI Board of Directors passed a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement:
As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Rotary will cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which people from underrepresented groups have greater opportunities to participate as members and leaders.
They came, they saw and they conquered the one-and-a-half-hour social gathering at the Irish Pub on Saginaw Highway, which was really more like a two-hour gathering, but who’s counting?
Silhouetted against a brightly lit glass door off the patio entrance, Cathy Andrews, Alex Hernandez, Kevin Schumacher, Steve Grant and Chris Nugent were sitting around a tall table. They chatted amicably as one by one or two by two, Rotarians walked into the pub’s darkly lit interior, joining two tables, then three and four to form a long train of tables. When we ran out of room, we gathered around other tables or stood and gabbed.
It was Halloween eve, and inquiring minds posed one question, “What will you be for Halloween?” Here’s how Rotarians responded:
Dan Aylward will be Bob Marley. He also said, “There’s the go-go phase, when you’ve got a lot of energy, the money to travel and a bucket list. Then there’s the slow-go phase, when you don’t want to do so much or travel too far; and finally there’s the no-go phase, when you’re just old and tired.” He and other Rotarians watched a segment of “60 Minutes” on Oct. 26, 2025, which focused on the “marginal decade.” It was a report about how to make the final decade of life as enjoyable as possible by delaying the onset of chronic disease. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAWnYi4xf5g
Creatine was another popular topic of conversation among Dan, Susan Angel and Kevin McMillan to help maintain muscle mass after working out.
Linda Sarnelli came dressed as a Black Cat, complete with perky tail.
John Person will be a Grandparent Taking his Grandchildren Trick or Treating.
Kevin Schumacher will be Keyser Söze from “The Usual Suspects,” starring Kevin Spacey. K.S., K.S., K.S., get it?!
Michelle Reynaert was planning to dress up as a blue M&M, then got scheduled to meet with her boss and didn’t think it would go over very well. She mentioned Shane Falco’s jersey from “The Replacements,” but between the din and too many sips of the pub’s to-die-for caramel apple cocktail, this editarian lost the translation. I do recommend the caramel apple cocktail, by the way.
We decided, Cathy Andrews could convincingly dress up as her daughter for Halloween.
Todd Gute will be a ceiling fan by wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Go Ceiling!” printed on it.
Chris Swope will be himself so, no question, he will be Fabulous!
Alex Hernandez will also be himself, a.k.a. Amazing.
Amy Partin came to the social gathering dressed as a Classy Cowgirl.
Steve Grant plans to be A Problem.
Doug Wiesner will wear a Cowboy Hat and pass out candy.
Cam Gnass will be an Obnoxious Workout Guy From the ’80s, i.e., Jason Sudeikis from “Saturday Night Live,” dancing to “What’s Up With That?”
Rep. Laurie Pohutsky will don a Witch’s Hat, while husband Nathan Triplett’s adorable daughter Charlie asked him to be a Unicorn. Again. Nathan, a true girl dad, proudly said he is on board with being a unicorn every Halloween until Charlie tells him otherwise. Pics, please, Nathan!
Nicole Baumer will be Wonder Woman.
Irv Nicols will pass out whole Hershey bars and Jonathan apples.
Jim Dexter said he will be a Jester. He then described the time he wore a surgical gown and used a walker. As he turned, the gown gave way and exposed a very real-looking plastic tush.
Joel Hoffman will be a Nice Guy and looks forward to passing out candy and 3D-printed toys from his daughter Betsy Weber.
Pam Miklavcic will wear a Panda Bear Head.
Susan Angel will wear a Witch’s Hat to take her grandson Indy trick or treating.
Chris Nugent will be MSU Head Football Coach Jonathan Smith. He said he’s got all of Coach Smith’s expressions down pat.
Kevin McMillan will be a Twix Candy Bar, accompanying daughter Kyler, who’ll be a Twizzler.
Last but not least, I’ll be Louise Belcher from “Bob’s Burger.” I smell fear on you.
Wishing all Rotarians a happy, safe and spooktacular Halloween. Email for Lolo Robison: lolorobison@gmail.com
Dr. Renée Branch Canady serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPHI, a public health institute comprised of process and subject matter experts with a shared vision of a just world that is healthier for all. Dr. Canady is author of the highly acclaimed book, "Room at the Table: A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice." In this well-received book, Canady elevates the leadership oppurtunity to leverage difference and justice as assets, pushing leaders to become change agents within health/public health and other fields.
They came, they saw and they conquered the one-and-a-half-hour social gathering at the Irish Pub on Saginaw Highway, which was really more like a two-hour gathering, but who’s counting?