James A. Grekin, DO’62, MACOI, was a passionate advocate for Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences and a distinguished physician whose leadership helped shape the institution’s future.
Grekin passed away on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the age of 94.
A retired internal medicine physician in the Detroit area, Grekin was a past chair and trustee emeritus of the DMU Board of Trustees, on which he began serving in 1983.
Grekin chaired the search committee that selected Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, as the university’s 15th president in 2011. He later described her selection as the most significant accomplishment of his board service and has always been one of her strongest champions.
“Dr. Grekin believed deeply in Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences and its ability to shape the future of health care,” Franklin says. “He was all in, offering his leadership, generosity and support whenever the university needed him. I will always be grateful for the confidence he placed in me and for the constant encouragement and friendship he offered. His impact on DMU will be felt for generations.”
Grekin was elected chair of DMU’s Board of Trustees in 2009 and served in that position until 2013. He was also a generous supporter of DMU, hosting and attending numerous alumni events. A longtime member of the Founders Society, he supported the university for more than 35 years. He was named a College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumnus of the Year in 2013.
Grekin served as president of his class and was named a 1962 Graduate with Distinction. He completed his internship and residency at the now-closed Detroit Osteopathic Hospital, where he later joined the medical staff. He was also a founding physician of Bi‑County Community Hospital, which was established to educate osteopathic students, interns and residents. He retired from practice in 1997.
Throughout his career, Grekin was deeply involved in osteopathic professional organizations and related practice affiliates at the national, state and local levels. He was a life member of both the American Osteopathic Association and the Michigan Osteopathic Association. He was named an honorary fellow and later a master fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and was selected for membership in its prestigious Gillam Society. He served for 18 years on the board of trustees of Temple Israel in Detroit.
He is survived by his children Steven Grekin, DO’89 (Tara), and Suzi Grekin. His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today, Monday, Oct. 12, at Ira Kaufman Chapel in Michigan. The service will be livestreamed.