In his leadership role, Mr. Comstock is responsible for planning, organizing, evaluating, and monitoring administrative and financial functions to address all academic and administrative needs of the Medical School. This includes implementing the strategic direction and ensuring the appropriate resources and support are available to carry out the school’s tripartite mission.
Mr. Comstock oversees the school’s $1.9 billion all-funds operations, including medical school administration activities, faculty affairs, facilities operations, and capital planning. He is the point of contact in the Dean's Office for all department, center and institute administrators, and serves on multiple leadership committees, including the Academic Council, Michigan Leadership Team, and the school's senior administrative staff groups.
Prior to his current role, he served in multiple finance and strategic roles within Michigan Medicine, including most recently as the Medical School’s senior finance executive. He began his university career in 2000 at the Center for Health Care Economics at the Ross School of Business. Since 2010 he also has served as a lecturer in the Health Management and Policy Department at the U-M School of Public Health.
He earned both his BBA and MBA, with high distinction, from the U-M Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and his Master of Health Service Administration from the U-M School of Public Health.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
My mother was a pediatric ICU nurse at the University of Nebraska. I recall growing up having Thanksgiving dinner at the hospital, and admiring not only my mother, but all those who served to make the community a better place. In college I studied business but always knew that a nonprofit academic healthcare organization with a strong mission was where I wanted to be. Two weeks after graduating college I started working at U-M and haven’t looked back. I can think of no better place to serve than the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine.
What is your proudest moment working at Michigan Medicine?
I was fortunate to be able to work on the Medical School’s business case for the acquisition of the former Pfizer property in 2009, now known as the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC). Over a decade later, more than 3,500 U-M faculty, staff and students, and employees of private companies, report to work at NCRC each day. The Medical School has invested more than $300 million to transform the space and operate it — at a tenth of the cost it would have taken to build similar facilities from the ground up.
What is your favorite way to unwind at the end of a busy day or relax on the weekend?
Spending time with family is a top priority, and these days it’s all about time with our two daughters, Emily and Kate. Our favorite place to unwind is on the sandy beaches of the greatest lake of all time, Lake Michigan. You will find us watching sunsets and enjoying the beaches near Holland, MI on many summer weekends.
