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History
Dr. Still in his office
The history of Des Moines University reflects a continuing commitment to teach, to learn and to serve. Founded in 1898 as the Dr. S.S. Still College of Osteopathy, the institution has several times changed its name and location to accommodate an expanding enrollment and program of study.
Renamed Still College in 1905, with a two-year program of instruction, the school continued to grow and prosper. During the 1940s the name was changed to Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery, reflecting a broader curriculum of medical studies. During this period, the college hospital and first clinic building were acquired. These facilities provided enhanced clinical training opportunities for students and additional health care settings through which to serve the community.
Microscope Laboratory 1905
In 1958, the institution was renamed the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. The first satellite clinic was established in 1963. In 1971, the Dietz Diagnostic Center, then a specialty clinic, began operation as a major outpatient facility.
In 1972, the College moved to its present 22-acre site on Grand Avenue. During the ensuing years, enrollment in the College more than doubled.
Since its founding, the College has educated approximately 8,000 osteopathic physicians, and today is the second largest osteopathic medical college in the United States.
Recognizing the need for additional members on the health care team to complement physicians in the delivery of health care, the Board of Trustees in 1980 voted to establish the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the College of Biological Sciences (renamed the College of Health Sciences). These colleges, with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, form the osteopathic medical university.
Student Education Center
The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is the only podiatric college in the nation within a health sciences university awarded the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree for the first time in 1986.
In the College of Health Sciences, the charter class of the Physician Assistant Program received the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and the Physician Assistant Certificate in 1983. The first graduates of the Health Care Administration Program received the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in 1986, and the first graduating class in the Program in Physical Therapy received the Master of Science degree in 1990.
The ten-story, on-campus University Tower was opened in 1987 and offers primary care, medical specialties and ambulatory surgery. The 1,500-seat Olsen Medical Education Center is adjacent to the Tower. The University will continue to prepare physicians and allied health care personnel for careers in the ever-changing field of medicine while developing innovative programs to serve students and society.
Des Moines University Clinic
