Saturday, April 5
Northwest Osteopathic Founders Day Dinner, Portland, OR
RSVP is required to ronnette.vondrak@dmu.edu.

2001- Bryce Lord, D.O., recently joined the Central Indiana Cancer Centers as the Director of Radiosurgery at the Cyberknife of Indianapolis.

2001- Katie (Van Engen) Hesse, M.S.P.T., and her husband, Chase, gave birth to McKenna Grace on May 8, 2007.

1997- Gregory Margolin, D.O., is practicing Critical Care Medicine with the St. Anthony Hospital System in Denver, CO.  He lectures nationwide on topics related to that field.  He was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine for his contributions in leadership, participation and education.
 
1972- Thomas Brown, D.O., has retired after 25 years of practice as an OB/GYN.

Des Moines medical school training students on Vidacare's system
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/03/03/daily7.html?ana=from_rss

Pharos Innovations Announces First Recipient of National Award for Achievements in Chronic Care Programs and Research
http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Managed-Care-Weekly-Digest/2008-03-17/2703172008109MH.html

Technology Association of Iowa Announces Award Finalists
http://www.technologyiowa.org/news/article.cfm?articleid=783

Diets take on all shapes and sizes
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804020376

DMU's highly acclaimed literary journal, the Abaton, made its debut last year.  Planning for the second volume is underway.  The journal accepts most anything from the world of literature and art--prose, poetry, photography, drawings, sketches, and paintings.  The Abaton does not, however, accept editorial or opinion-based essays.  The deadline for submissions to Volume 2 of the Abaton is July 1, 2008.  Send your submissions to: abaton@dmu.edu.

Effective March 1, 2008, the College of Osteopathic Medicine established a new department--the Iowa Simulation Center for Patient Safety and Clinical Skills. The department is composed of the following divisions: Human Simulation lab, Basic Surgical Skills, Physical Diagnosis and Standardized Patient Assessment Lab. Michael Flood, D.O. will chair the department and Greg Kolbinger, P.A., Marjean Tryon, R.N., Roberta Wattleworth, D.O., and Kyla Carney, D.O., will direct each of the divisions, respectively. The purpose of this new department is a more cohesive approach to these rapidly emerging and critical components of student education. The expectation is an in-depth integration of each of these important areas of the curriculum into an experiential process that promotes multidisciplinary teamwork and student learning with an ultimate focus on patient safety.

If you use MySpace or Facebook to keep in touch with friends, look for DMU too. Go to Myspace.com/desmoinesuniversity. To find DMU on Facebook, simply search for "Des Moines University" and "become a fan."

During the past ten weeks, several D.O., D.P.T., and D.P.M. students have participated in Dr. Means' elective "Spiritual and Religious Issues in Patient Care."  Class time has been devoted to studying how and when healthcare providers can sensitively and effectively address spiritual issues with patients.  Representatives from a number of different faith traditions have presented an overview of what providers need to know to deliver culturally and spiritually attuned medical care to patients from their respective traditions.  The perspectives included: Islam, Judaism, Native American, Jehovah's Witness, and Buddhism.  The class also heard presentations from a spiritual director, parish nurse, and healing touch practitioner.  A high point of each class is time spent shadowing a chaplain.  This year, students worked with chaplains from Mercy Medical Center, Broadlawns Medical Center, and Hospice of Central Iowa.  This elective is offered each year in January. 

This summer, 14 students, and nine clinicians and faculty will travel to El Salvador to participate in a one-week medical service trip.  The group will be hosted by the Comandos De Salvamento, an organization very similar to the Red Cross.  The group will visit the southwest part of the country and will work with four communities:  Berlin, Alegria, San Augustin and Puerto Parada.  Berlin will be the “regional base” for the group.  Earthquakes and storms have ruined much of the country and left many with medical problems.  

The mission of the trip will include visits to patients' homes, a site for minor surgeries, physical therapy sessions, and classes in public health.

Any donations of supplies are greatly appreciated! 

The following supplies are needed:

-Toothbrushes and toothpastes	-Individual lotions and shampoos	-Sunglasses/regular glasses	-Feminine products, tampons
-Bar soaps	-Pregnancy tests	-Deodorants	-Band-aids
-Athletic wrap	-Glucometers	-Hand sanitizer	-Condoms
-Flip flops/sandals	-Hair barrettes	-School supplies such as pens and pencils	-Coloring books and crayons
-Toys or stuffed animals

If you would like to donate medical supplies contact Chris Catrenich in the Global Health Dept. at (515) 271-1425 or at Chris.Catrenich@dmu.edu.

The DPT program is seeking feedback from the 2007 class about your educational experiences at DMU.  This information is critical for ongoing improvements in the program, as well as meeting accreditation requirements.  You should have received an invitation to this survey via e-mail.  Please watch your e-mail the next few weeks for a message from DMU titled: DMU DPT Class of 2007 Survey.  This will contain a link for you to complete the survey.  As a thank you for your time completing the survey, you will receive a DMU gift.  If you need to update your new email or mailing address, please contact heather.hubben@dmu.edu.  We look forward to hearing from each of you!

2007 Board Scores are In: 100% of DMU Students Make the Grade
Over 40% of the 2007 DMU PA class was above the 90th percentile and over a third of the class was above the 95th percentile for the second straight year.  The mean score was 540 compared to 517 for all programs first-time takers.  DMU students were also at, or above the national mean in the systems, knowledge and skill sets that are tracked and reported. Most important was the 100% pass rate. Congratulations to the Class of 2007.

Hands On Experience for PA '09 Students
On March 8, 2008 instructor Roberta Baldus, PA-C, '02, and program director Jolene Kelly, PA-C, '96, took a group of PA '09 students to Jiffy Lube locations in the Des Moines area. While there, the students and faculty checked blood pressure for customers who awaited for car service. The students were challenged on their listening and vital sign skills at the event. Students were able to do preventative medicine teaching to the captive audience.

New Course Offered for PA Students
Assistant Professor Barry Fish, PA-C, M.Ed., P.A., has designed a new course for the PA Program, "Genetics/Embryology." The course begins with introductory topics in human embryology to set the stage for topics in human and medical genetics that have an impact in human development. The course aims to introduce the PA student to some of the basic concepts of human embryology, human genetics, medical genetics, Genomics and the Human Genome Project, the implications when something goes wrong, as well as possible alterations that could be used to correct such abnormalities.

American Academy of Osteopathy
Dr. Reed, Dean of COM, hosted over 50 COM alumni at a reception held in conjunction with the American Academy of Osteopathy convention on Friday, February 28.

Gold Humanism Honor's Society
The College of Osteopathic Medicine is pleased to announce the Gold Humanism Honor’s Society (GHHS) on campus. With 62 chapters in existence among the country’s 150 medical schools, COM is pleased to be the second D.O. school to be granted chapter approval from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The GHHS main purpose is to recognize the top 10-15% students in each third year class who best exemplify the traits of humanism and professionalism in their everyday actions. Drs. Victor Kaylarian, Chair, Department of Medicine, and Gary Hoff, Chair, Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics, have led the efforts to make this special honor a reality for students. Inauguration of the founding members of DMU’s GHHS will be held in early Summer, 2008.

COM Faculty Retreat
The COM faculty held their annual retreat on March 21 at the Blank Park Zoo. They heard presentations on Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and the Global Health Program. After a progress report on the new COM strategic plan, the faculty worked in small groups to further refine the plan and reported their ideas back to the full group. The retreat closed with brief reports by several faculty members on innovative curricular projects that are being implemented.

The Thursday, May 22 Golf Outing is filling up fast.  The annual event raises scholarship money for COM students.  If you would like to participate, contact Ronnette Vondrak, director of alumni relations at 515-271-1447 or ronnette.vondrak@dmu.edu

Midwest Podiatric Conference
Governor Branstad, Dr. Yoho, Dean of CPMS, and the CPMS Alumni Council hosted 40 alumni at a luncheon held in conjunction with the Midwest Podiatry Conference in Chicago on Friday, February 28.

Alumni Council Members Needed
The CPMS Alumni Council met in conjunction with the Midwest Podiatry Conference to solidify their goals, set strategies, and prioritize needs for the upcoming fiscal year. There are 1-2 open positions on this volunteer Alumni Council. If you are interested in serving on the Alumni Council, please contact Ronnette Vondrak, director of alumni relations, at ronnette.vondrak@dmu.edu or at 515.271.1447.

Habitat for Humanity
Students in the CPMS Class of 2011 provided assistance to The Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity on Saturday March 29 in restoring a home in Des Moines.

Residency Placement
All 41 students in the CPMS Class of 2008 were recently selected to three-year podiatric medical and surgical programs. The initial match rate for CPMS students was over 90%. The initial match rate nationally for all eight podiatric colleges was 74%. Congratulations to the Class of 2008.

CPMS Recognition and Rite of Passage Ceremony
The CPMS Annual Recognition and Rite of Passage Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 beginning at 6:00 pm in the SEC. Student, Faculty and the Alumnus of the Year Awards will be presented. The ceremony will also recognize the transition of second-year students to the clinical phase of the curriculum.

HealthDrive is a multi-state group practice seeking Podiatrists to join its team.

Part-time and full-time opportunities in Wisconsin are available.  Flexible schedule, established patient base, full equipment, supplies and complete office support provided. 

Contact Sean (toll free) at 888-964-6681 or email: caring2@healthdrive.com. 

Positions also available in PA, MA, CT, TX, NH, RI and NY.

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas needs physical therapists for orthopedic patient rehabilitation. Three positions available.

Primary responsibilities include providing patient care in the Orthopedics Section, which also includes clinical electrophysiology and sports physical therapy. The therapist will be responsible for evaluating referred patients and establishing and executing treatment plans that include a full range of complex treatment procedures and modalities. In addition he/she will be assigned the responsibility of participating in planning, developing, and implementing effective treatment protocols in the assigned programs. The physical therapy-clinical specialist will also assist in the growth and development of other staff by serving as a mentor and model for outstanding clinical practice and through participation in educational activities and research.

The annual salary range for these positions is $57,171 - $74,323. Education debt reduction and recruitment bonuses are offered.

Masters Degree, Physical Therapy preferred, or Bachelors with experience will be considered.

Contact: Wade Vlosich, Admin Officer, Surgical Service
Email: KristopherW.Vlosich@va.gov
Phone: 214-857-1801
Address: Department of Veterans Affairs
North Texas Health Care System
4500 South Lancaster Road
Dallas, TX 75216