Do you want to know more about supporting youth diagnosed with autism? How about new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, malignant melanoma, migraine and more? Want to explore the ethics of medically treating family members, the health effects caused by the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, or the “slippery slope” of the increased use of medical interventions in labor and delivery?

You can learn about these and many other topics thanks to members of DMU’s physician assistant Class of 2012. Right now they are wrapping up their rotations and preparing to present their master’s projects, which they’ll do next Tuesday through Friday, May 29-June 1.

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The next big event to hit the Des Moines University campus is right around the corner and just so happens to be this year’s commencement. Our grads will don their caps and gowns and when it’s all said and done, head out on their own.

The festivities take place over a three-day period starting on Thursday, May 24 with the COM Scholarship Golf Outing and class parties. On Friday, the campus will be abuzz with registration and a picnic on the grounds concluding with a reception and banquet at the new Veterans Memorial Convention Center. We’ll wrap the weekend up with the grand finale – the commencement ceremony on Saturday at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines.

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There is a little magic in the air at the Des Moines University Library as a new U.S. National Library of Medicine exhibit makes it’s debut. Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine will run through June 16 and is sure to delight fans of all ages and backgrounds.

According the the website, “the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science, including alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy. Incorporating the work of several 15th- and 16th-century thinkers, the seven-part series examines important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice, and the responsibility that comes with power.”

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A new student initiative will help future health care professionals serve a variety of patients.

When asked by prospective students what it is about DMU that should impress them, I always bring up the quality of the students. It’s not just that we are more diverse than we might seem at first glance, with surprising talents and interests and personal histories. The biggest difference between DMU students and my undergraduate colleagues is how genuinely giving we are. We are going to spend our lives helping people, it’s true. And a substantial fraction of us intend to work with underserved populations.

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Thanks to the work of some awesome student groups, we have a new tradition on campus. If you have kids in elementary school, mark your calendars! The first Saturday in May will now be known as ‘Kids’ Health Day’. Mission: Active is a fun, completely free event aimed at promoting physical activity and fighting childhood obesity!

Mission: Active is a take on the Mission: Impossible theme. Kids are given a booklet when they check in that lists all the booths, activities, and events for the day. Each child who completes at least 15 of those on the list will receive some prizes at the end. They can also turn in their booklet to be entered in the raffle drawing for some great give away items that have been donated from local businesses like Scheel’s Sporting Goods store.

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