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.

The range of topics reflect our PA students’ diverse interests and growing areas of expertise. Check them out next week: The presentations, which will be held in Lecture Hall 1 in DMU’s Academic Center, are free and open to the public.

Congratulations to the PA Class of 2012 for a job well done, and more great contributions ahead!

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.

For the full schedule of events, click here.

We look forward to welcoming you back on campus next week!

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.”

The exhibition highlights collections of the History of Medicine Division and the National Library of Medicine.

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.

A new student initiative will contribute to our preparation to serve diverse populations, including in underserved areas. The Dean’s Cultural Awareness Endorsement will offer educational opportunities open to all students and the public. DMU students who attend a certain number of events will receive a cultural awareness endorsement in their dean’s letter.

We launched the program with our first event on April 25, where Dawn Bowker, assistant professor at Mercy College of Health Sciences, presented on the topic of health disparities in the Native American population and how health care professionals can effectively reduce them. Approximately 90 people attended the event. In addition to students and faculty from DMU’s three colleges, students from Mercy College of Health Sciences and Grand View University attended the event.

Tuesday evening, students met again at the Islamic Center of Des Moines for a presentation by Dr. Tariq Mallick on the influence of religion on the health care of Muslim patients. The program continued the following morning with a forum on health care for LGBTQQIA communities.

Student feedback has been enormously positive. Angela Knoblauch, D.O.’14, writes, “Thank you so much for your work in getting this whole series going – I think it is extremely beneficial and am looking forward to future sessions.” We have also had strong support from the Student National Podiatric Medical Association (SNPMA). Kaitlyn Laube, D.P.M.’15, demonstrates interest among podiatric medical students: “The discussion this morning was fantastic. I’m already looking forward to the next event. I think that what you guys are doing for our university is awesome and absolutely necessary if we are to become health care providers that provide excellent care in a compassionate and sensitive matter to ALL of our future patients.”

Upcoming topics include major health issues of African Americans and optimal health care for returning veterans.

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.

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in our nation and what better way to combat this problem than to make it a fun, free, learning event for kids! There will be many local mascots on campus to pump up the attendees including Surge from the Iowa Energy, the monkey from Monkey Joe’s, and Katy the Kangaroo from Drake.

Attendees will get ‘hands on’ with various activities including an obstacle course, foot race, hula hoop contest, hop scotch, and much more! All elementary school age kids and their families are encouraged to attend. We’ll see you this Saturday, May 5^th between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at 3200 Grand Avenue in Des Moines!

Get a FREE osteopathic manual treatment from Des Moines University at OMM Community Night taking place tonight in the Student Education Center from 6-8 p.m. Learn how osteopathic manual medicine (OMM) is used to evaluate and treat the whole body, from the feet through the pelvis, spine and upper extremities & decrease your pain!

Come enjoy the following for FREE:
• structural/muscular assessment & OMM demonstration
• information about medical & health graduate programs
• information about OMM (osteopathic manual medicine)

This event is open to the community. For more information, call 515.271.1421.

• Many mental health disorders are preventable and treatable.
• About one in five people experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder at some point in their life.
• Fewer than half of people diagnosed with a mental illness receive treatment in any given year.
• An American dies of suicide about every 15 minutes.

What can you do if you want to start small?

• Provide positive parenting and a violence free home.
• Seek treatment if you are depressed or have another mental health condition.
• If you see signs of depression and suicide in someone you know, refer them to an appropriate resource.
• Become a mentor or tutor.
• Encourage children and adolescents to participate in extracurricular activities.
• Talk to your children about bullying.

What can you do if you want to think big?

• Encourage employers to provide health coverage that includes comprehensive mental health services.
• Host an organized community activity that encourages social participation and inclusion of everyone in the community.
• Encourage policy makers to expand access to mental health services and enhance linkages between mental health, substance abuse, disability, and other social services.

Don’t forget to post what you did well today on the website! Everyone who submits a post will be entered to win one of our fabulous prizes!

Important reminders:
MPHSC Do Something Well Today T-shirts are still available for purchase. If you are not in the Des Moines area, just follow the ordering instructions on the linked page and we will ship one to you.

Don’t forget to attend the “Strategies for Community Health Improvement” discussion with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and DMU President Angela Walker Franklin, Ph.D., TODAY at 12:30 p.m. in the SEC auditorium.