I’m a fan of our own DMU Magazine, and the spring issue is no exception. It showcases great ideas and writing about our work here in the areas of obesity and nutrition. At DMU, we have scientists, scholars and students working on a number of different approaches to both the disease of obesity and the food policy that drives larger health care issues. I enjoy reading of the work of my colleagues on campus and around the country.

Posted in Biomedical Science, Global Health, Guest bloggers, Health News, Research | Leave a Comment

As the new kid on the blog, I thought I would introduce myself. All of the below is what the PR gurus say I should put on my resume and my Linked-in profile:

I cook, I farm, I teach.

I split my time between two worlds. In one, I’m an assistant professor here in the Des Moines University health care administration program. I also teach food policy courses in our master of public health program. This year, I am serving a year-long term as president of the Iowa Food Systems Council board of directors.

Posted in Current Students, Guest bloggers, Health Care Administration, Public Health | 2 Comments

Good Morning!

Many of you have heard me praise the numerous qualities of Des Moines University that drew me here. They include the University’s high academic quality; its rigorous, well-equipped curriculum that supports innovative education; the interprofessional interactions among our students and faculty; and the wonderful work and support of our employees.

Another exceptional aspect of DMU is its commitment to the health of communities in Iowa and literally around the world. From our central philosophy of holistic, preventive care to the volunteer service of our students and employees to our collaborations with entities such as the World Health Organization, we demonstrate our continued leadership in improving the health of all.

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Welcome to DMU!!

This is a special greeting to the new and returning students arriving at Des Moines University this week! In my short time here, I have come to know that this is a very special place with a warm and engaging campus community. As a health sciences university we also have a compelling mission with a commitment to primary care, prevention, wellness and academic excellence. You join a community which places the highest priority on respect for the dignity and diversity of the members of the entire campus community and we are mindful of the fact that we have should always strive for excellence in all that we do.

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Students in surgery lab

I’ll admit, working at DMU and seeing our students and high-tech facilities on a daily basis may make us a little biased about how amazing they are, but here is more proof that it’s true. Kate Robbens, a third-year D.O. student shares her thoughts about how the first two years of the doctor of osteopathic medicine program prepared her and her classmates for rotations in years three and four:

After just completing my first 3 months of rotations, I can say that I’ve loved every minute. I would attribute the smooth transition from the classroom to the clinical world to our curriculum during our first and second years. We work so hard, and it definitely pays off.

In my opinion, here are the top 5 activities that we, as DMU students, work tirelessly on during the first 2 years that put us heads above the rest:

1. Surgery lab
   The hours you spend learning surgical etiquette, procedural skills, suturing and knot tying are extremely worthwhile. My surgeon and nurses were constantly impressed with the basic skills that we all learn as surgery students. The more competent you are in your skills, the more autonomy you get as a student. It’s definitely worth it when you are suturing during the closure of every surgery!

Posted in Guest bloggers, New Students, Osteopathic Medicine, Prospective Students | Leave a Comment

Saturday was the Des Moines University Run-Day-Voo, a 5k run/walk for students, alumni, staff and friends. Lisa Vroegh and I, from the Enrollment office, decided to participate in the event this year. As walkers. We don’t run.

Despite being toward the end of the pack, we had a great time.  It was wonderful to see more than 270 members of the DMU community participating in such a fun event together. The course took us south of the University into beautiful neighborhoods full of challenging hills. Along the way students were there to guide us and provide us with encouragement. Afterwards D.O. and D.P.T. students were on hand to provide free OMM and stretching treatments.

Posted in Des Moines Events, DMU Alumni, DMU Events, Guest bloggers | Leave a Comment