DMU has the perfect way for pre-med students to get a head start…

The DMU Health Professions Advanced Summer Scholars Program (Health P.A.S.S.) gives them a taste of what it’s like to be a student in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physician assistant or physical therapy.

The FREE three-week program takes place at the end of July and is open to college sophomores and juniors who want to get a taste of what med school will be like and pad their resumes with a little hands-on experience. Enrollment is limited to 10 students and applicants must have a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 3.0.

APPLY NOW!

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.

These activities and leadership reinforced my decision that our mission and vision needed to better reflect what we hope to become as an institution. As we prepare for the University’s next strategic plan, we must build on your great work, on that of our predecessors, and on our extensive efforts on our self-study for reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. That’s why a new mission and vision were approved on Dec. 3 by the DMU Board of Trustees – to articulate our focus on education, research and service/patient care as well as on leadership in transforming our communities to be healthy and well. I am excited to share with you our new mission and vision.

Mission

To improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

Vision
Des Moines University will be:

• The leader in innovative health education that promotes lifelong learning
• A cultivator of distinctive faculty and student researchers who discover and disseminate new knowledge
• A leader and partner of choice in the delivery of services that enhance health, wellness, and education in our communities
• A policy consultant and catalyst in healthy community transformation

We have been very deliberate in the past few months in working together – the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni – in helping to define who we are and what we hope to convey as our purpose, our core values and our vision for the future. Thank you for your hard work, support and engagement in making these efforts successful, and thank you for all you do to enable Des Moines University to do a world of good.

All gifts shown are from Matthew’s DMU Bookstore. Listed below from left to right, top to bottom:

1. Travel coffee mug, $13.53
2. Coasters, $8.44/set of 2
3. Lumbar mug, $16.92
4. Decal, $7.95
5. Playing cards and case, $9.29
6. Glasses, $4.25/ea or $16.96/set of 4
7. Water bottle, $14.37

Matthew’s DMU Bookstore Holiday hours:

Tuesday, December 20
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 21
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 22
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

This year businesses are competing in the first annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Promenade Window Decorating Contest. Enjoy this charming district in downtown Des Moines while perusing beautiful window displays, riding a horse drawn carriage, sipping on refreshments offered by area businesses, tasting a meal at an nearby restaurant, or listening to holiday music floating through the air. The Historic East Village and Promenade Sponsors will provide bags featuring samples and special offers, plus a shopping and dining map and ballot for Viewer’s Choice Best Window. Pick up your bag at Brenton Plaza, Baby Boomer’s or The LifeServe Blood Center while supplies last.

So head on down to the East Village and get a start on your holiday shopping!

Things kick off tomorrow evening with carnival rides, food tents, live music and fireworks. They continue into Saturday with the 15th Annual Beaverdale Beaverdash, followed by the Fall Fest parade at 10 a.m. A few things not to miss: the Isiserettes performance, bingo at Holy Trinity and Dutch Welter’s egg rolls. And that is just the beginning! There is so much more that is crammed into this truly fabulous fest.

Frozen yogurt can be a healthy treat if eaten in small portions without an overload of toppings. I know, it’s hard not to pile on the Oreo crumbles and gummy bears, I can attest to that, but your waistline will thank you for it.

Interested in checking out what all the buzz is about? Here is a list of fro-yo shops in the area:

TCBY - 10201 University Ave # A11 in Clive
Lemon Tree Frozen Yogurt - 1745 SE Delaware Ave, Suite #400 in Ankeny
Yo2Go – 3816 100th Street in Urbandale
Menchie’s - 4825 EP True Parkway in West Des Moines (COMING SOON)

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.

We are a community of scholars and we embrace the values of honesty, accountability, collaboration, and inclusiveness as the basic tenets of integrity.

As future health care providers, we look to you to carry the banner of DMU as an institution steeped in traditions of academic excellence. You are our future and the promise of fulfilling our mission of meeting the health care needs of our citizens in a very compassionate and culturally competent manner. We salute you and welcome you! We are so pleased that you have joined us!

Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.

President and CEO