Creating Opportunities for Iowa and Beyond
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences enhances our quality of life by educating outstanding health providers and leaders; providing expert, compassionate patient care; serving the community in diverse ways; and stimulating the central Iowa community.
Named a 2025 Great College to Work For®
- Compensation and Benefits
- Faculty and Staff Well-Being
- Professional Development
The DMU Difference
Founded in 1898
- 1,500+ future health leaders annually enrolled in DMU’s three colleges and 11 graduate degree programs.
Preparing Exceptional Health Leaders
- DMU recognized for having a high number of graduates working in primary care and helping people in rural and medically underserved areas. — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- DMU’s occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant programs among the best in the nation. — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- Students’ professional board/licensure exam pass rates consistently exceed national averages among their peers
- Osteopathic medicine and podiatric medicine and surgery graduates achieve residency match rates at or near 100 percent annually
- One of the nation’s top producers of family medicine physicians
DMU Quick Facts
As a community of diverse and talented people, some key indicators tell the story of DMU’s exceptional quality.
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Big Enough To Offer Powerful Amenities, but Small Enough To Focus on Excellence
DMU is the largest medical school in Iowa — and among the top 25 largest accredited schools in the nation (for DOs or MDs) — with more than 880 students in the osteopathic medical program. Year-to-year, the university enrolls over 1,500 students across all 11 programs.
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Our Students Know Their Stuff
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A Rich History of Equality and Diversity
Since welcoming our first medical class in 1898 — one of the nation’s earliest to include both men and women — DMU has championed inclusion and equity in medical education. Today, with women comprising half of our student body, that commitment remains strong. At DMU, we cultivate a respectful, collaborative community where all students, faculty and staff feel welcomed, supported and empowered to thrive.
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A Forward-Thinking Campus for Forward-Thinking Education
In 2024, DMU earned the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification for its state-of-the-art campus. The LEED achievement underscores our commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in its campus facilities. The new campus incorporates innovative rainwater solutions, a restorative panorama that includes trails, outdoor gathering spaces and energy efficient buildings, with over 88% of campus powered by renewable wind and solar energy.
DMU’s campus was also honored with multiple design awards, recognizing its innovative and sustainable approach to health care education.
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Students’ Dreams Become Reality With Robust Scholarship Opportunities
Our students regularly receive more than $5.5 million in scholarship funds.
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Passionate About Serving Our Community
DMU students and employees serve the community in a wide variety of ways, from free on-campus events like the annual Senior Health Fair and GEMS/BROS programs, to off-campus health screenings, osteopathic manual medicine treatments, health education programs and many more volunteer activities.
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An Alumni Network Spanning the Country — And the Globe
DMU has an alumni network of over 16,000 with more than 3,100 in Iowa.
In 2026, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Grad Schools report recognized DMU as Iowa’s top institution and among the nation’s leaders for graduates working in primary care and serving medically needy and rural communities. DMU’s occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant programs also made the list for being among the best in the country.
Latest News & Updates
DMU Honors Individuals Who Give the Ultimate Gift to Medical Education
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences honored 48 individuals, including 13 veterans, at this year’s Body Donation Remembrance Ceremony. The annual service took place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, in the Olsen Center at the DMU 32 Health and Business Complex in Des Moines.
Des Moines University Names 2026 Commencement Speaker
George Rust, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, author of “Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring in a Nation of Needless Suffering,” will deliver the keynote address at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences’ 2026 Commencement ceremony in May.
One Day for DMU Raises More Than $220,000
The Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences community came together for the eighth annual One Day for DMU campaign — held from noon Wednesday, April 22, to noon Thursday, April 23 — raising an impressive $222,612 from 278 individual donors in just 24 hours.