About President Franklin
Dr. Franklin, who became Des Moines University’s 15th president in the spring of 2011, has worked in higher education for more than 25 years. Previously, she was executive vice president and provost at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she oversaw academic and administrative departments. She held a professorship in Meharry’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
Angela L. Walker Franklin, a native of McCormick, South Carolina, is a Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude graduate of Furman University. A licensed clinical psychologist, she completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Emory University, followed by a year-long clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital.
DMU announces $25 million capital campaign
Des Moines University, a graduate medical and health sciences university, on Dec. 8 announced it has begun the public phase of the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history with a goal to raise $25 million or more. To date, …
DMU, community celebrate Glanton Fund’s 15th anniversary
Fifteen years ago, a small group of community members met to discuss how they could open opportunities and foster diversity at Des Moines University. They established a fund at DMU that would generate scholarships for minority students under-represented in health …
DMU, community celebrate Glanton Fund’s 15th anniversary Read More
Seven years’ strong
In March, Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., marked her seventh year as DMU’s 15th president and has only stepped up the cadence. Here, she reflects on her tenure and continuing priorities for the University. Raised in McCormick, SC, inthe segregated …
We have to start somewhere on addressing mental illness. DMU did.
We have to start somewhere on addressing mental illness. DMU did. The dire lack of access to mental health care represents a moral, medical and financial catastrophe worldwide. To tackle this enormous crisis, DMU decided to start somewhere: It is …
We have to start somewhere on addressing mental illness. DMU did. Read More
DMU announces 2018 Glanton honorees, presenting sponsor
When Des Moines University hosts its 15th annual Glanton Dinner on Oct. 25, it also will honor two individuals whose generosity and service are widely evident in Iowa and far beyond: John and Mary Pappajohn. Presented this year by Mercy …
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DMU, NAMI partner to educate students on mental illness
This spring, DMU became the nation’s first medical school to partner with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s leading advocacy group for mental illness, to offer NAMI’s provider education program to osteopathic medical students. That led to an …
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DMU: proud to partner in improving mental health care
Des Moines University is inspired and grateful to partner with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation to meet a growing need for compassionate, accessible mental health care in the state. Today, that effort advanced …
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Changing of the Guard
I have come to have considerable respect for an organization called the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) which is the premier organization centered on governance in higher education. AGB provides leadership and counsel to member boards, chief executives, and others …
The Unlikely Choice May Be Chosen
Today I have been reflecting on the challenges of leadership and just how difficult it can be when politics enter into those decisions. In my book, “The Unconventional Journey..the Unlikely Choice “, I described my aspirations for leadership in higher …
The DMU Triangle
One very important role for any college/university president is fund raising. There are always needs and never enough funding to accomplish all that we want to do for our organizations. At Des Moines University (DMU), we have a carefully articulated …
DMU president receives special APA award
As a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Emory University, Angela Walker Franklin was selected for the Minority Fellowship Program of the American Psychological Association (APA), a comprehensive training, mentoring and career development program that helps promising students achieve lasting …
Another record breaking year for the Employee Campaign
When Des Moines University’s faculty and staff are asked to give back, they continuously dig deeper each year during the Employee Campaign. Throughout the two-week campaign, employees share their pride in the University and its efforts to prepare tomorrow’s health care workforce. This …
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US Presidential Executive Order on Immigration Travel
Dear DMU Campus Community, Transitions in leadership are always filled with emotion on all sides. As decisions are made it is important that we all remain steadfast in the basic principles that define this university. However, given the response to …
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Coming together for a day of unity
More than 200 Des Moines University students, faculty and staff gathered on campus today to stand together in support of our first ever DMU Day of Unity. Students decided to coordinate a Day of Unity in light of an increasingly …
Watch Your Back
My husband, Thaddeus, and I are traveling and as we typically do….if we have time, we will grab local transit to go explore an area. We were waiting for a trolley and he sits down on the bench to wait. …
DMU President Franklin to speak at leadership conference
According to its website, Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC) is the state’s premier leadership organization for women, offering comprehensive leadership resources including events featuring prominent speakers, frequent networking opportunities, and other important services to advance women’s leadership in all aspects …
DMU President Franklin to speak at leadership conference Read More
Clear Communications
I am a strong proponent of clear, authentic communications. One of the great challenges of leadership, however, is making sure messages are conveyed and received clearly. Unfortunately, there is a tendency sometimes for communications to be misconstrued and misinterpreted. So …
Des Moines University gains a Glanton Presenting Sponsor in Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Des Moines University announced today that Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will be the Presenting Sponsor of DMU’s 2016 Glanton Dinner. Wellmark is a mutual insurance company based in Des Moines that provides health coverage to more than two million …
Heating up on the course
Hot, hot, hot! It was a sweltering day but not a single person could complain about having to lace up some golf shoes and spend the day out on the course. On June 10, over 40 alumni, students and friends …
Advocating for a healthier city and university
If you’re going to Washington to secure the support of elected officials, there’s strength in numbers with a single voice. That’s the strategy behind the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s annual D.C. fly-in. Throughout the three-day visit, nearly 200 local leaders …
DMU joins HuffPo “Sleep Revolution”
Sleep deprivation is something of a badge of courage for medical students, residents and providers who are expected to study and work around the clock. But pulling an all-nighter has health and wellness hazards, as a recent event at Des Moines …
Faith, Hope, and Charity
Those who are old enough would remember the disco band from the 70 s called “Faith Hope and Charity.” Their only hit that I can remember was entitled “To Each His Own” which described how we should not try to …
Stop, Rock, and Rejuvenate!
The phrase “stop drop and roll” refers to a procedure taught by the fire department to individuals so that they can survive a fire and avoid burns. It is a protective maneuver which has saved lives. Perhaps an extreme parallel …
DMU receives highest state honor for volunteerism
Des Moines University was inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame on April 13 as part of National Volunteer Week celebration activities across the country. Governor Terry Branstad presented the award to DMU President Angela L. Walker Franklin in recognition of …
Friends Are Like Stars!
The word friendship is used liberally to describe many of our relationships with those we have encountered and interacted with from our early days in elementary school to high school, through college, into adulthood. We all typically have friends at …
DMU, President Franklin recognized for civil rights efforts
Since its founding in 1898, DMU has emphasized respect for all persons, meeting the health needs of underserved populations and giving students opportunities to learn from and serve people of different backgrounds. In more recent years, it has incorporated inclusiveness …
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Girls in Science At Des Moines University
Regardless of years of effort to make a difference, the gender gap in the sciences remains wide. The many efforts from public school systems, colleges and universities, various non-profits, and even the Girls Scouts, are having an impact but we …
Race: Changing the paradigm from debate to dialogue
By Rich Salas, Ph.D., and Luke Botting, D.O.’18 On Thursday, February 18, a group of approximately 50 DMU students, faculty and staff, along with our president, Dr. Angela Franklin, attended the RACE: Are We So Different exhibit at the Science …
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The Effective Leadership Team Way
It is not uncommon for a college/university president to have a cabinet. Typically, it is made up of all direct reports to the president and represents the senior leadership of the organization. Upon arrival at Des Moines University (DMU) I …
DMU students embrace Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status
Students who enroll at Des Moines University enjoy advantages such as a rigorous, real-world curriculum; a collaborative environment; diverse opportunities to learn, volunteer and have fun; and a great city in which to do all those things. Every four years, …
DMU students embrace Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status Read More
Publications
An Unconventional Journey: An Unlikely Choice
by Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
This is a story of perseverance and awakening.
Angela Walker Franklin's journey evolved from self-doubt and trepidation into a purpose-driven life that led her to a college presidency in a most unlikely place. The lessons learned along the way have defined her current approach to leadership and should be inspirational to others who are trying to chart their own path. Order your copy today.
Now is The Time; Des Moines is the Place: A History of Des Moines University
by Lee Anderson, PH. D.; Kathy Penningroth
Des Moines University has survived against the odds for more than 100 years and successfully built a legacy of excellence in health sciences education.
Throughout those years, there are stories of virtue, vision and hope, as well as episodes of questioned leadership, meager resources and frayed credibility. DMUs history is intertwined with the history of osteopathic medicine and the development of the health care industry in the United States.
This book covers the years 1898 to 2003, illustrating in each chapter how effective leaders can advance an institution and how committed faculty, loyal students and a generous community can defy the odds against success. Order your copy today.
Speaking Engagements
President Franklin speaks regularly to both the DMU campus and Des Moines communities and organizations on topics ranging from leadership to current health care issues.
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2018 White Coat Ceremony
September, 2018 | Download Speech -
Inaugural Address
September, 2011 | Download Speech