Office Of The President

Meet Our President
President Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D. poses for a photo in front of Des Moines University's campus.

President Angela L. Walker Franklin

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.

Dr. Franklin, who became the 15th president of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences 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.

Meet Our President

President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.

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.

Dr. Franklin, who became the 15th president of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences 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.

Prior to her role at Meharry, Dr. Franklin held several positions at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, including vice dean, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, associate dean for student affairs, director of counseling services and assistant professor of psychiatry.

A former American Council on Education Fellow (2001-02), Dr. Franklin is also a 2004 protégé of the Millennium Leadership Institute, which is sponsored by the Association of State Colleges and Universities in preparing the next generation of leaders in higher education. She also participated in the 2008 Prospective President’s Workshop of the United Methodist Church Affiliated Schools.

Since becoming DMU’s 15th president, Dr. Franklin has published the university history entitled, “Now Is the Time, Des Moines Is the Place,” which chronicles a 100+ year history of training health care professionals. In 2019, Dr. Franklin worked with her team to establish institutional goals and priorities for the future by launching the $50 million Purple & Proud fundraising campaign. The campaign surpassed its goal by raising over $57 million by the summer of 2023, making it the most extensive fundraising campaign in the university’s history. In addition, Dr. Franklin saw her transformative vision to design an entirely new campus on 88 acres of land in West Des Moines come to fruition in the summer of 2023, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the university’s founding.  

Dr. Franklin is actively involved in the Des Moines Community, serving on the boards of Bankers Trust, The Greater Des Moines Partnership and UnityPoint Health.

Dr. Franklin is a former board member of the nationally recognized Association of Academic Health Centers, United Way of Central Iowa, The Harkin Institute National Advisory Council and the Science Center of Iowa. Former chair roles held by Dr. Franklin leading the Greater Des Moines Partnership Workforce Development/Education Board, the United Way Health Cabinet, the American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” movement, the 2015 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes and the Greater Des Moines Partnership Community Health Needs Assessment/Mental Health Workgroup.

Awards she has received include the 2013 African American History Maker Award from the African American Museum of Iowa, the 2014 Women of Influence Award from the Des Moines Business Record, the 2014 Inspire Award from Dress for Success, the 2015 Mary McLeod Bethune Award (Educator of the Year) from the Iowa Juneteenth Observance Committee, the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award from the Iowa Department of Human Rights, and the 2017 American Psychological Association Training Advisory Committee Special Award. She also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Furman University and the 2022 Dale S. Dodson Award from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Franklin was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in the spring of 2022, received the Carl F. Kohrt Distinguished Alumni Award from Furman University in February 2024 and was honored with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Executive Leadership Award in April 2024.

Dr. Franklin is an inspirational leader and author of her 2014 published memoir, “An Unconventional Journey… An Unlikely Choice,” which chronicles her journey to the college presidency and lessons learned in leadership. In 2024, she published a second book, “Leadership From the Ground Up,” which offers insights into her leadership experiences at DMU and practical lessons for aspiring leaders. Dr. Franklin has been featured in several local and national publications and speaks locally and around the country on the topics of women leaders and transformative leadership.

“Our people bring passion and delight to their work in providing important impacts in health sciences education, research and public service.”

Welcome to Des Moines University - Where Vision Stands on a Vigorous History

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University has a rich history of educating health leaders and a bold vision for innovation — in instructional strategies, learning spaces, laboratories and technology. That is reflected across our state-of-the-art campus, in our clinical services, and in the many ways we contribute to the community.

DMU's three colleges offer 11 graduate medical and health sciences degrees, so our faculty, students and staff share a singular mission - to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

Every day, our people bring passion and delight to their work in health sciences education, research and public service. Our faculty are experts in their areas who prioritize student learning and success. Our students are intelligent, compassionate and highly motivated to make a positive difference in the world. They are fully engaged in the university's commitment to service and frequently volunteer in the community.

The DMU community values and nurtures the diversity of our society. Aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in our vision, curricula, events and operations. We recognize that we become better citizens of this world, and better health care providers, when we learn from and respect our differences.

Our graduates practice in all 50 states, and many embrace opportunities to provide care around the world. We work to address health care shortages and inequities by emphasizing training in primary care and encouraging graduates to practice in rural and underserved areas. In fact, the university has been recognized as one of the nation's top producers of primary care physicians.

We also serve the community and work to enhance holistic health and well-being through our multispecialty DMU Clinic at 3200 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. We provide services in family medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, physical therapy, osteopathic manual medicine, behavioral health and international travel preparation in thousands of patient visits annually. In addition, our clinicians offer physical therapy and athletic performance services at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines.

We don't rest on our laurels at DMU. In 2023, we moved to a brand-new campus that we built from the ground up in West Des Moines. With its cutting-edge technology, variety of flexible learning spaces, collaborative laboratories and collaborate environment, we have built the medical and health sciences university of the future.

I could not be more proud of the passion, commitment and energy that members of the DMU community demonstrate every day. We strive to live our values of honesty, accountability, collaboration and inclusiveness. Every day, we fulfill our mission of preparing the next generation of exceptional health professionals. We are proud to serve the people of Iowa and the students who join us from around the nation.

Sincerely,

Angela Walker Franklin Signature

 

Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
President and CEO

The President's Staff

Casey, Lucas

Lucas Casey, MPA

Director External Affairs

Henderson, Christina

Christina Henderson, BS

Executive Administrative Assistant

Recent Highlights

Photo of Dr. George Rust

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. 

DMU College of Osteopathic Medicine students pose for a group photo on Match Day, holding “I Matched!” signs to celebrate residency matches in Iowa.

DMU Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2026 Achieves 99% Match Rate

The Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2026 has achieved a 99% match rate in the 2026 National Resident Matching Program.

Two students use a bag valve mask to provide simulated care to a patient on a stretcher at the Regional Simulation Center at DMU32.

Des Moines University to Host Open House for New Regional Simulation Center

DMU will host a public open house for its Regional Simulation Center at DMU32 from 3-6 p.m., Thursday, March 5.

More News

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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2025

February 25, 2025
Guest Speaker | The DMU Story | West Des Moines Rotary |
Des Moines Golf and Country Club | West Des Moines, Iowa

March 1, 2025
Award for Community Work | Hip-Hop Hope | 2025 Many Shades of Colour Young Women’s Conference | Des Moines, Iowa

March 11, 2025
Remarks | West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Breakfast B4 Business Rush Hour Reception | MidAmerican Energy RecPlex | West Des Moines, Iowa

June 5, 2025
Panelist/Speaker | Drake University Leading Others Program | Zimpleman College of Business | Des Moines, Iowa

June 5, 2025
Panelist | Healthcare Impact: Navigating Local, State and National Health Care Concerns | Sioux Falls Chamber Intercity Visit, Greater Des Moines Partnership | Des Moines, Iowa

Oct. 23, 2025
Award | 2025 Women of Influence Alum of the Year | Business Record | FEARLESS Forward Event | Des Moines, Iowa

Oct. 25, 2025
Speaker | “Calling Out the Elephant in the Room to Trigger Meaningful Dialogue” | TEDx University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, Iowa

Dec. 4, 2025
Featured | Dream Think Do Podcast | Episode 44: Call Out the Elephant — How Great Leaders Face Conflict with Empathy and Clarity

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Other Mentions and Media

Publications

Cover of "Leadership From the Ground Up"

Leadership From the Ground Up

by Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.

In this captivating fusion of leadership wisdom and poignant memoir, Dr. Angela L. Walker Franklin charts her journey of transforming an organization with innovation and growth at its core. Leadership From the Ground Up is a candid exploration into the heart of leadership through the achievements of an unconventional leader. Every chapter encapsulates the essence of one woman’s visionary leadership — marked by daring dreams and the courage to turn these dreams into admirable reality. Dr. Franklin’s narrative is not just about bold strategic decisions and leadership transitions. It’s also about fostering a culture that embraces engagement and confronts challenges head-on. She details the nuanced dynamics of building trust, the difficulties that often come with these dynamics, the synergies of an effective executive leadership team and board of directors, and the pivotal roles of accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness and wellness. It is an essential read for anyone aspiring to lead with impact, integrity and inclusivity in today’s complex world.

Order Your Copy Today

unconventional-journey-3

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" <br><a href="https://www.dmubooks.com/products/a-history-of-des-moines-university-1898-2003-dmu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order your copy today.</a>

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

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