DMU Reunion festivities June 8-9 included hearty applause for the 2012 Alumni of the Year for their diverse accomplishments and direct, positive impact on students.
College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Eric Barp, D.P.M.’01, FACFAS
Eric Barp practices with the Iowa Clinic in West Des Moines and serves patients at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Broadlawns Medical Center, Lakeview Surgery Center and Madison County Memorial Hospital. A diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, he is board-certified in rearfoot reconstructive and ankle surgery and in foot surgery.
Barp is an enthusiastic supporter of DMU and its students. An adjunct assistant professor in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS), he frequently takes students on rotations and often lectures on campus to classes and student organizations. He played a key role in creating a new three-year podiatric residency program with Iowa Health System in Des Moines, one of only three podiatry residencies in the state. He’s also served on the faculty of DMU’s annual Foot & Ankle Surgery Symposium.
After graduating from DMU, Barp completed his residency at Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, where he was chief resident. In 2005, he was chair of the membership committee of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, trauma section. He is an ACFAS fellow and a member of the scientific committee for the organization’s annual scientific conference. He is also a member of the Iowa State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, a governor-appointed position.
College of Health Sciences
Marcia Grassman Hammers, B.H.A.’88, R.N., FAHM, CHC
As a senior health care consultant at Wellmark Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Marcia Grassman Hammers works with large employers to analyze and address factors driving the health of employees and their families as well as costs. She joined the company in 1988 and has held a variety of positions in which she has monitored data and trends, recommended strategic initiatives and new product ideas, and driven continuous quality improvement for Wellmark customers.
Hammers joined the DMU College of Health Sciences (CHS) Alumni Board in September 2006. When alumni and University leaders reorganized its three college alumni boards into a unified board of directors in 2011, she became its first president. An ardent advocate for students and alumni, she also has served on the CHS Golf Benefit Committee, which raises scholarship funds for CHS students.
Prior to joining Wellmark, Hammers worked at Mercy Health Center of Central Iowa as manager of Mercy’s Ankeny, IA, Medical Clinic as well as a unit nursing director, patient care coordinator, nurse and relief team leader. A graduate of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, she is a certified health consultant, fellow of the Academy of Healthcare Management, licensed Iowa health insurance producer, member of the Health Insurance Association and a licensed registered nurse.
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Anil K. Sahai, D.O.’79, Ph.D., FACP
Anil K. Sahai has practiced internal medicine at the Webster City, IA, Medical Clinic, a private multispecialty group practice, since 1983. He also is chair of internal medicine and director/chair of the Critical Care Committee at Hamilton Hospital, Webster City.
Sahai serves DMU and Iowa’s medical students in multiple ways. A member of the DMU Board of Trustees since 2006, he has been an adjunct clinical associate professor at DMU since 1987 and a preceptor for the University of Iowa internal medicine residency program since 1994. For many years, his practice has accepted DMU students for monthly rotations and provides them with housing.
A man of many talents, Sahai earned his master’s degree and doctorate in biomedical engineering at Iowa State University before enrolling at DMU. He was the first D.O. to land a residency in internal medicine at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, just one of many ways he’s opened doors for other D.O.s.
Board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Physicians, he holds patents for a medical dispensing system and for a real-time music recognition and display system. Sahai also serves on a dean’s advisory council for Iowa State’s College of Engineering and is active in the Indian community across the state.
