Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences awarded graduate degrees in medicine and health sciences to over 430 new health care professionals at its 126th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The event celebrated the achievements of the DMU Class of 2026, including many dual-degree students and the first graduates of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, DMU’s president and CEO, reminded the new graduates to be strong patient advocates and help make communities and populations healthier.
“Our health care and public health systems need you more than ever. Most important, our society needs you,” Franklin said. “Today, you are looking forward, but also make a commitment in the years ahead that you will be able to look back, knowing that in ways large and small, you have changed the world.”
Keynote speaker George Rust, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, author of “Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring in a Nation of Needless Suffering,” shared stories of lessons learned, mistakes made and sacred moments. He encouraged DMU’s newest alumni to “go to the people who need you most, where you can make a difference with your knowledge and your skills, your caring and your compassion.”
Military Commissioning Ceremony
Six graduates were honored and officially transitioned as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force at a ceremony held on Thursday, May 28. The following students will go on to serve as military and medical professionals:
Captain Ella Kloster, DO’26 — Air Force
Captain Andrew Mannisto, DO’26 — Air Force
Captain Matt Mackarevich, DO’26 — Army
Captain Dilibe Ekowa, DO’26 — Army
Lieutenant Emma Parker, DO’26 — Navy
Lieutenant Lydia Sohn, DO’26 — Navy
Grand Family Society
Twenty-four alumni became members of the Grand Family Society, which recognizes graduates with family members who also received a degree from DMU. The society honors generational alumni for their engagement and support — offering networking opportunities and other ways for Grands to stay connected with DMU through exclusive programs and events.
New members include:
Logan Adam, MSPAS’26
Jordan Appel, DO’26
Kaci Behrens, OTD’26
Lauren Bice, MSPAS’26
Sarah Bosch, OTD’26
Thomas Bussey, DO’26
Jarod Devins, DO’26
Danielle Ericksen, DO’26
Greysen Foss, DO’26
Noelle Greely, MSPAS’26
Abigail Holmberg, MSPAS’26
Nina Ignatowski, MSPAS’26
Alec Jackson, DO’26
Lindsey La Rue, OTD’26
Zachary Ludwig, DO’26
Courtney Maire, DO’26
Jack McEvoy, MSPAS’26
Tanner Olsen, DPM’26
Boden Saikie, DO’26
Evan Schmidt, DO’26
Brady Schutt, DO’26
Kiana Stanek, DO’26
Katelyn Stein, DO’26
Reed Tisdell, DO’26
Award Ceremonies
The College of Health Sciences, the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the College of Osteopathic Medicine held award ceremonies. Over 80 students were recognized for awards and/or inducted into honor societies of their fields.