Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences champions community service, as evidenced by over 10,500 hours of volunteerism given by its students this academic year.
The DMU Student Service Award, now in its 10th year, recognizes students from all programs who are driven by DMU’s mission to improve lives in our global community through volunteerism. These students represent DMU with integrity and uphold its institutional values — accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness and wellness. After students complete 50 hours of service, they compose a reflection of how volunteering impacted their understanding of the community and themselves. View 2025-26 DMU Service Award honorees(opens in new tab).
“Leadership is not limited to those who hold a formal position with a club or student government,” says Joe Brookover, MPA, assistant director of student affairs. “The initiative our students have shown this year says everything about who DMU is and illustrates how impactful their commitment and contributions are to one another and the communities we belong to.”
In addition to community engagement, DMU embraces collaboration, a value that is core to the interprofessional education program that promotes multidisciplinary teamwork in health care.
“Collaboration is not just a skill, but a mindset grounded in teamwork and shared commitment to patient- and community-centered care,” says Nehad El-Sawi, PhD, assistant vice president for academic innovation and enhancement.
DMU’s Interprofessional Education badge program is in its first year. The tiered levels reflect student engagement in various activities aimed at building their skills in effective communication, teamwork and leadership. View 2025-26 IPE Badge honorees(opens in new tab).
“Our inaugural IPE badge recipients show that exceptional care is never delivered in isolation,” El-Sawi says.
Over 160 students received leadership awards for helping make DMU a better place for all.
Spencer Evoy, DO’26, received the Student Leader of the Year Award, which recognizes a student who holds a formal leadership position within a club, organization or student government. This honoree is nominated by their peers or other members of the DMU community for displays of leadership, involvement and embodiment of DMU’s values.
Tassia Harvey, DPM’28, received the Servant Leadership Award, which recognizes a student for performing acts of service, putting the needs of others ahead of their own and exemplifying the values of DMU.
Kealey Jensen, DO’28, received the Commitment to Community Award, which recognizes a student for their engagement in the DMU and local community. Recipients are nominated by their peers or DMU employees for exhibiting acts of selfless service, committing to the advancement of health care access and addressing health disparities.
The Club or Organization of the Year Award recognizes a student association that has served the DMU community and embodied the university’s values and mission through educational programming and engagement. This year, the honor is shared by two outstanding organizations: the Obstetrics and Gynecology Club, represented by Gretchen Grams, DO’28, president, and Anna Kayser, DO’28, vice president, and the Student Occupational Therapy Association, represented by Claire Stogdill, OTD’27, president, and Jaice Johnsen, OTD’27, vice president.
The Event or Program of the Year Award recognizes a student-led event that demonstrates exceptional planning, engagement and impact. The Podiatric Medicine Advocacy received this recognition for “Crocker Elementary STEAM Night.” Representatives included Holly Bahr, DPM’28, president, Kerry Darelus, DPM’28, treasurer, and Nivya Varghese, DPM’28, secretary.