When you join this club, you’ll expand your knowledge of podiatric sports medicine and gain hands-on experience in evaluating, treating, managing and preventing lower-extremity injuries. Through seminars and workshops, you’ll build the skills to keep active individuals healthy and safe while deepening your understanding of the field.
This club welcomes you — regardless of gender — to celebrate and support the growing presence of women in podiatric medicine. You can participate in Girls in Science Day, Women in Medicine Q&As, and workshops ranging from goal setting to ultrasound practice to self-defense. Through community service and skill-building events, you’ll gain experiences that benefit your personal and professional growth.
Here, you can develop your surgical interests through guest lectures, simulation workshops, suturing labs, knot-tying sessions, mentoring, conventions and networking with practicing surgeons. Because every specialty touches surgery in some way, all students are welcome — and you’ll gain valuable connections to the national surgical community.
As a member of the DMU chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, you’ll get involved in campus and community activities, volunteer opportunities, mentoring, access to preceptors, Grand Rounds, National Osteopathic Medicine Week, scholarships and more. You also receive a free four-year membership that gives you full access to national benefits and resources to help you shape your career in family medicine.
This club helps you stay informed about current trends in podiatric medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine. You’ll hear from leaders in the field, participate in workshops and explore clinical experiences that broaden your understanding of podiatric practice. The club provides a well-balanced program designed to strengthen your clinical and professional preparation.
When you join the American Medical Student Association, you join a national network focused on advocacy, service, global health and improving medical education. You’ll gain access to clinical resources, test-prep tools, discounts, networking and opportunities to support initiatives like PharmFree and AIDS advocacy. You can also build ultrasound skills, engage in community service, participate in political advocacy and learn from speakers on key issues in modern medicine.
If you enjoy teaching and connecting with the community, the Anatomy Ambassadors program gives you the chance to lead organ demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences for groups ranging from elementary students to undergraduates. You’ll develop your communication and teaching skills at no cost — there are no dues to join.
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association helps you promote culturally competent health and wellness within the DMU community. You’ll have opportunities to learn about health issues affecting Asian Pacific American populations and join initiatives that support equity and culturally responsive care.
If you’re interested in anesthesiology, this club connects you with speakers, educational events and resources that introduce you to the specialty and its subspecialties. You’ll learn about residency preparation, gain access to national anesthesiology resources and engage with peers who share your interests.
COATS pairs you with an active older adult in Des Moines for monthly one-on-one visits that build empathy and deepen your understanding of healthy aging. Your senior mentor will share lived experiences while learning alongside you. These relationships help you grow as a compassionate future clinician — and offer older adults a meaningful way to stay connected. Older adults can also apply to be COATS mentors.
Interested in broader involvement with older adult care? You may also want to explore DMU’s Geriatrics Club for additional shadowing, service and community-based learning opportunities.
This club invites you to explore dermatology through educational sessions, residency guidance and hands-on opportunities that strengthen your clinical and diagnostic skills. Whether you plan to pursue dermatology or simply want to enhance your knowledge as a future provider, you’ll build a strong foundation to support your career goals.
Here, you can learn from leaders in health care, explore real-world management and leadership challenges, and build a research-based understanding of how to lead health organizations. You’ll grow your professional network, gain practical experiences and develop the leadership skills needed for your future career.
If emergency medicine interests you, this club helps you deepen your knowledge through expert guest speakers and hands-on workshops like casting, suturing, intubation and EKG review. You’ll have access to shadowing opportunities, EMS ride-alongs and networking that supports your interest in a fast-paced, high-impact specialty.
Geriatrics Club gives you hands-on ways to understand the care, needs and experiences of older adults. You’ll explore geriatric medicine across health professions through shadowing, volunteer events and programs like the annual 50 and Better Health Fair. By partnering with groups such as AARP, the club helps you connect with and learn directly from older adults in the community. Open to all students.
Students looking for deeper, one-on-one relationship building with older adults may also be interested in COATS (Connecting Older Adults with Students), a mentorship program that pairs students with senior mentors in the Des Moines community.
The Global Health Student Club helps you explore global public health and the work of DMU’s Global Health Department. You’ll learn about global health careers, compare health systems around the world and volunteer locally, especially with organizations serving refugee communities. Events throughout the year introduce you to cultural perspectives on health and care delivery across diverse settings. Open to all students.
Homeless Community Outreach gives you opportunities to build compassionate, respectful relationships with people experiencing homelessness in Des Moines. You can visit homeless camps, work with local outreach programs, support homeless mothers and volunteer at Free Clinics of Iowa by taking vitals, gathering histories and assisting physicians. The club also participates in major community events like Reggie’s Sleepout and National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Human Dignity in Medicine invites you into thoughtful, inclusive conversations about complex bioethical questions — from CRISPR to abortion to physician-assisted dying. You’ll engage with speakers, discussions and readings that help you strengthen your ethical reasoning and understand what human dignity means in a multicultural society.
This club helps you explore emerging infectious diseases and key public health challenges in the U.S. and globally. You’ll learn from experts who have worked directly in outbreak response, epidemiology and public health practice. Open to all students interested in population health or infectious disease.
The Internal Medicine Club introduces you to the full range of internal medicine — cardiology, hematology, oncology, nephrology, pulmonary and more. You’ll connect with clinicians through lectures, case studies, ultrasound workshops, grand rounds and resident-led activities. The club is affiliated with the national American College of Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Internists.
The Iowa Medical Society helps you engage with medical education, professional advocacy and state-level policy. You’ll participate in service projects, network with medical students across Iowa and gain access to the American Medical Association’s benefits like Netter’s flashcards and JAMA resources. Open to all students.
This group helps you build community, leadership skills and professional identity within DMU. Members collaborate on interprofessional learning opportunities and scholarly activities that strengthen your academic and career development.
The Medical Humanities Society encourages you to explore the human side of health care — culture, ethics, social determinants, spirituality and global systems. You’ll join reading groups, film discussions and other events that broaden your understanding of what it means to care for patients. The club also leads the Bigger Picture Summer Reading Program for incoming students. Open to all.
Medical Students for Choice helps you understand the full spectrum of reproductive health care through evidence-based education. You’ll attend events, meet clinicians and gain exposure to clinical experiences that deepen your understanding of women’s reproductive health.
This club gives you opportunities to support Latino communities in Des Moines while learning about culturally informed care. You’ll volunteer with organizations like La Clinica, Visiting Nurse Services of Des Moines and the Polk County Department of Health, and help with pipeline programs that encourage Latino students to pursue careers in health care.
This group empowers you to advocate for climate action as a way to improve patient and community health. You’ll engage with climate-health experts, participate in sustainability efforts and explore how environmental change affects health equity and clinical decision-making.
National Arab American Medical Association NextGen helps you celebrate the cultural diversity of the Arab world and build community with Arab medical students at DMU. You’ll participate in cultural events, professional networking and educational activities that highlight the experiences and contributions of Arab health professionals.
Neurology Club offers you opportunities to explore the science behind neurological health, disease and behavior. You’ll join speaker events, case discussions, service activities and research presentations that help connect your coursework to clinical practice. Open to all students.
The Ob/Gyn Club introduces you to women’s health and careers in obstetrics and gynecology. You’ll hear from clinicians, learn about specialty pathways and take part in service activities, including observational opportunities at Broadlawns Medical Center’s OB Clinic.
Oncology Club gives you exposure to clinical oncology, cancer research and community-focused cancer care. You’ll attend lectures, shadow clinicians and volunteer in cancer-related programs. If you stay actively involved, you may qualify for induction into the Oncology Honor Society, recognizing your dedication to the field.
Pediatrics Club lets you explore caring for children and adolescents through education, hands-on experiences and community service. You can attend talks by pediatric specialists, volunteer in hospitals, participate in events like YMCA Healthy Kids Day and work with organizations like Gigi’s Playhouse. Open to all students who love working with kids.
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Club helps you explore careers focused on restoring patients’ physical function after injury or illness. You’ll learn from physiatrists, join clinical and community service opportunities and gain insight into residency paths.
PT Club gives you hands-on ways to grow as a future clinician while taking on leadership roles. You can join service projects like Habitat for Humanity builds, Special Olympics events and visits to Wesley Acres, and participate in National PT Month and the 50 and Better Health Fair. Guest speakers keep you up to date on PT trends and patient care.
PA Club supports you in pursuing academic excellence, clinical confidence and professional growth. You’ll stay current with medical advancements, apply knowledge in real-world settings and help raise awareness of the PA profession within DMU and the wider community.
The Podiatric Practice Management and Journal Club helps you master practice management and medical literature skills. You’ll attend seminars with podiatric physicians, learn business fundamentals, prepare for clinical rotations and discuss journal articles to efficiently apply evidence-based care — giving you an early clinical advantage.
The Preventive Medicine Club encourages you to champion wellness and integrative care for yourself and your community. You’ll host guest speakers, participate in Personal Wellness Profiles, volunteer at the Farmer’s Market Food is Medicine booth, lead meditation sessions and share health information at campus events. Open to all students.
Pride Alliance provides you a welcoming space to celebrate LGBT identity and allyship. You’ll engage in educational events, advocacy efforts, discussions on anti-discrimination issues and community service, all within a safe and supportive environment.
Psychiatry Club lets you explore mental health and behavioral medicine across specialties. You’ll attend lectures, workshops and labs to expand your understanding of mental health treatment and psychiatry subspecialties.
The Student Association of Radiology helps you understand how imaging supports patient care. You’ll explore radiology careers, subspecialties and residency paths while participating in service projects and educational activities that benefit the DMU community.
The Sports Medicine Club gives you the chance to care for athletes and learn from experts. You can attend lectures, shadow sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists, participate in community service and join the club’s annual taping clinic.
The Student American Academy of Osteopathy gives you hands-on opportunities to learn and practice Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. You’ll attend workshops, labs and luncheon programs with nationally recognized physicians, and apply your skills at events like the Osteopathic Finish Line, which provides an OMM treatment tent at local road races.
This group supports you if you’re pursuing military or public health service medicine. You’ll receive guidance on officer training, scholarships, clinical rotations, residency paths and military life. Participate in team building, combat training, volunteer opportunities and social events, and hear from service members with diverse experiences.
This group introduces you to surgical podiatric medicine. You’ll join skills labs, case presentations and discussions connecting surgery to primary care, preparing you for a career in foot and ankle surgery.
This group supports you as an underrepresented minority student and helps you improve care for underserved communities. You’ll access mentorship, professional development and advocacy opportunities while promoting health equity and culturally sensitive medical education.
The Student National Podiatric Medical Association gives you the chance to promote podiatric medicine in the community, especially to minority communities. You’ll volunteer, provide foot health education and inspire high school students to consider podiatry through DMU’s Community Awareness Program.
The Student Occupational Therapy Association helps you grow your occupational therapy knowledge through professional development, educational activities and community engagement. You’ll build peer connections while engaging with faculty and the broader community.
The Student Osteopathic Medical Association provides you with educational, networking, service and advocacy opportunities locally and nationally. You’ll connect with a supportive professional network and strengthen ties to the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association while representing student interests.
This group helps you explore orthopedic surgery. You’ll attend talks, shadow surgeons, and join hands-on labs, suturing workshops and physician-led dissections to prepare for a career in orthopedics.
The Women’s Medical Alliance aims to improve the personal and professional well-being of its members, increase the influence of women in all aspects of the medical profession and enhance the quality of women's health care. You’ll attend speakers on women’s health and gender issues, participate in community activities like Race for the Cure and Girls in Science Day, and connect with mentors and peers to support your personal and professional growth.
