The Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine offers additional scholarship opportunities to support students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. Some are awarded based on academic achievement, while others consider financial need or unique eligibility criteria as noted below. Most of these scholarships are reviewed and approved by the dean and the COM scholarship committee, while the Financial Aid Office manages others in consultation with COM. Scholarship funds awarded through DMU are applied directly to tuition.
| Allen and Terry Auerbach Scholarship | This fund is being established by Dr. Allen and Terry Auerbach. Scholarships will be awarded to students in COM who have a strong interest in family medicine. Additional criteria include those deemed in need of financial assistance and who are in good academic standing. Applications for this will be announced through Pulse. |
| Charles Casey Memorial Scholarship | This fund was established through a bequest of Eva David Casey to establish a scholarship fund in memory of her husband. |
| Class of 1969 Scholarship | This endowment was created by the Class of 1969 with the leadership of Max T. McKinney, D.O. The dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine will recommend a rising fourth-year who is deemed in significant need of financial assistance, demonstrated outstanding academic initiative since matriculation and exemplifies outstanding professional promise in the Osteopathic profession. |
| Kevin A. Colburn Memorial Scholarship |
This fund was established by a bequest from Kevin A. Colburn who died from complications from AIDS in 1991. After graduation, Kevin served a Navy internship at Jacksonville Naval Air Station. He was then assigned to the Aircraft Carrier Constitution based in San Diego. He was medically retired from the Navy due to his failing health. He then worked with the UCSD Medical Center in their AIDS clinic as a medical researcher. He served on the board of the AIDS Foundation in San Diego and was the president of San Diego Physicians for Human Rights. Upon his death, he was honored by the Mayor of San Diego for his contributions to the City of San Diego. Kevin requested the money be donated to UOMHS for "general charitable purposes," however, his trustee states that he feels Kevin's preference would be that the money be used for "scholarships and grants." |
| COM Scholarship | For annual scholarships to COM students as awarded by the COM scholarship committee. |
| COM Tuition Discount | COM scholarships given at the discretion of the Dean & Scholarship Committee. |
| William Cruzen D.O. Scholarship | This fund was created by a gift from William Cruzen, D.O.. Scholarships will be limited to students enrolled inCOM, deemed in significant need of financial assistance, have demonstrated an interest in practicing Emergency Medicine and are in good academic standing with the university. Application will be announced through Pulse. |
| Davenport Osteopathic Hospital Scholarship | This scholarship was established in honor of the founding doctors of the Davenport Osteopathic Hospital Association including three Des Moines University alumni, Arthur M. Abramsohn, D.O.’43, George C. Boston, D.O.’38, and Donald F. McDonough, D.O.’33. The original funding came from the sale of the Davenport Osteopathic Hospital. Later, the Quad City Osteopathic Foundation was formed. The Foundation is being dissolved and funds are intended to benefit an osteopathic medical student each year in honor of these founding doctors. Funds will be disbursed on an annual basis from a donor-advised fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. |
| Aletha Tente Dawson Scholarship | This endowed scholarship is for COM students and is based on academic achievement and financial need. |
| Des Moines General Hospital Scholarship | This is an endowed scholarship established by Des Moines General Hospital. Preference is given to students from Iowa who have a strong commitment to the state and intend to practice in Iowa. Criteria for annual awards also include past academic achievement and financial need. Application will be announced through Pulse. |
| Desert Storm Veterans’ Memorial Scholarship | This endowment was established by Dr. Michael M. Fishkin D.O., ’73, who served in Desert Storm, and Ellen D. Fishkin. This endowment is to honor the men and women who left their homes and practices to serve their country and help their fellow human beings during Operation Desert Storm. Awards are made to a third-year COM student with a high academic standing and a tangible interest in military medicine. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Dorothy Diener Memorial Scholarship | This fund was established through the estate of Dr. Dorothy Diener. Recipients are selected based on financial need. |
| Joseph Dorgan Memorial Scholarship | This fund was established to benefit students in any clinical program at Des Moines University who need financial assistance and embody the mission and values of the university. |
| Emeritus Faculty-William Dyche Scholarship | Board Designated Endowment Fund for Dr. William Dyche, Emeritus Faculty. |
| Emeritus Faculty-Priti Lacy Scholarship | Board Designated Endowment Fund for Dr. Priti Lacy, Emeritus Faculty. |
| Fronton Scholarship | Funds are available for students in COM with preference given to students who have previously completed undergraduate or graduate degrees in pharmacy or pharmaceutical science. Students must also be in good academic standing and be deemed in significant need of financial assistance. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Merrill M. Goldstein M.D. Memorial Scholarship | This endowed scholarship was established to honor the memory of Merrill M. Goldstein, M.D. Dr. Goldstein was a mentor and friend of DMU President Richard Ryan as well as Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. Annual awards based on academic achievement, financial need and leadership qualities. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Murray Goldstein D.O. Scholarship | This fund was established by Murray Goldstein, D.O. for scholarships in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Criteria for eligibility include past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need |
| Catherine A. & Watson A. Gutowski DO Scholarship | Scholarships will be limited to fourth-year students enrolled in COM. Third and fourth year students will nominate one fellow class member from the fourth-year class who will do the most for the osteopathic profession. Students must also be in good academic standing. The Dean will be responsible for the oversight of the selection. Nominations will be emailed to students when available. |
| Harry S. and Helen G. Heller Scholarship | This endowment was established by a gift from Gary L. Heller D.O.’78 in honor of his parents. Gary and his brother, Jeffrey ’83, are both graduates of DMU and their parents were very supportive in helping them pursue their education. Scholarships are to be awarded to COM students based on financial need and the maintenance of satisfactory academic standing and progress. |
| Herbert Scholarship | For granting scholarships to deserving students pursing educational activities in the medical field relating to Osteopathic Medicine. |
| Imperial Grand Prix Scholarship | This fund is for students enrolled in COM. Criteria for eligibility include past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Barbara and Donald Janower Scholarship | This endowed scholarship was established by Barbara and Donald Janower, D.O. This scholarship will be awarded to one student who is enrolled in their second, third or fourth year of COM in good academic standing including passing all academic requirements and board exams on first attempt. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Robert Wood Johnson Student Aid Program |
This fund was established through the Association of American Medical Colleges to respond to the need for improving access to physician services in rural areas and inner-city poverty areas. |
| Margaret A. and Richard M. Kotz Scholarship | This endowed scholarship was established by Dr. Richard and Margaret Kotz. Eligibility for this scholarship includes past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Joan Lans Scholarship | This endowed scholarship fund was established in honor of Joan Lans by David M. Lans, D.O. Joan Lans loved music and was an accomplished piano player, and her family wanted to honor her in this way. Scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrates interest in and/or involvement in music. Additional criteria include those deemed in need of financial assistance and who are in good academic standing. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Byron Laycock D.O. Scholarship | This fund was established in memory of Dr. Laycock by his wife, Johanna. Dr. Laycock taught Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at UOMHS from 1940 to 1975. He graduated from Northwestern University and Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (January 1938). The fund was formed to help osteopathic students who are interested in promoting the principles and practice of osteopathy. Preference will be given to Fellows in the Department of OMM. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Justice Alfred D. Lerner Scholarship | Available to all DMU students. This endowed scholarship was established in memory of Justice Alfred D. Lerner and is awarded to students including first year students who are, a veteran of one of the United States branches of the military, enrolled in one of the colleges of Des Moines University, deemed in significant need of financial assistance, and are in good academic standing with the university. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Sharon Levin Scholarship | This fund was established by Pitts Levin in memory of his daughter Sharon. Students with an interest in pediatric medicine are eligible. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Charlene Beatrice Mastandrea Scholarship | This fund is being established by the Estate of Robert E. Mastandrea in memory of his wife, Charlene Beatrice Mastandrea. The scholarship is to assist worthy and deserving young men and women who are enrolled and pursuing courses on a full-time basis at DMU |
| Diane McCaughtry Memorial Scholarship | This scholarship was established as a memorial to Ms. McCaughtry, a COM student who died in 1977. Scholarships will be made available to students in their third or fourth year that are in good academic standing. Students must show improvement over two years of study, show ability to work harmoniously with fellow students, and show promise as an osteopathic physician. The Dean will nominate one student for this scholarship. |
| Gordon Meaney Scholarship | This fund was established through the trust of Gordon E. Meaney. It was his intent that the Board use this gift for scholarship purposes. Gordon Meaney was preceded in death by his son, William Meaney, D.O. A graduate of the class of 1952. |
| Edward and Amanda Miller Scholarship | This endowed scholarship is funded through the wills of Alvin Miller and Anna Miller, brother and sister, of Wheaton, MN, in memory of their parents Edward and Amanda Miller and brothers Hugo and Warren to benefit children for pediatric and adolescent medicine. Scholarships will be awarded to students who have an interest in pediatric and adolescent medicine. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| John S. Molea D.O. Scholarship | This endowed scholarship was established by a gift from Nellie J. Molea, in honor of her late husband, John S. Molea, D.O.’59. Dr. Molea was a faculty member and senior official for the Osteopathic College of Ohio University for more than 20 years. Scholarships are to be awarded to COM students entering their third year, and based on financial need, community service, and the maintenance of satisfactory academic standing and progress. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Paul and Marcia Morris Endowed Scholarship Fund |
Dr. Paul and Mrs. Marcia Morris established this scholarship to benefit individuals in their community who want to pursue a degree in osteopathic medicine. Dr. Morris is a 1978 graduate of Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in private practice of family medicine in Carlstadt, New Jersey for more than 35 years. He is also a member of the DMU Alumni Board of Directors. Scholarship recipients will be limited to Des Moines University students who are enrolled at least half-time and are in good academic standing with the University.
Recipient Criteria
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| Susan F. Northwall Callusic Endowed Scholarship |
Susan F. Northwall Calusic was a wonderful person, physician, wife, mother and friend to all. Peter Calusic and Susan Northwall met at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, aka Des Moines University, in 1976 while attending medical school together. The two married in 1977, graduated in 1979 and practiced family medicine together in southeast Pennsylvania for the next two decades. Susan was also a family practice residency trainer for Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital for several years. The last six years of her medical career, she was the medical director for Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania. They were married for 39 years.
Sadly, Susan died of breast cancer in 2017, but her memory will live on in her family’s hearts. This scholarship fund in her name will assist osteopathic medical students who intend to specialize in family medicine. |
| Ononuju Scholarship | This American Medical Missionary Care endowed scholarship (Ononuju Scholarship Fund) is being established by Dr. Chidozie J. Ononuju. Scholarships will be limited to students enrolled in COM who have an interest in Global Health and research. Additionally, students must be deemed in need of financial assistance and in good academic standing with the university. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Claude Oster D.O. Scholarship | This fund was established in the fall of 1985 by Claude Oster, D.O. The award shall be open to all students at DMU but preference will be given to students enrolled in COM. Priority will be given to dependents of members of the United Auto Workers. If there are no qualified applicants from the UAW. Then dependents of an organized labor union will be given priority. If there are no qualified applicants from organized labor, then the annual awards are open to students who qualify for financial assistance. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Physician Patriot Award | The Physician Patriot Award established by Dr. & Mrs. Arvin Trippensee was created to honor and support the men and women who have or are committed to serve in the military (HPSP students are not eligible). Dr. Trippensee began his military service in 1987 by enlisting as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Naval Reserves. He was recalled to active duty during Desert Storm and served in a 500 bed fleet hospital. After attending the College of Osteopathic Medicine on a scholarship from the US Navy he was commissioned as a Lieutenant and began his Naval career. He completed his internship and then served with the US Marine Corps as a flight surgeon in Japan. This tour was followed by residency training in Anesthesiology and a tour at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. During this assignment he deployed to the Expeditionary Medical Facility in Kuwait for seven months. His next tour was in Hawaii at Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. Trippensee then completed a critical care fellowship at Duke University Hospital and a tour at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. In 2013, he deployed as the Senior Medical Officer for the NATO Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Students must be a Veteran of the Armed Services (having been honorably discharged) and/or a student with a current commitment to serve in the Armed Forces (HPSP students are not eligible). This scholarship is available to students entering their second, third or fourth year and preference is given to students in the top 25% and must be in the top 50% of their class. |
| Plundo/DeGregory Family Scholarship | This endowment was established by Drs. David A. and Terri L. Plundo, Dr. Gary P. Plundo and Dr. Thomas R. DeGregory. The intent of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to fourth-year COM students that have chosen Family Medicine as their career to ease their debt as they discover all the benefits of a Des Moines University education. Students must also be in good academic standing, passing all boards on first attempt. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Marjean R. Reed Scholarship | This scholarship was established for the sole reason of honoring the outstanding teaching legacy of Marjean J. Reed, R.N. who spent 11 years at DMU educating more than 3,500 students in the principles of basic surgical skills. Under her watchful eye and compassionate and caring demeanor students were allowed to develop surgical skills in a safe and encouraging environment that will last them throughout their entire medical career. Her unrivaled dedication to surgical education set a standard of excellence that will serve as a model for an entire generation of future educators and physicians. COM or CPMS students that are is in good academic standing are eligible. The Department of Surgery will nominate one student for this award. |
| Paul L. Ruza D.O. Scholarship | This scholarship was established through the estate of Paul L. Ruza, D.O. class of 1956 who also served as a member of the Board of Trustees. Scholarships are available to COM students who show past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Russell Seaman Jr. D.O.’65 Scholarship | Russell Seaman Jr., D.O. was a 1965 graduate of Des Moines University. Upon his death on May 6, 2022, the Russell Seaman Jr., D.O.’65 Endowed Scholarship Fund was established through his estate. His daughter, Nicole Seaman Kaiser, helped establish the criteria for this scholarship to benefit first-generation college graduates who are continuing their education in the College of Osteopathic Medicine students with enrollment in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. |
| Barbara Sowers Scholarship | This endowed scholarship was established through the estate of Barbara Sowers for students who plan to practice Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Myrtle Hohl Staley Scholarship | This fund was established by Myrtle Hohl Staley through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust. Scholarships will be limited to DMU first year students from Iowa. Other criteria include past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| William Karl Stefan Scholarship | This fund was established in 1980 through the estate of William Karl Stefan. This fund is an endowed scholarship in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. |
| Fred William Tente D.O. Scholarship | According to Dr. Tente’s will, scholarships are to be awarded to deserving students in need of financial assistance. |
| Charles L. Timmons Scholarship | This endowed scholarship fund was established by Eugene L. Timmons, D.O. ’59 in memory of his father Charles L. Timmons, DO. Class of 1918. Scholarship recipients will be COM students who are deemed in significant need of financial assistance and are in good academic standing with the university. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| William V. Utter Scholarship | This endowed scholarship fund was established from the estate of Dr. William V. Utter. Scholarship recipients will be limited to COM students deemed in significant need of financial assistance and are in good academic standing with the university. Applications will be announced through Pulse. |
| Geneva D. Watson Scholarship | This fund was established in 1991 through the estate of Geneva D. Watson. Miss Watson was a grateful patient of a northwest Iowa osteopathic physician. This scholarship was established to support worthy students during their third or fourth year. |
| Garrett Reed Wheeler Scholarship |
This fund was created as a living memorial for Garrett Reed Wheeler, grandson of Dr. Kendall Reed. Annual graduation awards. |
| Kelly K. Wifler Scholarship | This is an endowed scholarship dedicated to the memory of Kelly Kathryn Wifler who was a second-year student in the fall of 1998 at the time of her tragic death. Scholarships will be open to second year students enrolled in COM. Criteria include past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need. It is hoped that recipients will reflect and emulate Kelly’s outstanding attributes of joy in living, motivation towards her profession, dedication to her goals and respect for human kind. The Dean of COM will recommend a second year student who reflects the attributes of Kelly Wifler. |