President Angela L. Walker Franklin
Angela L. Walker Franklin, a native of McCormick, South Carolina, is a Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude graduate of Furman University. A licensed clinical psychologist, she completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Emory University, followed by a year-long clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Franklin, who became the 15th president of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in the spring of 2011, has worked in higher education for more than 25 years. Previously, she was executive vice president and provost at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she oversaw academic and administrative departments. She held a professorship in Meharry’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
“Our people bring passion and delight to their work in providing important impacts in health sciences education, research and public service.”
Welcome to Des Moines University - Where Vision Stands on a Vigorous History
Founded in 1898, Des Moines University has a rich history of educating health leaders and a bold vision for innovation — in instructional strategies, learning spaces, laboratories and technology. That is reflected across our state-of-the-art campus, in our clinical services, and in the many ways we contribute to the community.
Across its three colleges, DMU offers graduate medical and health sciences degrees that unite faculty, students and staff around a singular mission — to improve lives in our global community by educating highly competent, compassionate and diverse health professionals.
Every day, our people bring passion and delight to their work in health sciences education, research and public service. Our faculty are experts in their areas who prioritize student learning and success. Our students are intelligent, compassionate and highly motivated to make a positive difference in the world. They are fully engaged in the university's commitment to service and frequently volunteer in the community.
The DMU community values and nurtures the diversity of our society. Aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in our vision, curricula, events and operations. We recognize that we become better citizens of this world, and better health care providers, when we learn from and respect our differences.
Our graduates practice in all 50 states, and many embrace opportunities to provide care around the world. We work to address health care shortages and inequities by emphasizing training in primary care and encouraging graduates to practice in rural and underserved areas. In fact, the university has been recognized as one of the nation's top producers of primary care physicians.
We also serve the community and work to enhance holistic health and well-being through our multispecialty DMU Clinic at 3200 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. We provide services in family medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, physical therapy, osteopathic manual medicine, behavioral health and international travel preparation in thousands of patient visits annually. In addition, our clinicians offer physical therapy and athletic performance services at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines.
We don't rest on our laurels at DMU. In 2023, we moved to a brand-new campus that we built from the ground up in West Des Moines. With its cutting-edge technology, variety of flexible learning spaces, collaborative laboratories and collaborate environment, we have built the medical and health sciences university of the future.
I could not be more proud of the passion, commitment and energy that members of the DMU community demonstrate every day. We strive to live our values of honesty, accountability, collaboration and inclusiveness. Every day, we fulfill our mission of preparing the next generation of exceptional health professionals. We are proud to serve the people of Iowa and the students who join us from around the nation.
Sincerely,
Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
President and CEO
The President's Staff
Recent Highlights
Remembering William G. Anderson, DO’56
William G. Anderson, DO’56, was a civil rights leader, osteopathic physician, surgeon, educator and hospital administrator whose life’s work expanded opportunity, challenged injustice and strengthened the medical profession.
Milestones From 15 Years at DMU
From expanding opportunities for students to leading the development of a new campus, President Angela L. Walker Franklin’s 15-year tenure has been one of the most transformative periods in DMU history.
Polk County Health Department and Des Moines University Launch Academic Health Department Partnership
The Polk County Health Department and DMU have formally established an Academic Health Department partnership, creating a collaborative relationship that connects public health practice, education, research and workforce development.
Speaking Engagements
President Franklin speaks regularly to both the DMU campus and Des Moines communities and organizations on topics ranging from leadership to current health care issues.
Other Mentions and Media
- Thought Leadership Series — President2President 2024-25, Chapter 3: The Essential Ingredients for Transformative Leadership
- Guest Piece: A Case Study in Integral Leadership — Trusteeship Magazine
- Des Moines University President Angela Franklin ’81 Leads Historic Transformation — Furman University
- Women in AI — Amelia
- Leading in Times of Challenge — DSM Partnership
- Dreaming Big — dsm magazine
- Seeing the Forest and the Trees of a Health Sciences University
- The Key Reporter Member Spotlight, Winter 2018-2019
- Guest Opinion: Raising Boys in a #MeToo World
- New Campus Interview with Black News Channel
Publications
Leadership From the Ground Up
by Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
In this captivating fusion of leadership wisdom and poignant memoir, Dr. Angela L. Walker Franklin charts her journey of transforming an organization with innovation and growth at its core. Leadership From the Ground Up is a candid exploration into the heart of leadership through the achievements of an unconventional leader. Every chapter encapsulates the essence of one woman’s visionary leadership — marked by daring dreams and the courage to turn these dreams into admirable reality. Dr. Franklin’s narrative is not just about bold strategic decisions and leadership transitions. It’s also about fostering a culture that embraces engagement and confronts challenges head-on. She details the nuanced dynamics of building trust, the difficulties that often come with these dynamics, the synergies of an effective executive leadership team and board of directors, and the pivotal roles of accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness and wellness. It is an essential read for anyone aspiring to lead with impact, integrity and inclusivity in today’s complex world.
An Unconventional Journey: An Unlikely Choice
by Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
This is a story of perseverance and awakening.
Angela Walker Franklin's journey evolved from self-doubt and trepidation into a purpose-driven life that led her to a college presidency in a most unlikely place. The lessons learned along the way have defined her current approach to leadership and should be inspirational to others who are trying to chart their own path.
Now is The Time; Des Moines is the Place: A History of Des Moines University
by Lee Anderson, PH. D.; Kathy Penningroth
Des Moines University has survived against the odds for more than 100 years and successfully built a legacy of excellence in health sciences education.
Throughout those years, there are stories of virtue, vision and hope, as well as episodes of questioned leadership, meager resources and frayed credibility. DMUs history is intertwined with the history of osteopathic medicine and the development of the health care industry in the United States.
This book covers the years 1898 to 2003, illustrating in each chapter how effective leaders can advance an institution and how committed faculty, loyal students and a generous community can defy the odds against success.