Des Moines University, a graduate medical and health sciences university, on Dec. 8 announced it has begun the public phase of the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history with a goal to raise $25 million or more. To date, the campaign has reached 70 percent of that goal. It is set to close in December 2020.
Themed “Purple & Proud: the Campaign for Des Moines University,” the campaign was unveiled at a gala on the University campus attended by more than 300 faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders. During the event’s program, attendees were given a preview of plans to ensure DMU’s strong future and benefits anticipated for the greater community.
The purpose of the campaign is to raise funds to advance three priorities: supporting students with enhanced learning opportunities and scholarships; investing in faculty endeavors; and enhancing facilities of the campus.
“This campaign will accelerate our ability to realize extraordinary advancements and innovation in teaching, scholarly activity, clinical services and community engagement,” said Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., DMU president and CEO. “It will enable us to better respond to health needs across the nation. Those are critical growth areas, because just as health care needs are always changing, so, too, must medical and health sciences education.”
She added, “Our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of DMU have stepped up in many ways to ensure we deliver on our mission every day. This campaign is the catalyst that will secure the University’s future as a premier health sciences institution.”
The details of the priorities include the following:
- Supporting Students – Funds raised will increase scholarship funds that will reduce the financial burden on students. In particular, they will help expand the University’s ability to meet rural health care demands by placing more students and graduates in rural settings and helping those communities. Increased investment in the DMU Mobile Clinic will further help deliver medical care to Iowa’s underserved communities. This priority also includes expanding efforts to prepare students to serve diverse patients and communities by developing students’ cultural competency.
- Investing in Faculty – Nothing is more essential to helping DMU fulfill its educational mission than ensuring the University has the resources to retain its exceptional faculty. Donors will be able to invest in endowed faculty positions and expendable funding that can fuel new discoveries and innovations.
- Optimizing Facilities – Investing in DMU’s campus facilities will ensure the institution provides the finest possible health care services to the community and create opportunities for students and faculty to take advantage of the latest technological advances and resources for learning and research. New, enhanced spaces and amenities for all clinical services will permit providers and medical students to treat more patients. Annually, the DMU Clinic serves more than 38,000 patient visits.
“We have many people and organizations to thank,” said Michael Witte, D.O., chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees. “During the last several years, under Dr. Franklin’s leadership, DMU supporters have shown their commitment to our mission in education, research and patient care. We could not have achieved our recent successes without the support and interests of the community.”
“We are very proud to support DMU’s campaign goals that will help ensure a fine education for generations of future health care leaders,” said Mary Radia, D.O., and Suku Radia, renowned community leaders in Des Moines. “DMU has had a sterling reputation that has only grown more robust in the last several years. Now, we are very proud to help the University realize its bold goals to add substantial talent in faculty, new opportunities for students, and top-quality facilities and resources.”
To learn more and to support the “Purple & Proud” campaign with a donation, please visit the campaign website or call 515-271-1387.
View photos from the campaign kick-off event via Facebook.
Des Moines University has a long history of providing outstanding medical and health sciences education and patient…
Posted by Des Moines University on Monday, December 10, 2018
About Des Moines University
Founded in 1898, Des Moines University comprises three colleges offering eight graduate degrees in medicine and the health sciences. DMU’s educational and research programs share a collective strength — a collaborative campus community where students and faculty come together in the pursuit of knowledge. Its mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.
