Marc D. Jones, D.P.M.’11, D.ABFAS, D.ABPM, FASPS, a leader in the Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences alumni community, started his new role as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors on July 1, 2024.
“As president, I want to help other DMU alumni feel more connected to the university. I want to give them a voice,” he says. “I’ve always appreciated the education I received at DMU and the doors that were opened to me.”
Jones is a staff podiatrist at the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. He serves in multiple leadership positions at the hospital, including acting designated education officer, podiatry clerkship director, and Spokane site director for the DVA Puget Sound Residency Program. He is also a clinical assistant professor at Washington State University College of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, DMU and Kent State University.
As president, Jones is deeply committed to engaging alumni, making it his top priority. “The alumni association is for everyone,” he says. His vision includes helping alumni advance in their careers, offering volunteer activities that make a difference and encouraging fellow alumni to stay connected with DMU and its students.
Jones wants his board membership to benefit students as well. “In my work, I’m involved with medical students, D.O.s and M.D.s as well as podiatric students,” he says. “I’m interested in being involved with educating the next generation of health care providers.” The Alumni Association Board of Directors is the DMU Alumni Association advisory body, which represents DMU’s over 16,000 alumni. The board’s primary responsibility is to strengthen the relationship between alumni and the university by facilitating the sharing of information about DMU and serving as a bridge between alumni and university leadership. Engaged graduates are instrumental to DMU’s educational programs. Alumni involvement goes beyond mere participation in the alumni association, as they bring experience and insights that enrich student’s learning environment. Alumni contribute by mentoring current students, providing networking opportunities and offering valuable feedback on curriculum development. Their active participation in university events and initiatives helps to foster DMU’s vibrant community that supports continuous improvement and innovation.
