Brand Attributes and Taglines

By consistently producing outstanding graduates who excel in their careers, DMU maintains one of the strongest reputations in American medical and health sciences education.

DMU’s reputation is built on its legacy and consistently reaffirmed by third-party assessments. The quality of the university’s educational programs gives students an advantage when they seek internships, residencies and professional positions. DMU is on the short list of schools and even the top-choice institution for many prospective students.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• DMU has a nearly 100% residency match rate as a three-year average for the D.O. program and a 100% match rate for the D.P.M. program for more than 20 years. In addition, the university has achieved 100% three-year averages of the board/licensure exam pass rate for the D.O., D.P.M., D.P.T. and M.S.P.A.S. programs.
• As of 2023, the residency placement rate for College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery graduates has been 100% for more than 20 consecutive years. That rate for graduates of the College of Osteopathic Medicine has been 99-100% since 2017.
• Physician assistant program graduates consistently have performed higher than the national average on the physician assistant national certifying exam.
• DMU’s physical therapy program graduates also achieve high pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination (licensure exam). DMU PT graduates consistently have first-time pass rates of 98-100%.

DMU’s campus environment is unique among graduate medical universities. There is a palpable sense of positive energy and a culture of inclusivity and overall wellness.

DMU’s talented students are ambitious. Unlike at other schools, however, the competition among DMU students is unifying rather than aggressive. Support, encouragement and empathy abound. Faculty and staff embrace and practice this positivity and collegiality. They enjoy their work, routinely going above and beyond to help DMU students realize their career dreams.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• With more than 60 clubs and organizations, there is a strong culture of campus involvement.
• The College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery have Big Sib/Little Sib programs that match first-year students with second-year students to pass down knowledge about navigating campus life and coursework.
• DMU is the first and only college or university in the nation to earn platinum status – twice – from the Wellness Councils of America for its wellness program.
• The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs offers extensive programming to foster cultural competency and self-awareness, including the Diversity Health Series, Safe Zone training, weekly campus events and speakers.
• During the 2023 One Day for DMU campaign, 75% of faculty and staff contributed to the university.
• The Student Counseling Center is a free service for students seeking coping skills and mental health resources at different times during their educational journey.
• The Center for Educational Enhancement provides a variety of resources to students and faculty to support excellence, innovation and collaboration in DMU’s academic community.

A strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and scholarship at DMU responds to the complex nature of human health and wellness.

By understanding how each medical field informs the others, students develop a more holistic approach to their practice. DMU faculty and student researchers collaborate, sparking creativity and spontaneous conversations that spark new ways of thinking. This diversity of skills enables graduates to adapt to various professional situations.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• Over the last three full fiscal years, 2021-23, DMU has submitted 81 proposals for external funding with a requested amount of $11,623,752.
• The DMU Mentored Student Research Program brings graduate and undergraduate students together over the summer to participate in intensive eight-week research projects. Selected students can choose from more than 30 mentors in various specialties to fit their interests and goals.
• The annual DMU Research Symposium showcases and rewards the research efforts of scholars on campus and in the surrounding medical and scientific community, sparking further collaborations and research.

The Greater Des Moines area is a vibrant urban center filled with arts and entertainment, diversity, entrepreneurism and the amenities that make it a great place to live, work, study and play.

The Greater Des Moines area is the place to be. Students work hard while here, but it’s easy to engage in the community. Recreational and social opportunities abound beyond DMU’s campus. In addition to being the Midwest’s fastest-growing city, Iowa’s capital is also rated as one of the “top places to live” in the United States.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• Des Moines consistently places on lists of the most affordable communities (U.S. News & World Report, 2022). The Greater Des Moines area has a strong job market, a growing population and a low cost of living relative to quality of life.
• U.S. News & World Report named Des Moines the #5 best place to live in the U.S. for families and #14 best place to live in the U.S. (2022).
• The Greater Des Moines metro features more than 800 miles of connected walking, biking and running trails.
• Broadway shows, ballet, symphony and legendary performers take the stage in Des Moines’ wide variety of venues.
• Central Iowa is a globally connected community and one of the nation’s hotspots for growing businesses, startups and millennials.
• DMU is part of the Greater Des Moines success story, building a new campus from the ground up on 88 acres of land in West Des Moines. The new campus opened on 8025 Grand Ave. in the summer of 2023.

The outstanding faculty at DMU bring a compelling blend of professional expertise and student-focused commitment to education.

DMU faculty are invested mentors and champions of DMU students. Faculty are active participants in the evolving nature of medical and health sciences professions — its best practices, interdisciplinary approach and technological advances. This engagement provides students with a distinct advantage in their careers.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• DMU faculty serve as leaders of professional societies, including the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, the Iowa Physician Assistant Society and the Iowa Podiatric Medical Association.
• In addition to teaching, many DMU faculty engage students in research in laboratories and the community. They present their work at the annual DMU Research Symposium and at regional and national conferences.

DMU has a nationwide network of alumni providing communities with high-quality health care and public health services.

This speaks to the value students place on DMU’s teaching philosophy and supportive campus community because they carry this mindset into their careers. DMU alumni are in high demand, and most graduates are offered further clinical training opportunities or gain employment within months of completing their program.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• The American Academy of Family Physicians has praised DMU as a top producer of family medicine physicians.
• DMU alumni work and reside in 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties and in all 50 states.
• In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named DMU the nation’s #1 medical university for having the most graduates practicing in primary care and #7 for having the most graduates practicing in rural areas.
• The Alumni Sharing Knowledge network comprises DMU graduates who generously volunteer their time and talents to share information and knowledge with students about their education, career choices and ways to transition to life after DMU.

As a dedicated community partner, DMU consistently seeks new ways to improve the lives of its neighbors and engage with fellow leaders in the local health services industry.

DMU participates in community health fairs and is active and influential behind the scenes. Faculty experts shape policy that advocates for health care quality, access and affordability. DMU believes its mission is to educate future health professionals and serve the public good.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• DMU supports a strong STEM talent pathway by engaging youth of all ages in programs showcasing health information and medical careers. The university incorporates community service into the campus experience.
• DMU students support the work of dozens of nonprofit community partners – from serving meals at the Ronald McDonald House to volunteering at the Free Clinics of Iowa, mentoring through Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Iowa and donating blood with on-campus Red Cross blood drives, among many other activities.
• The university hosts a free annual “50 and Better” Health Fair, during which students and clinicians offer public health screening and osteopathic manual medical treatments to promote wellness among aging Iowans.
• At the annual IMT Des Moines Marathon, more than 150 DMU students and clinicians provide first aid, osteopathic manual medical treatments and foot screenings to runners post-race.
• DMU is one of seven organizations leading the Health Care Workforce Collaborative in Central Iowa, which focuses on recruiting and retaining a vibrant health care workforce.

The DMU Clinic is a valued institutional resource that provides exceptional holistic care and education for the community.

The clinic also supports DMU’s educational mission by providing students with clinical rotation opportunities. The clinic aims to do more than treat illness. It encourages prevention and wellness by promoting healthy living practices. The DMU Clinic offers exceptional care from exceptional providers.

Associated Attributes and Proofs

• More than 100 DMU students rotate through the clinic each year, learning to practice alongside licensed providers.
• Each year, the DMU Clinic provides approximately 34,500 patient visits, including with physical therapists in the DMU Clinic Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Center at the RecPlex in West Des Moines.
• In 2020, the DMU Clinic Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Center became the exclusive physical therapy and athletic training services provider for community members at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines.