Office Of The President

Meet Our President
President Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D. poses for a photo in front of Des Moines University's campus.

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.

Meet Our President

President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.

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 Des Moines University’s 15th president 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.

Prior to her role at Meharry, Dr. Franklin held several positions at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, including vice dean, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, associate dean for student affairs, director of counseling services and assistant professor of psychiatry.

A former American Council on Education Fellow (2001-02), Dr. Franklin is also a 2004 protégé of the Millennium Leadership Institute which is sponsored by the Association of State Colleges and Universities in preparing the next generation of leaders in higher education. She also participated in the 2008 Prospective President’s Workshop of the United Methodist Church Affiliated Schools.

Since becoming the 15th President of Des Moines University, Dr. Franklin has published the university history entitled, “Now is the Time, Des Moines is the Place” which chronicles a 100+ year history of training health care professionals. Dr. Franklin has worked collaboratively with her team to establish institutional goals and priorities for the future by launching Purple & Proud, a $50 million fundraising campaign that is the largest in the University’s history. In addition, Dr. Franklin saw her transformative vision to design an entirely new campus on 88 acres of land in West Des Moines come to fruition in the summer of 2023, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the founding of the University.

Dr. Franklin is actively involved in the Des Moines Community, serving on the boards of Bankers Trust, The Greater Des Moines Partnership and UnityPoint Health. She also serves on national boards such as, The Alliance of Academic Health Centers of the AAMC and The Assembly of Presidents of AACOM. 

Dr. Franklin is a former board member of the nationally recognized Association of Academic Health Centers, United Way of Central Iowa, The Harkin Institute National Advisory Council, and the Science Center of Iowa. Former chair roles held by Dr. Franklin include chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Workforce Development/Education Board, chair of the United Way Health Cabinet, chair of the American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” movement, chair for the 2015 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, as well as chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Community Health Needs Assessment/Mental Health Workgroup.

Awards she has received include: the 2013 African American History Maker Award from the African American Museum of Iowa, the 2014 Women of Influence Award from the Des Moines Business Record, the 2014 Inspire Award from Dress for Success, the 2015 Mary McLeod Bethune Award (Educator of the Year) from the Iowa Juneteenth Observance Committee, the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award from the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the 2017 American Psychological Association Training Advisory Committee Special Award, and the 2022 Dale S. Dodson Award from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Franklin has also been recently inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame.

Dr. Franklin is an inspirational leader and author of her 2014 published memoir, “An Unconventional Journey… An Unlikely Choice,” which chronicles her journey to the college presidency and lessons learned in leadership. Dr. Franklin has been featured in several local and national publications and speaks locally and around the country on the topics of women leaders, transformative leadership, and building a culturally competent and diverse workforce.

“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.

DMU's three colleges offer 10 graduate medical and health sciences degrees, so our faculty, students and staff share a singular mission - to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate 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 Walker Franklin Signature

 

Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D.
President and CEO

The President's Staff

Professional headshot of Joseph Jones, Ph.D., Chief of StaffJoseph Jones, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff
Professional headshot of Christina Henderson, Executive Administrative AssistantChristina Henderson, B.S.
Executive Administrative Assistant

Recent Highlights

DMU’s Glanton Event Brings Leaders Together for Positive Change in Health Care 

DMU’s annual Glanton Event, presented by Holmes Murphy, will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Des Moines University, Simpson Partner to Draw Students to Health Care Careers

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences and Simpson College have developed a partnership to enhance graduate health care opportunities for Simpson students.

Des Moines University Campus Receives Multiple Prestigious Design Awards  

The new Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences campus has been honored with multiple design awards, recognizing its innovative and sustainable approach to health care education.

DMU Appoints Three New Members to Governing Board 

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has appointed Diane Bridgewater, Omar Lateef, D.O.’99, and Amber Lenhardt to its Board of Trustees.

DMU’s Historic Weekend of Legacy, Learning and New Beginnings 

DMU marked a momentous occasion filled with joy, pride and a strong sense of community during the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14, 2024.

DMU Students Don White Coats as a Symbolic Entrance into Medical School 

DMU students from five programs received their white coats during the university’s White Coat Ceremony.

Des Moines University Raises $57.1 Million in Purple & Proud Campaign 

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has successfully completed its Purple & Proud Campaign, raising an astounding $57.1 million, creating lasting, positive change for the university and community.

Investing in DMU’s Search for New Knowledge

Richard Pitts and wife, Colleen O’Connor, expand DMU’s research program with gift to establish the endowed Dr. Angela L. Walker Franklin Research Fund.

A Room With a View

Hear from DMU students as they highlight favorite campus spaces.

Holmes Murphy Named Presenting Sponsor of DMU’s Glanton Event

Holmes Murphy named presenting sponsor of Glanton Event 2024.

Des Moines University Adds 400-Plus Grads to the Health Care Workforce

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences awarded graduate degrees in medicine and the health sciences to more than 400 new health professionals at its 124th annual Commencement ceremony.  

DMU Students Honor “Silent Teachers” at Body Donor Remembrance 

Des Moines University honored the generous individuals who donated their bodies to advance medical education at its annual Body Donor Remembrance Service on May 4, 2024.

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.

2024
2024

January 11, 2024
Speaker | INSPIRE 2024 Event | West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce | West Des Moines Marriott | West Des Moines, Iowa

January 14, 2024
Guest Speaker | The DMU Story From the Ground Up | Urbandale Historic Society | Urbandale Library | Urbandale, Iowa

January 26, 2024
Guest Speaker | The DMU Story From the Ground Up | Edgewater Coffee Series | Edgewater Performing Arts Center | West Des Moines, Iowa

April 16, 2024
Award | 2024 Chief Executive Leadership Award for District VI | Council for Advancement and Support of Education

May 16, 2024
Panelist | Business Record Power Breakfast Series | Des Moines Heritage Center | Des Moines, Iowa

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018

Other Mentions and Media

Publications

unconventional-journey-3

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.

Order Your Copy Today

"Now is the Time; Des Moines is the Place: A History of Des Moines University" <br><a href="https://www.dmubooks.com/products/a-history-of-des-moines-university-1898-2003-dmu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order your copy today.</a>

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. 

Order Your Copy Today

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