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Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine,
Des Moines, Iowa

University Highlights:
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to become health care professionals dedicated to maintaining and restoring the health of their patients. Classroom instruction and clinical training are presented in an atmosphere where humanitarian concerns, scholarly activity and health care delivery support the primary purpose of teaching and learning. Affirming its osteopathic commitment to meet basic health care needs, the University serves as a local, state and national resource for primary care physicians and associated health care providers.

Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine offers education programs in medicine, allied health care services, health care administration and public health. Since the 1970s, the University has experienced dramatic growth. With the relocation of the College of Osteopathic Medicine to Grand Avenue in 1972, the campus grew from a single building to a 22-acre complex. Incorporated in 1898 as a freestanding medical college, the institution gained University status in 1980. This signified a momentous change of direction as well as a broadened educational mission. The University offers six degree programs through three colleges: The College of Osteopathic Medicine, The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and The College of Health Sciences. 

City Profile:
Many students aren’t sure what they’ll find in Des Moines. Students having misconceptions of the city are relieved—and pleasantly surprised—to discover that Des Moines is a real city with places to go and things to do.

With an area population of approximately 400,000, Des Moines prides itself on a relaxed metropolitan lifestyle. The metro area has concerts, theater, opera, Triple A baseball, lakes, recreational areas, and seasonal and cultural activities year round.

Business is alive and well. Only New York City has more downtown workers per capita employed in insurance and finance. Des Moines is the world’s third largest insurance center. Having "the kind of environment in which companies thrive," Des Moines was named one of the nation’s top 10 international cities by World Trade magazine.

Then again, this isn’t the big city. So if you’re accustomed to paying $100 for theater tickets or $1,000 a month for a small apartment, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Because one thing you won’t find in Des Moines is a high cost of living. That can be important to students living within tight budgets, especially for students with families.

Curriculum Highlights:
The four years of study are divided equally into a preclinical and a clinical phase, resulting in a "two plus two" curriculum that combines lecture and laboratory studies with clinical experiences in teaching hospitals, College and private clinics, and community service agencies.

We follow a systems approach, which is a multi-disciplinary way of teaching body systems as they relate to clinical medicine. Consistent with our osteopathic emphasis, students learn to consider the overall needs of the patient rather than treating an isolated medical problem.

Basic sciences faculty and clinicians have joint responsibility for planning and teaching. As a result, lecture material is presented in a comprehensive, meaningful manner. Knowledge builds upon knowledge as the various systems are studied.

Through the systems approach, basic science and clinical medicine are studied concurrently after most of the first year courses have been completed. As early as the end of the first year, students begin applying clinical knowledge through the physical diagnosis course. Thus, the intricacies of the human body are presented in relation to the health problems of the whole person.

We are continually examining our program to find new and better ways to teach medicine. The Standardized Performance Assessment Lab provides practical experience by simulating the doctor-patient relationship. Students develop and refine their diagnostic and communication skills by interacting with actors trained to portray patients presenting real life illnesses, emotions and medical conditions.

New technology is continually being incorporated. The College recently acquired a life-like cardiology patient simulator, dubbed "Harvey," for use in the physical diagnosis course. The simulator helps students assess, before starting their clinical training, the many physical findings associated with patients who have cardiovascular disease.

Throughout the education program, COM students enjoy opportunities to carve their own niche and personalize their education. Many students become involved in campus clubs and organizations. These activities help channel students toward specialties they may want to enter after graduating.

Students are especially interested in the various service organizations on campus. These organizations help meet community needs by raising funds or providing supervised medical care. Using their talents to help others, students usually discover they receive more than they have given.

There are also opportunities for additional involvement in academics. Students provide tutoring and serve as teaching assistants for some courses. Students can also participate in test and curriculum review committees that evaluate academic performance and standards.

For More Information, Contact:
Dana Shaffer, D.O.
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Des Moines University COM
3200 Grand Avenue3200
Des Moines, IA 50312-4198
Phone: (515) 271-1678
Fax: (515) 271-1521

Kendall Reed, D.O.
Dean/College of Osteopathic Medicine
Des Moines University COM
3200 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312-4198
Phone: (515) 271-1513 or (515) 643-8688
Fax: (515) 271-1521

Updated February 2008