Des Moines University

Elizabeth Gajardo-Sitt, a fourth-year student in the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, has been selected as this year's American Podiatric Medical Student Association National Student of the Year.

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences recently inducted 31 students into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

438 Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences students from five programs to receive their white coat during the university's annual White Coat Ceremony Friday, Sept. 13.

Matthew Dandan, a fourth-year student in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has been awarded the 2024 Sterling K. Welch Scholarship by the American Osteopathic Foundation.

Des Moines University's College of Health Sciences proudly congratulates the Class of 2024 graduates from the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program who have received award recognition.

Spirit Lake native Mikayla Brockmeyer, a student in Des Moines University's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, recently received a $500 award from the Polk County, Iowa, Medical Society to recognize her participation in global service and education. The scholarship is named in honor of PCMS Executive Director Kathie Lyman for her lifelong work furthering medical education. Brockmeyer is the daughter of Sharma and Keith Brockmeyer of Spirit Lake. She earned her undergraduate degree at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and completed a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at DMU in 2019 before pursuing her osteopathic medicine degree. She will graduate from the university in May.

Edina Shu of Newton, Mass., was among the more than 400 new health professionals who graduated May 24 with degrees from Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. Shu completed her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. She received a clinical discipline award in internal medicine and also was selected for membership in Sigma Sigma Phi, a national honorary osteopathic service fraternity. Only 25% of class members are chosen for membership based on academic achievement and service to the university, community and/or the osteopathic profession. Shu will begin an internal medicine residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Bryana Robinson of Atlanta, GA, a student at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in West Des Moines, IA, was named one of two 2024 Student Leaders of the Year at the university. She is completing her second year in the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program at DMU. Nominations for the honor were submitted by members of the DMU community to recognize selected students for demonstrations of leadership through class, clubs, service and campus involvement or by otherwise exhibiting exceptional standards of character.

Given the sheer volume of knowledge and skills that future health care providers and scientists must acquire, it is important to teach them in ways that optimize their learning. Toward this goal, research by Cali Bills and Andrew Mannisto, second-year students in the osteopathic medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, and Martin Schmidt, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and nutrition and a curriculum fellow in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, explored the benefits of small-group discussions among DMU students in different health professions programs. A poster summarizing their research, titled "Fostering Interprofessional Collaboration Skills Through Small Group Case-Based Learning," recently won first place among the faculty poster finalists in the poster competition at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine's annual conference.

Jaquine Egbon of Jonesboro, GA, a first-year student in the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in West Des Moines, IA, was named DMU's "Most Active and Engaged Student" for 2024. Nominations for the honor were submitted by members of the DMU community to recognize a selected student for demonstrations of leadership, involvement, service and exceptional standards of character. A Nigerian American first-generation medical student, Egbon graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a pre-medicine concentration. She was involved in several organizations and actively involved in community service. She was also a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. At DMU, Egbon has been a teaching assistant in surgical skills; an alternate delegate for DMU's College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery to the American Podiatric Medical Students' Association; and a CPMS student ambassador. She is president-elect of the Student National Podiatric Medical Association and the Podiatric Medical Advocacy organization as well as co-president-elect of the Student National Medical Association, which supports current and future under-represented minority medical students. She also has served on the special events committee of DMU's Multicultural Affairs Student Advisory Council.

Grace Jedidiah of Rockaway, NJ, was among 146 students honored in May by Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences for volunteering more than 50 hours during the 2023-2024 academic year. Jedidiah is enrolled in DMU's Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program. Grace Jedediah of Des Moines, IA, was among 146 students honored in May by Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences for volunteering more than 50 hours during the 2023-2024 academic year. Jedediah is enrolled in DMU's Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program. In its seventh year, the DMU Student Awards program recognizes those who commit to representing DMU with integrity and upholding its institutional values of accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness and wellness while volunteering, reporting and reflecting on their experiences.

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in May honored 146 students in its 10 graduate degree programs who demonstrate efforts to improve lives in our global community through volunteerism. Each student volunteered more than 50 hours during the 2023-2024 academic year. In its seventh year, the DMU Student Awards program recognizes those who commit to representing DMU with integrity and upholding its institutional values of accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness and wellness while volunteering, reporting and reflecting on their experiences.

Several Des Moines University students are serving in leadership roles for the 2023-24 academic year.