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Urbandale Physician Assistant Named Des Moines University's 2023 College of Health Sciences Alumna of the Year

Laurie Hughell, PA-C, Serves Patients, Her Profession and Future Providers

West Des Moines, IA (07/07/2023) — Laurie Hughell, M.S.P.A.C., M.P.H., PA-C, a 2004 graduate of Des Moines University's physician assistant program in practice at the Iowa Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Urbandale, Iowa, was named the 2023 College of Health Sciences Alumna of the Year. She also is a 2006 graduate of the university's Master of Public Health degree program.

The honor is given annually to one graduate of each of DMU's three colleges who is a member in good standing of their respective professional state or national organization and the DMU Alumni Association; demonstrates excellent service to DMU, its students and their profession; and demonstrates a record of service to their community on a local, state and/or national level.

Fascinated at an early age by how the human body works, Hughell readily embraced the academic and clinical rigor of the university's physician assistant studies program, which changed from a bachelor of science to a master of science curriculum in her first year at DMU.

At the Iowa Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center, she uses her extensive experience in rheumatology to treat complicated musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions while striving to improve patients' quality of life. She joined the center in 2004, bringing additional expertise from a geriatric fellowship.

"I work with a great group of physicians and staff, and most of our patients have been with our center for a long time," she says. "I enjoy getting to know them and their families. I came into rheumatology during a time of vast changes in treatment options, which has been cool."

She shares her knowledge of treating rheumatic diseases with students in DMU's physician assistant and physical therapy programs. She is a longtime guest instructor for both programs and precepts PA students at her practice.

"There are not that many rheumatology practices in Iowa. I think students need to see it and be exposed to these patients' conditions," she says. "It's extra work, but it's been very fulfilling to see students learning over time and then keep in touch with them when they get into practice."

Hughell is an active member of the American College of Rheumatology, the Association of Rheumatology Professionals, the Rheumatology Association of Iowa and the Iowa Physician Assistant Society. She's done some speaking and publishing through Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and providing educational programs, professional advancement services and resources for these professionals. She has lobbied on patient care issues, access and reimbursement policies in Washington, D.C., and in Des Moines, including with the Iowa Physician Assistant Society.

"If you're going to be in a specialty, you have a unique privilege to be involved as an advocate and educator as well as a provider," she says.

Located in West Des Moines, Iowa, DMU offers 10 graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' scores on national examinations, pass rates on board certifications and match rates for medical residency programs are consistently higher than national averages and rates at peer institutions.

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Laurie Hughell

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