Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center

What is the history of Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center?

Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center is a graduate health sciences institution founded in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1898 as Dr. S.S. Still College of Osteopathy. Osteopathic medicine remains central to its identity, although the university now trains students in several other health professions.

The institution later adopted the Des Moines University name and expanded beyond physician education into fields including podiatric medicine, physical therapy, and public health. In 2023, it moved from Des Moines to a new campus in neighboring West Des Moines. That relocation matters when comparing older descriptions of the university with current campus information: the institution did not become a separate West Des Moines school.

What are the faculties and departments at Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center?

Des Moines University organizes its academic programs through three colleges: the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and the College of Health Sciences. It is a graduate and professional university, not a conventional college offering a broad selection of undergraduate majors.

Its professional programs include the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. The College of Health Sciences offers education in areas such as physician assistant studies, physical therapy, public health, and biomedical sciences. Programs differ substantially in length, prerequisites, clinical requirements, and the credential awarded. Applicants should use the catalog for their intended program rather than assume that a university-wide admissions or tuition rule applies to every degree.

What is the location of Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center?

Des Moines University is located at 8025 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines, Iowa, within the Des Moines metropolitan area. Its current campus opened in 2023, so older addresses in Des Moines can lead applicants to the wrong location.

West Des Moines has a suburban setting, while the broader metro area provides hospitals, clinics, and other health care employers that may be relevant to professional training. Students should not assume that every clinical placement is nearby: rotations and other required experiences can have separate location and transportation requirements. Des Moines International Airport serves the region, and a car may be useful for commuting and off-campus placements.

What is the mission and vision of Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center?

Des Moines University describes its mission in terms of health sciences education, research, and service aimed at improving health. Its institutional outlook also emphasizes preparing health professionals for changing patient and community needs.

The university's osteopathic heritage is especially relevant to applicants considering its medical program: osteopathic education incorporates whole-person care alongside the biomedical and clinical training required of physicians. That heritage does not mean every student studies osteopathic medicine; the university's other colleges prepare students for distinct professions. Mission statements describe institutional priorities, rather than independently measured outcomes for every graduate.