"Now is the Time, Des Moines is the Place"

In the late 1800s, Dr. A.T. Still began looking for a better system of medicine. Disappointed by the ineffective medicines of his day, Still believed that physicians should focus on the whole person rather than symptoms alone. With a vision that the body’s structures should work together in harmony, he created the osteopathic philosophy of health care.
It was at A.T. Still’s School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, that Summerfield Saunders Still, A.T.’s nephew, received his training. In A.T.’s own words, S.S. was “the finest anatomist I have ever met.” When S.S. Still and a group of investors began looking for a site to establish a college of osteopathic medicine, they chose Des Moines for its civic spirit, abundant infrastructure, and beautiful setting.
Des Moines civic leaders welcomed the new college and provided crucial support in its early years. In fact, several prominent members of the community with familiar names such as Younker, Hubbell and Denman, stepped forward to keep the school in Des Moines. The college’s 1906 catalog declared, “The college exists solely as a direct result of the people of Des Moines.”
The faculty and students of Still College had an immediate impact on the community. One area this impact was felt was in women’s health. With women making up nearly half of the faculty and Dr. Ella Still heading up the women’s health department, caring for new mothers and their babies, especially in underserved populations, was one important way Still College served the community. The faculty and students took great pride in the Obstetrics Clinic and by 1931 had recorded 2,000 home deliveries and 152 in hospitals.
Des Moines University now offers eight graduate degree programs in medicine and the health sciences, all committed to excellence in teaching and learning, and all emphasizing our core values of accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness and wellness. Our application process is rigorous and our programs produce top-quality students who consistently exceed national averages on board exams. Working in nearly all of Iowa’s 99 counties, in all 50 states, and beyond, our alumni achieve consistently high residency match rates and, following training, are highly coveted by health care organizations and communities.
Consistent with our history, university students serve the community in a variety of activities, from health screenings at the Iowa State Fair and medical support for runners at the Drake Relays and the Des Moines Marathon to elementary school check-ups in the Mobile DMU Clinic and the annual senior health fair on campus. To expand our reach to those in need, the Global Health Department was initiated in 2007, giving students the opportunity to treat patients around the world. Through programs like the Homeless Camp Outreach and programs offered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, DMU students work to improve access to health care for many underserved populations.
Our research facilities have grown, too, from providing basic diagnostic lab services to local doctors in the early 1900s to becoming an innovative center for medical research. Students can gain experience in the lab alongside dedicated research scientists and contribute to advancements that will have a direct impact on human health.
With our global reach and our person-to-person approach to health care, Des Moines University is a living testament to the faith and confidence of the community, and to the dedication and success of students, faculty and alumni. To celebrate the publishing of our history, Now is the Time- Des Moines is the Place, we are pleased to share our gratitude and appreciation, while reaffirming our commitment to remain a vital health care resource locally, nationally and globally.
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Photo credit:
Des Moines University Archives: www.dmu.edu/library/archives/
DMPL Special Elections:
www.flickr.com/photos/5246013...
Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO
www.atsu.edu/museum/
Photo of F.M. Hubbell:
Unknown source
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Special thanks to Kelli Lydon, Matt Van Winkle, Mary Ann Zug, Barb Boose, Dr. Angela Walker Franklin, Sue Huppert, Natalie Hutchinson for their help in creating this video to celebrate the history of Des Moines University!