Des Moines University to give 450 degrees at 109th commencement ceremony

DES MOINES, IA (05/11/2009)(readMedia)--

Des Moines University (DMU) will award 450 degrees at its 2009 Commencement service May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Polk County Convention Complex, 501 Grand Ave. The dean from each of the three DMU colleges will present their classes and DMU President, former Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad, will confer degrees. Visit www.dmu.edu and click the commencement icon for a full schedule.

Continuing a tradition started in 1899, the College of Osteopathic Medicine will award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree to 195 graduates, the Master of Science in Biomedical Science to two and the Master of Science in Anatomy to three graduates. The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery will award the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree to 47 graduates and the College of Health Sciences will award degrees from five programs — Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) to 47, Postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T) to 62, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.) to 39, Master of Public Health (M.P.H) to 26 and Master of Health Care Administration (M.H.A.) to 29 graduates. Some students earned dual degrees.

The featured speaker will be William G. Anderson, D.O., FACOS, a 1956 Des Moines University graduate. Born in the segregated South, Dr. Anderson was determined to become a doctor at a time when many African-Americans had limited access to health care, much less careers as physicians.

Dr. Anderson also was determined to open doors for others. At a time when African-Americans were blatantly denied basic civil rights, he was a founder and first president of the Albany Movement, which spearheaded the civil rights movement in southwest Georgia. He and his wife, Norma, were joined by Martin Luther King Jr. and thousands of others in the fight against segregation.

Dr. Anderson rose to the highest pinnacle in osteopathic medicine. He was the first African-American certified by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the first to serve as president of the American Osteopathic Association. Dr. Anderson conducted a successful group surgical practice until 1984. He then served as executive vice president and chief medical officer of the Michigan Health Corporation, director of governmental affairs for the Detroit Osteopathic Hospital and associate director of medical education at Detroit Riverview Hospital. He now is senior advisor to the dean, Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine, vice president for academic affairs in osteopathic medical education at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit.

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Des Moines University is the only private medical school in Iowa, offering graduate-level, professional degree programs in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' pass rate on national examinations and board certifications is consistently higher than the national average and the rates at similar institutions.