Des Moines University's 114th commencement ceremony to award 486 degrees

DES MOINES, IA (05/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Des Moines University will grant 486 degrees at its 2013 Commencement Ceremony, the 114th in the university's history, on Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at Hy-Vee Hall in the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines. The dean from each of the three DMU colleges will present their classes and DMU President Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., will confer degrees.

Continuing a tradition started in 1900, the College of Osteopathic Medicine will award the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree to 221 graduates. The college will also confer the master of science in anatomy and master of science in biomedical sciences degrees to nine graduates. The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery will award the doctor of podiatric medicine degree to 44 graduates. The College of Health Sciences will recognize 209 graduates from five programs – doctor of physical therapy, post-professional doctor of physical therapy, master of science in physician assistant studies, master of public health and master of health care administration. Some students earned dual degrees.

Former White House physician to the president Eleanor Concepcion "Connie" Mariano, M.D., FACP, will deliver the commencement address. A retired Navy rear admiral, Mariano was the first military woman to serve as White House physician to the president. She held the title for a decade, providing care for Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. She is the founder of the Center for Executive Medicine, a medical concierge practice that provides presidential-quality medical care to chief executive officers and their families.

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Des Moines University (DMU) is the only private medical school in Iowa, offering graduate-level, professional degree programs in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, biomedical sciences, anatomy, 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.