Et cetera : Over 400 Des Moines University Students Receive Their First White Coat

Erin Clarke of Norway was one of 438 who received her white coat at Des Moines University

On, Friday, September 13, local students were among 438 Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences future health-care professionals from five programs to receive their white coat during the university's annual White Coat Ceremony.

Those honored were: 

Erin Clarke of Norway  - Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Shelby Hulsebus of Atkins  - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

"As you don your white coat today, you assume not only the responsibilities, but also the obligation that attend to those who choose to provide care to other human beings," said Angela L Walker Franklin, PhD, president and CEO of DMU. "These obligations include to be honorable in all phases of your life, to excel in your academic studies and training, to be compassionate, to be accountable, to collaborate with others as an interprofessional team member, and to support a culture of inclusiveness."

The White Coat Ceremony is the true start of a student's medical education to becoming a compassionate and competent health-care provider. Participating in DMU's ceremony were 63 students in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, 25 students in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and 66 Doctor of Physical Therapy program, 51 students in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery's Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program, and 233 students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers ten 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.