WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (September 18, 2024) — Robert Gallagher, from Bettendorf, Iowa, was one of the 31 students from the Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, class of 2025, inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. The induction ceremony, held on June 4, 2024, also featured a keynote address by retiring faculty member, Paul Volker MD, who was also inducted into the society.
The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a prestigious national organization that recognizes and supports individuals who exemplify humanism in medicine. DMU's College of Osteopathic Medicine holds the distinction of being the second osteopathic medical college selected by the Arnold P Gold Foundation to serve as a GHHS member institution. Students inducted into the society are nominated by their peers for their compassionate patient care, commitment to creating a caring community within the medical workplace, and leadership in the practice of humanism.
"Being inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society is a significant honor for these students because their peers have recognized them as leaders in demonstrating compassion to their patients and fellow health-care workers," says Sarah Parrott DO, a 2002 DMU alum and the faculty leader of the organization for the past 23 years.
The organization's faculty leadership has recently transitioned to Autumn Brunia DO, a faculty psychiatrist at the Des Moines University Clinic — Behavioral Health.
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.
