DMU students inducted into the Sigma Sigma Phi Honorary Service Fraternity
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (June 24, 2026) — Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences is proud to announce its newest graduates and celebrate their success. More than 430 new health professionals graduated during DMU's 126th commencement ceremony on May 29, 2026.
The event highlighted the achievements of the DMU Class of 2026, including dual-degree students and the first graduates of DMU's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
DMU students inducted into Pi Delta, the national honor society for podiatric medicine celebrating excellence in academics, service, and research within the profession
Jenessa Carpenter of Muscatine (52761), received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Hannah McKay of Bettendorf (52722), received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Angela L Walker Franklin PhD, DMU's president and CEO, reminded all the new graduates to be strong patient advocates and help make communities and populations healthier.
"Our health care and public health systems need you more than ever. Most important, our society needs you," Franklin said.
"You are looking forward, but also make a commitment in the years ahead that you will be able to look back, knowing that in ways large and small, you have changed the world."
DMU's first graduating class of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program
Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers 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.
