WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (April 24, 2026) — The Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences community came together for the eighth annual One Day for DMU campaign — held from noon Wednesday, April 22, to noon Thursday, April 23 — raising an impressive $222,612 from 278 individual donors in just 24 hours.
The campaign kicked off with the beloved Deans' Cup Challenge, which featured a participant from each college: Wallace Boeve EdD PA-C DFAAPA, dean of the College of Health Sciences; Kevin Smith DPM ('95) PhD FACFAS, dean of the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery; and Jennifer Beaty MD FACS FASCRS, associate dean for graduate medical education and designated institutional official, who was subbing for David Connett DO FACOFP (dist), dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The challenge required participants to solve a Medical Emoji Game by puzzling together emojis to name a disease or condition. Defeating the defending champion, Boeve, Beaty took home the trophy for COM.
Support from One Day for DMU was directed across the university, with the Doughty Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, the DMU Employees Supporting Students Scholarship Fund, and the College of Osteopathic Medicine Annual Fund emerging as the top three funds of the campaign.
A decade challenge added a layer of friendly competition among alumni, with graduates from the 2010s leading in participation, followed by 1980s and 1990s.
Employee participation once again proved to be a strong driver of the campaign's success, with 60% of DMU employees making a gift.
"One Day for DMU is a reminder of what's possible when our community comes together with a shared purpose," says Stephanie Greiner MS, vice president for university advancement.
"Every gift — no matter the size — directly supports our students and strengthens the future of health-care. The level of engagement we see from our alumni, employees and friends each year is truly inspiring."
With another successful year behind it, One Day for DMU continues to demonstrate the generosity and shared mission of the DMU community: Supporting today's students as they become tomorrow's health-care leaders.
