The increasing dimensions of di-versity require greater understanding of different cultures and heightened competency in serving patients and populations with a variety of back-grounds. That includes effective com-munication skills, mindful respect for others and sensitivity toward various cultural norms and traditions.

DMU strives to equip students for these challenges. The University provides opportunities for students to gain the intercultural skills they need to effectively serve and improve the lives of all individuals. By help-ing students understand, value and incorporate into practice diversity’s multiple aspects, DMU enables them to provide better patient care and more enlightened health care leader-ship.

An ongoing process in an inclusive environment

Achieving cultural competency en-tails much more than a single course or exam. In fact, it’s an ongoing, lifelong process. DMU acknowledges this reality by incorporating aspects of diversity in course discussions, patient case scenarios and on-campus events. You will be challenged by

faculty and fellow students to examine your own cul-tural biases and stereotypes during your educational journey. The end result will equip and empower you to be a part of a global health care system that responds appropriately to and is inclusive in delivering positive health outcomes for a multicultural society.

Multicultural Affairs: your resource for learning

The DMU Office of Multicultural Affairs is a great resource for the entire DMU community to learn, in-teract and share open, frank and in-sightful dialogue on becoming truly competent in our diverse society. The Multicultural Affairs Student Advisory Committee provides input on programming to explore topics of diversity.

Among the office’s offerings are the Kaiser Permanente Diversity Health Series, noon-hour programs that focus on various aspects of “dif-ference.” Topics include health and cultural considerations of Native Americans, African Americans, per-sons with disabilities, the elderly, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered

and questioning individuals. The programs often fea-ture videos and guest speakers from the community.

The Safe Zone program reflects DMU’s commitment to ensuring its community is based on respect and dignity. That includes acknowledg-ing that all sexual orientations and gender presentations are a valued part of our culture. The Safe Zone program provides a visible network of support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and other individuals seeking information and assistance regarding sexual orienta-tion, gender identity, harassment, and/or discrimination concerns. Stu-dents and employees can participate in the program as an opportunity to learn, ask questions, raise concerns and share insights.

DMU also celebrates the ways diversity enriches our lives with informational and often entertaining ways to learn about different cul-tures. Black History Month and His-panic Heritage Month, for example,

Get ready for a world of difference

Changing demographics in the U.S. and rapid diversification of our communities present challenges to health care professionals. Des Moines

University is committed to preparing students to meet these challenges and to serve, lead and succeed in our increasingly multicultural world.

MULTICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

each include presentations, discussions, workshops, interaction with community members and other opportunities that foster cultural awareness and compe-tency.

DMU works to foster tomorrow’s diverse health care workforce, too, with its Health Professions Advanced Summer Scholars program, or Health P.A.S.S. It brings to campus promising college sophomores and juniors, with preference given to those from popula-tions under-represented in health care. As they participate in the three-week program’s courses, clinical activities and exposure to health care careers, these undergraduates gain the confidence they can achieve a medical/health sci-ences degree. They also are mentored by DMU students, who in turn benefit from working with this diverse group.

More opportunities to gain cultural competency

Des Moines University is committed to providing an inclusive environment in which every student and employee can thrive on academic, professional and personal levels.

• Student organizations and campus activities: You can join a variety of campus organizations that let you learn about other cultures and share your own. They include the Christian Medi-cal Association, Jewish Medical Student Association, Muslim Osteopathic Stu-dent Association and the Gay Straight Alliance. Students in Homeless Camp Outreach work to establish positive re-lationships with homeless individuals in Des Moines by visiting homeless camps, partnering with other outreach groups,

organizing supply drives and con-necting campus to medical services. Other student organizations, like the Geriatrics Club and Pediatrics Club, give students insights on serving distinct patient populations.

• Local clinical experiences: Students can work with central Iowa providers in La Clinica de la Esper-anza, located in the DMU Clinic, which offers primary care services to thou-sands of Latino immigrants and citizens annually. DMU students, faculty and health care volunteers also provide care and education through the University’s Mobile Health Clinic, a 38-foot custom-ized Winnebago motor home equipped with two complete examination rooms, a waiting area, bathroom and a wheel-chair ramp. These experiences “at home” expose students to a variety of people and the issues they face, expand-ing their cultural sensitivity and skills.

• Global health experiences: DMU offers opportunities for students and faculty to travel to countries in need of basic health care. These options include internships and rotations of up to eight weeks at sites including hospitals, clin-ics and medical universities. Service trips of approximately one week also are available via DMU’s partnerships with organizations like Global Brigades in Honduras and DOCARE International. Since 2007, more than 500 students in DMU’s osteopathic and podiatric medicine, physician assistant, physical

therapy, health care administration and public health programs – along with medical residents and Drake University pharmacy students – have participated in these interprofessional rotations and internships in more than 50 sites around the world.

• Global Health Learning Collab-orative (GHLC): This student-run, discussion-based seminar probes global health’s key concepts and principles. Participants explore best practices and structural problems as they broaden their scope of global health. Discussions include social discrimination and dy-namics, critical analysis of non-govern-mental organizations, varying models of health care delivery, the impact of hygiene and sanitation and more. GHLC also promotes interprofessional col-laboration by including members from the Des Moines University community, Methodist and Mercy residency pro-grams and the Heartland Global Health Consortium partner schools.

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Need more information?3200 Grand Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50312-4198

If you have questions or want to know more about opportunities to enhance your cultural competency at DMU, go to www.dmu.edu/diversity or contact us at 515-271-1709.