Best of CASE District VI Award
 

Institution: Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center

Title of entry: DMU Pioneer in Osteopathic Medicine and Public Service

About this entry: The Pioneers of Osteopathic Medicine Award is the highest honor Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences gives graduates of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. This award recognizes individuals whose contributions elevated the practice, acceptance and acknowledgment of osteopathic medicine. Recipients significantly advanced the field of osteopathic medicine across diverse fields, including education, clinical practice, public health, civil rights, sports medicine and military service. This honor has been bestowed upon seven graduates by DMU’s board of trustees.

During DMU’s Grand Celebration — a weekend commemorating the conclusion of a $57.1 million fundraising campaign — DMU held a ceremony to honor these pioneers. The event included the unveiling of bronze plaques, featuring each recipient’s image, name and contributions, displayed on the exterior wall of our administrative building. Two of three living recipients, Dr. Murray Goldstein (Class of 1950) and Dr. Norman Rose (Class of 1963), attended and shared remarks.

The third living honoree, Dr. William Anderson (Class of 1956), was unable to attend the celebration. This video was made to honor and thank Dr. Anderson for his lifetime contributions. Our team traveled to his home in Michigan to capture his remarkable story and celebrate his legacy. This moving video tribute highlights his lifetime achievements in civil rights and osteopathic medicine, including his partnership with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work as a Black physician in the South during segregation. The video ensures his story will continue to inspire future generations and demonstrates DMU’s gratitude for his enduring impact.