Creating Healthier Places

Des Moines University

2016 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2015

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

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Committed to meet guidelines—developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts—around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Make free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities.
Progress To Date

Free water is available from drinking fountains in all dining, recreational and educational facilities throughout the Des Moines University campus.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Make available Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for personal nutrition assessments and counseling to all students.
Progress To Date

Des Moines University provides students with access to a Registered Dietitian for nutrition assessments and nutrition counseling on a range of topics including weight management, goal setting, health promotion and disease prevention.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Implement a campus-wide program/policy that incentivizes the use of public or campus provided transportation.
Progress To Date

Des Moines University incentivizes public transportation by providing students, staff and faculty with free unlimited access to the Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) bus system.
Implementation Date
September 2018
Reporting Date
November 2016

Commitment Element
Make available certified personal trainers for all students.
Progress To Date

Des Moines University provides students with access to three certified personal trainers.

Partner Statement

“Des Moines University (DMU) is committed to the well-being of the mind, body and spirit of our students and employees and recognizes that wellness is a vital component of our organization. Providing opportunities for our students and employees to achieve personal wellness goals that result in quantifiable improvements to their overall health and well-being is of greatest importance.

"Wellness was formally identified and approved as one of the five core values at DMU in 2012. Recognizing that wellness is one of our five core values demonstrates the pervasiveness of wellness at DMU and how fully it has been integrated into our organization’s culture.

"Des Moines University has been uniquely positioned to help our students establish a personal lifestyle that will allow them to succeed despite the rigors of medical school and to become a more effective role model and advocate for a healthful lifestyle to their future patients.

"Actively participating in the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) gives us the opportunity to continue to orient and support our students and employees toward a future where disease prevention becomes as important as diagnosis and treatment and we have at least a balance between health care and disease care.”