The health care industry in Iowa knows that in order to cultivate a healthy workforce, you have to work to inspire the youth of the state. That’s exactly what Des Moines University and the Central Iowa Area Health Education Center are attempting to do with their annual YES MED summer camp.

Staff members say that the effects of the program can be seen immediately in the students and they’re sure that, for some, it could prove to be the catalyst for a future career.

For more information, please visit: www.centraliowaahec.org

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfbEWl2oYt0

Recently, the Iowa Hospital Association hosted the sixth annual Swinging for Scholars fundraiser golf tournament at The Harvester Golf Club north of Des Moines.

A record number of participants turned out to support the only fundraiser held for the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship Fund (IHERF).  More than $100,000 in scholarship funds were contributed by a number of Iowa hospitals and other businesses and individuals who are committed to helping educate health care professionals and keep those professionals practicing in Iowa.

This year, 31 scholarships were awarded totaling $93,000 with more than $500,000 having been awarded since the inception of the program.  Eight of the 31 scholarship recipients were present at the event to formally accept their award as well as to express their gratitude for what the scholarship will enable for their careers.

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSayT4hJmDc

Recognizing how health care and legal issues have become so intertwined, two Iowa universities have partnered to offer a joint program that will prepare grad students for careers in health law.

The two programs from Drake and Des Moines University (DMU) offer students the opportunity to earn joint Master of Health Care Administration or Master of Public Health and Juris Doctor/law degrees. Students are allowed to transfer up to 18 credits between the institutions.

“The health-care industry is extremely regulated, and health-care providers, payers and attorneys who specialize in health law need to be able to collaborate on compliance solutions. The joint-degree programs provide students with these collaborative learning opportunities.” - Stacey Tovino, director of the Health Law and Policy Center at Drake University Law School

It was also mentioned in the Drake press release that this partnership may serve as a springboard for other potential collaborations between the two universities.

For more information on DMU’s joint degree programs with Drake Law School, visit the Drake Law School website or the DMU website.