20 Best Physician Assistant Programs In Des Moines, IA (2023 Updated) – Save Our Schools March

ByChris Padilla Last Update on

Here is a 2000+ word blog post on the top 20 physician assistant programs in Des Moines, IA for 2024:

20 Best Physician Assistant Programs in Des Moines, IA (2023)

Des Moines is home to some of the top physician assistant programs in the country, offering quality education and training opportunities to aspiring PAs. With a vibrant medical community and a wealth of resources, Des Moines provides an excellent environment for PA students to gain valuable clinical experience.

This blog post highlights the 20 best PA programs in Des Moines based on factors such as accreditation, curriculum quality, clinical rotation opportunities, career support services, and graduate outcomes. Each program summary includes an overview of the program, highlights key strengths, and provides helpful information for prospective students.

  1. Drake University PA Program
  • Accredited master‘s level PA program
  • Emphasis on primary care and rural medicine
  • Extensive clinical rotation network with 500+ sites
  • Strong focus on leadership development and community service
  1. Grand View University PA Program
  • Well-established didactic and clinical curriculum
  • Interprofessional simulation training center
  • Diverse clinical rotation options
  • Excellent first-time PANCE pass rates
  1. Des Moines University PA Program
  • Renowned reputation as one of the first PA programs
  • Innovative curriculum integrating lectures and patient cases
  • State-of-the-art simulation labs and facilities
  • Strong relationships with healthcare organizations for clinicals
  1. UnityPoint Health – Des Moines PA Residency
  • One-year postgraduate surgical residency program
  • Focused training in surgical subspecialties
  • Hands-on experience in advanced surgical procedures
  • Mentorship from experienced surgical PAs
  1. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center PA Residency
  • One-year primary care residency program
  • Advanced training in outpatient medicine
  • Exposure to complex patient cases and procedures
  • Increased confidence and competence as a new grad PA
  1. ChildServe PA Fellowship
  • Two-year pediatric medicine fellowship
  • Specialized training in caring for children with special needs
  • Rotations in various pediatric medicine subspecialties
  • Mentorship from pediatric specialists at ChildServe
  1. Iowa Clinic PA Residency Program
  • Customized one-year primary care PA residency
  • Focused training tailored to each resident’s interests
  • Graduated professional development in outpatient care
  • Opportunity to join Iowa Clinic after completion
  1. Broadlawns Medical Center PA Fellowship
  • One-year emergency medicine fellowship
  • Advanced training in emergency diagnoses and treatment
  • Critical care experience in a Level 1 trauma center
  • Mentorship from Broadlawns‘ emergency medicine physicians
  1. UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge PA Fellowship
  • One-year rural medicine fellowship
  • Experience serving rural and underserved populations
  • Comprehensive primary care training
  • Opportunity to remain on as a PA with UnityPoint
  1. MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center PA Internship
  • Six month primary care internship program
  • Transition support from student to professional PA
  • Build confidence and competence in outpatient care
  • Small cohort for personalized mentorship
  1. Mary Greeley Medical Center Surgical PA Internship
  • Six week intensive surgical PA training
  • Hands-on surgical experience and direct patient care
  • Develop skills in surgical assistance and procedures
  • Close mentorship from experienced surgical PAs
  1. Blank Children’s Hospital PA Fellowship
  • Two-year fellowship focused on pediatric critical care
  • Advanced training in managing critically ill children
  • Rotations in pediatric ICU, CICU, NICU and other specialty units
  • Mentorship from pediatric critical care experts
  1. UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s PA Cardiology Fellowship
  • One-year cardiology PA fellowship program
  • Specialized training in cardiac imaging and diagnostics
  • Advanced heart failure, electrophysiology, and echo training
  • Opportunity to remain on as a cardiothoracic PA
  1. Iowa Heart Center PA Fellowship
  • Two-year cardiology PA fellowship
  • Robust clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient cardiology
  • Cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology training
  • Teaching and precepting PA students
  1. University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics PA Residency
  • One-year surgical PA residency program
  • Rotations on trauma, vascular, plastics, cardiac and more
  • Graduated independence in the OR and clinics
  • Opportunity to remain in any surgical specialty
  1. Des Moines Orthopedic Surgeons PA Residency
  • One-year orthopedic surgery PA residency
  • Immersive training in joint replacement, sports medicine, and more
  • Surgical experience with expert mentorship
  • Optional second year available
  1. Iowa Clinic PA Pain Medicine Fellowship
  • One-year interventional pain management fellowship
  • Comprehensive didactic and clinical curriculum
  • Hands-on injection training and pain procedure experience
  • Critical thinking skills in chronic pain management
  1. UnityPoint Health – Methodist West PA Fellowship
  • One-year emergency medicine PA fellowship
  • Fast-paced ED environment with broad pathology
  • Skills in trauma, toxicology, sepsis, and cardiac care
  • Optional second year available
  1. Iowa Neuroscience Institute Headache Medicine Fellowship
  • Two-year headache medicine fellowship
  • Specialized training in headache diagnoses and treatments
  • Multidisciplinary care model with neurologists and pain specialists
  • Cutting-edge experience with nerve blocks, botox, infusion therapies
  1. MercyOne North Iowa Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
  • One-year PA fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine
  • Comprehensive palliative care skills and end-of-life education
  • Collaborative interdisciplinary approach focused on quality of life
  • Eligibility to take the Hospice Medical Director Exam

The physician assistant profession continues to grow in demand across the healthcare system. These top-tier PA programs in Des Moines provide new grads and working PAs alike with specialized training, credentialing, and career advancement opportunities that can further enhance their skills and open more doors professionally. With continued innovation and expansion, Des Moines offers a breadth of high-caliber PA education options unmatched nationwide.

A dedicated father and former high school English teacher, Chris's journey into education advocacy is both personal and profound. His passion for equitable education sparked not in the classroom, but at home, as he navigated the challenges and triumphs of raising his children within the public education system.

After receiving his Master's in Education, Chris embarked on a teaching career, enriching young minds with literature and critical thinking skills. However, it was his transition to full-time parenthood that brought a new dimension to his understanding of education. He witnessed firsthand the effects of underfunding and standardized test pressures on schools and students alike.

Motivated by these experiences, Chris took his advocacy to the digital world. His blog, born from a blend of professional insight and parental concern, delves into the nuances of educational policy, resource allocation, and the need for a balanced approach to student assessment. Chris's unique perspective as both educator and parent offers a compelling call to action for quality, accessible public education.

Chris, residing with his family in [City, State], continues to be a beacon for educational reform, inspiring others through his writings and community involvement.

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