Des Moines University Launches Faculty Development Academy Through Donor Investment

WEST DES MOINES, IA (05/21/2025) Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has established the Dr. Robert and Brenda Good Faculty Development Academy, a new initiative to advance excellence in teaching, educational research and leadership among its faculty members.

"This is a bold, forward-looking initiative designed to support faculty throughout their professional growth," says Nehad El-Sawi, Ph.D., DMU's assistant vice president for academic innovation and enhancement. "From peer-led consultations to faculty workshops on cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence and enhanced preceptor development, the academy fosters a collaborative ecosystem for academic excellence."

Fueled by a generous gift from Robert Good, D.O., a 1977 graduate of DMU's College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his wife, Brenda, the academy will serve as the core for innovation in health care education to prepare faculty to shape the next generation of health professionals. The Goods' investment provides permanent resources to give faculty members the opportunity to strengthen teaching skills, engage in educational research, foster leadership and enhance collaboration across disciplines.

"We believe that education, like health care, must constantly evolve," Dr. Good says. "The faculty development academy gives DMU faculty the opportunity to innovate, to engage in research and to teach in ways that impact the next generation of health care providers."

Multiplying the Mission
The Dr. Robert and Brenda Good Faculty Development Academy focuses on six key areas to spread its impact across the university. The academy will:

• Enhance new faculty onboarding and integration.

• Provide continuous professional growth.

• Create collegial collaboration and support.

• Advance strong teaching skills.

• Encourage educational research.

• Strengthen preceptor and clinical educator development.

These pillars reflect DMU's commitment to innovation and empowering educators to inspire students and improve patient care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

"Our faculty are the foundation of student success," El-Sawi adds. "By investing in their growth, we are investing in the future of health care."

A Lasting Legacy for Health Care
Dr. Good says the gift is "about multiplying our mission and training educators who will, in turn, teach students who will care for generations to come."

Brenda Good adds: "The students benefiting from this will be taking care of us all someday. We need to give them the very best start."

Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., DMU president and CEO, says the gift is a game-changer. "Their generosity will ripple through future generations and help prepare the health care heroes our world so urgently needs, including rural physicians, groundbreaking researchers and compassionate therapists. This is more than a gift. It's a promise of hope and innovation. The entire DMU community is grateful to the Goods for believing in our mission and investing in its future."

About the Goods
Dr. Good completed a residency in internal medicine and is past president of the American College of Osteopathic Internists. He is recognized as a Master Fellow in Internal Medicine and is a clinical professor at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Good has held significant roles, including the Carle Health System chief medical officer of medical management and the Health Alliance Medical Plans. He currently is in part-time practice in internal medicine at Carle Health in Mattoon, Illinois. He is a member and past president of the DMU Alumni Board of Directors.

Brenda Good has a B.A. in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa and a B.S. in accounting and business administration from Coe College. She retired as the director of administration and finance at WEIU TV and Radio in Charleston, Illinois. The couple met while students at the University of Northern Iowa. They graduated from UNI on May 25, 1974, married on June 1 and then struck out for DMU.

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