Des Moines University Welcomes Tricia Berry as New Leader of Clinical Affairs

WEST DES MOINES, IA (05/27/2025) Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has appointed Tricia Berry, Ph.D., as the new director of undergraduate clinical affairs. With more than two decades of experience in health care education, clinical placement strategy and workforce development, Berry says she is eager to bring innovation to the department.

"My first goal is to truly understand what's working here at DMU and where we can grow," Berry says. "I believe in collaboration, creative thinking and helping people succeed - whether it's my team, students or partners. If we support one another, we all win."

Berry joins DMU after a 25-year tenure at Purdue Global where she most recently led and designed the implementation of clinical education for online health sciences programs. Her career in higher education began at Hamilton Technical College, later evolving through acquisitions by Quest and Kaplan University before ultimately becoming Purdue Global. Starting as a part-time instructor, Berry's passion for health care education pushed her to pursue leadership positions and found herself in a role managing clinical placements for numerous virtual health programs - an initiative that was groundbreaking at the time.

"Dr. Berry's expertise in organizational leadership and clinical program development combined with her collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach makes her an exceptional fit for this role," says Mark LeDuc, D.O., FACOOG, associate dean for clinical affairs. "Her leadership will play a vital role in enhancing our clinical education programs, ensuring our students are well-prepared for their futures in the health care workforce."

A licensed occupational therapist by training, Berry has admired DMU's mission and was drawn to its student-centered innovation approach. She brings a global perspective and is committed to workforce development in health care. "Good health care and good education are the foundation of success for a thriving society," Berry says. "I am excited to be part of a university that is shaping so many different future health care professionals."

DMU's Office of Clinical Affairs establishes a solid, ongoing relationship between every student and the university by assisting with core and elective rotations during the clinical years of osteopathic medicine. Clinical rotations provide students with educational and clinical training in general areas of medicine and take place during a student's third year of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers 10 graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' scores on national examinations, pass rates on board certifications and match rates for medical residency programs are consistently higher than national averages and rates at peer institutions.

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