Life After DMU: Life of a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

10 DMU Degrees. 10 Alumni Stories. 10 Ways to Make a Difference.

by Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

WEST DES MOINES, IA (09/11/2026) Whether they studied osteopathic medicine, public health or biomedical sciences at 722 Sixth Avenue, 3200 Grand Avenue or the new campus at 8025 Grand Avenue, graduates of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences share one thing in common: the degrees they earned prepared them to care, to lead and to serve.

It's a physical therapist helping patients regain balance and confidence after the disorienting effects of dizziness.

It's a plastic surgeon restoring form, function and a sense of self.

It's an occupational therapy graduate just beginning her career, working toward becoming a Certified Hand Therapist.

Each path is distinct, and each calling is deeply personal. At DMU, those callings are first shaped in the classroom and continue in clinics, hospitals and communities near and far.

Through our Life After DMU series, we celebrate 10 alumni who exemplify the many ways a DMU degree can make a difference.

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The Life of a ... Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine: Looking Beyond the Curtain

As a plastic surgeon, Benjamin Lam, DO'92, spends his days helping patients gain confidence in their appearance while also restoring function - work he finds deeply meaningful. Earlier in his career, however, he envisioned a different path, pursuing an anesthesia residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

"But during that time, I kept looking over the curtain at what the surgeons were doing," Lam says. "I started having doubts about whether I was in the right specialty."

Then came a moment when Lam jokingly tested fate and asked a palm reader what he should do next.

"'Absolutely go into surgery,'" she told him.

"It sounds ridiculous, but after I made the decision to switch, I never looked back," Lam says.

After graduating from DMU's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, Lam went on to complete general surgery training, followed by a plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship, ultimately finding it to be the right focus for him.

He has now been in private practice in Philadelphia for more than 25 years. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a clinical professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Early in his career, Lam's practice included a full range of procedures involving the entire body - everything from head to toe - but today, about 85% of his work is cosmetic surgeries like breast augmentations and liposuction. Because of that shift, he became involved with medical spas and serves as a medical director for several in his area.

It's the variety of work that excites Lam most about plastic surgery, and the fact that no matter the procedure, it's never one-size-fits-all.

"You have to be prepared to adapt during surgery. It's rewarding, but it can also be a little intimidating. You have to balance what you think is best with what the patient wants. It becomes a conversation and sometimes a compromise."

- Benjamin Lam, DO'92

There's also a significant trust component.

"These procedures can have a big impact on someone's life," Lam says. "Even though many of these cases are elective, you're still responsible for both form and function - you can't sacrifice function purely for aesthetics. This ties back to osteopathic principles, treating the body as a whole and maintaining that balance."

Outside his work as a plastic surgeon, Lam shares his knowledge as a member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, where he serves as a distinguished fellow, as well as the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Although his path to plastic surgery was not linear, Lam firmly believes he is doing what he is meant to do - even though it may not seem that way at first glance.

"People assume plastic surgeons are intrinsically artistic, but I'm actually not. I can't draw at all," he says. "What I am good at is spatial relationships - visualizing things in three dimensions and understanding how they fit together. That's where I feel like my strength is, and plastic surgery allows me to use that every day."

This personal lesson of staying open minded is one Lam often shares with students he meets in his role as president-elect of the ACOS, as well as the medical students and residents who rotate through his practice.

"You might think you know where your path lies, but it can change," Lam says.

For Lam, that willingness to look beyond the curtain - and step through it - made all the difference.

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This story was originally published in the August 2026 issue of DMU Magazine.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa's capital metro, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, medical science, 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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