New Leadership Joins Des Moines University Alumni Board

WEST DES MOINES, IA (06/29/2026) Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has appointed Andrea Perez, a 2002 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine graduate, to its Alumni Board. Perez will serve a three-year term, supporting alumni engagement efforts and helping advance the university's mission.

The Alumni Board also confirmed its executive leadership team, with Eric Neverman, DO, MHA, FAAP, FACP, stepping into the role of president, succeeding Marc Jones, DPM, FACPM, FASPS, and Luke Groben, DO, serving as vice president. Russell Dixon, MSPAS, will continue as secretary.

"We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Perez to the Alumni Board," says Cameron Van Kooten Laughead, associate director of alumni relations. "Her enthusiasm and perspective will strengthen our connections with alumni on the East Coast and help inspire future generations of DMU graduates."

Perez looks forward to building stronger relationships among DMU alumni and increasing awareness of the university's impact in preparing health care professionals.

"I'm excited to help keep the DMU name alive everywhere," Perez says.

A New Jersey native, Perez is a family medicine physician at Health Development & Restorative Medicine, PC, her private practice in the Bronx, New York City. She previously served as medical director at North Shore Community Health Center in Salem, Massachusetts, and as a physician at a community health center in the Bronx.

Perez's approach to patient care is rooted in the holistic principles she developed during her time at DMU. She treats patients as whole individuals, integrating traditional and alternative therapies to support overall health and wellness.

Through her practice, Perez provides care to a wide range of patients, from age six to 98, and serves a diverse community. Fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, her first language, Perez is able to connect with patients across cultures and backgrounds.

Before becoming a physician, Perez worked as a nurse for several years, having earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Villanova University. Her experience in the hospital setting introduced her to osteopathic medicine and ultimately led her to pursue her degree at DMU.

The DMU Alumni Board plays a vital role in strengthening lifelong relationships between the university and its 17,000 alumni worldwide. Board members guide alumni engagement strategies and serve as ambassadors for the university's mission and values.

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