Core Clerkships & Advanced Pathway Rotations

ALS training session

Students can complete their core clerkships and advanced pathway rotations in Des Moines at partnering hospitals, clinics, and other health care settings.

Enrollment:

  • 24 students can spend their entire core clerkship year in Des Moines
  • Additional students can complete individual core clerkships during the year as space allows
  • 18 specialty-based advanced pathway rotations are available at various locations
  • Health policy advocacy and public health medicine elective rotations are also available

“From a clinical experience, I don't think I could have made a better choice. Across all the rotations at the Des Moines program, there's such an emphasis on resident and medical student education.”—Danielle Schilling, 2020 MD graduate


“The Des Moines year was the single best decision I have made in medical school, both from an educational perspective and from a life perspective. The support of faculty, staff, residents, has been second to none and has helped me grow as a person and as a future physician. Thank you for a wonderful and life-changing year.”—Levi Endelman, 2021 MD candidate


“I cannot speak highly enough of this Des Moines Consortium experience. The administration was unbelievably helpful. The city provided such incredible opportunities for fun and for volunteering. The different hospital systems gave such a welcomed variety of healthcare experiences. I feel I've grown more as a person this year than I have in a long time, and I absolutely credit being here.”—Mitchell Hooyer, 2021 MD candidate

Core Clerkships

Eight core clerkships are offered on the Des Moines campus. For each of the rotations listed below, a more complete description of the rotation can be found in the “Core Course Book.” These descriptions provide more information about the logistics and requirements of the rotation, learning activities, supplemental reading, teaching conferences, and any night or weekend call responsibilities. Details about when to report and how orientation is conducted are also provided.

Advanced Pathway Rotations

Eighteen advanced pathway rotations are available through the Des Moines branch campus at various locations in the Des Moines area.

Blank Children's Hospital

Broadlawns Medical Center

Iowa Lutheran Hospital

Iowa Methodist Medical Center

Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System

Other Des Moines area electives

Partners in education