The first woman doctor of osteopathic medicine to reach the rank of admiral is in Iowa this weekend. Rear Admiral Joyce Johnson is a D-O, assistant surgeon general and chief medical officer for the U-S Coast Guard. Admiral Johnson discusses the message she’s bringing to college graduates in Des Moines.Admiral Johnson is guest speaker today at the commencement of Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center. The ceremony starts at 9 A-M. She’ll be discussing changes in health care over the last century and how today it’s vital for clinicians, administrators and public health officials to work together to provide the best medical care. Johnson says she is seeing progress in this area.Johnson oversees the Coast Guard’s 30 health care units and the medical services provided aboard Coast Guard vessels and aircraft. She is a Minnesota native. She got her B-A from Luther College in Decorah and her Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa.
