Iowa’s longest-serving governor says he’ll spend the rest of his working career as president of the state’s only private medical school. Former Governor Terry Branstad is the new president of Des Moines University. Branstad, who is 56, says he hopes to raise the visibility, respect and recognition of the institution, which trains osteopaths. Branstad says the school, which was founded 106 years ago, has done a good job in preparing folks for “family practice” medicine, especially in rural areas. He says Des Moines University graduates are practicing in 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Branstad says one of his first goals will be to help raise 13-million dollars for a new academic building that will include classrooms, an auditorium, wellness facility and a cafeteria. Branstad grew up in Lake Mills, in northern Iowa, and his hometown doctor was an osteopath, and graduate of the school. Branstad served as Iowa’s Governor for 16 years. Branstad is a lawyer, but he’s been working as a political and a financial consultant since he left office in January of 1999.
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