Central Iowa Health System (Iowa Lutheran Hospital)
The Central Iowa Health System (Iowa Lutheran Hospital) Family Medicine residency in Des Moines, IA is listed by AAMC with ERAS status “Participating” for the 2027 cycle. Use the official program page for curriculum, training sites, eligibility, and current contacts.
About the program
UnityPoint Health Central Iowa Family Medicine Residency (listed with ACGME/NRMP as Central Iowa Health System, Iowa Lutheran Hospital) is an unopposed, community-based program with a Des Moines track at Iowa Lutheran Hospital and, since July 2021, a Waterloo track at Allen Hospital. The Des Moines residency began in 1973; residents rotate at Blank Children's Hospital and Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and the East Des Moines clinic (La Clinica de la Esperanza) completes over 25,000 visits per year. The program is affiliated with the University of Iowa.
Summarized from the program’s official website. Confirm details with the program.
Program highlights
- Clinic exposure scales across training (about 5, 10, then 15-20 hours per week) at a diverse clinic with an on-site pharmacist, behavioral therapist and care coordinator; ask how continuity is kept during inpatient and OB blocks.
- Curriculum includes 8-week obstetrics blocks, 8-week inpatient family medicine blocks, ICU, NICU, night float, pediatric ER and inpatient at Blank Children's, plus ultrasound, sports medicine and community medicine. Ask how OB volume and deliveries are shared.
- Maternal-child clinics staffed by residents and faculty two afternoons per week serve Spanish-speaking Latino immigrant families and uninsured patients; Spanish skills or community-health interest align well.
- Community activities include refugee physicals, nursing home rounds, home visits and call coverage for the substance abuse treatment program; hospital has a large psychiatric unit and chemical dependency program, a fit for behavioral health interest.
- Graduates went into rural full-scope, outpatient, hospitalist, emergency medicine, urgent care, direct primary care and faculty roles; ask about the two-track structure and how Des Moines and Waterloo residents share didactics.
- Teaching includes daily morning conference, Balint sessions, resident-led journal club, University of Iowa visiting professor lectures and an annual December breakout day on procedures and community topics.
PGY salaries
PGY salaries have not been verified for this program.
Program leadership and contact
- Program director
- Alexandra Hubbell, DO
- Address
- 840 East University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
- Phone
- (515) 265-1050
Program and application links
Review the official program page for training sites, curriculum, eligibility, required documents, deadlines, interview policy, visa sponsorship, and current openings.
About Family Medicine residency training
Family Medicine residency training typically lasts 3 years.
Training covers care across ages, including obstetrics, pediatrics and outpatient continuity of care.
General information about the specialty, not a statement about this program. Confirm details with the program.
How to apply to this residency
- Register with ERAS, the application service of the AAMC, and with the NRMP Main Residency Match.
- Apply to this program through ERAS during the application season, with the documents it asks for.
- If you interview here, rank the program on your NRMP rank order list by the deadline; Match results are released in March.
Deadlines, required documents, interview policy and visa sponsorship differ between programs and years. The program’s own website is the authority.
Prepare your application
- The NRMP Residency Match, explained
- Residency interview preparation: a four-week plan and question bank
- Residency interview strategies for USMLE candidates
- How to create a resume or CV for residency
- The Dean's letter (MSPE): what it is and how to get it from your medical school
- After the interview: highlight your strengths and send thank-you letters
- NRMP ranking algorithm & rank-list strategy
- Save money on USMLE and interview travel
- Study books by exam
- International medical graduates: ECFMG and visas
Questions to ask this program
Strong applicants use the interview to learn how a program trains its residents. Questions worth asking:
- How much autonomy do residents have at each training level, and how is supervision handled?
- Where do graduates go next: practice, fellowship or academic positions? Ask for recent examples.
- What are the call and night-float schedules, and how many hours do residents typically work?
- How are residents supported in preparing for board exams, and what is the program’s recent pass rate?
- What research, quality improvement or teaching opportunities are protected with time?
- What benefits, parental leave and wellness support does the program provide?
Compare nearby options
More Family Medicine programs in Iowa
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to the Central Iowa Health System (Iowa Lutheran Hospital) Family Medicine residency?
This directory lists the program in the NRMP Main Residency Match. Use the program and application links on this page for the current instructions, deadlines and required documents.
How long is the Central Iowa Health System (Iowa Lutheran Hospital) Family Medicine residency?
The program length recorded for this entry is 3 years. Confirm it with the program.
How many positions does the Central Iowa Health System (Iowa Lutheran Hospital) Family Medicine residency offer?
The number of positions is not recorded here. Ask the program or check the match service’s program listing for the current cycle.
What does the Central Iowa Health System (Iowa Lutheran Hospital) Family Medicine residency pay?
Salaries have not been verified for this program. Many institutions publish a resident and fellow salary schedule on their graduate medical education office page.