Rebecca D. Shaw

Rebecca D. Shaw, MD, FACOG serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Specialty Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Des Moines University (DMU), with an additional appointment in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program. Her primary roles include serving as Clerkship Director for obstetrics and gynecology, overseeing third-year clerkships and fourth-year rotations, and leading women's health initiatives for global medical service trips.

Dr. Shaw's educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Arts, Luther College, 1971
• M.D., University of Iowa, 1975
• OB/GYN Residency, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 1979

Her professional focus centers on advancing obstetrics and gynecology education through curriculum development, pre-clerkship lectures, and simulation lab design. She integrates clinical expertise with educational innovation to enhance medical student training in women's health, with particular emphasis on practical skills development and global health applications. Her work bridges academic instruction and real-world clinical practice through structured clerkship programs.

As Clerkship Director, Dr. Shaw shapes the obstetrics and gynecology educational pathway for medical students, managing both core third-year experiences and advanced fourth-year rotations. She extends her educational impact through leadership in global health initiatives, directing women's health components of international medical service trips to provide comprehensive clinical exposure.

Dr. Shaw maintains active Iowa medical licensure and American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certification. Her professional affiliations include membership in the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (since 2013), American Medical Association, and Polk County Medical Society, alongside her distinguished status as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.