Ruffin Tchakounte
Osteopathic medical student
Des Moines University
Age: 33
Partner: Leanne Tchakounte
Children: Aaden Tchakounte
Mentor: Dr. Nathan Noble
Why he’s a Forty:
Ruffin has served as the president of the DMU Student National Medical Association club. He has volunteered and mentored over 200 students from underserved communities in Des Moines. He has continued to work with Dr. Rich Salas and the DMU Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Office to continue the work of expanding diversity in medicine.
What are your goals in your role at your company?
My goal is to graduate from Des Moines University as a doctor of osteopathic medicine and ultimately serve patients in the Greater Des Moines area. As a physician I would like to provide education and mentorship to underserved youth.
What are your goals for your community involvement?
I have been blessed to be involved with the Student National Medical Association while pursuing my medical degree. Being a part of SNMA has allowed me the opportunity to volunteer and spend time with underserved youth in the Des Moines area to encourage them to pursue careers in health care and graduate studies.
What’s your biggest passion, and why?
My family and my son, Aaden. They have given me inspiration to continue this long journey into medicine. I am the first in my family to attain a graduate degree in medicine, and I wouldn't be able to do so without my family. I started my journey into medicine at DMU when my son was 2 years old, and now he is 7. It has been a blessing to have him along with me on this journey rooting for me each and every step.
What is it that drives you?
I was volunteering one time with elementary-age students in Des Moines. I showed up in my white coat as I was there to talk to the kids about medicine. After I introduced myself, some of the kids asked if I was a nurse and it became apparent that none of the kids had ever seen a Black doctor before. I explained to them that I was in medical school studying to be a doctor and that they could be one too. It was a surreal moment realizing that the lack of diversity in medicine is real, but also how I can personally impact youth as a medical student and future doctor.
What are your future aspirations?
As a medical student of color, in my experiences I have realized that there are not a lot of Black physicians. Statistics tell us that 5-6% of the physician workforce in the United States is Black. My aspirations for my future is to present medicine as an opportunity for Black youth in Des Moines and even in Iowa.
Three hobbies:
I wrestled at the University of Iowa, and wrestling has been and always will be a sport I spend a lot of my time in. I absolutely love spending time with my family and watching everything Marvel superheroes with my son, Aaden. I enjoy cooking and eating food from different places and cultures with my wife and friends.
ONE word: Aaden.
Fun fact:
Ruffin is a first-generation African American who speaks French fluently and is striving to be the first doctor in his family.
What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community?
My wish is that we can come together and unify in projects that serve our Central Iowa community. There are a lot of professionals in Des Moines who have expertise in different disciplines that go over my head. How cool would it be to get different professionals together and give back in a service project?
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
There are simple things that we can do as leaders in our community that do not involve money and only involve time. Time and presence is all our youth need in order to let them know that you care and that you will go to bat for them. I would like to see our Central Iowa leaders invest more time in our underserved youth.
What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional looking to become a leader in your community and/or company?
There will be people who will tell you no. Instead of circumventing them, find a way to bring them along with you in your vision.