Iowa Hospital Association

10/08/2026

On behalf of the entire IHA team, thank you to the more than 1,300 members, sponsors, tradeshow exhibitors and speakers who joined us for our 97th Annual Meeting! We can't wait to see you again next year!

10/06/2026

Welcome to the 97th Annual Meeting!

09/30/2026

The Iowa Hospital Association today presented Speaker Pat Grassley with its 2026 Healthcare Champion Award during a special recognition event at Waverly Health Center. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership, partnership and commitment have made a meaningful difference in strengthening Iowa’s healthcare system and supporting hospitals’ ability to serve their communities.

Hospital leaders from throughout the region joined representatives from Waverly Health Center and IHA to honor Speaker Grassley for his longstanding support of Iowa hospitals and his commitment to preserving access to healthcare services throughout the state.

“The Healthcare Champion Award is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and a genuine commitment to strengthening healthcare in Iowa,” said Chris Mitchell, IHA President and CEO. “Speaker Grassley has consistently been accessible, engaged and willing to have thoughtful conversations about the challenges facing Iowa hospitals and the communities they serve. He understands the vital role hospitals play as caregivers, employers, economic drivers and community partners.”

Speaker Grassley has worked closely with hospital leaders on issues affecting healthcare access, workforce challenges and the long-term sustainability of Iowa’s healthcare delivery system. Throughout his tenure, Speaker Grassley has demonstrated a strong appreciation for the unique challenges facing rural hospitals. He has consistently emphasized the importance of ensuring Iowans can access healthcare services close to home and has supported policies aimed at strengthening the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare providers.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Iowa Hospital Association. Growing up in rural Iowa, I understand how important local hospitals are to the communities they serve. They provide critical healthcare services, support local economies and help keep communities strong. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Iowa hospitals and will continue supporting efforts to preserve and strengthen access to quality healthcare for all Iowans, regardless of where they live,” said Grassley.

During the award presentation, Jodi Geerts, Waverly Health Center CEO, highlighted Speaker Grassley’s role in advancing legislative initiatives supported by Iowa hospitals, including efforts to strengthen physician recruitment and retention and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens that take time and resources away from patient care.

“Speaker Grassley has consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen, engage and work alongside hospitals to address those challenges. He has been a trusted partner and a steadfast advocate for ensuring Iowans continue to have access to high-quality healthcare close to home,” said Geerts.

The Healthcare Champion Award is reserved for individuals whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on healthcare in Iowa.

09/29/2026

Coming October 6: Preview IHA’s New AI Toolkit at Annual Meeting!

Healthcare leaders are being asked to make increasingly important decisions about artificial intelligence, often with limited time and rapidly changing information.

To support those decisions, the Iowa Hospital Association is launching the IHA AI Toolkit on October 6 at the IHA Annual Meeting. Built to be practical, actionable, and easy to use, the toolkit helps hospitals assess readiness, establish governance, evaluate vendors, and plan for successful implementation.

Our goal is simple: provide every IHA member hospital with a trusted framework for evaluating and adopting AI technologies in a responsible and strategic way.

We can't wait to share it with our members. IHA will roll out the Toolkit during session T15 of the Annual Meeting, which is at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6.

09/21/2026

The Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) is pleased to announce Brice Jager has joined the organization as vice president of cybersecurity, a newly created leadership role that reflects IHA’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity programs, services and support for Iowa hospitals and healthcare organizations.

In this role, Jager will lead IHA’s operational and technical cybersecurity program, providing strategic leadership and advanced technical oversight across security operations, engineering, architecture, governance and risk management. He will help ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of IHA’s information assets while advancing cybersecurity initiatives that align with organizational strategy, regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

“Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is a critical component of patient safety, organizational resilience and operational excellence,” said Chris Mitchell, IHA President and CEO. “As cyber threats continue to grow in frequency and sophistication, supporting our members in strengthening their cybersecurity posture has never been more important. The creation of this role reflects our commitment to investing in resources and expertise that help Iowa hospitals prepare for the future. Brice brings exceptional technical knowledge, healthcare experience and a collaborative approach that has already earned the respect of many of our members through his leadership and involvement with our Cybersecurity in Healthcare Work Group. We are excited to welcome him to the IHA team!”

Jager brings extensive cybersecurity, technology and leadership experience to IHA. Most recently, he served as information security officer and director of IT at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, where he led information security and technology initiatives in support of healthcare operations. He also serves as founder and virtual chief information security officer at Vordr Cybersecurity, providing strategic cybersecurity guidance, risk management and governance support to organizations across regulated industries. Earlier in his career, Jager served as a lead pe*******on tester and senior project manager, gaining broad experience in cybersecurity strategy, risk management and operational excellence.

“I am excited to join the Iowa Hospital Association and support its mission of serving hospitals and healthcare organizations across the state,” Jager said. “Cybersecurity plays a critical role in protecting patient care, operational continuity and trust, and I look forward to helping advance practical strategies that reduce risk and strengthen resilience. My vision is to work collaboratively with IHA leadership, members, vendors and industry partners to build mature, sustainable cybersecurity programs that meet organizations where they are while preparing them for the threats and challenges ahead.”

A native of Walnut, Iowa, Jager holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in healthcare administration from Kaplan University. He is a certified information systems security professional and holds several additional cybersecurity certifications. He is also an FBI InfraGard member, participating in public-private sector information sharing focused on community engagement, law enforcement education and building relationships between the FBI and community leaders. In addition, he regularly provides cybersecurity education and guidance on topics including phishing prevention, privacy, vendor risk and safe technology practices in healthcare and community settings.

08/31/2026

What a great day supporting Iowa’s future healthcare workforce! ⛳

On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF) welcomed golfers representing nearly 30 hospitals and healthcare organizations to its 21st Annual Swinging for Scholars Golf Outing. In total, $148,000 dollars were raised to support scholarships for the next generation of Iowa's healthcare workforce.

The event brought together hospital leaders, healthcare professionals, business partners and supporters from across the state for a day of networking, friendly competition and philanthropy, all in support of the IHERF Healthcare Careers Scholarship Program.

“The success of Swinging for Scholars reflects the commitment Iowa’s healthcare community has to investing in our future workforce,” said Chris Mitchell, Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) President & CEO. “Every dollar raised helps create opportunities for students who aspire to serve their communities through careers in healthcare. We are grateful to every golfer, sponsor and volunteer whose generosity continues to make the scholarship program possible."

Proceeds from the outing directly support the IHERF Healthcare Careers Scholarship Program, which was established in 2005 to help address workforce shortages and encourage students to pursue careers in healthcare. Since its inception, the program has supported nearly 1,100 Iowa students pursuing higher education in healthcare fields through approximately $3.3 million in scholarships.

IHERF, a nonprofit subsidiary of IHA, is dedicated to strengthening Iowa’s healthcare workforce by investing in the next generation of professionals. Through annual scholarships, IHERF opens doors for students pursuing careers in healthcare.

“Iowa hospitals depend on a strong, well-prepared workforce to meet the needs of their communities today, tomorrow and for years to come,” said Cory Nelson, Sioux Center Health CEO and IHERF Board Chair. “These students represent the future of healthcare in Iowa. By supporting their education through this scholarship program, we are not only investing in their success but also inspiring the next generation of caregivers who will strengthen our hospitals and improve the health of communities across our state.”

Scholarships are awarded annually to both high school seniors and college students enrolled or interested in healthcare-related fields of study. Applications for 2027 scholarships open November 1, 2026. For more information about IHERF, visit iherf.org.

08/18/2026

Discover a future that makes a difference through the new Iowa Health Education Portal!

Looking for a career that's meaningful, rewarding and in-demand? Healthcare offers countless opportunities to help others, solve real-world challenges and make a positive impact in your community. The Iowa Health Education Portal is designed to help students explore healthcare careers and connect with colleges and training programs across Iowa. Search and compare schools and programs, learn about different career paths and connect directly with institutions that can help you take the next step.

https://iowahealthedportal.org/

08/12/2026

Every day, Iowa hospitals invest in caring for patients, strengthening communities and improving access to healthcare. In 2025, hospitals provided more than $1.4 billion in community benefits through charity care, community health programs, mental health support services, transportation assistance, nutrition education and other services that improve the health and well-being of Iowans.

In addition to delivering essential healthcare services, Iowa hospitals remained a powerful economic driver across the state, employing 146,616 Iowans and generating $24.8 billion in hospital-related economic activity.

“Every day, Iowa hospitals invest in the health and vitality of their communities,” said Chris Mitchell, IHA President and CEO. “The community benefits highlighted in IHA’s annual report reflect a deep commitment to improving lives, expanding access to care and addressing local health needs. At the same time, hospitals are creating jobs, strengthening local economies and serving as anchors for communities across Iowa.”

This Gazette article highlights the growing community benefits provided by hospitals across Iowa, while examining the financial challenges that could affect those efforts in the future.

Linn County hospitals say they’ll continue to pay for benefits like charity care and health screenings, but Medicaid cuts and rising prices could change how much they contribute.

08/06/2026

Strong partnerships lead to stronger patient care. Thank you to the Office of the Attorney General of Iowa and Ottumwa Regional Health Center for advancing training opportunities that help ensure victims of sexual assault can access the support they need, regardless of where they live in Iowa.

08/04/2026

✨ Decades of Care. A Future of Possibilities. ✨

Registration is now open for the Iowa Hospital Association’s 97th Annual Meeting! Join us Oct. 6 – 7 at the Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines to learn from industry experts, connect with peers from across the state and celebrate our healthcare workforce!

Iowa hospitals and health systems have been improving lives and strengthening communities for decades. This year's theme – Decades of Care. A Future of Possibilities. – celebrates that legacy while looking ahead to the innovation, leadership and collaboration that will shape the future of healthcare. This year’s program reflects who we are and where we are going: united by our purpose to reimagine healthcare in Iowa for life-changing outcomes.

We hope to see you this October! Visit ihaonline.org for complete information on Annual Meeting.