DES MOINES, IOWA (October 14, 2024) — Over 1,200 Iowa health care professionals and volunteers attended the IHA Annual Meeting, October 8-9, at Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines. Annual meeting attendees explored innovative approaches and perspectives through nearly thirty breakout sessions and engaged with over seventy exhibitors.
Keynote speakers deliver purpose and inspiration
The annual meeting featured an engaging lineup of three keynote speakers. They were:
- Kyle Scheele, artist, author and innovation speaker
- Lauren Sisler, Emmy award-winning sports broadcaster
- Eric Termuende, author, thought leader and public speaker
Hospital staff honored for their time, talent and leadership
IHA recognized four hospital leaders for their service:
- Excellence in Leadership Award– Jason Harrington, president and CEO ofLakes Regional Healthcarein Spirit Lake
- Excellence in Leadership Award—Teri Wahlig MD, CEO ofChildServein Johnston
- Excellence in Governance Award— Rick Winegarden, a trustee atPocahontas Community Hospital
- Young Executive Achievement Award— Catherine Hillestad, CEO ofAdair County Health Systemin Greenfield
IHA also presented eleven Hospital Heroes Awards to Iowa hospital employees who performed heroic acts or tirelessly worked to better their hospitals, patients, or communities.
IHA Political Action Committee hears from first ladies scholar, recognizes members
Author and political commentator Carl Sferrazza Anthony spoke at the IHA PAC luncheon. The American Hospital Association also presented three awards during the annual meeting. The awards and recipients were:
- Most Valuable PAC Player — Bob Ritz, CEO of MercyOne
- Grassroots Champion Award — Erin Muck, CEO of Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison
- 100-year AHA membership — CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs
Iowa Organization of Nursing Leadership presents awards
IONL recognized a nurse executive and a nurse leader for their achievements:
- Outstanding Nurse Leader – Sharon Santoro, executive director of medical-surgical nursing administration at UnityPoint Health Des Moines
- Outstanding Nurse Executive — MaryJane Hunt, Chief Nursing Officer at Story County Medical Center in Nevada
- Lifetime Achievement Award — Mary Jo Kavalier, retired
Leadership Development Program salutes 2024 graduates
IHA recognized its 2024 Leadership Development Program’s 96-member graduating class. The year-long program develops skills and competencies to support leaders in navigating their roles and maximizing success in an ever-changing health-care landscape.
IHA House of Delegates elects 2024-2025 officers
IHA’s House of Delegates met during the annual meeting and elected officers for 2024. They are:
- David Stark, Government, External Affairs and Philanthropy Executive with UnityPoint Health, to serve as chair
- Shelly Russell, CEO of Mitchell County Regional Health Center, to serve as chair-elect
- Brett Altman, CEO of Cass Health, to serve as treasurer
- Kevin Kincaid, CEO of Knoxville Hospital and Clinics, to serve as immediate past-chair
Next year’s IHA Annual Meeting is scheduled October 7-8, 2025, at the Community Choice Convention Center. For more information, call IHA at 515-288-1955.
