Exhibitors & Attendees Rate IHA Annual Meeting a Major Success
More than 1,200 Iowa healthcare professionals and volunteers attended the IHA Annual Meeting, Oct. 8-9, at Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines. Annual meeting attendees explored innovative approaches and perspectives through nearly 30 breakout sessions and engaged with over 70 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 of Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake
Excellence in Leadership Award – Teri Wahlig, M.D., CEO of ChildServe in Johnston
Excellence in Governance Award – Rick Winegarden, a trustee at Pocahontas Community Hospital
Young Executive Achievement Award – Catherine Hillestad, CEO of Adair County Health System in Greenfield
IHA also presented 11 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 yearlong 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 Oct. 7-8, 2025, at the Community Choice Convention Center. For more information, call IHA at 515-288-1955.