On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) honored Sam Magill, Director of Mobile Integrated Health at Greater Regional Health in Creston, Iowa, as a 2026 Hospital Hero in recognition of her exceptional service, dedication and impact on patients, colleagues and the community. Sam was one of 10 Iowa hospital employees selected to receive this year’s award.
The IHA Hospital Hero Award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in service to others, whether through courageous actions in a moment of crisis, extraordinary compassion and commitment to patient care, or a lifetime of meaningful contributions to their hospital and community.
Sam was nominated for the award by Mary Groves, Director of Emergency Services at Greater Regional, for her passion for community paramedicine. Sam recognized a critical gap in care within the community and surrounding areas and became a driving force behind the development of the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program at Greater Regional Health.
Sam began her career with Greater Regional Health as a paramedic, where she saw firsthand that many patients with chronic, complex medical conditions and limited resources often faced barriers accessing healthcare they desperately needed.
Driven by a deep commitment to helping others, Sam turned those observations into action. Her vision, determination and leadership led to the creation of the Mobile Integrated Health program, bringing care directly into patients’ homes and connecting them with the resources needed to improve their health, safety and quality of life.
Under Sam’s leadership, Greater Regional Health secured a grant from the Copic Medical Foundation that enabled the expansion of the program into a comprehensive post-acute patient safety initiative. Today, the program delivers proactive, patient-centered care to individuals with complex medical and social needs, reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital readmissions while improving health outcomes.
Through her vision, innovation and compassion, Sam has expanded access to care, strengthened community partnerships, and helped redefine what healthcare can look like beyond the walls of a hospital.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, but the greatest reward is seeing the difference this work makes in the lives of our patients,” said Magill. “Mobile Integrated Health allows us to meet people where they are, remove barriers to care and help them feel supported beyond the walls of the hospital. This award reflects the dedication of our entire team and the community partners who share our commitment to building a more connected and accessible healthcare system.”
Each year, hospitals across the state of Iowa nominate outstanding employees for the IHA Hospital Heroes Awards. Recipients are selected based on their commitment to serving others and the meaningful difference they make within their organizations and communities.
“Sam’s outstanding work has gained attention beyond our facility as well—multiple agencies have reached out hoping to replicate our MIH program, and even the Governor’s office has contacted Sam to discuss the future of MIH in Iowa,” said Groves. “We are incredibly proud of all Sam has accomplished in such a short time. Her work is truly selfless, unwavering, and deeply impactful. Sam is relentless in advocating for her patients and is unquestionably a rising star.”