Rally Against Cancer Raises Record $607,000 for John Stoddard Cancer Center
The 26th Annual Rally Against Cancer, presented by GreenState Credit Union, raised a record-breaking $607,000 in support of UnityPoint Health – John Stoddard Cancer Center, surpassing its fundraising goal and setting a new milestone for the event.
Iowa Methodist Medical Center Campus Opens New Outpatient Pharmacy
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is pleased to announce the opening of a new outpatient pharmacy located on the Iowa Methodist Medical Center Campus in the Plaza Atrium at 1212 Pleasant St. Suite 109, Des Moines. UnityPoint Health – Methodist Atrium Pharmacy offers convenient access to prescription services in the heart of Des Moines.
MercyOne Announces New President and CEO
After a nationwide search, Robert Baxter, FACHE, has been named the new president and CEO of MercyOne beginning on Monday, June 22. Bob will succeed Michael Taylor, who has served in an interim capacity since the beginning of January.
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Among Iowa Leaders in Advanced 4D Intracardiac Echocardiogram Procedure
Iowa Methodist Medical Center has become one of the first in Iowa to perform a procedure using 4D intracardiac echocardiogram (ICE) ultrasound technology, marking a significant advancement in cardiovascular care for patients in Iowa.
Iowa Governor Signs Patients First Legislation Supported by Iowa Hospital Association
The Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) today celebrated Governor Kim Reynolds’ signing of HF2635, the Patients First insurance reform bill, a major piece of legislation championed by Iowa hospitals and health systems. The new law is designed to improve patient access to care and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens that delay treatment.
Iowa Public Health Association Announces 2026 Award Honorees
The Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) recognized four outstanding honorees at the 2026 Public Health Conference of Iowa in Des Moines on April 8, 2026.
More Than 240 Iowa Hospital Leaders Convene at the State Capitol for Hospital Day on the Hill
On Wednesday, March 11, more than 240 hospital leaders, health care professionals and advocates, representing 76 Iowa hospitals and health systems across the state, gathered at the Iowa State Capitol for the Iowa Hospital Association’s (IHA) annual Hospital Day on the Hill.
MercyOne Nurses Honored as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses
MercyOne proudly announces 10 nurses from our owned and managed medical centers are among the 133 Iowa health care professionals recognized as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses.
Iowa Legislature Passes Patients First Insurance Reform Legislation with Overwhelming Bipartisan Support
The Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) today announced a major legislative victory for Iowa patients and health care providers as the Iowa Legislature passed IHA’s Patients First insurance reform legislation with broad bipartisan support.
Health Sciences Career Day to Be Hosted by Iowa Hospital Association
The Iowa Hospital Association (IHA), in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Education and hospitals across the state, announced today the organizations will host the second annual Health Sciences Career Day on Thursday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon.
UnityPoint Health–Des Moines and University of Iowa Partnership Spotlighted During Leadership Transition
After 40 years of service in pediatric care, medical education and physician leadership, Dr. Ken Cheyne will retire on April 3, 2026. Dr. Cheyne played a pivotal role in shaping medical education in Central Iowa through his leadership at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, including his service at Blank Children’s Hospital and most recently as Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Medical Education Consortium, Inc. (DMEC) and Assistant Dean of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine branch campus in Des Moines.
UnityPoint Health–Eyerly Ball Receives Historic $1 Million Gift to Advance Mental Health Care in Central Iowa
UnityPoint Health – Eyerly Ball, the leader in community-based mental health services in Central Iowa, has received an anonymous $1 million gift that establishes the organization’s first-ever endowment. The gift comes on the heels of Eyerly Ball’s successful One Place for Care campaign and the recent opening of its new, centralized facility this past April.
MercyOne and The Iowa Clinic Announce Partnership to Transition Gynecologic Oncology Services in Central Iowa
MercyOne and The Iowa Clinic are partnering to ensure seamless gynecologic oncology care in Central Iowa as surgical services transition to MercyOne facilities. Beginning February 16, Dr. Kevin Kremer, MD, MPH, the region’s only gynecologic oncology physician, will provide surgical and inpatient care at MercyOne while continuing outpatient services at The Iowa Clinic’s West Des Moines campus.
Iowa to Receive $209 Million From CMS to Strengthen Rural Health Care
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a historic $50 billion investment through the Rural Health Transformation Program, aimed at strengthening health care delivery in rural communities across all 50 states. As part of this initiative, Iowa will receive $209,040,064 in fiscal year 2026, ranking 18th in the total funding amount compared to other states for this year.
MercyOne Reveals Top Baby Names for 2025
MercyOne Birth Centers helped thousands of babies make their 2025 debuts in our hospitals across Iowa. The top names statewide were Theodore, Oliver, Jack/Jackson, Charlotte and Emma.
Iowa Hospital Association Appoints Marcon as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Jordan Marcon has joined the Iowa Hospital Association as senior vice president of marketing and communications. In this role, Marcon will oversee the association’s marketing, communications and brand strategy to support member hospitals and advance the organization’s mission.
Rural MercyOne and MercyOne Affiliates Receive Chartis Honors for Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Experience
In honor of National Rural Health Day, MercyOne is proud to announce that 12 MercyOne and MercyOne affiliates earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality. Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top-quartile performance (75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective.
Gov. Reynolds Announces “Healthy Hometowns” Proposal to Improve Rural Health Care Across Iowa
Today, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that the state has submitted its application for the Rural Health Transformation Program, a federal funding initiative managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The bold and comprehensive proposal, titled Healthy Hometowns, is aimed at building a high-quality, sustainable system of care that improves the health, well-being, and quality of life in rural communities across the state. If fully awarded, Iowa could receive $200 million per project year period, totaling $1 billion over the 5-year grant.
Two Iowans Earn National Honors for Advancing Public Health
Two Iowans recently were awarded national public health awards by the National Conference of Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships. Zuli Garcia, founder of Knock & Drop Iowa, has been named recipient of the 2025 Equity in Immunization Award and Blank Children’s Hospital general pediatrician Dr. Nathan Boonstra was awarded the 2025 Immunization Leadership Award.
UnityPoint Health Expands Services With New Retail Pharmacy Near Iowa Lutheran Hospital
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is pleased to announce the opening of a new retail pharmacy located within the Eyerly Ball building located at 1319 Pennsylvania Avenue, Des Moines. UnityPoint Health Pharmacy – Eyerly Ball offers convenient access to prescription services in the heart of Des Moines.