RMC CEO Danette Kramer Honored with IHA Excellence in Leadership Award
Danette Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Manchester, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Excellence in Leadership Award by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). Presented at the IHA Annual Conference in Des Moines, the award honors an Iowa healthcare executive who demonstrates exceptional leadership, operational excellence and dedication to community health.
Brookings Chosen by Sanford School of Medicine to Train Future Doctors
The Brookings community has been selected as a Frontier And Rural Medicine (FARM) program expansion site by the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM).
BCHC CEO Caleb Poore Named to Clarkson College Board of Directors
Boone County Health Center (BCHC) is pleased to announce that President and CEO Caleb Poore, MHA, has been elected to the Clarkson College Board of Directors. Poore, a Clarkson College alumnus, was officially welcomed to the Board at its September 21, 2026, meeting.
Waverly Health Center’s Bailey Krull Named 2026 Iowa Hospital Hero
For Bailey Krull, director of quality services at Waverly Health Center (WHC), caring for patients extends far beyond the walls of a hospital room. It means advocating for those who may struggle to find their voice and ensuring every patient receives compassionate care.
Columbus Community Hospital’s Economic Impact Reaches $386 Million
Columbus Community Hospital’s impact extends far beyond patient care. A recent analysis conducted by the Heartland Health Alliance found the hospital generated nearly $386 million in economic activity, supported approximately 1,944 jobs and contributed more than $11 million in state and local taxes across Nebraska in 2026.
USDA Announces $75 Million Investment in McCook’s Community Hospital
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Nebraska State Director Neil Moseman announced a $75 million Community Facilities Direct Loan to Community Hospital Association (CHA) in McCook. The expansion project will add more than 70,000 square feet to its campus, including a new McCook Clinic, an expanded cancer center and improvements to the central utility plant.
SDAHO Honors 2026 Distinguished Service Award Recipients
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) proudly recognized the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Service Awards during the 100th Annual Convention, held September 16–18 in Sioux Falls.
Building What's Next: Supporting Rural Health Care Through Facility Modernization
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is proud to recognize Journey Construction, a Premium Associate Member and trusted partner in healthcare construction.
Lexington Regional Health Center Ranked Among Best Places to Work in Healthcare
Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC) is proud to announce it has been ranked nationwide in the category of providers and insurers on Modern Healthcare's 2026 Best Places to Work in Healthcare list. The recognition was announced during the annual Best Places to Work in Healthcare Awards Gala held September 16 in Houston, Texas.
School-Based Behavioral Health Services Reach 33,400 Iowa Students
Behavioral health care that once required hours of travel is now available inside schools for thousands of Iowa students.
Iowa Hospital Association to Honor Speaker Pat Grassley with Inaugural Healthcare Champion Award
The Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) 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.
HealthPartners and Essentia Health Announce Combination
HealthPartners and Essentia Health today announced that their boards of directors have approved an affiliation agreement to combine their organizations. Together, the two Minnesota-based nonprofit health systems will expand access to high-quality care and coverage, strengthen specialty services, leverage technology to better serve patients and support clinicians, and help make healthcare more affordable.
Sanford Chief Transformation Officer to Join Newsweek AI Health Summit
Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., MBA, MHA, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Sanford Health, will join national healthcare and research leaders at the Newsweek AI Health Summit Sept. 23 in New York City.
Avera, SDSU and USD Establish Statewide NIH Research Partnership
The National Institutes of Health awarded $11,090,204 over five years to establish the South Dakota Center for Advancing Clinical and Translational Research (SD-ACT), a statewide partnership among Avera Research Institute, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.
Iowa Medical Student Gains Rural Care Experience at Waverly Health Center
For University of Iowa medical student Charis Edwards, spending part of her summer at Waverly Health Center (WHC) offered more than clinical experience. It gave her a firsthand look at rural medicine.
UnityPoint Health Names Jenn Crimmins to New Rural Health Role
UnityPoint Health is excited to announce Jenn Crimmins has been selected for the newly created role of Executive Director, Rural Health Partnerships, reinforcing the organization's commitment to strengthening rural health in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Box Butte General Hospital Launches Remote Patient Monitoring
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) is bringing a new way to stay connected to care to patients across the Panhandle with the launch of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). Supported through Nebraska's Rural Health Care Transformation Program (RHTP), the program extends BBGH's care beyond the hospital and clinic walls and reflects the hospital's mission to lead and innovate in healthcare delivery and community wellness.
Pender Community Health Adds New MRI and Breast MRI Services
Patients across northeast Nebraska now have access to a new MRI machine at Pender Community Health (PCH), bringing faster exams, improved comfort and clearer images to help healthcare providers diagnose injuries and health conditions.
Monument Health Awarded Grants to Expand Rural Care Access
Monument Health has been awarded two grants through South Dakota's Rural Health Transformation Project, state funding aimed at strengthening access, quality, and long-term sustainability of rural health care. The grants will support Care Connect and the Telemed Transfer Center, two initiatives designed to bring more timely, specialized care to patients across Monument Health's rural and frontier service area.
Sanford Health, North Memorial Health Complete Partnership
Sanford Health and North Memorial Health today announced the organizations have finalized their partnership and are now one nonprofit integrated health system operating as Sanford Health. The combined organization will preserve Robbinsdale Hospital and its essential role as a Level I Trauma Center while making significant investments that improve care, expand access and build a stronger rural-urban network across Minnesota.