Iowa Healthcare News

Students from Cedar Falls High School are working to reduce Iowa's radon-related cancer risk through a new community education initiative in partnership with Waverly Health Center. 

MercyOne Clinton Medical Center will celebrate its new da Vinci surgical robot with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June 17, at 10 a.m.

Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) is pleased to announce that Jennifer Bruck, ARNP, will begin providing women’s health services in collaboration with Dr. Kelly Anderson starting July 16, 2026. Bruck will provide services in Manning on the second Thursday of each month, further strengthening MRHC’s dynamic team of women’s health providers and expanding the partnership with Myrtue Medical Center to provide specialized care close to home.

MercyOne Genesis Home Runs for Life honoree Bryce Gronowski, 6, of Bettendorf, will be honored during the Quad Cities River Bandits game Friday, June 19.

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. 

Orange City Area Health System has appointed Chris Sietstra as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 6, according to an announcement from the health system.

MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center is offering free in-person breastfeeding classes to help expecting parents feel more prepared to reach their feeding goals.

Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) patients will soon have access to a new patient portal with the launch of Avera MyChart on May 30.

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. 

Story Medical has taken another major step forward in expanding healthcare access for the community with the addition of a permanent, state-of-the-art MRI suite now in operation on campus.

Siouxland went above and beyond for local children during the UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network 2026 Mediathon event from May 5 through May 7. The three-day event was broadcast live on KTIV and Powell Broadcasting radio stations as the community rallied to support local kids. Together, donors, sponsors and supporters raised an incredible $193,761 – surpassing last year’s total of $138,765.

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.

Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have been asked by federal partners to receive and monitor U.S. citizens from the cruise ship associated with a hantavirus outbreak. These individuals will be observed in the National Quarantine Unit, located on the campus of Nebraska Medical Center and UNMC.

Waverly Health Center (WHC) has received two significant national recognitions, further reinforcing its commitment to delivering high quality, person-centered care to Northeast Iowa.

Ellie Stull assumes the role of Director of Specialty Care Clinics effective May 4, 2026. With over two decades of clinical and operational expertise, Ellie has built a distinguished career at Nebraska Medicine, marked by a deep commitment to patient care, staff development, and organizational excellence.

For the 20% of cardiac patients who present with chronic total occlusions (CTOs), Nebraska Medicine offers renewed hope through our dedicated CTO program. Our program leverages the latest technology and specialized expertise to treat these complex cases that many institutions consider untreatable.

ORA Orthopedics is proud to announce the addition of the Planmed XFI Cone-beam CT Scanner, an advanced imaging system that delivers detailed, three-dimensional images while allowing patients to be scanned in a natural, weight-bearing position.

Ashley Rucker was just 16 when she became a nurse assistant, her first step into a field that would define her professional life. After working on a medical/surgical ward, a cardiac ICU, and in home hospice (and earning as MSN), Rucker was ready to further her education

Access to quality healthcare is a key factor in what makes communities vibrant, livable, and well-positioned for growth.

MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center is the first hospital in Iowa to renew its emergency department pediatric readiness recognition through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), Iowa Pediatric Emergency Assessment and Care Recognition Program (IPEAC).

Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) will transition to Epic, a new electronic health record (EHR) system, on May 30 as part of the organization’s continued commitment to improving patient care, safety and communication across the healthcare system.

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.

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.

UnityPoint Health – Sioux City is enhancing access to urgent care services in the Dakota Dunes and Hamilton Boulevard areas through updates to clinic locations and hours. 

For patients with organ failure, transplantation remains the most effective, and often lifesaving, treatment. Yet access to transplant continues to lag far behind need, particularly in kidney disease. Deceased donation plays a central role in closing that gap.

Dakota Vascular is expanding access to specialized vascular care through a new outreach partnership with UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge. Beginning in June, this collaboration will provide expanded physician coverage to broaden access and scope of vascular services available.  

UnityPoint Clinic General Surgery – Sioux City is excited to welcome board-certified general surgeon Mai Al Khadem, MD to its team of providers. She combines surgical precision with compassionate communication, ensuring patients feel informed, supported and confident throughout every step of their surgical journey.

A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the United States, with high blood pressure being the primary risk factor. MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center aims to reduce stroke incidence by raising awareness. 

During Nurses Week, May 6-16, 2026, Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) proudly celebrates the dedication and compassion of over 130 nurses who care for patients throughout our hospital and community. These professionals provide outstanding care across multiple departments, including Emergency, Inpatient, Critical Care, Obstetrics, Surgery, Oncology, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Home Care and Hospice, Occupational Health, and Public Health, ensuring patients receive the highest quality of care at every stage of their healthcare journey. 

Pediatric residents from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education gathered this spring for a collaborative, simulation-based training focused on trauma-informed care and communication in pediatric clinical settings.