Iowa Medical Society and partners to host statewide Healthcare Workforce Summit on May 14
DES MOINES – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS), in partnership with several leading healthcare organizations, will host a Healthcare Workforce Summit at the Iowa Hospital Association in Des Moines on Wednesday, May 14. This one-day event will bring together stakeholders from across Iowa’s healthcare landscape to develop actionable solutions to the state’s growing workforce shortage.
“This summit isn’t just another meeting—it’s a working session,” said Fadi Yacoub, MD, co-chair of the Healthcare Workforce Summit and board member of IMS. “We’re bringing together voices from across the entire healthcare continuum—physicians, nurses, pharmacists, public health professionals, direct care workers, administrators, patients, and more—because we know real change will only happen when we collaborate across the system.”
Participants will engage in facilitated discussions, hear from experts, and work toward consensus on shared priorities. At the meeting’s conclusion, attendees will have voted on key action themes that IMS and its partners will use to guide ongoing initiative action and systemwide improvement efforts.
Collaborative approach
“IMS is proud to take the lead in bringing together participants from all areas of the state and in a variety of healthcare roles to collaborate on this important topic,” said Steven W. Churchill, MNA, and CEO of IMS. “Every voice at the table is crucial to helping solve the workforce crisis.”
“We know that delivering high-quality healthcare takes a full team effort,” said Tracy Larson, DNP, Vice President Patient Care/ Chief Nursing Officer, MercyOne Siouxland and co-chair of the Healthcare Workforce Summit. “Our goal is to make the patient experience the best it can be, and that means ensuring we have the right people, in the right places, with the right support.”
Chris Mitchell, President and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association, emphasized the urgent need for collective action. “The workforce shortage is one of the most pressing challenges facing Iowa’s healthcare system today,” said Mitchell. “Solving it requires alignment across the care continuum. That’s why this Summit is so important—it brings everyone to the table. We are proud to partner with IMS, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Pharmacy Association, and the Iowa Primary Care Association to move forward, together.”
The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. Registration is free and open to anyone involved in Iowa healthcare. Interested attendees can register by visiting www.iowamedical.org and navigating to the events calendar
Background: A Workforce in Crisis
Like the rest of the nation, Iowa is facing an escalating healthcare staffing crisis:
- Iowa ranks 44th for patient-to-physician ratio—30% below the national average.
- Registered nurse turnover averages 18%, reaching 40% in some areas.
- Turnover among certified nursing assistants has soared to 72%, disrupting patient care.
- Iowa is one of the top five states with the largest loss of obstetric services over the past 13 years.
Recent state efforts offer encouragement in developing solutions. The Governor’s rural health care bill (HF 972 / SF 618) proposes a $150 million investment in graduate medical education and $10 million toward rural loan repayment for practitioners—historic investments that mark important progress.
“With momentum from our townhall meetings, Governor Reynolds’ priorities, and our own Operation I.O.W.A., we are ready to move Iowa’s healthcare workforce forward,” said Dr. Yacoub. “This summit is our next step.”