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Healthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis

By kwolfe | July 21, 2025 | Comments Off on Healthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis

Healthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis DES MOINES – The Iowa Medical Society released the Healthcare Workforce report which captures three overarching themes to solving the labor shortage in Iowa. Participants from the May 14 Healthcare Workforce Summit meeting earlier this year voted and agreed these are the top recommendations to begin to move the needle for access to quality care:   1. Support early (middle and high school) exposure to healthcare careers with hands-on opportunities Grassroots and pipeline recruitment Schools, colleges, healthcare employers, workforce boards, etc. Identify existing programs and promote opportunities   2. Improve work environments (support employee autonomy, reduce admin burdens) Employee well-being and retention Employees, HR, leadership, IT partners Assess autonomy and admin burden issues and identify burnout drivers   3. Redesign work structures to address burnout systematically and assess autonomy and admin burden issues Staff well-being and operational sustainability Clinical leaders, wellness teams, staff, and policy advisors Identify burnout drivers and pilot new care models   “We received great input from participants during the Healthcare Workforce Summit and this report is a result of their thinking and collaboration on this critically important topic,” said Steven W. Churchill, MNA, CEO of Iowa Medical Society. “These recommendations are an important start toward making real progress to help solve the healthcare labor shortage in Iowa. The action steps are tangible, doable, and demand urgent attention.” This report captures the key discussions, insights, and results that will help guide the…

Sara Opie
Director of Communications & Marketing
sopie@iowamedical.org
515-710-5042

 

IMS in the News

Healthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis

July 21, 2025

Healthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis DES MOINES – The Iowa Medical Society released the Healthcare Workforce report which captures three overarching themes to solving the labor shortage in Iowa. Participants from the May 14 Healthcare Workforce Summit meeting earlier this…

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Landmark Physician Workforce Bill Sent to Governor Reynolds

May 15, 2025

Landmark Physician Workforce Bill Sent to Governor Reynolds DES MOINES, IA – Yesterday, the Iowa Legislature passed Governor Kim Reynolds’ landmark proposal to bolster the physician workforce in Iowa. House File 972 makes record-level investments in the physician workforce by increasing general medical education (GME) residency slots, strengthening maternal health…

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Iowa Medical Society and partners to host statewide Healthcare Workforce Summit on May 14

May 8, 2025

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…

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IMS Operation I.O.W.A. Report

January 10, 2025

IMS Operation I.O.W.A. Report In response to growing concerns from Iowa Medical Society members and policymakers of our state’s physician workforce shortage, IMS launched Operation I.O.W.A. (Innovative Opportunities for Workforce Action) – this one-day summit convened nearly 60 physicians, healthcare executives, policy experts and community leaders from across the state…

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Five Iowa Physicians to Watch Award to recognize outstanding service to community and commitment to patient care

December 11, 2024

Five Iowa Physicians to Watch Award to recognize outstanding service to community and commitment to patient care   DES MOINES – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) is pleased to announce the newly created “Five Iowa Physicians to Watch” award for 2025 in honor of its upcoming 175th Anniversary as an…

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Finding solutions to Iowa’s physician shortage crisis: Iowa Medical Society to convene physician and healthcare leaders from across the state to form recommendations

November 14, 2024

Finding solutions to Iowa’s physician shortage crisis: Iowa Medical Society to convene physician and healthcare leaders from across the state to form recommendations   DES MOINES, IA – Like many rural states, Iowa is facing a physician workforce shortage crisis like never before. Iowa is ranked 44th in the nation…

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Physician Shortage Crisis in Cedar Rapids

May 9, 2024

For immediate release: May 9, 2024 DES MOINES, IA – Iowa is currently facing a physician workforce shortage crisis and is ranked 45th in the nation for patient-to-physician ratios per 100,000 population. To address the shortage and other state healthcare priorities, the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) will be in Cedar…

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Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, Vallery Griffis, and Marygrace Elson, MD, honored at IMS President’s Reception

May 2, 2024

For immediate release: April 22, 2024 DES MOINES — The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) proudly announces the recipients of its esteemed awards for 2024, recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions to public health and the field of healthcare. Urban Bicycle Food Ministry: Washington Freeman Peck Award The…

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David Muller, MD, Recipient of 2024 Physician Humanitarian Award

April 22, 2024

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2024   DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) and COPIC are delighted to announce Cedar Rapids-based ophthalmologist David Muller, MD, as the distinguished recipient of the 2024 IMS/COPIC Physician Humanitarian Award. This prestigious award is bestowed annually to honor physicians in Iowa who…

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Iowa Medical Society brings statewide advocacy efforts to Burlington

March 4, 2024

Focus is Iowa’s physician shortage crisis   For Immediate Release: March 4, 2024   DES MOINES, IA – Iowa is currently facing a physician crisis like never before. Iowa is ranked 45th in the nation for patient to physician ratios per 100,000 population. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, in…

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