Newsroom
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 for patient-to-physician ratio per 100,000 population (that’s 30 percent worse than the national average). To address the shortage and develop priorities, the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) will host more than 55 physician leaders from across the state to roll up their sleeves, discuss the problem areas, and end the day with action-oriented solutions to offset the labor shortage. Operation I.O.W.A. (Innovative Opportunities for Workforce Action) will take place Friday, December 6 at IMS headquarters, 515 East Locust, Des Moines. “Every single Iowan, regardless of their address, deserves access to healthcare, and we’re committed to making that possible by increasing the number of physicians practicing here,” said Christina Taylor, MD, IMS president. “We are convening some of our most trusted colleagues to think through what we can do as an organization to develop tangible action steps to help solve the physician shortage.” According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there was a shortage of about 46,000 doctors in the U.S. in 2021. By 2034, that number is expected to climb as high as 124,000, according to the American Medical Association, and up to 48,000 of those will be primary care physicians. This creates significant challenges for providing quality healthcare to…
Statement on the executive order changing childhood vaccine schedule
Statement on the executive order changing childhood vaccine schedule from the Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to strongly recommend the full set of immunizations to help keep children healthy. Pediatricians’ recommendations…
Read MoreIowa Pediatricians Earn National Recognition for Child Health Work
Iowa Pediatricians Earn National Recognition for Child Health Work Iowa AAP receives Outstanding Chapter Award after statewide work on immunizations, preventive care and pediatric health DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 12, 2026 – Iowa pediatricians have received national recognition for work to improve children’s health across the state, including community outreach efforts that…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Receives National Advocacy Award for Operation I.O.W.A.
Iowa Medical Society Receives National Advocacy Award for Operation I.O.W.A. Physician workforce initiative recognized among the nation’s top medical society programs DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) received the 2026 Profiles of Excellence Awards honor in the Advocacy category from the American Association of Medical Society Executives…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Applauds Expansion of Iowa’s Physician Workforce Pipeline
Iowa Medical Society Applauds Expansion of Iowa’s Physician Workforce Pipeline Graduate Medical Education expansion will help strengthen physician training opportunities and improve access to care across Iowa. DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) applauds Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa’s teaching hospitals, and…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Launches Statewide Iowa Health Care Job Board to Support Workforce Recruitment Efforts
Iowa Medical Society Launches Statewide Iowa Health Care Job Board to Support Workforce Recruitment Efforts New platform connects Iowa health care employers with physicians and health care professionals statewide DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) has launched the Iowa Health Care Job Board, a new statewide workforce…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Applauds Governor Reynolds’ Signature on Landmark Insurance Reform Legislation
Iowa Medical Society Applauds Governor Reynolds’ Signature on Landmark Insurance Reform Legislation DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society today applauded the signature of Gov. Kim Reynolds on House File 2635 during a bill signing ceremony at Monroe County Hospital & Clinics, advancing significant reforms to prior authorization and…
Read More2026–2027 IMS Board of Directors Announced
2026-2027 IMS Board of Directors Announced Election process brings new physician leaders to the board to guide strategy, strengthen patient care and address the state’s physician shortage crisis DES MOINES, Iowa – Lillian Erdahl, MD of Iowa City has been installed as president of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS), leading…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Applauds Passage of Physician Licensure Reform Bill
Iowa Medical Society Applauds Passage of Physician Licensure Reform Bill DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) today announced that its priority physician licensure reform bill has passed the Iowa Legislature and now awaits the governor’s signature, marking a significant step forward in reducing administrative burdens on physicians and strengthening…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Foundation Announces 2026 Global Health Scholars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Iowa Medical Society Foundation Announces 2026 Global Health Scholars Nineteen medical students in Iowa selected to strengthen physician pipeline DES MOINES, Iowa – April 2, 2026 – The Iowa Medical Society Foundation (IMSF) has selected 19 outstanding medical students as recipients of the 2026 IMSF Global Health…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Announces Two Leadership Additions
Iowa Medical Society Announces Two Leadership Additions DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) is pleased to announce two leadership additions to kick off 2026, strengthening the organization’s communications, policy, and advocacy efforts on behalf of Iowa physicians and the patients they serve. Josie Sylte has been named…
Read More