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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 Iowa’s congressional delegation for securing federal approval of Iowa’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) expansion. Last week, Governor Reynolds and Iowa HHS announced federal approval of Iowa’s Graduate Medical Education expansion, securing approximately $49.5 million in additional annual federal funding to support physician residency training programs across Iowa’s 13 teaching hospitals. Once fully implemented, the expansion is expected to support more than 128 additional residency positions statewide, strengthening Iowa’s physician workforce pipeline and improving access to care. This investment advances recommendations identified through Operation I.O.W.A., the statewide physician workforce initiative convened by the Iowa Medical Society in December 2024 that brought together health care leaders from across Iowa. Expanding GME capacity emerged as a key priority through Operation I.O.W.A. because physicians are significantly more likely to practice where they complete their residency training. “This investment will help train more physicians in Iowa and increase the likelihood they stay here to care for Iowa patients,” said Iowa Medical Society President Lillian Erdahl, MD. “Expanding residency opportunities was a key IMS priority identified through Operation I.O.W.A., and we appreciate Governor Reynolds’ leadership in advancing this important workforce solution.” Iowa continues to face physician workforce challenges and ranks near the bottom nationally in physicians per capita. Expanding residency training opportunities is…
Landmark Physician Workforce Bill Sent to Governor Reynolds
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…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society and partners to host statewide Healthcare Workforce Summit on May 14
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…
Read MoreIMS Operation I.O.W.A. Report
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…
Read MoreFive Iowa Physicians to Watch Award to recognize outstanding service to community and commitment to patient care
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…
Read MoreFinding solutions to Iowa’s physician shortage crisis: Iowa Medical Society to convene physician and healthcare leaders from across the state to form recommendations
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…
Read MorePhysician Shortage Crisis in Cedar Rapids
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…
Read MoreUrban Bicycle Food Ministry, Vallery Griffis, and Marygrace Elson, MD, honored at IMS President’s Reception
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…
Read MoreDavid Muller, MD, Recipient of 2024 Physician Humanitarian Award
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…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society brings statewide advocacy efforts to Burlington
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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