Gov. Reynolds awards $13.5 million to health careers apprenticeships
Gov. Kim Reynolds is expanding the Health Careers Apprenticeship Program by awarding $13.5 million. IHA advocated for the Health Careers Apprenticeship Program introduced last year to support programs in high-demand occupations in health care.

The new funding will support 21 registered apprenticeship programs, which are estimated to support 1,463 apprenticeships. Awardees include community colleges, school districts, assisted living facilities and IHA member hospitals:

• Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines.
• Burgess Health Center, Onawa.
• Cass Health, Atlantic.
• Greater Regional Medical Center, Creston.
• Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr.
• Cherokee Regional Medical Center, Cherokee.

“Thank you to Gov. Reynolds for supporting this program to fill a critical need in our communities,” said IHA President and CEO Chris Mitchell. “Through this program, Iowa hospitals can cultivate a health care workforce pipeline and ensure Iowans will have continued access to affordable, high-quality care.”

Summer Leadership Forum focuses on financial and workforce pressures
The top issues for health care leaders are being examined by leading experts Wednesday, June 13, at the IHA Summer Forum:

• Workforce strategist Lisa Walden will offer fresh perspectives that challenge preconceived ideas on building a healthy work culture.
• Kaufman Hall Senior Vice President James Kinn will review approaches and strategies to address the economic uncertainties facing hospitals.
• Richard Metheny, former practice leader with WittKieffer, will discuss burnout and its effect on patients and outcomes.

Online registration is now open for the Summer Leadership Forum scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, at the IHA Conference Center. The 50-year milestone for the forum will be celebrated at a welcome reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 12, in Des Moines’ East Village.

AHA survey data submission underway
The online American Hospital Association Annual Survey is open for 2022 data submission. Login information was emailed to designated contacts for each Iowa hospital. A link to informational documents also was included to help with data collection.

Hospitals must complete the AHA survey, utilization and financial information to comply with the Iowa Department of Public Health reporting requirements. Hospitals are to individually report using one survey per Iowa hospital license. The completion and timeliness of the survey is important because the data is extensively used by IHA and AHA for informational purposes and reports.

Hospital data must be reported for the full 12-month period of fiscal year 2022 (365 days). Hospitals must be consistent and use the same reporting period for responses throughout the sections of the survey. Links to the AHA submission site and helpful documents for completing the survey are available on the IHA website.

Submit questions to AHA governance session
James Orlikoff, the national adviser on governance and leadership for the American Hospital Association, will answer governance questions and share his insights with hospital and health system governing boards. Orlikoff is the president of Orlikoff and Associates and chair of the board for St. Charles Health System in Bend, Oregon.

This open forum call offers participants an opportunity to discuss board development, challenges and strategies with a nationally recognized governance leader. Register and submit questions to Orlikoff in the registration link. The call is scheduled from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 18.