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Health Care Volunteers “Light the World”
More than 34,000 auxilians and volunteers “light” Iowa hospitals every day of every year. Although they can’t be in their hospitals during the pandemic, that hasn’t stopped volunteers from helping their hospitals and the communities they serve. They have stepped up and have made hundreds of masks and “fidgit” blankets for patients, made care packages for employees and, most importantly, have sent messages and videos of encouragement to hospitals’ front-line employees who may need extra support to get through this difficult time.
Grundy County Memorial Hospital Community Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator and IHA Iowa Hospital Auxiliary/Volunteer President Erin Schildroth expressed her gratitude: “Hospitals miss the support of volunteers in their daily work with patients and families. For every piece of therapy equipment cleaned, for every bag of popcorn delivered to a busy nurse, for every smile shared with a visitor … we are very grateful.”
Across Iowa, hospital volunteer coordinators and employees miss the helpful and compassionate presence of volunteers in their hospital hallways.
“None of us could have predicted how much life would change and how quickly,” said Kathy Moe, Iowa Hospital UnityPoint Health-Trinity Regional Medical Center volunteer coordinator. “Although we can’t thank them in person, volunteers are loved, appreciated and needed.”




The following information is for hospital auxilians and volunteers. IHA appreciates everything auxilians and volunteers do to help Iowa hospitals. Contact Pam Gridley at IHA (515-288-1955) for help with auxilian/volunteer issues.
2019 Iowa Hospital Auxilians/Volunteers Annual Survey
The 2019 annual survey is combined with the American Hospital Association's annual survey. The auxiliary/volunteer portion include three questions:
- How many auxiliary members and volunteers (adults and teens) were there in 2019?
- How many hours of service did the auxilians and volunteers give to the hospital in 2019?
- What were the total funds contributed to the hospital by the auxiliary and volunteer department in 2019?
Auxilian/Volunteer Manual
The auxilian/volunteer manual provides tools to enhance hospital aux/vol programs.
Advocacy
To make positive changes to health care policies in Iowa, IHA relies on the support of hospital advocates to be the voices of Iowa hospitals at the State Capitol. With the ever-evolving issues and challenges that hospitals face, communicating a shared vision of health care in Iowa is crucial. Together our voices can be heard.
Hospital Day on the Hill
The February 24, 2021 virtual ‘IHA Hospital Day on the Hill’ included messages from Governor Kim Reynolds, AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels, IHA President/CEO Kirk Norris and 2021 legislative session priorities from Legislators.
2021 IHA Hospital Day on the Hill recording
IHA legislative agenda
Who is my state legislator?
2020 Educational Opportunities
- Risk Management and Returning Volunteers Webinar
- Iowa Hospital Auxilians and Volunteers business meeting recording, Wednesday Oct. 7, 2020
2021 Educational Opportunities
- Gift Shops and Fundraising Webinar Recording
- Recruitment and Retention Webinar Recording
- Volunteer and Auxiliary Recognition Recording
- Please mark your calendars for the Iowa Hospital Association Annual Meeting on October 5-7, 2021. Tentatively the Auxiliary/Volunteer session will be held on Wednesday, October 6. Watch for more details on bringing back the “Shining Star” Aux/Vol Awards.
2021 Recognition and Sharing Opportunities
- Volunteer Manager's Day, Nov. 5
- National Volunteer Week, April 18-24
- National Hospital Week, May 9-15