Mission Statement
The Iowa Rural Health Association is committed to: strengthening health systems for rural residents and communities through leadership, education, advocacy, public awareness and networking.
Vision
Optimal health for all Iowans, with a focus on rural populations.
Goals
- Provide access to quality rural health services
- Advocate for rural health development
- Foster cooperative partnerships to improve rural health
- Support the work of other health interest groups in their efforts to improve rural health
- Improve public education and awareness of rural health policy issues
- Provide opportunities for leadership development through active membership involvement
- Promote the relationship between a viable rural health care delivery system and community economic development
History of the Iowa Rural Health Association
The Iowa Rural Health Association was established in 1993 through the efforts of the Office of Rural Health within the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care. The Iowa Rural Health Association, (IRHA) was organized as an Iowa Nonprofit Corporation under 504A of the Iowa Code.
The last meeting of the initial Iowa Rural Health Association was in September of 1994. At that time, the organization had 109 individual members and 26 organizational members.
In 1997, the State Rural Health Association Assistance Program, funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy, provided grant dollars to revitalize the IRHA Board of Directors, increase the membership base, develop effective communication tools, sponsor an annual conference and educational seminar and to develop an advocacy plan.
By-Laws
To view IRHA’s By-Laws, click here.
Leadership
The Iowa Rural Health Association is governed by a Board of Directors of between 9 and 15 active members of the association who serve 3 year terms. Board members are elected by majority vote of qualified members. Current IRHA Board Members are:
| Audrey Tran Lam – President UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Ed Cedar Rapids, IA |
Gloria Vermie – President-Elect Retired Rural Health Leader Mitchellville, IA |
| Dr. Whitney Zahnd -Secretary University of Iowa College of Public Health North Liberty, IA |
Debra Hoyle- Treasurer University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA |
| Kelly Todd-Past President UnityPoint Health Des Moines, IA |
Dr. Tony Brantner Louscher Family Dentistry Algona, IA |
| Dr. Cassity Gutierrez Drake University Des Moines, IA |
Megan Hartwig MGHolistic Des Moines, IA |
| Michele Kelly Buena Vista Medical Center Storm Lake, IA |
Katie Owens Iowa Primary Care Association Des Moines, IA |
| Steve Simonin Iowa Specialty Hospital Clarion, IA |
Kiane Smith Visiting Nurse Association Fort Atkinson, IA |
| Mike Trachta MercyOne Des Moines, IA |
Teresa Bomhoff-Ex Officio Mindspring Mental Health Alliance Des Moines, IA |
| Samra Hiros-Ex Officio Iowa State Office of Rural Health Des Moines, IA |
Jon Rosmann-Ex Officio SafeNetRx Grimes, IA |
Administrative Staffing
Administrative staffing for IRHA is located in West Des Moines and provided by SPPG which works closely with the IRHA Board to promote its mission and goals, allowing the leadership time to focus on important issues that affect the membership.