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.
Board 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:
| Steve Simonin-President Iowa Specialty Hospital Clarion, IA |
Mike Trachta-President-Elect MercyOne Des Moines, IA |
| Kiane Smith-Secretary Visiting Nurse Association Fort Atkinson, IA |
Jon Rosmann-Treasurer SafeNetRx Grimes, IA |
| Dr. Whitney Zahnd – Past-President University of Iowa College of Public Health North Liberty, IA |
Virginia Tonelli Iowa Specialty Hospital Des Moines, IA |
| Paige Yontz AARP Des Moines, IA |
Megan Hartwig Iowa Cancer Consortium Des Moines, IA |
| Emily Mendez Des Moines, IA Proteus, Inc. |
Alana Monson-Student/Fellow Board Member MercyOne Des Moines, IA |
| Megan Bendixen Iowa Primary Care Association 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 |
John Meyer Mary Greeley Medical Center Ames, IA |
Association Management
Association management for IRHA is based in Des Moines and supported by faculty and staff at Drake University. This collaborative structure enables the IRHA Board to remain focused on advancing rural health priorities, while the university provides operational and administrative support to help drive the organization’s mission.
Coordinator
Cristina Weber, Administrative Assistant at Drake University
Executive Director
Dr. Cassity Gutierrez, Professor of Health Sciences at Drake University