Education

Leadership Development Program

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In today’s health care environment, accepting a leadership role is far more challenging and complex than ever. Leadership accountabilities must be balanced with an excellent grasp of human relations skills. The IHA Leadership Development Program cultivates critical leadership skills and competencies to enhance the retention of committed, high-quality staff in Iowa hospitals.

The program offers a multidimensional leadership approach that helps participants better connect session learning to everyday situations. Additionally, small groups allow deeper networking and problem-solving by applying lessons learned in real-life scenarios.

This Leadership Development Program is designed for health care professionals who have assumed organizational management or leadership responsibilities and accountabilities. Experienced staff looking to refresh their skills and knowledge will also benefit.

Dates and sessions

Nov. 18, 2025
Reflection of Leadership Style: What Do You See?
Mike Freel, Ph.D., Program Director, Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska

Dec. 9, 2025 
The Process of Health Care Improvement and Quality 
Sarah Pavelka, Ph.D., MHA, OTR/L, CPHQ, FNAHQ, Owner, Pavelka’s Point Consulting, Cedar Falls

Jan. 20, 2026 
Legal Aspects of Management 
Jo Ellen Whitney, JD, Partner, Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm, Des Moines

Feb. 17, 2026 
Middle Managers Make Hospital Miracles Happen and More 
Doug Morse, Principal, ExecHQ, Mason City

March 24, 2026 
Mastering Interpersonal Communication for Team Performance
Andy Noon, Ph.D., Founder and Principal Consultant, Decatur Street Consulting, Omaha, Nebraska

April 28, 2026 
Financial Skills for Health Care Managers: Navigating Revenue Cycle and Reimbursement (morning session)

Financial Skills for Health Care Managers: Finance Stewardship for Health Care Leaders (afternoon session)
Jen Timmerman, M.A., Market Director of Revenue Cycle, CommonSpirit Health, Omaha, Nebraska

May 28, 2026 
Secrets to Successful Teams: Competency and Commitment 
Donna Wright, M.S., RN, Creative Health Care Management, Minneapolis

Locations

Main location:
IHA Conference Center
100 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines

District A: 
Cherokee Regional Medical Center (Nov. 18, Dec. 9, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, April 28)
300 Sioux Valley Drive, Cherokee

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center (March 24, May 28)
1525 W. Fifth St., Storm Lake

District B
Buchanan County Health Center (all dates except Nov. 18)
1600 First St. E., Independence

Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics (Nov. 18 only)
112 Jefferson St., West Union

District C: (all sessions)
Jefferson County Health Center
2000 S. Main St., Fairfield

District D: (all sessions)
Cass Health
1501 E. 10th St., Atlantic

View full conference details

Email questions to Tori Hanson at IHA.

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Questions? Call IHA at 515-288-1955.