A group of 54 Iowa hospital trustees and 16 Iowa hospital boards were honored at the 2023 Iowa Hospital Association Governance Forum, an annual education conference for hospital trustees and governing boards.
Lucas County Health Center’s Board of Trustees was 1 of 7 hospitals in the state to receive a Three-Star certification, indicating 100% of all board members are certified. Certification from the Iowa Hospital Association provides a framework for hospital trustees and governing boards to demonstrate their individual and collective commitment to their governance roles and responsibilities. Certification comprises education and governance best practices.
Trustees meet the certification requirements after completing 12 hours of health care-specific education over a two-year period and confirming individually and as a board that recognized governance best practices are being used. Hospitals and health systems also are recognized as one-, two- or three-star boards, depending on the percentage of board members certified.
“We are incredibly proud to have a Board that is committed to furthering their education and knowledge,” said Brian Sims, CEO at Lucas County Health Center. “They play a pivotal role for our facility and this certification reinforces that our Trustees are engaged, informed, and dedicated to the success of our organization.”
The IHA Board Certification Program reinforces board members staying informed on the pressing health care topics of the day – finance, quality, compliance and health care equity – while formally committing to good governance practices. As trustees for urban and rural hospitals across Iowa, board members have an obligation to the success of their organization and to the welfare of the communities they serve. These proactive steps demonstrate to employees, physicians, business and other stakeholders their commitment to serving the best interests of their communities.
The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences.