Spotlight

​Iowa Community Corps

​The Iowa Community Corps is an AmeriCorps program within the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services, designed to strengthen community health across the state, especially in rural areas where access and capacity can be limited. Members receive a living allowance and an education award while building professional experience, leadership skills, and connections in public health. They serve in community-based organizations and local government agencies, providing hands-on support in four key areas that are vital to rural health: increasing food security, helping individuals navigate local resources, expanding community engagement, and improving youth mental health. Through this work, Iowa Community Corps members help bridge gaps in care and bring essential services closer to the people who need them.
​​Addie and Caden are serving at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic, where they are playing a key role in the clinic’s transition from paper charts to the new Athene Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. As part of this project, they are learning the EMR platform, developing standard operating procedures, and converting years of paper records into digital files. Their work is helping the clinic improve efficiency, enhance patient care, and move confidently into a fully electronic future. Here they are pictured next to the many paper records they’re working hard to digitize.
​Kylie serves at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic, where she supports patients and staff through her nursing training and Spanish fluency. She provides translation services to ensure clear, compassionate communication and actively recruits and trains Spanish‑speaking volunteers to expand the clinic’s ability to serve its Spanish‑speaking patients. Through her work, Kylie is helping the clinic deliver more accessible and culturally responsive care to the community.
Lois serves at a local church as the Lead Youth Intern and a Youth Mental Health Corps member, where she is deeply focused on supporting youth wellbeing. She leads a mental health book club that helps young people build understanding and resilience, and she organizes community resource nights to connect families with tools that promote emotional and mental health. Alongside this work, she also manages the church’s food pantry, ensuring that basic needs are met so youth and families can better focus on their overall wellbeing. Through her dedication, Lois is helping create a supportive environment centered on mental health awareness and care.

Rural Health Highlights

1st Five Rural Health Success Story: Helping a Young Northwest Iowa Family Thrive
​In one of our rural clinics, a provider reached out to 1st Five, a part of the Iowa HHS Public Health Division, after noticing a toddler was falling behind on several developmental milestones. The parents, who were raising three children under five, shared that they were feeling stretched thin. Transportation was unreliable, childcare kept shifting, and they weren’t sure where to begin with developmental concerns.

Through the 1st Five referral, we were able to quickly connect the family with Early ACCESS, local parenting supports, and a developmental follow‑up that gave them a clearer understanding of their child’s needs. We also helped them secure a safe car seat and identify transportation options so they could keep appointments without added stress. During the process, the mother opened up about postpartum anxiety, and we linked her to mental health services available close to home.

Over the next few months, the family shared that they felt “more prepared and less overwhelmed.” Their toddler began receiving consistent developmental support, and the parents said having one person to help them navigate everything made a huge difference.
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This story reflects the heart of rural health in Iowa: providers noticing early concerns, families feeling supported rather than alone, and community partners working together to make sure young children in northwest Iowa have what they need to thrive. Everyone working towards the same results: Healthy Mental Development of Children from birth to 5 in Iowa.

​Upcoming Events

Elevating Community Health Worker Voices, Building Capacity, Transforming Systems

NACHW’s Workforce Development Committee is launching its first webinar in a quarterly learning series focused on strengthening community health worker practice across multiple levels of impact. The series is designed to help CHWs build knowledge, skills, and confidence in applying NACHW’s promising practices within their roles, organizations, communities, and states. Participants will explore four areas that influence CHW success: individual development, organizational support, community ecosystem strength, and systems or policy environments. The first session on October 21 will focus on supporting individual CHWs through leadership development, advocacy tools, storytelling techniques, and career advancement strategies.
​October 21, 2026, 2:00PM - 3:30PM CT

2026 Iowa Rural Health Association Conference

​The Iowa Rural Health Association will host its Annual Conference on October 28, 2026, at the Drake University Olmsted Center in Des Moines. Rural health professionals, educators, policymakers, and community partners will gather for learning, networking, and collaboration focused on strengthening rural health. The conference will feature sessions, speakers, and opportunities to share innovative ideas.

New Healthy Hometowns RFP Supports Rural Cardiovascular Health

Iowa HHS has released a new Healthy Hometowns funding opportunity to create a network of Cardiovascular Health Hub and Spoke sites throughout rural Iowa. The program is designed to expand access to diagnostics, interventional procedures, disease management, rehabilitation, and tele-cardiology while strengthening chronic disease prevention and management. Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, the initiative encourages innovative strategies to reduce gaps in cardiovascular care and improve outcomes for rural residents. The goal is to support healthier communities by increasing access to comprehensive heart and vascular services.

News

HRSA Awards Over $11 Million to Develop New Rural Residency Programs​

HRSA and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy have awarded Rural Residency Planning and Development grants to 15 organizations across 14 states. The three‑year awards will support the creation of new accredited rural physician residency programs and rural track programs that blend urban and rural training experiences. This year’s funding supports new residency development in family medicine, internal medicine, preventive medicine, psychiatry, and general surgery, helping rural communities address long‑standing physician workforce shortages. Leaders say the investment will strengthen rural training pathways and expand access to essential healthcare services.​

Human Connection Fuels Medical Students’ Desire to Serve Rural Iowans

A new story from the University of Iowa highlights how meaningful patient relationships are inspiring medical students to pursue rural practice. Through rural rotations and community‑based training, students experience firsthand the trust, connection, and continuity that define care in rural Iowa. These experiences deepen their commitment to serving underserved communities and help strengthen the future rural physician workforce.​

New Program Expands Access to Essential Medications for Rural Hospitals​

A new partnership between Civica Rx, a nonprofit pharmaceutical company, and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is working to improve rural hospitals’ access to essential generic medications during drug shortages. The three-year, $3.2 million initiative is currently available in nine states, including Iowa, and is expected to provide approximately 225 rural hospitals with access to Civica’s supply of critical medications when shortages occur. Participating hospitals will have their membership fees covered through the grant and will not be required to commit to purchasing a minimum quantity of medications.
For rural hospitals, reliable medication access can help reduce treatment delays, avoid the need to ration medications or find costly alternatives, and lessen the administrative burden placed on already limited pharmacy staff. The program also aims to provide more predictable medication costs, allowing hospitals to potentially redirect savings toward other patient care needs. The initiative highlights how strengthening the pharmaceutical supply chain can directly support rural hospitals’ ability to provide consistent, timely care to their communities.

Iowa Medical Society Launches Statewide Physician Mentoring Network

The Iowa Medical Society has launched a statewide physician mentoring network designed to connect early‑career doctors, residents, and medical students with experienced physician mentors. The initiative aims to strengthen professional support, improve physician retention, and build stronger connections across Iowa’s medical community, including rural areas facing workforce shortages. Participants will have access to structured mentoring opportunities focused on career development, clinical leadership, and navigating the challenges of practicing medicine in Iowa.

Tools & Resources

A Guide to GME Development in Rural and Underserved Areas​

This resource provides a practical roadmap for organizations looking to establish or strengthen Graduate Medical Education programs in communities with limited health care access. Developed through collaboration between the ACGME and national rural and teaching health center partners, it outlines three main pathways for GME growth and walks leaders through essential steps such as assessing community needs, planning for accreditation, evaluating financial feasibility, developing faculty and leadership, implementing programs, recruiting learners, and ensuring long-term sustainability. The guide also offers resources and best practices to help organizations align GME efforts with workforce needs and expand physician training pipelines to improve care in rural and underserved communities.​

Data Sources and Tools for Rural Health Statistics

This Rural Health Information Hub provides an extensive collection of data sources, analytical tools, and guidance to support rural health research and planning. Users can access national and state‑level datasets, mapping tools, and indicators relevant to demographics, healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, and health outcomes. The resource helps rural organizations, researchers, and policymakers identify reliable data to inform assessments, grant applications, program evaluation, and strategic planning.

Policy for Rural Health Training Module – NORC Walsh Center for Rural Analysis​

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Analysis developed this online training module to help rural stakeholders strengthen local public health policy efforts. The module provides actionable guidance on developing, implementing, and evaluating public health policies tailored to rural contexts. While designed primarily for rural public health staff and practitioners, it is also useful for state and regional public health professionals, students, and early‑career practitioners. The training is self‑paced and includes easy navigation.​

Scholarships, Loans, and Loan Repayment Programs for Rural Health Providers

This Rural Health Information Hub provides an overview of scholarships, loan programs, and loan repayment opportunities available to individuals pursuing or practicing careers in rural health. The page helps students, clinicians, and rural health organizations identify funding options that support education, recruitment, and long‑term retention in rural communities. Users can explore federal and state programs, eligibility requirements, and links to applications to help strengthen the rural health workforce.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for individuals who are pregnant or postpartum and experiencing mental health concerns. The hotline connects callers with trained counselors who offer emotional support, resources, referrals, and guidance for accessing ongoing care. It serves as an important tool for addressing maternal mental health needs, especially in rural and underserved areas where services may be limited.

Data for Rural Health Training Module – NORC Walsh Center for Rural Analysis​

This resource provides core training in essential data skills for rural public health professionals. Participants learn how to assess data needs, collect and organize information, analyze and interpret findings, and communicate results effectively. The module is designed to strengthen everyday data capacity in rural settings, supporting better decision‑making, more accurate reporting, and improved program planning.​

Publications

Reimagining Rural Maternal and Child Health

This publication from the National Governors Association explores strategies states can use to strengthen maternal and child health in rural communities. It highlights the persistent challenges rural families face, including limited access to maternity care, workforce shortages, and gaps in early childhood support. The report outlines policy approaches and state‑level innovations that can improve care coordination, expand services, and build sustainable maternal and child health systems.

Collaborations between Healthcare and Public Health in Rural Settings

This article explores how healthcare organizations and public health agencies are working together to address the unique needs of rural communities. The authors highlight the importance of coordinated efforts to improve access to care, strengthen prevention strategies, and support rural populations facing workforce shortages and resource limitations. The publication outlines examples of effective collaboration, identifies common barriers, and emphasizes how improved alignment between sectors can enhance health outcomes in rural areas.

Iowa Medicine Q2 2026: Smarter Tools, Human Decisions​

The Q2 2026 issue of Iowa Medicine explores how emerging digital tools are influencing clinical decision‑making while underscoring the continued importance of human judgment in patient care. The publication highlights the balance between adopting new technologies and maintaining patient‑centered practices, particularly in rapidly evolving healthcare environments. It also discusses how Iowa providers are navigating these changes to ensure that innovation enhances, rather than replaces, the human elements essential to quality care.

2026 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Impact Report​

This report from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing highlights the impact Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are having on access, quality, and outcomes in communities across the country. The findings point to expanded service availability, strengthened crisis response systems, and improved care coordination for individuals with mental health and substance use needs. The report also outlines continued challenges and opportunities for growth as states work to sustain and scale the CCBHC model.​

Health Insurance Access and Affordability in Iowa: Iowa Medicine Q1 2026​

This issue of Iowa Medicine examines ongoing challenges related to health insurance access and affordability for Iowa residents. The report highlights rising premium costs, gaps in coverage, and the impact these trends have on both patients and healthcare providers across the state. It also explores policy approaches and system‑wide strategies aimed at improving insurance stability and strengthening access to care, particularly in rural communities.