JCHC Hospital Trustees Receive Certification from Iowa Hospital Association
Last month, 78 Iowa hospital trustees and 22 Iowa hospital boards were recognized at the Annual Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) Governance Forum, a conference dedicated to advancing education and governance practices for hospital trustees and governing boards.
The Jefferson County Health Center board of trustees received a three-star certification. This certification provides a framework for hospital trustees and governing boards to demonstrate their individual and collective commitment to their governance roles and responsibilities. It comprises education and governance best practices.
All board trustees including Merlin Miller, Greg Hanshaw, Joneane Parker, Julie Greeson, Joe Stever, Angie Atwood, and Alex Roth (not pictured) were newly certified or recertified at the event. Trustees achieved certification by completing at least 12 hours of health care-specific education over a two-year period and affirming their individual and board use of recognized governance best practices. In addition to individual certifications, IHA recognizes hospital boards with one-, two-, or three-star designations based on the percentage of certified members.
This achievement underscores the unwavering dedication of the Jefferson County Health Center's board of trustees to upholding excellence in healthcare governance. As Merlin Miller, board chair, remarked, "Being a trustee means being entrusted with the community's well-being. It's not just a duty; it's a privilege and a responsibility." Indeed, their commitment to continuous learning and adherence to governance best practices exemplifies the highest standards of leadership in healthcare.
The IHA Board Certification Program reinforces board members' staying informed on the pressing health care topics of the day – finance, quality, compliance and technology – while formally committing to good governance practices. As trustees for urban and rural hospitals across Iowa, board members are obligated to the success of their organization and the welfare of the communities they serve. These steps demonstrate to employees, physicians, businesses and other stakeholders their commitment to serving the best interests of their communities.
Since the certification program’s launch in 2014, 337 trustees and 31 boards have completed certification and education requirements through IHA.
The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing the interests of hospitals and health systems to business, government and consumer audiences.
About Jefferson County Health Center
Jefferson County Health Center (JCHC) is a non-profit, critical access hospital located in Fairfield, Iowa, that seeks to optimize the health and well-being of the people and communities they serve through patient-centered, high-quality, and compassionate services. They offer many services including primary care, general & orthopedic surgery, inpatient care, emergency medicine, imaging and diagnostic testing, therapy services, and more.
