FAIRFIELD, IA — 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.