Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Today State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse and Dr. Yogesh Shah of the Broadlawns Memory Center were featured on Hello Iowa to discuss protecting brain health as we age and share details about the Heartland Cognitive Care Summit. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eQMAdWuC

Today Iowa HHS and the University of Iowa College of Public Health held a press conference to release the Final Key Cancer Drivers Report—the culmination of Year 1 research conducted under Senate File 647. This statewide cancer assessment aims to better understand why Iowa experiences higher cancer rates than other states and to inform evidence-based recommendations for future prevention, screening, and policy strategies. The final report summarizes findings from this first phase and outlines next steps supported by ongoing federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Read the final report here: https://lnkd.in/eyEkVFM4

Current openings at Cherokee Mental Health Institute and Civil Commitment Unit include: • Resident Treatment Technician • Psychiatric Security Specialist • Laundry Worker • Power Plant Engineer • Registered Nurse (RN) • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) See all openings at Cherokee and apply on: https://bit.ly/4xMMPFw

Over two days, Iowa HHS hosted Healthy Hometowns Round Tables with Region 7 U.S. HHS Director Jeff Kahrs to highlight community driven work improving rural health across Iowa. The first round table, held at Marion County Public Health, brought together partners from multiple county public health departments, the UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Iowa HHS to focus on the county’s Combat Cancer initiative. Participants discussed rural cancer prevention strategies, early detection, and collaborative approaches to lowering barriers for residents. The second round table, hosted at Cass Health, included the Iowa Hospital Association, Mahaska Health, Cass Health leadership, and Iowa HHS. This conversation highlighted Cass Health’s participation in the Centers of Excellence initiative and explored ways to strengthen access to care, elevate patient experience, and improve rural health outcomes. Together, these discussions reinforce Iowa HHS’s commitment to supporting innovative, community based solutions that help build healthier hometowns statewide.

Are you passionate about providing high-quality psychiatric care? The Cherokee Mental Health Institute is looking for a forensic psychiatrist to join the team in Cherokee, Iowa.   The forensic psychiatrist position provides psychiatric and medical care through consultation, supervision, and partnership with mid-level providers such as physician associates and nurse practitioners. Individuals who are observant, critical thinkers, analytical, descriptive and willing to collaborate, will do well in this role. As part of a collaborative relationship with the University of Iowa Health Care Department of Psychiatry, qualified psychiatrists may be eligible to apply for an Adjunct Faculty appointment within the Carver College of Medicine. https://lnkd.in/eqw8ebaJ

Today, Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a press conference to warn Iowans about the increasing dangers posed by kratom and newly emerging, highly concentrated synthetic kratom related products. Although kratom is often marketed as a natural or herbal supplement for pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal, officials stressed that availability does not equal safety. Learn more in our joint press release: https://lnkd.in/e_jr23Gd

Congratulations to six local Iowa Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) agencies honored with a WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence in August 2026! The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) established the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence to recognize WIC agencies that provide exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. Thank you for providing outstanding support to breastfeeding families in your communities!

As President Trump said, “the best foster care system is one that is not needed in the first place.” New peer support prevention services just announced by HHS aim to help parents battling the disease of addiction get the treatment they need, which can in turn help prevent family separation. Nationally, about 35% of foster care placements stem from parental drug abuse, but early support could change that story for thousands of families. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/epTqV2EJ

Recruitment is now open for an Epidemiologist position with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. This role supports Iowa’s overdose surveillance work by turning complex data into actionable insights, improving data quality for OD2A S and SUDORS, and helping advance statewide overdose prevention and response efforts. Applications are open until September 4, 2026. Interested applicants or partners are encouraged to share the opportunity widely. https://lnkd.in/eyPjzq5Q