Heather Matherly

Iowa Healthcare Collaborative

The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) is a provider-led and patient-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare. Our mission is exceptional healthcare in Iowa. We play a unique role in putting healthcare providers (doctors, nurses and hospital executives) in a leadership position to drive clinical improvements and accelerate change. Created in 2004 through a partnership between the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) and the Iowa Medical Society (IMS), we use a proactive "multi-stakeholder"​ approach to bring together and engage physicians, hospitals, insurers, employers, consumers and other community partners to share data and rapidly deploy best practices. Through our efforts, healthcare providers gain access to nationally agreed upon, evidence-based measures that improve the delivery of care. Insurers get information to facilitate performance improvements and employers are better equipped to educate employees about wellness and prevention resulting in healthier communities. By encouraging communication, collaboration and transparency, we ultimately raise the quality, patient safety and value of healthcare in Iowa.