by Kate Laffey, Staff Reporter Published May 24, 2026
Longtime Ames resident Paul Hudson will serve on the Mary Greeley Hospital Board of Trustees, following former member Mary Kitchell’s resignation. Last month, Kitchell resigned from her role as a hospital board trustee member. She was reelected to the board in November.
Iowa has a critical shortage of all health care workers, and it’s straining the state’s entire care system, from hospitals to nursing homes. It could also be impacting your health, especially if you’re in a rural area. For Ames residents, the shortage makes it more challenging to find a primary care provider or see a specialist — leading to a negative impact on their health and longevity.
For 25 years, the Ames community leaned on the Israel Family Hospice House (IFHH) to guide families through the process of dying. The last day IFHH accepted new hospice patients was Dec. 15 and the remaining patients left on Dec. 17. The final two weeks at the house have been for cleaning up and moving out. It officially closes Dec. 31.
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 is the annual Medicare enrollment period, when 69 million-eligible Americans choose Medicare Part B, Part C, and Part D plans to cover them for their health care each year.
Ames voters approved spending $10.5 million to relocate Fire Station No. 2 from the heart of Campustown to State Avenue. There were 5,881 votes on the question in Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial election results from the Iowa Secretary of State. The bond garnered 5,099 yes votes — 86.7%.
Despite several pleas to postpone a final decision, the Mary Greeley Medical Center Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to close the Israel Family Hospice House and continue planning hospice services at MGMC, in homes and at local care centers.
For Ames residents, it’s the one contested office on the 2025 election ballot. Ames’ hospital Board of Trustees has two incumbents and one challenger running for two seats.
Mary Greeley Medical Center announced today it will close the Israel Family Hospice House in December. The announcement ensures that the hospice services the hospital provides at the house will continue.
Editor's note: Michael Kitchell is one of the 22 members of the Story County Falls Prevention Coalition.
A few years ago, Dr. Sherri Flugrad, an emergency room physician, asked Matt Peterson, director...
At the end of July, Brian Dieter retired as CEO of Mary Greeley Medical Center after 17 years. Dieter was ultimately responsible for providing all who go to MGMC with the best access, quality and care.
