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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
