Regional Health Services of Howard County (RHSHC) is proud to announce it has received the 2026 Donate Life Impact Award from the Iowa Donor Network (IDN). The award recognizes hospitals, out-of-hospital partners, and community organizations across Iowa for their outstanding efforts and gold-standard achievements in promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month in April.
Throughout April, RHSHC participated in National Donate Life Month by raising awareness about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. As part of the campaign, organizations across Iowa were invited to participate in the Iowa Donor Network’s Donate Life Scorecard. This interactive program helps organizations plan, track, and celebrate activities that educate communities and encourage donor registrations.
The scorecard recognizes a variety of outreach efforts, including educational displays, employee engagement activities, community events, and social media campaigns. Each activity contributes to a statewide effort to inspire more Iowans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors, ultimately helping save and improve lives.
RHSHC earned the No. 1 ranking among approximately 120 Iowa hospitals, achieving the highest overall score on the Donate Life Scorecard. The accomplishment is especially noteworthy because the organization finished ahead of many of Iowa’s largest hospitals and health systems.
“It was a true honor to recognize Regional Health Services of Howard County as the recipient of the 2026 Donate Life Impact Award,” said Joe Swackhamer, EMT-P, CTBS, Partner Relations Coordinator for the Iowa Donor Network. “This moment was about more than presenting an award. It was about pausing to recognize people who have chosen, again and again, to meet difficult moments with compassion, purpose, and care. It was about saying thank you for the difference the team has made in the lives of patients, donor families, recipients, and the communities touched by the gift of donation.”
In addition to earning the state’s top overall score, RHSHC demonstrated exceptional engagement throughout the month-long campaign.
“Regional Health Services of Howard County demonstrated remarkable commitment through its participation during Donate Life Month, achieving the highest score and the highest level of participation statewide,” Swackhamer said. “The impact of your work is not always visible in a single moment, and it cannot always be captured in numbers alone. It is found in the referral made at the right time, the conversation handled with care, the family supported with dignity, and the collaboration that allows donation to remain possible when every detail matters.”
Swackhamer also recognized the dedication of healthcare professionals across the organization.
“To the medical staff, physicians, nurses, EMS providers, and countless others, thank you for the compassion, professionalism, and steady presence you bring to some of the hardest moments families may ever face,” he said.
This recognition reflects the dedication of the RHSHC team to educating the community about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. National Donate Life Month serves as an opportunity to inspire hope, encourage meaningful conversations, and remind individuals that a single decision can make a lifesaving difference for others.
“On behalf of Iowa Donor Network, please know just how truly grateful we are for your partnership, your leadership, your compassion, and your continued dedication to this mission,” Swackhamer said.
RHSHC is honored to receive this recognition and remains committed to promoting awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation throughout northeast Iowa. By encouraging donor registration and fostering community conversations, RHSHC hopes to help more individuals give the gift of life through donation. Every donor registration has the potential to save and improve lives, offering hope to those awaiting a lifesaving transplant and providing comfort and healing through the lasting impact of donation.