Compass Memorial Healthcare Awarded All Four State Rural Health Transformation Grants, Expanding Access to Advanced Care Close to Home
March, 2026Compass Memorial Healthcare has been awarded four grants for which it applied through the State of Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Fund, including designation as a Center of Excellence in Cancer Care, one of only ten such awards statewide, recognizing Compass Memorial Healthcare’s commitment to delivering advanced hematology and oncology care close to home.
The awards support significant investments that will expand specialty services, strengthen the rural healthcare workforce, and bring advanced medical technology to the region; all with a focus on keeping high-quality care close to home for rural Iowa families.
Compass Memorial Healthcare submitted four grant applications in January 2026 and was recently notified that all four were approved. The awards include:
- Center of Excellence – Cancer Care designation recognizing Compass Memorial Healthcare’s hematology and oncology program
- Healthy Hometown Project Equipment Grant to add a Robotic-Assisted Surgical System for orthopedic joint replacement procedures
- Two Rural Healthcare Workforce Recruitment Grant to support recruitment and retention of licensed healthcare professionals within the Compass Memorial Healthcare service area
Together, the initiatives represent a major step forward in ensuring rural residents have access to advanced healthcare services without needing to travel to larger urban centers.
“These grants represent a significant milestone for our organization and for the patients across our service area. Receiving all four grants affirms the strength of our programs and helps us continue building a healthcare system where rural residents can receive advanced care close to home.”
Wendy Jordan, Chief Financial Officer
Expanding Advanced Cancer Care Services for Rural Communities
Funding from the Center of Excellence in Cancer Care grant will support enhancements to Compass Memorial Healthcare’s cancer care program, including implementation of the Epic Beacon Oncology Module, which will standardize chemotherapy protocols, treatment plans, and documentation to further strengthen quality and safety in cancer treatment. Compass Memorial Healthcare will receive $500,000 through this grant.
The funding will also support expanded patient support resources for individuals and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
“Being recognized as a Center of Excellence in Cancer Care validates the work our hematology and oncology team provides every day. Our patients deserve access to compassionate, high-quality cancer care without the burden of traveling long distances, and this designation reinforces our commitment to providing that care locally.”
Barry Goettsch, Chief Executive Officer
Bringing Robotic Orthopedic Surgery to Rural Iowa
The Healthy Hometown Project Equipment Grant will allow Compass Memorial Healthcare to introduce robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery, bringing advanced joint replacement technology to the region. The grant provides $1,650,000 covering the equipment expenses.
The robotic system will support procedures including total knee replacement, total hip replacement, and total shoulder replacement.
This technology allows surgeons to perform procedures with increased precision, which can improve outcomes and recovery times for patients.
For many rural patients, access to robotic surgery typically requires travel to larger metropolitan hospitals. The addition of this technology at Compass Memorial Healthcare will eliminate that barrier and allow patients to receive advanced orthopedic care close to home.
Strengthening the Rural Healthcare Workforce
Two additional grants, each awarding $120,000, will help address one of the most pressing challenges facing rural healthcare, access to providers.
The funding will support:
- Expansion of primary care services in Wellman, increasing access to routine and preventive healthcare for the community
• Expansion of urology services, improving access to diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as prostate disease, urinary disorders, kidney stones, and urologic cancers
“These investments are about ensuring rural communities continue to have access to the care they need, when they need it. Every new service, provider, and technology we bring to Compass Memorial Healthcare helps reduce the need for our patients to travel and strengthens healthcare access for the entire region.”
Wendy Jordan, Chief Financial Officer
Investing in the Future of Rural Healthcare
Implementation of the grant-funded initiatives will begin immediately, with several programs and services expected to launch over the coming year.
Together, these projects will strengthen Compass Memorial Healthcare’s ability to expand specialty services, enhance patient outcomes, and continue delivering high-quality healthcare for the communities it serves.
“These grants are about more than technology or programs. They represent an investment in the health of rural Iowa and in our mission to ensure exceptional care is available right here in the communities we live and serve in.”
Barry Goettsch, Chief Executive Officer
