Michele Kelly, retired Chief Clinical Officer at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, has been named a 2025 Hospital Hero by the Iowa Hospital Association. She will be recognized in October at the IHA Annual Meeting in Des Moines.
With a remarkable 45-year career in nursing in the Storm Lake community, Kelly helped shape the health care landscape in the region and beyond.
Kelly’s career started as a Candy Striper, a non-medical volunteer who assisted nurses, at then Buena Vista County Hospital. In 1979, Kelly joined the hospital as a staff nurse. Over the years, she advanced into roles including nurse manager, Executive Director of Quality, and ultimately Chief Clinical Officer, a position she held until her retirement in June 2025.
“Every day for the past 45 years, Michele has actively lived her passion for furthering safe, high-quality health care,” says Char Jeppeson, longtime friend and retired BVRMC Executive Director of Quality.
Throughout her career, Kelly has been at the forefront of advancing patient safety and clinical excellence. She helped establish programs that not only elevated quality standards at BVRMC but also enhanced the patient experience across all services. Her leadership fostered a culture where collaboration, innovation and compassion became the foundation of care, ensuring that both patients and staff felt valued and supported.
Her influence has extended well beyond the walls of BVRMC. Kelly has taken on prominent leadership roles across the state and nationally, championing rural health care quality and nurse leadership development. Whether serving on the Iowa Hospital Association Board, leading the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders, or sharing expertise at national conferences, she has been a trusted voice in shaping the future of health care policy and practice.
“Michele is the heartbeat of BVRMC. She has been central to shaping our culture of safety, compassion and teamwork,” says Rob Colerick, BVRMC Chief Executive Officer. “Her influence will continue through the generations of nurses and leaders she has mentored.”
Known for her humility, steady leadership and deep compassion, Kelly has been a trusted mentor to generations of nurses and a steadfast advocate for patients and families. Her recognition as a Hospital Hero reflects not only her remarkable career but also the lasting influence she will have in shaping BVRMC and inspiring the next generation of health care leaders.
The honor was announced in August with a surprise celebration at BVRMC, where colleagues and friends joined to recognize Kelly’s extraordinary contributions.
