Dr. Douglas McLaws Named 2025 Iowa Hospital Association Hospital Hero

McLaws

Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) is proud to announce that Dr. Douglas McLaws, a longtime physician and beloved community leader, has been named a 2025 Hospital Hero by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA).

The IHA Hospital Hero Award honors individuals who have acted courageously in a crisis or served selflessly throughout their careers. For more than two decades, Dr. McLaws has embodied both qualities, providing exceptional medical care while serving as a mentor, role model, and community advocate in Manning and beyond.

“This honor is one of the highest recognitions given in Iowa healthcare. Out of thousands of healthcare professionals across the state, only a select few are chosen each year, and Dr. McLaws is one of them,” said MRHC CEO Shannon Black. “This award is a reflection of Dr. McLaws’ dedication and compassion. We are honored to see him recognized for what our patients, staff, and community have known for years. He is truly one of a kind.”

A Physician, Mentor, and Friend

Since joining MRHC more than 20 years ago, Dr. McLaws has delivered generations of babies, cared for patients from infancy to old age, and forged deep, personal connections with families. He sees each patient not just as a chart but as an individual with a story, a family, and a future. Dr. McLaws is admired for his medical expertise and his humor, humility, and ability to lift spirits during difficult days.

His influence extends far beyond the exam room. Patients describe him as a confidant and a steady hand in times of crisis. One family recalls their baby being delivered safely in the hospital parking lot thanks to Dr. McLaws’ calm expertise:

“What could have been a terrifying experience turned into a moment of calm and care, all thanks to Dr. McLaws and the incredible team at MRHC. It’s not every day you find a doctor with the skill, heart, and quick thinking to handle something so unexpected with such grace.”

Another patient reflected on his lifelong care and compassion:

“He always takes time to talk to you about your concerns, providing insightful advice. I have also witnessed his service to the community as a mentor to youth and even on the sidelines of high school football games, ready to help in an instant. He is truly deserving of this award.”

Leading With Heart, On and Off the Clock

In addition to his medical service, Dr. McLaws is deeply invested in youth development and community growth. Together with his wife, Tiffany, he has spent countless hours mentoring young people through the Boy Scouts of America. His leadership has helped dozens of young men achieve an Eagle Scout rank, with many crediting him as the steady influence that guided them through challenges and self-doubt.

His colleague and former patient, now a nurse practitioner at MRHC, credits Dr. McLaws with shaping both her personal and professional journey:

“From a young age, I knew I was interested in healthcare, but it was Dr. McLaws who showed me what it truly meant to be a compassionate, humble, and community-focused provider. Working alongside him has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”

Dr. McLaws also supports arts, culture, and education in Manning, recognizing that community well-being includes not just physical health, but also emotional, social, and creative health. Whether it’s supporting school events, encouraging fine arts programs, or simply cheering from the stands, he is a visible and active presence in town.

For someone who never planned to stay in Manning, Dr. McLaws has become an irreplaceable part of the community’s story. His decades of care, mentorship, and service have left an impact on generations of patients and families.

“Dr. McLaws makes you want to be better, both as a professional and a person,” said one colleague. “He has brought comfort, laughter, and healing to hundreds, if not thousands, of lives, and he has done it all without ever asking for recognition.”

Dr. McLaws will be recognized for his decades of service and contributions at the MRHC Legacy Gala on Friday, November 14th at the Manning Hausbarn Konferenz Center. The community is invited to attend the Gala and can purchase tickets by visiting mrhcia.com/legacy-gala. He will also be honored during the Iowa Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 8th, in Des Moines.

MRHC Creates Important Economic and Community Impact

MRHC exterior
In all, Iowa’s hospitals provided 145,252 jobs statewide

Last year, MRHC generated just over 250 jobs that added $290,577 to Carroll County’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. Economic impact of an organization is often measured in terms of employment, income (payroll and benefits), taxable retail sales, and sales tax collections.

“We are grateful to be able to make such an impact on our local communities,” said MRHC Chief Executive Officer, Linn Block, RN, BSN, MHA. “It takes all aspects of a community working together to be vibrant and strong.”

The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data to the American Hospital Association’s annual survey of hospitals. The study found that Iowa hospitals employed 145,252 people in 2022. As an income source, Iowa hospitals provided over $9.3 billion in wages and expenses accounted for over $21.5 billion of the state’s gross domestic product.

“Iowa’s hospitals and health systems implemented the programs and services accounted for in this study in response to their communities’ needs,” IHA President and CEO Chris Mitchell said. “Many of these programs and services wouldn’t exist without hospital support and leadership. These efforts, with IHA’s advocacy, help ensure the financial stability of hospitals, making it possible for them to provide the services and programs most-needed by the people they serve.”

Community Impact

As a non-profit, critical access hospital, the mission and purpose of MRHC is to serve those in the local community and provide a public benefit. Quality healthcare has a large community and economic impact, and it is essential for attracting other industries.

MRHC continually works to provide quality healthcare services for the community. Expanding mental health services has been a recent top priority as it consistently rates high on community health needs assessments. To meet this need, MRHC now has a counselor providing therapy services as well as telehealth mental health care for patients 12+.

To provide additional convenient healthcare options, Manning Regional now has a dedicated provider offering more same-day appointments, a new patient portal was launched to improve patient experience, and orthopedic services have been expanded to include total hip replacements. These initiatives to expand and improve healthcare services have made an important community impact, adapting to the current needs of the community.

“In addition to providing healthcare through the services we offer, we also provide widespread benefits to support our community,” Block said. “We are proud to have served at least 473 people through various community service programs in the past year.”

MRHC offers a variety of community education events, trainings, and clinics such as CPR, AED, & First Aid training classes, blood drives, monthly wellness clinics, blood pressure clinics, concussion testing at the high school, walk-in flu shot clinics, and fall prevention screenings.

They also hold and participate in educational events, such as the Bike Rodeo, babysitting courses, Suicide Prevention Walk, Live Healthy Iowa Healthiest State Walk, Senior Fun Day, Medicare seminars, giving away bike helmets, and other health-related activities at Kinderfest. Many of these efforts have a direct impact on the local economy and overall community health.

Most notably, MRHC has held several Healthcare Career Camps for local middle and high school students to have an immersive experience learning about a variety of careers in the healthcare field. This effort was recently funded by a University of Iowa grant to continue the program for more students and expand the offering to additional school districts.

MRHC has also supported foundations such as the IKM-Manning Education Foundation, West Central Iowa Healthcare Foundation, American Cancer Society, as well as community organizations such as Little Hawks Childcare Center, Manning Child Care Center, IKM-Manning Color Run, Kinderfest, Trail to Nowhere Bike Ride, Pack the Pantry, Fireman’s Golf Tourney, Main Street Manning, Manning Chamber, Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park, Manning Rotary, and Boy Scouts of America.

“We are proud to share that in the past three years, we have provided over $100,000 in community health improvement services to benefit our local communities,” shared Block.

In 2022, Manning Regional provided $92,572.41 in charity care and served more than 54 people through those efforts. Charity care is also known as uncompensated health care, which is provided for free, or at a reduced cost, to people with limited income who would otherwise be unable to pay for their treatment. Various types of financial assistance are provided to patients, and community education events and important information about health and well-being are shared through radio and print advertising, news articles, social media, and the MRHC website.

“MRHC will continue to adapt and evolve our services to meet the needs of our patients,” shared Block. “We value being a trusted community partner to improve the health and well-being of residents in west-central Iowa.”