“Future Healthcare Financial Challenges: Pressures, Policy, and Possibilities”
David Stark, FACHE
Chief of Government Affairs and Philanthropy, UnityPoint Health

An Iowa native, David Stark joined UnityPoint Health in 1996. He currently serves as the foundation and government affairs executive for UnityPoint Health and most recently served as president and CEO for UnityPoint Health – Des Moines. He received his undergraduate degree in management from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Iowa.

Stark is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the boards of the Iowa Hospital Association, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Principal Charity Classic, Des Moines University, and Grandview University. He is a Rotary member and a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute.

4:30 p.m. in the Cardinal Room, Memorial Union.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring:

• Dr. Tammy Chance, Chief Medical Officer, Broadlawns Medical Center
• Sandra Christensen, Vice President of Finance Operations – Critical Access Hospitals, MercyOne
• Ashley Recknor, Specialty Services Officer, Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics
• Melanie Teske, Vice President of Provider Relations and Engagement, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

The conversation will be moderated by John Meyer, executive director of business development at Mary Greeley Medical Center and associate professor of practice at Iowa State University. Attendees will earn 1.5 in-person education credits from ACHE of Iowa.

5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Cardinal Room, Memorial Union.

After the panel discussion, join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and good conversation!

7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Oak Room, Memorial Union.

Tammy Chance, DO, is chief medical officer at Broadlawns Medical Center. She completed both her internship and residency at Des Moines General Hospital and is certified under the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice.

Dr. Chance recently served as chair of the American Hospital Association’s State Hospital Association Physician Executives (SHAPE), chaired the Physician Leaders Forum/CMO workgroup through the Iowa Hospital Association, and completed her second term as a trustee of IHA. She also has academic experience with medical students and residents through various leadership positions at Des Moines University, including interim associate dean of clinical affairs and special advisor to the dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has mentored dozens of medical students, nurse practitioner students, and physician assistant students over the years. In 2016, Dr. Chance received the Physician of the Year award from the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association.

Sandra Christensen, CPA, FHFMA, is a proud Iowa native. The experience of growing up in a rural community fueled her passion for a 25+ year career in rural healthcare finance. Christensen currently serves as vice president of finance operations for rural hospitals at MercyOne. She supports the leaders of 28 owned and managed rural hospitals in the areas of finance operations, strategy, public policy advocacy, and revenue cycle excellence. In addition to her healthcare experience, she is a CPA with nine years’ experience in public accounting.

Christensen obtained her bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University, holds a CPA license in the State of Iowa, achieved a Certified Healthcare Finance Professional designation from HFMA and holds the status as a Fellow of HFMA.

Ashley Recknor, FACHE, is the specialty services officer for Iowa Specialty Hospital and Clinics. She joined the administrative team in April 2020, during the height of the pandemic. In her current role, she oversees specialty and surgical services across the system, as well as purchasing and materials management. She focuses on strategies to grow services and bring in new specialties to the organization. Additionally, Recknor co-leads the Service Pillar and Growth Pillar teams for the system.

Prior to this, Recknor served as the specialty clinic leader for eight years, during which she assisted the organization with grant management and writing and became an EPIC certified builder. She holds bachelor of science and master of public administration degrees from Iowa State University. In 2023, she became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). She is also a member of the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM).

As vice president of provider relations and engagement at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Melanie Teske brings over 20 years of experience in health care leadership to her role. She is responsible for cultivating strong, strategic partnerships with providers and key external stakeholders. Teske’s work centers on fostering mutual understanding of priorities and aligning efforts to support a sustainable health care model. She ensures that every touchpoint in the provider experience—from onboarding and education to issue resolution and enablement—is coordinated and supported to improve outcomes for Wellmark members.

Prior to joining Wellmark, Teske served as vice president of population health and affordability at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, where she focused on improving health outcomes and affordability for all members. Throughout her career she has held leadership positions focused on provider relations, network innovation, and value-based payment. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.