Todd Linden

Linden became president and CEO of Grinnell Regional Medical Center (Grinnell, Iowa) in 1994 and retired on December 31, 2017. Prior to moving to Grinnell, Linden was the administrator of Green County Medical Center (Jefferson, Iowa) for nearly six years, launching his CEO experience at just age 28. He received both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Iowa and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is currently leading the integration of GRMC into UnityPoint Health and transition to new leadership into 2018 and is now focused on expanding Linden Consulting.

Linden Consulting specializes in advising organizations seeking to improve the healthcare system in America by innovating and solving problems in the delivery system. Clients include Bioscape Digital, CuVerro, SmartScipts and So Sound Solutions; all companies advancing the quadruple aim of enhancing the patient experience, reducing cost, improving the health of the community and restoring the joy in caring. Linden also presents at national conferences and state hospital association meetings covering topics of leadership effectiveness, governance excellence, quality and safety improvement, and creating a culture of innovation. Linden Consulting focuses on working with governing boards on process improvement, best practice development, retreat planning and facilitation and building optimal trustee / executive relationships. Other areas of expertise include strategic planning, facilities development, executive performance, philanthropy improvement, and innovation cultivation.

Under his leadership the past 24 years, Grinnell Regional enjoyed dramatic growth. Known nationally for its innovation, GRMC has the newest generation da Vinci surgical robot and its Bariatric Center of Excellence is one of the largest weight reduction centers in Iowa. GRMC has been cited by The Washington Post and USA Today for its optimal healing environment and by AARP Magazine as one of America’s Safest Hospitals. Collaborative research with Grinnell College at GRMC resulted in a study showing use of copper alloy touch surfaces in patient rooms dramatically reduced bacteria load and therefore reduced the chance for the spread of infection. Cited in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, along with over 120 other publications, this study is changing the way hospitals are thinking about keeping their patients safe. Other innovations included the establishment of a community fitness and wellness center, imbedded in the medical center in 1996 and creation of an integrated medicine center in 2002.

Since coming to Grinnell in 1994, Linden has received numerous honors including the University of Iowa’s “Outstanding Alumni Award”, the Iowa Hospital Association’s “Excellence in Leadership Award”, “The 50 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review, “The Board of Trustees Award”, by the American Hospital Association and most recently the “The Patriotic Employer Award” by the US Department of Defense. He has had the opportunity to testify in the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, and special conferences with both President’s Clinton and Obama on health care and economic development issues.

Linden, widely recognized as expert in rural healthcare and health improvement, he served on the American Hospital Association’s Board from 2000-2005 and the National Rural Advisory Committee for the US Department of Health and Human Services 2007-2011. He currently serves on the boards of the Health Forum, Grinnell College and the University of Iowa College of Public Health. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa, as well as a regular faculty for the American College of Healthcare Executives.