Just eight months after leaving for a position in Chicago, David Stark will return to Greater Des Moines to become president and chief operating officer of Blank Children’s Hospital and executive vice president of Iowa Health – Des Moines.

Stark, 37, had served for 13 years at Iowa Health, most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Iowa Lutheran Hospital. He moved to Chicago in January after being named CEO of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

“I realized that Des Moines really is home,” Stark said by telephone from Chicago. “We’re excited to get back to town. … It was terrific timing and a perfect opportunity for me.” Stark said his family is “elated” to be moving back, and that his four children, ages 4 to 10, will be re-enrolled at their same school.

Stark’s last day at Advocate will be Aug. 14; he will assume his new duties at Blank on Aug. 17.



Having served as chief operating officer for Blank’s two sister hospitals in Des Moines, “obviously I had been associated with Blank before,” he said, “but the opportunity to run Blank will be a real treat.”

Stark said he plans to become re-engaged in the Greater Des Moines community, particularly with Variety – The Children’s Charity and the March of Dimes, as well as with United Way of Central Iowa, Rotary and the American Heart Association.

Stark’s appointment completes the composition of Iowa Health – Des Moines’ senior management team. Dr. Stephen Stephenson was named chief operating officer and executive vice president of Iowa Health earlier this year and is responsible for the operations of Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Methodist West Hospital. In May, Eric Lothe was named administrator of Iowa Lutheran Hospital and vice president of Iowa Health – Des Moines. Earlier this month, Dr. Ken Cheyne was named medical director of Blank Children’s Hospital.