Ashlee Rowles, MHA, joined the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at University of Iowa Health Care in November 2025 as the new Director of Clinical Services. As part of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, CDD clinicians provide multidisciplinary services to patients with disabilities and their families. CDD is also the home to Iowa’s UCEDD, LEND program, and Hawk-IDDRC.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve the patients and families in our state and region,” said Rowles “We have a tremendous opportunity in the coming years to build upon our foundation of collaborative relationships with our internal and external partners to support and improve the patient and employee experience.”
Rowles brings to her new role more than a decade of experience in healthcare administration, including overseeing clinical and research operations, financial performance, program development, facility management and compliance. Most recently, she served as Director of Operations at ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware, where she led operations at the Newark Campus and strategic execution in the Surgical Services and Women’s & Children’s service lines. She oversaw the structural design, operational development and financial analysis of the women’s and children’s tower, along with the care model redesign and expansion for the Pediatric Care Center. While there, she led the business plan development for the $310 million service expansion at the Middletown Campus and developed a “Practice for the Future” model to improve patient access and experience utilizing digital platforms.
Rowles’s arrival aligns perfectly with CDD’s plans for expansion. CDD is building for the future with a new 75,000 square foot facility currently undergoing renovation and construction. Expected to open its doors in early 2027, the new Center for Disabilities and Development will expand access to innovative clinical services for patients in the region, and will continue to serve as home base for Iowa’s UCEDD, LEND program and the Hawk-IDDRC. The CDD team will continue to utilize their training and expertise to provide state-of-the-art, family-centered care. The new location will also offer easy access to cytogenetics, dental services, Child Health Specialty Clinic services, the Disability Resource Library, and our inclusive playground for patients and families. “Our leadership team is focused on creating a strategic vision for the CDD that will align with our values and community need,” Rowles added. “Our new facility will allow us to expand upon our comprehensive services to create a healing environment where everyone can thrive.”
An Iowa native, Rowles earned both her bachelor’s degree in human physiology and her Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Iowa. As an undergraduate, she volunteered at CDD and at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital NICU, and she served as the Student Leader Board Chairperson. While attending the UI College of Public Health, she worked as a Graduate Research Assistant. Rowles completed an Administrative Internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and an Administrative Fellowship at ChristianaCare.
Visit the CDD website to learn more about what we do at the Center for Disabilities and Development:
https://cdd.center.uiowa.edu/
For questions, get in touch with Julie Temple at [email protected].
