Kay Takes is the president of the eastern Iowa region of Mercy Health Network, including Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque and Clinton, Iowa, and the rural hospitals in Guttenberg, Elkader and Dyersville. Previously, she was the president, Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque since October 2015. Ms. Takes is an executive with 30 years of progressive leadership experience across a variety of health care settings. She joined Mercy – Dubuque in 1998 and became the vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer in 2000. In that role, she led Mercy – Dubuque in becoming the second Magnet hospital in the state of Iowa. She also worked to advance the culture of the organization through two subsequent Magnet re-designations, in 2009 and 2014. Takes has led numerous strategic initiatives and has a proven track record in meeting the highest standards of organizational excellence through shared leadership and patient centered care. 

Takes has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and a Master of Arts degree in nursing administration, both from the University of Iowa. She is board certified in healthcare management as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; and she is nationally-certified as an advanced nurse executive by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Before coming to Dubuque, Takes served as Director of Clinic Operations for the Iowa Physicians Clinic in Des Moines, and in progressive leadership roles over nine years at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. 

Takes has presented at numerous national conferences and has received several awards and honors, including a Women of Achievement Award in 2013 from the Women's Leadership Network of Dubuque; and the Nurse Executive of the Year Award in October 2008 from the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders.