DES MOINES — The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) has announced honorees of its newly created “Five Iowa Physicians to Watch” award for 2025 include two Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington, physicians.
They are Muhammad Ajmal, MD, Interventional Cardiologist, and Maria Story, MD, Nephrologist.
Winners were chosen by IMS’s Leadership Development Committee.
Their nominations:
Muhammad Ajmal, MD
“Dr. Ajmal has made exceptional contributions to cardiology and is tirelessly dedicated to breaking down barriers to providing high-quality care in a rural community.
He has become a transformative figure in his field and the lives of countless patients in a region that struggles with access to specialized medical care.
One of Dr. Ajmal’s most significant contributions is his ability to provide complex interventional cardiology procedures — traditionally requiring patients to travel to urban centers — right here in Southeast Iowa.
Under his leadership, Great River Health has become a regional hub for advanced cardiovascular care, offering procedures like angioplasty, stent placement, and catheter-based interventions previously inaccessible in rural areas. His expertise and commitment to innovation have ensured that his patients receive world-class care without enduring long travel times to larger cities.
Dr. Ajmal is an example of how one person’s vision and dedication can overcome geographic barriers. His work at Great River Health is not just a job — it is a mission to improve the lives of those around him.”
Maria Story, MD
“Dr. Story is a dedicated and innovative rural Iowa nephrologist who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient care, particularly in nephrology, with a special interest in hypertension.
Her work in nephrology has been transformative, particularly her approach to leveraging technology to manage chronic kidney disease. In a rural area, she has pioneered remote patient monitoring tools to ensure her patients receive consistent and high-quality care.
Dr. Story has significantly improved kidney disease management, especially for those who may face transportation barriers in remote areas. Her innovations empowered patients to monitor critical health data such as blood pressure, weight, and fluid levels from the comfort of their homes.
These initiatives have led to better early detection of potential complications ,preventing hospitalizations, and emergency room visits. Dr. Story’s dedication to improving rural healthcare access through technology sets a remarkable example. Her tireless efforts to bring cutting-edge care to rural Iowa are a testament to her vision, compassion, and commitment to the well-being of her patients.”
Additional honorees are: Christopher Kim, MD, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, The Iowa Clinic, West Des Moines; Yogesh Shah, MD, Medical Director, Broadlawns Memory Center, Des Moines; Angie Wild, MD, University of Iowa Department of Emergency Medicine, Iowa City.
“We are thrilled to recognize and honor the outstanding work of these five Iowa physicians,” said Alison Lynch, MD, IMS president-elect and chair of the Leadership Development Committee. “They are true leaders who are highly accomplished in their practice and/or community. We are so proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions to health care in Iowa.”
