Amanda VanderZyl
Chief of Staff
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Iowa Health Care,
Age: 31
Almost every day brings a new role for Amanda VanderZyl at the University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Internal Medicine. Through her position as chief of staff, she is constantly looking to make tasks more efficient and assisting her colleagues.
“I like that I get to work with a lot of different people and have a broad range of responsibilities that makes everyday a challenge,” Ms. VanderZyl said.
As a leader in her field, she learned the most important thing to do is be willing to listen to people. She believes it’s important to understand different perspectives.
“She is an up-and-coming leader who is deserving of this recognition,” Dr. Jean Robillard, UI’s vice president for medical affairs, stated in his nomination of Ms. VanderZyl. “Amanda has served the Corridor health-care community with her business acumen and has had a positive and meaningful impact in each organization where she has worked. She has made substantial contributions to the Department of Internal Medicine with her thoughtful and detail-oriented work, as well as her kind and approachable personality.”
Ms. VanderZyl also spends a lot of time on community involvement as a member of various organizations. She enjoys mentoring undergraduate and graduate students at the UI who are interested in management and health science fields.
She said she finds it rewarding to return to her alma mater to use practical knowledge and assist students.
“Hearing questions can help me rethink my strategies; it’s a great outlet to think about things in a different way and have fun with the students,” Ms. VanderZyl said.
She also volunteers with the Iowa City Junior Service League, is an alumni liaison for Millikin University and the Iowa City Ronald McDonald House.
She earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and philosophy from Millikin University and master’s degrees in public health and health administration from the UI’s College of Public Health. Ms. VanderZyl lives in North Liberty with her husband, Mark.
-Jessica Carbino
