Dr. Teri Wahlig, the president and CEO of ChildServe, has received the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.
The award recognizes alumni whose leadership and professional contributions have created a significant impact on their community.
A board-certified neonatologist, Dr. Wahlig has guided ChildServe through a period of expansion, overseeing its transition into Iowa’s only specialty hospital for children. Her tenure has included securing specialty hospital licensure, leading two $10 million capital campaigns and expanding the state’s only pediatric rehabilitation unit.
The organization now serves nearly 6,000 children and families annually across 83 Iowa counties.
“What motivates us at ChildServe is believing in the spirit of a child—curiosity, determination, resilience, and hope,” Dr. Wahlig said in a profile for the college.
Beyond her duties at ChildServe, Dr. Wahlig has advocated for the development of Iowa’s healthcare system, specifically regarding partnerships aimed at helping children with complex medical conditions.
Dr. Wahlig earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and holds an MBA from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. The Distinguished Alumni Awards are among the university’s highest honors, recognizing leaders for excellence, service and impact.
