On March 28th, 2018, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (COT) announced that the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital have successfully been reverified as a Level I trauma center and a Level I pediatric trauma center respectively through February 2, 2021. Previous verification occurred in 2015.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT's Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as specified by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma. 

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. More information about the American College of Surgeons can be found on their website here.