Cedar Rapids MedQuarter names executive director

The first executive director for the regional medical district in Cedar Rapids was named on Tuesday.

Philip Wasta will oversee the MedQuarter, a 50-block district that includes Mercy Medical Center, UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital, and Physicians' Clinic of Iowa.

'The commission unanimously selected Phil from a quality pool of candidates because we all believe he has the ability to very quickly jump-start district development,” Ted Townsend, chairman of the Medical Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District Commission, said in a news release. 'He's a property owner in this district, has a wealth of relevant experience and has been with us on the commission since the very beginning.”

A University of Iowa graduate, Wasta most recently was vice president of Tallgrass Business Resources. He will be employed by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which has provided administrative services to the Medical District.

The MedQuarter was designed to promote economic development, improve the quality of health care and contribute to the growth of Cedar Rapids, according to those involved with the district. Over the last two years, a development plan was created that includes potential land use, streetscape designs and branding opportunities.