Leading in Times of Challenge with Dr. Teri Wahlig

Dr. Teri Wahlig is CEO of ChildServe, a nonprofit that serves children with special health care needs through more than 30 different types of services. Serving 4,600 children a year, ChildServe offers group homes, respite and childcare, outpatient therapy, specialized in-patient units and more. Dr. Wahlig is a native of Greater Des Moines (DSM) who started her professional career as a neonatologist at MercyOne. In addition to ChildServe, Dr. Wahlig currently serves on the board at Dowling Catholic High School.

Doing What It Takes

At ChildServe, on her first day as CEO, Dr. Wahlig was dealt a difficult task. Due to significant rain back in June of 2018, two of ChildServe’s in-patient units flooded. At that time, she says that the team that comes together in the crisis moment, doing whatever it takes, is so important. In her leadership role, she was required to make quick decisions. Her on-site team moved over 35 children out of one unit to another location to be able to continue critical care. What she has found is that as a crisis lasts longer and longer, different activity and types of communication become more important. Maintaining communication continues to be critical.

The Leading in Times of Challenge podcast was previously produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. To learn more about community events and leadership, check out The Partnership blog.