When Britney Weirich started her freshman year at Iowa State University, she started studying business. “I went with business, because I felt like it would cover lots of areas,” Britney said.  Soon after she reunited with a high school friend, her now husband Logan Weirich.  “Logan returned from the National Guard and decided to start school at Iowa State and that is where we met back up, started dating and the rest is history.”

Wanting to be closer to home, Britney transferred to the University of Nebraska – Omaha, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and then began her first job at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.  “I started as an office assistant and then worked my way up to Programs Director.” Britney loved developing events and working with all of the chamber members to better the Atlantic area.  But, the long and inconsistent hours of the position were not aligning with their family goals. “Logan and I knew we wanted to have a family and finding a position that would support that was exactly what I was looking for.”

This is where Cass County Health System came in.  It all started with Don Johnson, previous Chief Human Resources Officer at Cass County Health System.  “Don took a chance on me.  I had no previous HR experience.  But he told me you hire for personality and you can train the skill.” She left the chamber initially for the CCHS benefits package, “I couldn’t say no to the benefits CCHS had to offer, but I stay for the people.”

Britney just celebrated her five year anniversary with CCHS last year as the HR Assistant and can’t see herself anywhere else. “I have found my people.”   A few of her duties include processing employment applications, assisting fellow employees with their benefits selection, assisting in hiring new employees, managing payroll, and publishing a weekly employee newsletter. “Every day is a little different, which I like.  I can’t do anything with the clinical side, but I can support those who do. It’s very rewarding.”

The Weirichs now live in Lewis with their two children Olivia (4) and Owen (2), and they are expecting a third child due in August.  Logan owns and operates the family business, Weirich Welding Plus.  They have plans to build a home outside of Lewis to continue to be close to the family business.  “We both grew up in the country and we look forward to giving that same experience to our family.”  Britney is most excited to decorate her new home, “I love going to vintage markets and junk shows, I have already started my collection for the new house.”

When Britney is not hunting for new décor to make her new house a home, she loves spending as much time as she can with her family.  “We love going to the Omaha zoo a few times a year.  The penguin exhibit and the zoo train are our always on our must do list.”  The Weirichs can also be spotted camping on the weekends at various locations around Cass County, but their favorite is Lake Anita State Park.  “Lake Anita is our absolute favorite place to camp, we love that the spots are right on the lake and we have access to the great walking trail.”

Thank you Britney for everything you do for Cass County Health System!

At Cass County Health System (CCHS), we have a lofty vision of being the best rural hospital in the country.  We work diligently together to live out our mission of providing a superior experience to everyone we are privileged to serve.  CCHS is celebrating National Hospital Week May 12-18.  We’ll be celebrating with our staff all week, and this is also a great opportunity to celebrate with our community.

We have many things to celebrate and other across the country have taken notice.  Through a concentrated team effort and an organization wide commitment to quality, outcomes, and patient safety, CCHS was recognized for Performance Leadership Award the past two years. We were also nationally ranked as one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the country in 2017 and again in 2018.  Our staff has rated CCHS a Top Workplace in Iowa according to the Des Moines Register poll for each of the past 4 years. Our emergency care team received a 2018 national award for being in the top 10% of emergency departments in country for hospitals under 100 beds.  Because quality, safety, trust,and loyalty are foundational to the culture at CCHS, these national recognitions are affirming for our team members, patients, and the communities we serve.  The awards also underscore that while we are not perfect, we strive for perfection every day and are moving in the right direction.

Over the past 2 years we have recruited 17 additional physicians and advanced practice professionals to meet out goal of providing greater access to care at CCHS.  A few of the specialists recruited include: orthopedic surgeon, neurologist, vascular surgeon, oncologist, two neurosurgeons, cardiologist, urogynecologist, and additional family practice providers.  We are currently working on innovative care utilizing telemedicine technology so that we can offer some of the hardest to get specialties locally, including endocrinology beginning around July 1st.

Our strength today builds upon our heritage over the past 50 years, and the commitment and dedication of our outstanding staff.  As we look forward to the rest of 2019 and the years ahead, we know there will be many more opportunities to bring exceptional health care to even more patients in Cass County and beyond.  We are actively engaged in this work, and know that we could not do it without the overwhelming support of the communities we serve.

A superior experience for our community means that we’re here for our community – where it’s in times of disaster, or that we’re a frequent sponsor and participant of community events. We’re proud to be a major engine for economic development and growth for our community.  Our economic impact on the county is impressive – read more about that in the insert in today's paper..

In the end, the legacy we leave is really about people and relationships – Neighbors Caring for Neighbors.  CCHS employs 375 individuals. As we traditionally done in celebration of hospital week, we are again sharing personal stories about five of those staff members this week, and we hope you enjoy getting to know a few of your neighbors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SANE Services for Sexual Assault Survivors

Even though Sexual Assault Awareness month has come to an end, the resources for survivors of sexual assault are always available at Cass County Health System.

“Sexual assault is a crime, and in addition to the physical harm inflicted, it’s also emotionally and mentally overwhelming,” said Sara Beth Jones, RN, Lead House Supervisor and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). “When a sexual assault occurs, we advise that the survivor should go to the nearest Emergency Department as soon as possible.”

At the Emergency Department, the patient will be cared for by a SANE. A SANE is a registered nurse who has completed specialized training and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of a patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse. “We always have someone on-call to respond when a survivor comes into our emergency department,” said Sara Beth.

The sexual assault forensic exam is free for survivors. “Worrying about money should be the last thing on their mind,” said Sara Beth. The State of Iowa pays for expenses related to the forensic exam, including immediate preventive treatment of sexual transmitted diseases.

Survivors also dictate the entire process of the forensic exam. “Anytime they want to take a break or end the exam, we stop — no questions asked.  The survivor’s wishes are honored all the way through the process.” Once the exam is complete, all evidence from the exam will be packaged and sealed appropriately.

“We’re also here to help connect survivors to resources such as a trained sexual assault advocate,” said Sara Beth. Sexual assault advocates are available 24/7 from the Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program (they also offer a 24/7 crisis line at 1-888-612-0266).  These advocates provide information about community services, crisis counseling, legal rights and options, assist with transportation needs, as well as any other needs the survivor might have.

Advocates and SANE nurses work closely with local law enforcement, too, if the survivor wishes to have them involved.

“Whenever we can use local resources to assist victims it is a win for us,” said Darby McLaren, Cass County Sheriff.  “I think the victim is more comfortable, and we know who we are working with at CCHS which always helps.” Having the SANE nurses available at CCHS also eliminates the need for a deputy to transport a survivor to a larger hospital, which can take several hours.

“We currently have five SANE nurses, and our plan is to add three additional SANE nurses, because we are very committed to supporting survivors the best we can,” said Sara Beth.

Recent Statistics on Sexual Assault Survivors from Cass County

Survivors by Gender                                              Survivors by Age

Data provided by Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program, a not for profit agency that provides services to anyone who has been victimized in any way through forced or unwanted sexual activity. In the past 18 months, the agency has served 24 sexual assault survivors from Cass County. Of these 24, 16% were male and 84% female, 82% were under the age of 18, 9% were 18-29, and 9% were 30-44.

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Public Health is celebrating National Public Health Week April 1-7, 2019. Public health impacts every aspect of our lives, and National Public Health Week (NPHW) shines a spotlight on how far we have come, as well as acknowledging how much more we need to do to make healthy living easier where people live, learn, work, and play.

The national theme is Creating the Healthiest Nation: For science. For action. For health. As part of this goal, Public Health works to build safe, healthy communities; provide quality healthcare for all; encourage healthy behaviors and choices; create healthy environments; increase economic mobility; and give everyone access to safe, healthy food.

“As residents in Cass County, if we each take one small step towards a healthier life every day, together we can make a difference in our national goal,” said Beth Olsen, Director of Cass County Public Health.

In Cass County, Public Health has resources to help residents of all ages and stages of life. To learn more about Cass County Public Health, or to ask questions about their programs, call 712-243-7546 or stop in their office located at 1408 East 10^th Street, Atlantic, Iowa.

Healthy U: Colon Cancer: Myths and Misconceptions

Atlantic, IA – The March session of Healthy U will be held Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Cass County Health System.  The program, Colon Cancer: Myths and Misconceptions will be presented by Dr. Chad McCance, M.D., F.A.C.S..  Dr. McCance began his practice at Southwest Iowa Surgery in 2008. He provides general surgery, thoracic surgery and critical care procedures. Dr. McCance is board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons

Healthy U will be offered at noon on Thursday, March 21, 2019. Healthy U is a free educational series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as a meal is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

ATLANTIC – Cass County Health System is excited to announce that Darci Young, BSN, RN, was among the honorees named in the 100 Great Iowa Nurses for the 2019 award class.  Patients, colleagues, and nursing leaders nominated more than 500 nurses from across the state for this prestigious award.  Honorees are recognized for their outstanding courage, competence, and commitment to patients and the nursing profession.

Darci has been the Manager of the Cass County Health System Emergency Department since August of 2010 and also serves as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and a County Medical Examiner for Cass County.  Before beginning with Cass County Health System, Darci has been an Emergency Department nurse at Jennie Edmondson hospital for five years and Creighton University Hospital for seven.  She received her RN from Iowa Western Community College in 1998 and completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2016 from Aspen University.

“Darci is a wonderful asset to CCHS and Cass County,” Amanda Bireline, Chief Nursing Officer of Cass County Health System commented, “she demonstrates excellent clinical care, compassion and leadership every day. We are thrilled to see her receive such a great honor.”

Each year, the 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored at a ceremony.   This year’s 100 Great Iowa Nurses will be honored on May 5, 2019 – the beginning of Nurses Week – at the 15^th annual celebration in Des Moines.

About 100 Great Iowa Nurses

100 Great Iowa Nurses is a non-profit program that honors great nurses in the state of Iowa, and funds a scholarship program that supports the education of Iowa Nurses. Established in 2004, the program recognizes qualities that demonstrate efforts beyond those expected of a nurse within his/her normal duties, such as concern for humanity, significant contribution to the nursing profession, and leadership and mentoring. For more information, visit www.greatnurses.org.

For Immediate Release

New Low Dose Lung Cancer Screenings Available at CCHS

ATLANTIC – A new lung cancer screening test is now available at Cass County Health System. To detect potential lung cancers, patients can undergo a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan in the Diagnostic Imaging department.

“Much like a mammogram screens patients for breast cancer, we use a low-dose CT scan to check patients for lung cancer,” said Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Cass County Health System.

The lower dose of radiation received during this annual screening makes it safer for the patient. “Everyone is exposed to natural radiation from the environment, and patients are exposed to small doses of radiation during some imaging tests like x-rays. By using a lower dose of radiation during the test, we’re exposing the patient to a smaller amount of radiation than during a typical CT procedure. This is good because we want to keep your lifetime exposure to radiation at the lowest level possible,” said Carrie.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women. Every year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. For 2019, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will be about 228,150 new cases of lung cancer in men and women in the United States. Additionally, lung cancer was predicted to cause about 142,670 deaths nationwide.

“This screening is particularly important for patients who smoke or smoked heavily,” said Carrie. The lifetime risk of developing lung cancer is about 1 in 15 for men and about 1 in 17 for women; but for smokers, the risk is much higher.

Patients should be between the ages of 55 and 77, have no symptoms of lung cancer, have no history of lung cancer, currently smoke or quit less than 15 years ago, and have a pack-year score of greater than 30. (Pack-years are calculated by multiplying the number of years smoked by the average number of packs smoked per day.)

If patients think they may qualify for low-dose CT lung cancer screenings, they should talk to their primary care provider.

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