Atlantic, IA – The July session of Healthy U will be presented by Cass Health’s Registered Dietitian Sarah Andersen, RD, LD and will focus on understanding ultra-processed foods and how they fit into a healthy lifestyle. The session will take place on Thursday, July 16 at noon in Conference Room 2.
“Ultra-processed foods are everywhere, and it can be confusing to know what foods to choose and how they impact our health. We’ll break down what ultra-processed foods are, how to identify them, and share practical strategies for building balanced meals while still enjoying the foods you love,” said Andersen.
Andersen earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University and completed her Iowa State Dietetic Internship in 2018. She is a credentialed Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and is a State of Iowa Licensed Dietitian. She is a member of the Iowa Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.
Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.
Atlantic, IA — The next Thrive Iowa Alliance meeting is Lifting Together: Why the Community Wins When At-Risk Families Thrive. The meeting is Monday, July 27th at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass Health in Atlantic.
Thrive Iowa Alliance meetings are held monthly with the goal of connecting local partners with ongoing education and information to better assist families in our community. Three local professionals will present Lifting Together — Erika Kirchhoff, Network Outreach Coordinator, Child and Family Resource Network; Gentri Meier, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Cass Health; and Laena Sonntag, Social Worker Supervisor, Iowa Health & Human Services.
Thrive Iowa is a collaborative, community-driven initiative focused on strengthening partnerships, improving access to resources, and helping individuals and families achieve greater stability and well-being. Through coordinated services and shared community responsibility, Thrive Iowa works to create stronger outcomes for families and communities across Iowa.
Through a secure digital platform, Thrive Iowa brings together community organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, businesses, and faith-based partners to create a more coordinated approach to serving individuals and families. The initiative focuses on improving communication among organizations to help families more easily access resources and support within the community.
Cass County community members, employers, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, educational institutions, and local leaders are encouraged to attend. Questions can be directed to Kristen Brooks, Cass Health Thrive Iowa Coordinator at 712-250-8266.
Atlantic, IA — Kalli Rush, DPM is now seeing patients at Cass Health in Atlantic, Iowa. As a foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Rush provides care in clinic at Atlantic Medical Center, and she will also perform surgeries in Atlantic.
“We are delighted that Dr. Rush is joining our team. Since Dr. Egertsen came to Cass Health in 2023, we’ve seen a continued demand for podiatry care. Having Dr. Rush here now enables us to expand access to care for our patients and community,” said Melissa Maas, Director of Primary Care.
Dr. Rush lives in the rural Griswold area. She earned a Master of Science in Public Health from George Washington University in 2018 and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Des Moines University in 2022. She completed her residency at the University Health Lakewood Medical Center in 2025. She is currently board-eligible according to the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. She is licensed to practice in Nebraska and Iowa, and she is an active member of the ACFAS, APMA, and ABFAS.
Appointments with Dr. Rush can be made by calling 712-243-2850.
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Atlantic, Iowa — Community members, employers, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, educational institutions, and local leaders are encouraged to attend the official launch of Thrive Iowa in Cass County on June 23, 2026. The event is scheduled from 10 to 11 am at Bluebird Hill and features remarks from state and local leaders, community partners, and organizations that have helped bring the initiative to Cass County.
Through a secure digital platform, Thrive Iowa brings together community organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, businesses, and faith-based partners to create a more coordinated approach to serving individuals and families. The initiative focuses on improving communication among organizations to help families more easily access resources and support within the community.
Cass Health Thrive Coordinator Kristen Brooks said, “Simply put, our goal is to help families who are in difficult situations get to a more stable place in life. These situations are usually complex for an individual to navigate on their own— maybe it’s employment issues, substance use, and also food insecurity within one household. A situation like that needs multiple organizations from across the area to intervene. Thrive gives us that space for all of the applicable helpers to know about the family, know what their needs are, monitor their progress, and continue to connect them to the right people as the family makes progress towards a more secure, healthy household.”
Attendees at the launch will learn more about the vision of Thrive Iowa, opportunities for partnership, and how the community can work together to create stronger pathways for families and individuals throughout the county. Attendees can also meet the Thrive staff — in addition to Brooks, Cass Health also recently onboarded two Thrive Navigators, Mady Tibken and Vicki Williams, who will work directly with families.
“Our community already has incredible organizations doing important work. Thrive Iowa gives us a way to strengthen connections between organizations, coordinate services, and make it easier for individuals and families to find the support they need when they need it,” said Brooks.
Cass County was selected by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as one of the first counties in Iowa to launch Thrive Iowa, recognizing the community’s strong history of collaboration and readiness to build a coordinated system of support for local families. Cass Health was selected to serve as the local backbone organization responsible for convening partners, coordinating implementation efforts, and supporting the development of a shared community framework through its Public Health Department.
Cass Health will break ground on its next major facility expansion and interior renovation construction project on June 11, 2026. The project includes three additions and interior renovations in several areas.
“It’s an advantage to our community that Cass Health is in a position to reinvest in our facilities by funding these improvements through operations without incurring debt. We have a strong local hospital and clinics because of community and regional support from our patients, and in return, we can continue to add providers, services, equipment, and improved facilities to even further meet our community’s needs. This cycle of support, growth, and investment is one of the things that sets us apart from other rural hospitals in providing access to quality healthcare services close to home,” said Cass Health CEO Brett Altman.
The three building additions will be in Surgery, Emergency, and Rehab Services. In Surgery, a third operating room will be built to help accommodate the growing number of surgeons. In the past year, Cass Health has welcomed five orthopedic surgeons, an additional gynecologist, and multiple specialists who all perform surgeries in Atlantic, including new robotic-assisted surgeries.
The Surgery addition also provides an opportunity to build three new observation rooms on the second floor, helping to better accommodate patient needs during high patient census periods.
In Rehab Services, the current physical therapy gym will expand south towards the parking lot. While this area is under construction, all Rehab Services patients will be directed to use a designated temporary entrance nearby.
“With a growing team of physical therapists, and growing demand for PT, OT, and Speech services, we simply need more space. This expansion increases gym exercise space and allows us to reconfigure the entire Rehab Services area, including our pediatric space, to be more cohesive,” said Cass Health Chief Information Officer Mitch Whiley, who is overseeing the construction project.
The third, smaller expansion will impact the Emergency and Inpatient Services departments. The Emergency Department will gain additional space for vital equipment, while Inpatient Services on the second floor will gain gym space for more intensive rehabilitation exercises and training for activities of daily living.
The interior renovations will occur across various areas of the building in phases. Notably, Radiology will expand to include digital PET/CT next to the current CT suite.
“Part of our efforts to further meet the needs of our patients is to bring PET/CT in-house so that it is available more routinely for patients throughout southwest Iowa. Digital PET/CT combines highly detailed 3D pictures of body anatomy with molecular-level data to help doctors detect, diagnose, and treat cancers, heart conditions, and brain disorders with greater speed and accuracy. While we are thankful to have the PET/CT mobile truck here twice each month, we really look forward to the day when these services are here in our building, ready for patients when they need it,” said Altman.
One of the other spaces to be renovated will be the vacated Eye Associates clinic. This area on the second floor will become a new education center, classroom, simulation lab, and conference center.
“Our apprenticeship program has seen a lot of success in the first few years of its existence. We are excited to continue investing locally in educating healthcare students, and this new space shows our commitment to providing superior experiences to our students and staff as they continue to learn and develop their skills,” said Altman.
Construction may impact parking, entrances, or wayfinding in the building. Patients and visitors are asked to watch for any construction-related signs and ask any employees for assistance in navigating the building. The entire project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2027.
Cass Health has achieved a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating report. Nationwide, a total of 385 hospitals — approximately 12% of the 3,203 hospitals evaluated this year — received a 5-star rating. In Iowa, only seven hospitals achieved this designation.
CMS created the five-star rating system to help patients and families compare hospitals, prioritizing measurements of high-quality and safe care. The overall rating from 1 to 5 stars summarizes a number of quality measures from data reported across five areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. The higher the stars, the better the hospital’s performance.
“Reaching a 5-star status is an incredible accomplishment for a hospital and is the highest rating awarded by CMS. Above all, we want our patients, families, and communities that we are privileged to serve to have a superior experience at Cass Health, which means superior quality, superior outcomes, and superior customer service. We are proud of this achievement and the culture of kindness emulated by our entire team,” said Cass Health CEO Brett Altman.
Hospitals report data to CMS through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program, Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, and Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program.
The data used to calculate the ratings is publicly available, allowing patients and families to compare hospitals across Iowa and throughout the country. To see more details about any hospital’s ratings, visit medicare.gov/care-compare.
Atlantic, IA — Cass Health is proud to announce that Derick Hogberg, Director of Fiscal Services, is the newest recipient of the Cass Health Spirit of Volunteerism Award. This award was established to recognize the volunteer efforts of Cass Health employees in their communities, and Hogberg was selected for his active involvement in the Elk Horn, Iowa community.
Hogberg serves as a board member for Elk Horn’s Kids in the Village daycare and manages their financials, supports fundraising efforts, and contributes to maintaining and improving outdoor play areas and equipment. He also volunteers as a baseball and basketball coach for Exira-EHK elementary.
Perhaps most visibly, Hogberg serves as a member of the Elk Horn City Council. Through his work on city council, he oversees the maintenance of the city pool and park, fundraises for pool upgrades, and ensures the city of Elk Horn continues to run efficiently.
During Tivoli Fest and Julefest, Hogberg volunteers his time serving Aebleskiver, participating in folk dancing, and helping behind-the-scenes with setup and cleanup.
His nominator wrote, “Derick’s commitment to service is truly inspiring. And here at Cass Health, he brings that same level of dedication to his work every day, carefully managing the financial operations that keep everything running smoothly. Quite simply, we couldn’t do it without him.”
After winning the award, Hogberg said, “Volunteering is important to me because it sets a good example for others to be involved and have a sense of pride in our communities.”
As part of the Spirit of Volunteerism Award, the winner receives a $250 check to donate to the non-profit organization of their choosing. Hogberg chose the Kids in the Village daycare to receive the donation.
ATLANTIC, IOWA — Cass Health announces the selection of Jonathan Moe as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. Moe will officially begin his role on September 21, 2026, succeeding current CEO Brett Altman, who previously announced his retirement following nearly a decade of leadership at Cass Health.
Moe brings more than 15 years of progressive rural healthcare leadership experience to Cass Health. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Palo Alto County Health System in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he has led the organization since 2021. During his time there, the organization achieved significant financial and operational improvements, strengthened long-term strategic initiatives, and advanced facility planning efforts.
Prior to his current role, Moe served in executive leadership positions with CHI Health Missouri Valley, Shenandoah Medical Center, and Avera Health, building a strong track record of management within rural healthcare organizations. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to community involvement throughout his career, serving in leadership roles with local economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and healthcare associations. Moe and his wife, Ashley, along with their two sons, will relocate to Atlantic ahead of his September start date.
“I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to join Cass Health,” said Moe. “Cass Health has built a remarkable reputation for quality, innovation, patient experience, and community engagement. Ashley and I are excited to move our family to Atlantic and become active in the community. I look forward to building relationships with the Board, medical staff, employees, and community members as we continue advancing the mission of Cass Health together.”
Mike Klocke, Chair of the Cass Health Board of Trustees, commented on the selection of Moe. “Jonathan’s experience, leadership style, and commitment to rural healthcare made a strong impression throughout the selection process. Just as importantly, he understands the vital role hospitals play in the communities they serve. We are excited to welcome Jonathan and his family to Atlantic and look forward to the leadership and perspective he will bring to Cass Health as we continue building on the organization’s strong momentum and long-term vision.”
Klocke also expressed appreciation for outgoing CEO Brett Altman’s leadership and dedication to the organization. Altman will continue to serve into September, ensuring a thoughtful transition for the organization.
“Brett has helped position Cass Health as one of the leading critical access hospitals in the country,” Klocke said. “His leadership has created a strong foundation for the future, and we are grateful for the lasting impact he has had on Cass Health, our employees, and the communities we serve.”
Cass Health is a nationally recognized critical access hospital in Atlantic, Iowa. The organization has earned Top 20 Critical Access Hospital awards for six consecutive years and was one of only three hospitals in Iowa to earn a Forbes 5-Star rating. With 500 employees, Cass Health is the largest employer in Cass County and the leading healthcare organization in the region.
Cass Health is delighted to announce Nicole Stanerson, RN, BSN is the newest recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.® She was nominated by oncology patient Victoria Means for her extraordinary care.
Means wrote, “For my first day of chemo Nicole walked us back to the Tyler Family Cancer Treatment Center. The center is a nice, calming place, but what makes it exceptional are the nurses. Their teamwork in the treatment room is marvelous. My first few days are a bit blurry, but Nicole walked me through what to expect for my first treatment, reasons to call, what’s expected, and what’s not.
I didn’t make it easy for the first few treatments. I had a major reaction to one chemo drug at least three times. Nicole was there for all of them. She started sitting by my side during treatment to be right there in case I reacted again. She was great at communicating with me and also my husband; making sure we both understood our options for the rest of the treatment session. There was seldom a time she did not have an answer for our questions. If she was ever unsure of an answer, she was very quick to confirm it and get back to us.
Eventually, everything got sorted out and I could rock chemo like a champ. Nicole would greet each new family member I brought with a big smile and kindness. She always seemed happy to take an extra few minutes to talk book recommendations or look at pictures of quilts with them. Nicole takes a personal and vested interest in how I am doing outside of treatment. Nicole’s obvious passion for and expertise in her profession paired with her caring demeanor and charisma are the reasons why I feel like she should be awarded the DAISY Award.”
Reflecting on the award and her career, Stanerson said, “I love nursing. Working in oncology/hematology nursing, I love the skills, but it’s really the patient care that I love most. You are caring for patients that sometimes you see even more than your own family, so they become like family to you. We get to know each other, and I always hope that we can get to the point where we can laugh and talk about things beyond their diagnosis and treatment, because treatment doesn’t have to be a horrible experience.”
As a child, Stanerson was inspired to become a nurse because of the television show M.A.S.H.
“I watched M.A.S.H. and saw Major Houlihan, and I thought that’s what I want to be. I wanted to be a strong nurse like her and advocate not only for my patients but for nursing,” said Stanerson. She pursued her dream and became a nurse in 2000. She has worked in numerous fields but has spent most of her career in surgery, oncology, and hematology. Since 2023, she has cared for patients in the Tyler Family Cancer Center at Cass Health.
“I love it here — there is so much talent in the Specialty Clinic. These nurses are amazing, and we build off each other. Between our critical thinking skills, communication, and love for what we do, there is never a time I feel truly stressed.”
Nurses at Cass Health are honored twice annually with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.® The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org. An online nomination form is available at https://www.casshealth.org/daisy.
Atlantic, IA — The May session of Healthy U will provide attendees with an informative, pharmacist-led program focused on medication safety and education. The session will be held Thursday, May 21, at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass Health.
“While we had originally planned to hold one-on-one consultations during the presentation, we switched gears a little. We’ll be presenting to everyone about medication safety, storage, disposal, and how to maintain an accurate medication list — all key information that we would want each attendee to know,” said Director of Pharmacy Sara Arnold, PharmD.
Patients who want a one-on-one session with a pharmacist will still be able to sign up for an appointment that will be held at a future date and time. The consultations will be provided free of charge.
“We want to make sure that we have ample time to meet with each person, so by having people sign up for a longer consultation with us we can better ensure that we’ll have time to adequately answer their questions, and discuss any recommendations,” said Arnold.
Space is limited. A free boxed lunch will be provided, and reservations are required. To reserve a seat, call 712-243-7479. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.