Cass Health has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2025 honor by Iowa Top Workplaces.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Earning this recognition is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.
With more than 475 employees, Cass Health is the largest employer in Cass County and a huge economic engine for the region. Cass Health has been previously recognized as an Iowa Top Workplace, a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the USA, and as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in the USA for multiple years running.
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture.
Atlantic, IA—Cass Health is now administering seasonal vaccines for influenza. Flu shots and FluMist are both available, as well as high-dose flu shots for patients over the age of 65. FluMist is an option for patients ages 2 through 49.
Walk-ins are welcome during normal Immunization Room hours; all patients should check-in at Registration first. The Immunization Room is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.
In Atlantic, drive-thru appointments will be available on Wednesday, October 8 from 2 to 6 pm. The drive-thru will once again be in the curved driveway on 10th street, at the top of the staff parking lot (Lot D). Appointments are required for the drive-thru clinic.
The annual Ayzlee’s Family Flu Clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 22 from 5 to 7 pm. This clinic is specifically for young families and will include children’s activities and snacks. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. The event will be held inside the Cass Health Main Entrance.
Cass Health will also be administering flu vaccines, via injection or FluMist, at local schools. A clinic will be held at the Atlantic schools on Tuesday, October 21, and CAM on Thursday, October 16. Parents who wish to have their child immunized at school must return the consent form to the school by Monday, October 6. For more information, please contact your school nurse for details and required paperwork or visit casshealth.org/vaccines to download and print the required consent.
Patients can also receive seasonal vaccines at Cass Health clinics in Anita, Griswold, and Massena. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling ahead is recommended.
To make an appointment for the drive-thru or Ayzlee’s Family Flu Clinic, please call 712-243-2850.
Cass Health proudly announces that Michele Williams, RN was selected to receive the Hospital Hero award from the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). Williams will be formally recognized in October at the IHA Annual Meeting in Des Moines along with 10 other recipients.
Williams started at Cass Health in 1997 and has worked as an RN since 2000. During her career, she spent more than a decade in both obstetrics and emergency care. Today, she works full-time in the Emergency Department and continues to provide back-up coverage to obstetrics when needed.
Williams was nominated by Cass Health and parents Maddy Peppers and Matt Petersen who credit Williams with saving the life of their infant son Harvey.
Harvey was born on February 4th this year, and while still in the hospital, it was discovered that he had a large ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is a hole in the heart between the right and left ventricles. After a few days at Children’s Nebraska hospital, they were discharged home. But on the 19th, when he was only two weeks old, Harvey’s condition took a turn for the worse.
At the Cass Health Emergency Department, Williams met the family at the door and began immediately assessing Harvey. With her obstetrics and emergency nursing background, Williams was the perfect person to provide care to Harvey and his parents. She initiated a code blue, started compressions, and choreographed the lifesaving medical care that ultimately saved Harvey’s life.
After the team stabilized Harvey, Maddy remembers that Williams came out of the room and went straight to her delivering a hug that Maddy said, “I will never forget that. I could feel her love for Harvey and for us.”
Although this one moment stands out as particularly heroic, it’s certainly only one example of the effort Williams make for her patients, her team, and her community. She has selflessly volunteered with the Massena Rescue, which earned her the Spirit of Volunteerism Award at Cass Health in 2024.
Dr. Autumn Keiser said, “Michele Williams embodies what it means to be a hospital hero—skilled, selfless, compassionate, and committed to both her patients and her colleagues.”
Since 2007, the Hospital Heroes program has celebrated employees who have acted courageously in a moment’s crisis or who have selflessly served their hospitals and communities throughout their careers. Hospital Heroes are nominated by their peers and award recipients are selected by a committee of health care executives.
The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government, and consumer audiences.
Atlantic, IA— Cass Health is excited to announce that Hunter Pflughaupt, MD recently joined the primary care team and will begin seeing patients of all ages this week at Atlantic Medical Center.
Dr. Pflughaupt is originally from Walker, Iowa and received his undergraduate degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 2022, and he recently finished his Family Medicine Residency at Iowa Lutheran in Des Moines. Dr. Pflughaupt says that he has a strong focus on preventive care and patient education, and he is committed to delivering patient-centered care that addresses not only physical health but also emotional and social well-being.
“I want patients to feel comfortable and safe. They can talk to me about whatever is on their mind and know that they will get the best care possible,” he said.
Dr. Pflughaupt is a member of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Medical Association.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pflughaupt, please call 712-243-2850.
Atlantic- Cass Health is excited to announce a special community event, “Car Seats and Cool Rides,” on Saturday, September 27, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Cass Health Employee Parking Lot (Lot D).
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their children and car seats for a complimentary safety check. Multiple certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand to inspect car seats, help parents install them correctly, give tips about car seat safety, and answer any questions.
“Car seat safety is crucial for children of all ages. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that while most parents believe they know how to correctly install their car seats, about half (46%) have incorrectly installed their child’s car seat. Whether it’s a quick trip to the store or a long road trip, taking the time to check and adjust car seats can make all the difference in keeping our children safe,” said Maddy Peppers, RN, OB Navigator and Child Passenger Safety Technician at Cass Health.
In addition to car seat checks, families can enjoy fun activities and refreshments. The Atlantic Police Department, Atlantic Fire & Rescue, Cass County EMS, and a LifeFlight Helicopter will all be on hand for children and families to check out together and learn more about each vehicle from the first responders who operate them.
There is no cost for the inspections, but appointments are needed. Please make an appointment by calling Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7475, or easily schedule online at outlook.office.com/book/PublicHealthCarSeatCheck@casshealth.onmicrosoft.com/.
###
Atlantic- Beginning today, Cass Health is upgrading its in-house MRI machine. The upgrade is expected to take approximately five weeks to complete.
A mobile MRI unit will be at Cass Health from September 1 through the 26th. Due to the differences between the in-house and mobile units, breast and prostate MRI scans will not be available until the upgrades are complete, but all other appointments will continue as scheduled.
While the mobile MRI is in Atlantic, PET/CT will not be on-site, and those services will resume in October.
Questions about the MRI upgrade can be directed to Cass Health Radiology at 712-243-7450.
###
Atlantic, IA— September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month and Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions team is committed to raising awareness about mental health and preventing suicide. With local partners, they are hosting a free community walk on Thursday, September 11, 2025, beginning at 7:00 pm at City Park in Atlantic.
Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month is a time for communities across the nation to come together to educate, support, and spread hope. Each year, organizations like Senior Life Solutions work to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, improve access to care, and educate the public about the warning signs of suicide and how to help those in need.
“Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month is a critical time to remind everyone that help is available, and that mental health is just as important as physical health,” says Karmen Roland, RN, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions. “By starting conversations and providing education, we can all play a part in breaking the stigma and supporting those who may be struggling.”
Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to learn more about mental health and suicide prevention, hear from local speakers, and connect with others in the community who share a commitment to saving lives. After the program, the walk will take place around the City Park.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call, text, or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
The walk is co-hosted by Cass Health, Healthy Cass County, and the Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness, with additional support provided by Atlantic Parks & Recreation and Atlantic Bottling Company. For more information about the walk, call 712-250-8100.
Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions is an outpatient program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging or a chronic diagnosis. This program is managed in conjunction with Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC). Founded in 2003, PMC is a leading behavioral healthcare management company focused on addressing the needs of rural and underserved communities. PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 30 states. The company’s services provide evaluation and treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems. For more information or if you or someone you know could benefit from this program, please call 712-250-8100.
Atlantic, IA – Cass Health invites women of all ages to attend “Glow & Grow: A Women’s Health Retreat” at Bluebird Hill in Atlantic, September 2-4, 2025.
Following the success of last year’s event, Glow & Grow returns with a refreshed format designed to be more flexible, interactive, and personal.
“We had a wonderful response last year, and we’ve made a few changes to keep things fresh,” said Ann McCurdy, Director of Marketing & Communications. “Rather than keynote sessions, we’re offering a variety of shorter, topic-focused sessions so attendees can choose exactly what interests them most. We’ve also built in more time for conversation—both with presenters and with other attendees—because those personal connections are part of what make these evenings so special.”
Event Lineup
Registration for each evening is $20 and available online at casshealth.org/glowandgrow, or in person at the Cass Health Gift Shop. A multi-day registration for all three nights is available at the discounted rate of $50.
Questions about the event can be directed to the Marketing & Communications Department at 712-243-7405.
Due to a planned software update, the phones at Cass Health will be down temporarily beginning at approximately 10 pm on Thursday, August 14th. Residents will not be able to call any Cass Health phone number during this time. The disruption to phone service is expected to be less than 30 minutes.
In case of emergency, always call 911. The Cass County Communications Center and Cass Health do have alternative modes of communicating about emergencies during this time.
Atlantic, IA – The August session of Healthy U will be presented by Cass Health Pharmacist Sara Arnold on Thursday, August 21 at noon in Conference Room 2.
Arnold will be presenting on over the counter medications and supplements. Her main points will include what to look for when buying over the counter as well as what medications and supplements work best for treating certain conditions.
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.