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.

Atlantic, IA — Cass Health Chief Executive Officer Brett Altman, DPT, MBA, FACHE was recognized by Becker’s Healthcare on two separate lists: Rural Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know and Community Hospital CEOs to Know.

Becker’s Hospital Review noted that rural and community hospital CEOs play a pivotal role in shaping the future of local healthcare by developing and executing strategic plans that elevate patient care, expand services and enhance hospital facilities. In close collaboration with their leadership teams, they actively engage with the communities they serve, ensuring hospital offerings are tailored to local needs.

Becker’s Healthcare is proud to recognize these visionary leaders for their dedication to improving community health, fostering strong workplace cultures, driving sustainable growth and securing the long-term success of their hospitals.

Altman joined Cass Health in January 2017 as CEO. During his tenure, Cass Health has received the Performance Leadership Award for being in the top quartile in the country for quality and outcomes every year since 2017. The National Rural Hospital Association has named Cass Health a Top 20 hospital each year since 2021 and a Top 100 critical access hospital since 2017.

Becker’s Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker’s Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.

Atlantic, IA – Cass Health is paying the tab for all admissions to Sunnyside Pool every Friday in July. 

Free swim days will be held on July 4, 11, 18, and 25. The pool is located at 1000 Sunnyside Lane in Atlantic. Open swimming is from 11 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 6 pm on Sundays. Free sunscreen will be available during free swim days as well, while supplies last.

The sunscreen is made possible by the Iowa Cancer Consortium, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and the Melanoma Program at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

The number of lifeguards available each day may impact the pool capacity. Make sure to follow Sunnyside Pool to stay up to date on pool hours or closures. 

Cass Health is excited to announce that construction will soon be underway for a new Eye Associates clinic. Jensen Builders Ltd. was officially awarded the construction bid for the new building to be located at 1501 E. 7th Street in Atlantic.

With demolition of the old Farm Bureau building and initial site work nearly finished, construction is expected to begin by the end of July. When completed this winter, Eye Associates will move to the new location, where it will continue providing eye care for patients of all ages.

The new building is approximately 6,900 square feet and will be used by Optometrist Dr. Jeff Goergen as well as by Dr. Jesse Himebaugh and Dr. David Ingvoldstad, visiting ophthalmologists from Midwest Eye Care.

Atlantic, IA — Cass Health is happy to announce the winners of the photo contest have been chosen, and most of the new artwork is installed.

“We are thrilled by the positive response from the community! We had more than 90 individuals participate, with more than 300 photos submitted. We have more than 35 canvases already displayed in our hallways, and we are expecting a few more to arrive soon. We also received several beautiful winter images, which we will put on display this December,” said Ann McCurdy, Director of Marketing and Communications.

The winning entries were submitted by the following:

• Amanda Hall
• Amayi Walker
• Amy Nelson
• Angela Turner
• Ann Clinton
• Ashley Skow
• Aubree Williams
• Breanna Russell
• Caitlin Nelson
• Christine Hass
• Colby Euken
• Dana Larsen
• Derek Henry
• Dianna Blake
• Dolly Bergmann
• Julie Holmes
• Kaley Young
• Kari McMartin
• Kate Wheatley
• Kathy Somers
• Katie Nichols
• Kelly Knudson
• Kolton Hewlett
• Kylee Wessling
• Lydia Rouse
• Mallory Kirchoff
• Nancy Croghan
• Nathan Robinson
• Paige Bintner
• Ruth Glines
• Sandy McCurdy
• Savannah Cameron
• Steve Olsen

Honorable mentions were also given to photos submitted by Sue Hunt, Taylen Abarr, and Bob Lane.

The winning photos can be viewed in the hallways near the Cass Health Pharmacy, Radiology, and Rehab Services, and an online gallery of the winning photos can be viewed here.

Atlantic, IA – The June session of Healthy U will be presented by Emergency Department Provider Tammy Bireline, ARNP on Thursday, June 19 at noon in Conference Room 2. 

Bireline will present on heat related illnesses, and how to best prevent them, which is top of mind during the warm summer days here in Iowa. 

Bireline is board certified in family practice by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Over the course of her career, she has had varied clinical experience in healthcare including Medical/Cardiac Intensive Care at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Emergency Department/Trauma Coordination at Lutheran Hospital-Des Moines and Cass Health, Cardiac Rehab, Wellness, Medical/Surgical, as well as Outpatient Clinics including chemotherapy and infusion services at Cass Health. She has also completed extensive training specific to emergency care, including ER fundamentals, boot camp and procedures courses. 

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 — Cass Health is proud to announce that Physician Assistant Max Starlin 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.

Starlin and his wife Jordan have been members of Griswold Fire & Rescue for five years. He serves as a firefighter, and she serves as an EMT. Their commitment to Griswold Fire & Rescue includes monthly meetings, trainings, ongoing education, fundraising, and responding to calls.

Starlin received two separate nominations. The first stated, “His willingness to drop everything and assist during emergencies is a testament to his selflessness and courage. He inspires others through his work ethic and willingness to help, whether it’s during training sessions or in emergency calls.”

The second nominator wrote, “As if being a health care provider was not enough to take up most of Max’s days, he finds the time to give back to our community by protecting our homes and farms from fires and responding to search and rescue calls. They can be called out at any time for mutual aid to neighboring fire and rescue departments … and they undergo rescue training that includes responding to motor vehicle accidents, extrication, ice rescue, ropes and grain bins. Fires or accidents can result in tragic events, and only if something happens to us, a loved one or a neighbor do we think about how fortunate we are to have our fire and rescue departments and the people who volunteer their time to train and respond like Max Starlin.”
Starlin responded, “I don’t expect to be recognized as a volunteer. It’s nice, but I don’t do it for those reasons. I volunteer because I grew up in the Griswold community, and now it’s my turn to give back. Jordan and I talked about it for years, and we finally got to a point in our life a few years ago where we felt settled and like it was the right time for us to start into our training and volunteering,” said Starlin.

As to what he loves about his volunteer role, Starlin said, ”it’s the camaraderie. It’s a brotherhood/sisterhood where you make friends, and you form deep bonds, often with people that you never thought you would. You work in challenging situations and circumstances you would otherwise not be in, and it takes a lot of trust to work together. It’s really rewarding,” he said.

As part of the Spirit of Volunteerism Award, the winner receives a $250 check to donate to the non-profit organization of their choosing. Starlin chose Griswold Fire & Rescue and presented the check to Fire Chief JC Wyman at their May meeting.

Atlantic, IA — This May, Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions program is proud to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month by embracing the theme, “Turn Awareness into Action.” Mental health is vital at every stage of life, and we are dedicated to supporting older adults and their caregivers in our rural communities as they navigate mental health challenges.

As we spotlight mental health this month, Senior Life Solutions aims to address the unique mental health needs of older adults in our community by encouraging everyone to:

• Challenge Misconceptions: Mental health struggles are not a normal part of aging. They’re treatable, and with the right support, older adults can thrive.
• Share Stories: By sharing personal experiences, we can break down stigma and inspire others to seek help. Stories of resilience and recovery create a powerful ripple effect.
• Support Caregivers: Caregivers are essential to older adults’ well-being. This month, we’re highlighting tips and resources to help caregivers prioritize their own mental health.
• Foster Connection: Small actions, like checking in with a loved one or initiating a simple conversation, can make a big difference in someone’s day.

“Mental health awareness is just the beginning,” said Senior Life Solutions Program Director Karmen Roland, RN. “Turning awareness into action means recognizing the signs of mental health challenges, supporting caregivers, and ensuring older adults in our rural communities feel valued and connected. Together, we can build stronger, more supportive environments for everyone.”

Cass Health invites you to join us in honoring Mental Health Awareness Month by taking action:

• Learn about the signs of depression and anxiety in older adults.
• Reach out to a caregiver or older adult in your life.
• Explore the resources we offer to support mental well-being in our community.

If you’re taking steps to improve your mental health but are still struggling or are not sure where to start on your mental health journey, we encourage you to connect with your healthcare provider or reach out to a member of our team today.

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.  If you or someone you know is struggling with a decline in their mental health, our program wants you to know we are here to help. Whether through our program, or another service, our team works to identify and address the emotional needs of those in our community and provide support.

For more information or if you or someone you know could benefit from this program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Call us today at 712-250-8100.