ATLANTIC – Cass Health and its affiliate organizations have released their scholarship applications for the upcoming school year. The deadline for all scholarship applications is Friday, April 3, 2026.
2026 Scholarships
Applications are available at casshealth.org/scholarships and can be submitted to Human Resources by the respective deadline. For more information, contact Kat Niemann, Human Resources Coordinator, at 712-250-8022 or nieka@casshealth.org.
Atlantic, IA – The February session of Healthy U will feature Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Ann Narmi. The presentation will take place on Thursday, February 19, at noon in Conference Room 2.
Dr. Narmi’s presentation will focus on women and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, accounting for one in every five female deaths. Understanding the signs and symptoms of heart disease and how they can present differently in men and women can help individuals recognize when to seek medical care.
After graduating from Creighton University School of Medicine, Dr. Narmi completed her residencies and a fellowship at Creighton. She is board-certified in both Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She provides care to patients in the Cass Health Specialty Clinic.
Space is limited. A free boxed lunch will be provided for all attendees, and reservations are required. To reserve your seat, call 712-243-7479. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.
Cass Health is pleased to announce a new partnership with Above + Beyond Cancer, an Iowa‑based nonprofit dedicated to elevating the mind, body, and spirit of individuals impacted by cancer. Together, the organizations will expand access to evidence‑based programs designed to support cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers.
To celebrate the partnership and provide community members an opportunity to learn more, Cass Health will host an open house on Monday, February 16, from noon to 2 p.m. in Conference Room 2. Cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and anyone impacted by cancer are all encouraged to attend.
Founded in 2011 by Oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, Above + Beyond Cancer offers a wide range of free programs. These include fitness classes, meditation, cycling, nutrition education, urban pole walking, book club, and a cancer education series. The Above + Beyond Cancer Hotel Program also provides free lodging for cancer patients in Iowa who must travel more than 50 miles to receive treatment.
Above + Beyond Cancer’s mission is to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey—an effort that aligns closely with Cass Health’s commitment to supporting patients and the greater community.
After a decade of transformative leadership that elevated Cass Health into a nationally recognized regional healthcare hub, Chief Executive Officer Brett Altman has announced his retirement. Altman will remain a part of the leadership team through January 1, 2027—his official 10-year anniversary—to ensure a seamless transition for the organization.
The Cass Health Board of Trustees will initiate a search for a successor, evaluating qualified candidates to lead the organization through its next phase of strategic expansion. “The next several months will focus on identifying the right leader to build upon the incredible gains we have made together,” said Altman. “It has been the honor of my career to serve this community, and I am confident that the momentum we have built together will propel Cass Health to even greater heights.”
A Legacy of Excellence and Expansion
Since joining Cass Health in 2017, Altman has overseen an era of unprecedented growth. Under his tenure, the organization doubled its market share and patient base, now serving more than 36,000 residents across southwest and west-central Iowa.
Mike Klocke, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, noted that Altman’s “well-organized framework for growth” redefined the hospital’s future. Notable achievements include:
Future-Focused Transition
Altman’s departure comes as Cass Health executes a robust five-year strategic plan, including facility expansions and remodels scheduled through 2028. “Because of our nationwide reputation as one of the best rural hospitals in the country, I have no doubt we will attract stellar candidates,” Klocke said. “Cass Health is positioned as a premier employer and provider, and the framework is in place for the next leader to hit the ground running.”
Reflections on a 36-Year Career
Altman’s retirement marks the conclusion of a 36-year career in healthcare leadership. Prior to Cass Health, he served as President & CEO of Skiff Medical Center in Newton, IA. Throughout his career, Altman has been a vocal advocate for streamlining healthcare complexity. “Ideally, more time should be spent delivering timely care rather than navigating the complexities of healthcare, jumping through insurance hoops, and obtaining pharmaceutical & medical authorizations,” Altman reflected.
In his announcement, Altman expressed deep gratitude: “I have been fortunate to collaborate with a team that genuinely cares about our patients and each other. Our staff is the best in the business. It is a privilege to conclude my career as CEO of Cass Health.”
About Cass Health
Cass Health is a regional healthcare hub located in Atlantic, Iowa, dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. For more information on services and career opportunities, visit casshealth.org.
Cass Health Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Matt Weresh, a distinguished physician with more than 30 years of service in Iowa, announced his retirement effective May 2026. Dr. Weresh will complete his final orthopedic surgeries at Cass Health during the first week of April.
Dr. Weresh relocated his practice to Cass Health in 2017 and has since provided expert care in a wide range of procedures, from complex hip and knee joint replacements to general surgeries. He was a pioneer in the region—the first orthopedic surgeon to serve central Iowa with specialty training in trauma and fracture care, areas which remained primary interests throughout his career. His impactful work has been published in several national articles and presented at numerous conferences in the fields of hip, knee, and general trauma/fracture care.
“Dr. Weresh’s impact on orthopedic care in this region cannot be overstated,” said Brett Altman, Chief Executive Officer at Cass Health. “His expertise, particularly in trauma and joint replacement, has served our community exceptionally well. While we will deeply miss his contributions and dedication, we are well-prepared for this transition and excited to announce a significant expansion of our orthopedic capabilities to meet the growing needs of our patients. Thanks to Dr. Weresh pioneering the way, Cass Health will be offering our most robust orthopedic care with six 5-star professionals much like Dr. Weresh.”
Cass Health has been proactively planning for Dr. Weresh’s retirement and is expanding its orthopedic team to offer more comprehensive services. This strategic expansion ensures continuity of high-quality care and introduces new specialized expertise.
Currently, the orthopedic team includes Dr. Dan Hatz, Dr. Caliste Hsu, and Zachary Hollingsworth, PA-C. Dr. Hatz provides comprehensive orthopedic care including hip, knee, and shoulders. Dr. Hsu specializes exclusively in hand and microvascular procedures including carpal tunnel release, arthritis management, and traumatic injury repairs. Hollingsworth is a dedicated physician assistant to the orthopedic team, specializing in surgical and inpatient follow-up care, assisting in orthopedic and general surgeries, and coordinating comprehensive patient evaluation and clinical orders.
Cass Health also recently partnered with MD West ONE, the region’s largest private practice for orthopedics, neurosurgery, and spine care. Four physicians from MD West ONE will begin practicing at Cass Health in February 2026: Dr. Todd Sekundiak, Dr. Kimberly Turman, Dr. Charles Rosipal, and Dr. Jordan Lacy.
Dr. Todd Sekundiak is a nationally recognized leader in joint replacement, who specializes in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries, including the innovative “Jiffy Knee” procedure.
Dr. Kimberly Turman is an expert in arthroscopy and reconstructive surgery of the knee, shoulder, and hip, and has a particular passion for sports medicine.
Dr. Charles Rosipal has advanced fellowship training in shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair.
Additionally, Neurosurgeon Dr. Jordan Lacy will return to Cass Health. Specializing in complex spine conditions, Dr. Lacy provides expert diagnostics and surgical procedures for back and neck health.
“This next chapter of orthopedic care at Cass Health is really exciting for us and our patients. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Weresh’s service here, and we look forward to working with a team that continues his legacy of excellence,” said Altman.
To encourage Cass County households to test for radon, Cass Health purchased 500 radon test kits from the American Lung Association that are being distributed for free.
Radon is a gas that can enter homes through the ground, and Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the country. Radon is invisible and odorless, so testing is the only way to detect it. Winter is a good time of year to test for radon, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.
“We know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and we know that lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer. Every homeowner in Iowa should test for radon — regardless of the age or location of their home — to protect the health of everyone living there,” said Brett Altman, Cass Health Chief Executive Officer.
Through a partnership with the Cass County Library Association, radon tests are available at every library in the county. Any homeowner in Cass County can stop by a library to request a free test kit. Homeowners will be asked for a few details such as their name, address, zip code, and phone number. This information may be used to conduct follow-up calls with homeowners about the test and their results and report on how the tests were distributed in each community.
Each kit includes directions on how to use the test and mail it in for evaluation. Results will be sent directly to the homeowner. Cass Health is also providing information with each test regarding what the results mean, mitigation companies, and additional resources to learn about radon.
“Over the past year, Cass Health has started looking more deeply into how we can impact our local cancer incidence rates. Preventing cancer is the ultimate goal, and providing free radon tests is just one way we can start to tackle this huge issue. Over the coming months and years, we will continue to evaluate how we can contribute to cancer prevention through resources like radon tests and community education,” said Altman.
In its debut, the Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list ranks Cass Health as one of three hospitals in Iowa to earn an overall five-star rating. This new ranking out of nearly 5,400 general acute care hospitals eligible, only four- and five-star hospitals made the inaugural list; 253 earned a five-star rating and 509 received a four-star rating.
According to Forbes, “This unique rating system evaluates general acute care hospitals throughout the United States to offer consumers unbiased information on which hospitals can offer top-notch, high-value medical services, no matter where they are in the country … Central to the methodology is its emphasis on clinical patient outcomes (such as rates of mortality, survival, infection and readmissions). These measures were given the most weight and, therefore, had the most influence on each hospital’s overall rating.”
Cass Health received a five-star overall rating based on performance data related to patient outcomes, best practices, value, and patient experience.
“It is an honor to be recognized by a prestigious institution like Forbes. Our vision is to be the best rural hospital in America, and the data shows our team is fully committed to that goal. We want to deliver the best possible outcomes for our friends, family, and neighbors here in southwest Iowa. While we aren’t perfect, we strive for perfection every day with every patient and hold ourselves accountable to delivering the best possible care with every encounter,” said Cass Health CEO Brett Altman.
To create the list, Forbes worked with a team of experts and data extracted from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Provider Data Catalog. Visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-hospitals to see the full list and additional information on each hospital.
Cass Health is thrilled to announce Regina Hansen, RN is the newest recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.® The award is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day.
Hansen was nominated by a patient who recognized her skill in taking charge and going above and beyond while his primary care provider was on a scheduled vacation. “Her love of the nursing profession and utmost desire to provide the best patient care is obvious and commendable. I am extremely impressed by her level of medical knowledge, teamwork, and ability to navigate and coordinate treatment among the hospital’s various services. Cass Health should be extremely proud of the trust they’ve placed in Regina to act in such a competent and reliable manner in place of an out-of-office provider,” said her nominator.
Hansen was surprised by the recognition and said, “I didn’t feel like I did anything out of the ordinary, but this award does take it home that what we do matters. It’s how we treat others, knowing that is how we would want to be treated. This patient is someone’s dad, someone’s grandmother, and it matters to them what you do. Even small things you might not think about. For example, I would want someone to call me back right away, and that’s what I do.”
Growing up, Hansen saw her mom — also a nurse — being stopped in the community and thanked for her work. “I thought it was so cool. She is a caretaker at heart. I saw that, and I wanted to make a difference and help people, too. So this award hits home. People DO realize what you are doing, and they notice when you spend extra time with them, or you make time for an extra phone call. I am making a difference.”
Hansen has worked at Cass Health since June 1997 — following her RN graduation through Iowa Western Community College. At Cass Health, she previously worked as a hospital nurse, an immunization nurse, and as a health coach. Most of her career has been spent in Atlantic Medical Center working alongside family medicine physicians — first Dr. Mark Johnson, and most recently in her current role alongside Dr. Seann Atkinson.
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.
This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org. An online nomination form is available at https://www.casshealth.org/daisy.
Atlantic, IA – Cass Health is committed to providing exceptional care throughout the holiday season.
Clinic hours for the upcoming holidays are as follows.
Thanksgiving (November 27)
All clinics will be closed.
Christmas Eve (December 24)
The Atlantic Medical Center and all satellite clinics will close at noon.
Rapid Care will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas (December 25)
All clinics will be closed.
Friday, December 26
Anita Medical Center and Griswold Medical Center will be closed.
New Year’s Eve (December 31)
The Atlantic Medical Center and all satellite clinics will close at noon.
Rapid Care will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
New Year’s Day (January 1)
All clinics will be closed.
Emergencies
In case of emergency, call 911. The Cass Health Emergency Department is open 24/7.
Cass Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Jeremy Pepin to its Specialty Clinic. Dr. Pepin is a board-certified nephrologist who specializes in general and interventional nephrology.
Dr. Pepin provides individualized, patient-centered care focusing on all aspects of kidney care, including chronic kidney disease, electrolyte abnormalities, hypertension, dialysis, dialysis access placement/issues, and transplant medicine in southwest Iowa.
He is dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Dr. Pepin holds national certifications in Hemodialysis Vascular Access and Peritoneal Dialysis Access with the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN).
He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Wyoming.
To make an appointment with Dr. Pepin, please call the Cass Health Specialty Clinic at 712-243-7590.