Atlantic, IA— Cass Health is hosting a public meeting focused on cancer data specific to Cass County on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

“The Iowa Cancer Registry’s newest data puts Cass County at the top of the list for the highest cancer incidence rate in the state. This presentation dives into the data for our county, and it gives us an opportunity as a community to come together to talk about cancer, share resources and ideas, and it’s a call to action for all of us to tackle this complex issue,” said Ann McCurdy, Director of Marketing and Communications and Chair of the Cass Health Cancer Action Plan Team.

Launched by the Iowa Cancer Registry, Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project is an initiative to make sure every county in Iowa has access to the latest cancer data and information. The goal of each presentation is to give local leaders, healthcare providers, and residents the tools they need to act—whether that means boosting cancer screening rates, supporting caregivers, or advocating for better access to care.

The Iowa Cancer Registry has tracked cancer cases, survival rates, and deaths across the state since 1973. Over the years, their data has revealed critical patterns—like higher rates of certain cancers in specific parts of the state—and helped public health teams and hospitals better serve their communities.

To bring this information to every corner of Iowa, the Registry has teamed up with local health departments and statewide partners, including the University of Iowa College of Public Health, the Iowa Cancer Consortium, University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Iowa Rural Health Association.

The presentation for Cass County will be held at the Cass County Community Center on Wednesday, December 3. Doors open and dinner will begin at 5:30 pm, with the presentation to begin at 6 pm followed by Q&A time. Registration for both in-person or virtual attendance is required. To register, visit canceriowa.news/cass.

Atlantic, IA – Cass Health is proud to announce that Sara Arnold, PharmD is the newest recipient of the Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Award. A graduate of Creighton University, Arnold has worked as a pharmacist for 20 years— including the last 17 years at Cass Health. She recently was named the new Director of Pharmacy.

Arnold was nominated by three different coworkers, clearly displaying how her customer service is evident across departments and specialties. One of her nominators, Hospitalist Paul Kerschinske, MSN, ARNP, ACNP-BC, wrote, “[Sara] goes above and beyond to assist all of us in the inpatient floor, and I am sure she is the same with everyone in the building, from the infusion clinic to outpatient clinic to the ED and IPS. It is always a pleasure to work with Sara, and I feel very comfortable going to her with any problems, or just to talk through my thought processes regarding patient medications. If there is something she doesn’t know off the top of her head, Sara is fantastic researching the problem and then, most importantly, following up in a very timely manner.”

Another nominator wrote, “No matter how complex the situation, Sara always goes above and beyond to find the best solution for the patient.”

After being surprised with the award, Arnold commented, “It is such an honor to be thought of by your coworkers that way. I love the diversity in the work I get to do and the growth I’ve been able to experience at Cass Health.  From answering questions from our primary care providers to the emergency room and oncology treatment room, one day is never the same as the last.  My coworkers are some of the most caring, knowledgeable people I know, and they make coming to work everyday fun and rewarding.”

When asked what her secret to great customer service is, she said, “Everyone carries a burden you don’t always get to see.  Grace goes a long way, so treat people the way you would want to be treated.”

The ROSE Award was created to honor and celebrate non-nursing employees of Cass Health who exemplify dedication, compassion, and a commitment to service excellence in carrying out their duties and advancing the goals and mission of Cass Health. The criteria are being knowledgeable and efficient, being compassionate and respectful, working with the care team, and going above and beyond for others. Nominations can be made by anytime online at casshealth.org/rose.

Cass Health is hosting a presentation by volunteers with SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program. “Medicare: What to Expect in 2026” will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 2 pm in Cass Health Conference Room #2.

SHIIP Volunteers Marla Anstey, Mary Brasfield, and Sheryl Miller will present and be on hand to answer questions. Their presentation will cover what SHIIP provides, expected updates and important information about Medicare for 2026, tips for preventing fraud, annual reminders, and prescription coverage plans.

SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa. SHIIP services are free, confidential, and unbiased. SHIIP counselors are trained by the state and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies, or agents. Cass Health is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Cass County.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend; no reservations are needed for this free presentation.

To make an appointment to speak one-on-one with a local SHIIP volunteer, please call 712-243-7555.

Atlantic, IA— The Cass Health Nurse Apprenticeship program announced that it will open 16 slots for students to begin their LPN program in late summer 2026, with an anticipated RN graduation in May 2028.

The Cass Health Nurse Apprenticeship is a highly competitive nurse training program that provides students with a variety of clinical experiences, alleviates the financial burden of higher education, and provides a support system to students before and during nursing school.

Through a partnership with Iowa Western Community College, the apprentices are students of IWCC through a unique hybrid format that allows their classes to be taught online. All in-person coursework is completed at Cass Health, so that the apprentices do not have to travel to Council Bluffs for classes.

“Not only are we offering these students a pathway to an RN career without tuition expenses, this apprenticeship also provides paid employment with on-the-job training, giving these students far more hands-on experience than a traditional nursing student receives,” said Director of Education Brittni Schmidt, BSN RN CEN.

As employees, the apprentices work as occasional employees giving them flexibility to manage classes, homework, and studying. By the end of the apprenticeship, each student will have completed 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, and they are eligible for pay increases as they reach milestones throughout the apprenticeship program.

Applications will open on January 12, 2026 and close on March 13, 2026. Applicants must meet the entrance requirements to be considered for the program. Those who qualify will be interviewed in March and April, with the selection process ending in April. The new apprentices will begin working at Cass Health in July 2026 ahead of their fall semester.

For more information on the Nurse Apprenticeship, visit casshealth.org/apprenticeship or call Human Resources at 712-250-8022.

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 10^th 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 4^th 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 19^th, 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/.

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