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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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.
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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.
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:
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.