Cass Health

As we wrap up our week of celebrating Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab, we want to recognize the wonderful nurses — Tina, Michelle, Traci, and Sarah — who help patients improve their heart and lung function and make every appointment as enjoyable as possible. Thank you to this incredible team for the care they provide not only this week, but year round! #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors #CassHealth

During Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab week, we thought we'd take you behind the scenes to meet one of our patients who relies on this life-changing care. "The first time I walked on that treadmill, I couldn't even do three minutes," said Karen Taylor. In 2021, Karen was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which is a progressive disease that causes scarring in the lungs. Over the last four years, Karen has been hospitalized multiple times for pneumonia and COVID, including one hospital stay that lasted nearly a month and required her to be on a ventilator. Now on oxygen full-time, Karen comes twice a week to Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab at Cass Health with the goal of increasing her strength, stamina, and overall health to the point where she can be considered for a lung transplant. Karen says back in 2021, they had to start with the basics. "They showed me how to breathe and explained the process of breathing and how that gets the oxygen where it needs to be," she said — as she laughed about having to be taught how to breathe. "But it's true! They did have to teach me and all of us! I learned I was a mouth breather, and that I was only doing shallow breathing." Over the years, Karen has used the services at Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab multiple times. She says it takes discipline to keep exercising but loves to come because of the patient community and nursing team. "The people here are what makes the difference. Every one of them. They are energetic, upbeat, love to visit, and they share their families with me, and I share mine." As for Karen's progress on the treadmill, she was happy to report good news. "Now I've done 30 minutes a few times, and we were all just so happy!" ?? Our thanks to Karen for sharing her story! And thank you to the dedicated team in Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab who are transforming lives with the care they provide. #CRWeek2025 #PRWeek2025 #CardiacAndPulmonaryRehab #CassHealth #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors

We're celebrating #CRWeek2025 and #PRWeek2025 together this week! Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week calls attention to the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with lung disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchiectasis, Sarcoidosis, Lung Cancer, Pulmonary Hypertension, or Post-COVID shortness of breath. Some of the benefits of pulmonary rehab include: ?? Decreasing shortness of breath ?? Increasing energy & stamina ?? Decreasing feelings of depression & anxiety ?? Increasing ability to complete routine tasks and activities #CardiacAndPulmonaryRehab #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors #CassHealth

Time to celebrate! ?? Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions has received the 2024 Program Finalist of the Year Award from Psychiatric Medical Care, which manages the program. Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC) partners with more than 250 hospitals and health systems across the country to provide behavioral healthcare services. Award recipients were chosen for providing outstanding patient care, excellent comprehension and execution of compliance regulations, and strong community engagement. “It was an unexpected surprise to have received this great honor,” said Program Director Karmen Roland, RN. “I am truly humbled and grateful to see my team being acknowledged for all the hard work they have put into improving the lives of our community members.” Congratulations to our Senior Life Solutions team, and thank you for all that you do! #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors #CassHealth

We're celebrating #CRWeek2025 and #PRWeek2025 together! First up -- Cardiac Rehab! Cardiac Rehabilitation week calls attention to its role in reducing the potentially devastating effects of heart disease. Cardiac Rehab is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health if you have experienced a heart attack, heart failure, an angioplasty or heart surgery. Our Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab team works with patients, healthcare providers, and cardiologists to develop unique personal rehabilitation plans that incorporate: ??♀? exercise ?? education for heart-healthy living ?? and stress management This week we celebrate our Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab team for all of the work they do to improve quality of life for their patients! #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors #CassHealth

?? Cass Health is a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital (AGAIN)! ?? There are more than 1,300 Critical Access Hospitals in the US -- and Cass Health is once again in the Top 100. We're thrilled to achieve this honor! #Top100CAH #CassHealth #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors

?? Cass Health is proud to announce that Registered Nurse Kristin Meyer was selected as one of the 2025 Great Iowa Nurses. ?? From her nominator: “Kristin is the night shift nurse everyone wants to work with, and the one our hospitalists count on to keep them organized. She’s simultaneously caring for patients while mentoring nurses, collaborating with providers, and keeping on task. While she puts up a humorous front, she always prioritizes her patients while showing and teaching compassion and empathy; she creates a sense of security and trust that is rarely found.” ?? Originally called 100 Great Iowa Nurses, the recognition was established in 2004 and hosted by the University of Iowa until 2020. In 2022, with the support of Mary Greeley Medical Center, the program, now called Great Iowa Nurses, returned to recognize Iowa nurses that routinely go above and beyond every day and take that extra step to ensure safe, compassionate care for their patients. Congratulations, Kristin! #CassHealth #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors #GreatIowaNurses

Help us welcome our newest primary care provider: Megan Frederiksen ARNP, FNP-C! Megan is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She provides family practice care for patients of all ages. “Since I grew up here, I know a lot of the community, and over the course of my nursing career, I’ve met even more people. Small towns are big families, so it’s like taking care of family.” ?? Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/ge6S5W5p To schedule an appointment, please call Cass Health at 712-243-2850.

Curious about the Cass Health Nurse Apprenticeship? Listen to the latest episode of The Cass Health Podcast to learn more. We'll soon be accepting applications for: ?? LPN students who will start their RN year at IWCC in Fall 2025 ?? New nursing students who will have their entrance requirements completed by Fall 2025 Applications open in January for this competitive program that not only covers the expenses of nursing school but also pays you for on-the-job training. Download and listen wherever you get your podcasts or find it online at casshealth.org/podcast. #NurseApprentice #CassHealth #NeighborsCaringForNeighbors

Nurses at Cass Health are honored twice annually with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.? The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. Congratulations to our newest winner Michelle Phippen, LPN! ?? Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gVSE6Tnv #DAISYAward #NeigborsCaringForNeighbors #CassHealth