ATLANTIC – Dr. Chad McCance, Cass County Health System (CCHS) General Surgeon, was honored recently as an Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) 2017 Hospital Hero. McCance received his award at the IHA annual meeting in Des Moines earlier this month.

Brett Altman, CCHS CEO said “Dr. McCance is one of the most humble surgeons I’ve ever worked with. He is kind, compassionate, hardworking, and makes great effort to always be available to serve the needs of his patients and the health system. He cares about people and strives to make a positive impact with those around him, not the least of which are patients facing challenges with their health.”

Dr. Chad McCance, CCHS General Surgeon, (right) was presented with his IHA Hospital Hero award by Brett Altman, CEO.

According to the IHA, a hospital hero any employee or physician “who has performed a heroic deed or tirelessly given of their time, talent and expertise to improve their organization and the world around them is eligible for the Iowa Hospital Heroes Award.” Dr. McCance was one of just 11 hospital staff and physicians from across the state selected for this prestigious award this year.

The program for the event provided the following information from his nomination and letters of support:

“As the only general surgeon in a critical access hospital, Dr. Chad McCance shoulders a tremendous responsibility, and he never fails to deliver. Even if he has to hike through a blizzard to get to the hospital (and he has!), he is always ready to serve his patients. Dr. McCance works with area surgeons from three different hospitals to ensure each community has surgery coverage at all times. In 2016, he was on call a total of 272 days!

A lifelong learner, Dr. McCance added C-sections to his skill set when he came to Cass County Memorial Hospital, a service he had never provided but was needed here. When a patient needs more advanced care than he can provide he not only has the wisdom to refer them on, but frequently travels to a metropolitan hospital 60 miles away so he can scrub in, learn new techniques and obtain firsthand knowledge of his patient’s medical status. Dr. McCance has juggled his medical career while serving in a more traditional heroic role as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1986 – 2012, including a 90-day tour of active duty in 2003. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. And through it all, he is a loving and devoted husband and father.

Dr. McCance doesn’t just show up for work, he greets his patients with passion and enthusiasm for how he can help them enjoy the very best quality of life. When he greets patients for a pre-scope office visit, he cannot hide his enthusiasm, because he knows that he can actually prevent a cancer from developing by performing a thorough scope examination. His heartfelt commitment is contagious, and before you know it, you are actually excited to have a colonoscopy!

And that is just the kind of person he is – driven by an internal desire to help and heal. It shows in all of his roles: veteran, father, husband, man of faith, mechanic, friend, student, and teacher. These are all great things, and are not necessarily uncommon. It is the combination of all of these roles, coupled with his selfless and tireless passion for healthcare, which makes him a hero to us.”