2018 marks the 50th year of service for two healthcare institutions in Cass County – Cass County Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Medical Center. Both opened for business in the fall of 1968, as two separate healthcare businesses working together to care for citizens of Cass County and beyond. Prior to 1968, there had been private hospitals in Atlantic since 1903, and several private physician offices. In November 1967, Cass County residents voted to create a county hospital, which meant committing to utilize some of the county tax revenue to help support the new hospital. At the same time, the E. A. Kelloway family donated a 25-acre site, where the current hospital sits. Patients and staff moved into the new Cass County Memorial Hospital in October 1968.

In October 1968, a crowd gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Cass County Memorial Hospital.

As the new hospital was being constructed, a group of local physicians decided to come together and create a clinic across the street from the hospital. Drs. Dwaine Wilcox, John Weresh, Einer Juel, Millard Petersen and John Moriarty opened the Atlantic Medical Center on November 1, 1968, at 1500 E. 10th Street. They moved to their current location when the hospital added on the north wing, focused on outpatient services, in 1998. The hospital and medical center officially joined forces in 2000 with the creation of Cass County Health System, which also includes Southwest Iowa Surgery, Eye Associates, Anita Medical Center, Massena Medical Center, and Griswold Medical Center.

“To have these two healthcare businesses survive the many ups and downs in healthcare over the past 50 years is really quite an accomplishment,” noted Brett Altman, CEO. “I believe the key is, and always has been, having outstanding, dedicated staff throughout the health system. It is the commitment of these individuals that allowed both the clinic and the hospital to continuously adapt to the changing environment while consistently providing superior care and experience to patients.”

Cass County Health System will be celebrating the dual anniversaries with staff and community members throughout 2018.