(Atlantic) Cass Health will break ground on its next major facility expansion and interior renovation construction project on June 11, 2026. The project includes three additions and interior renovations in several areas.
“It’s an advantage to our community that Cass Health is in a position to reinvest in our facilities by funding these improvements through operations without incurring debt. We have a strong local hospital and clinics because of community and regional support from our patients, and in return, we can continue to add providers, services, equipment, and improved facilities to even further meet our community’s needs. This cycle of support, growth, and investment is one of the things that sets us apart from other rural hospitals in providing access to quality healthcare services close to home,” said Cass Health CEO Brett Altman.
The three building additions will be in Surgery, Emergency, and Rehab Services. In Surgery, a third operating room will be built to help accommodate the growing number of surgeons. In the past year, Cass Health has welcomed five orthopedic surgeons, an additional gynecologist, and multiple specialists who all perform surgeries in Atlantic, including new robotic-assisted surgeries.
The Surgery addition also provides an opportunity to build three new observation rooms on the second floor, helping to better accommodate patient needs during high patient census periods.
In Rehab Services, the current physical therapy gym will expand south towards the parking lot. While this area is under construction, all Rehab Services patients will be directed to use a designated temporary entrance nearby.
“With a growing team of physical therapists, and growing demand for PT, OT, and Speech services, we simply need more space. This expansion increases gym exercise space and allows us to reconfigure the entire Rehab Services area, including our pediatric space, to be more cohesive,” said Cass Health Chief Information Officer Mitch Whiley, who is overseeing the construction project.
The third, smaller expansion will impact the Emergency and Inpatient Services departments. The Emergency Department will gain additional space for vital equipment, while Inpatient Services on the second floor will gain gym space for more intensive rehabilitation exercises and training for activities of daily living.
The interior renovations will occur across various areas of the building in phases. Notably, Radiology will expand to include digital PET/CT next to the current CT suite.
“Part of our efforts to further meet the needs of our patients is to bring PET/CT in-house so that it is available more routinely for patients throughout southwest Iowa. Digital PET/CT combines highly detailed 3D pictures of body anatomy with molecular-level data to help doctors detect, diagnose, and treat cancers, heart conditions, and brain disorders with greater speed and accuracy. While we are thankful to have the PET/CT mobile truck here twice each month, we really look forward to the day when these services are here in our building, ready for patients when they need it,” said Altman.
One of the other spaces to be renovated will be the vacated Eye Associates clinic. This area on the second floor will become a new education center, classroom, simulation lab, and conference center.
“Our apprenticeship program has seen a lot of success in the first few years of its existence. We are excited to continue investing locally in educating healthcare students, and this new space shows our commitment to providing superior experiences to our students and staff as they continue to learn and develop their skills,” said Altman.
Construction may impact parking, entrances, or wayfinding in the building. Patients and visitors are asked to watch for any construction-related signs and ask any employees for assistance in navigating the building. The entire project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2027.
