It’s a quote that has stuck with Chad McCance, M.D., FACS, since he was in medical school: The eyes cannot see what the mind does not

know. He adds solemnly, “And somebody’s life is in your hands.”

As a general surgeon, if the eyes cannot see what the mind does not know, then the hands cannot fix.

Chad is a man who likes to fix things — he’s constantly working with his hands both at work and at home. He tinkers. He improves. “You know the saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ — but if it is broken, then let’s fix it,” he said.

Outside of his time as the general surgeon at CCHS, Chad is at home with his wife, Laurel, and their three children. You’ll also find him working in his shop on his favorite cars: Ford Mustangs.

“My dad was a mechanic. I was given a ‘65 mustang in dire need of rescue when I was 19 and Dad and I have worked on it ever since. He also gave me an ‘89 mustang a few years ago, and I have been working to restore it as well,” he said.

“I like fixing things. I bought an old 1967 mustang that I rebuilt for my daughter. I told her when I started it that she could have it if she helped me build it. I feel it means more to someone if they help do the work,” he said, noting that his daughter, Sarah, was 11 when

Hands that Heal

I care about my patients. That’s the most important thing for them to know about me.

Cass County Memorial Hospital • Atlantic, Iowa • Summer 2015

they started on it together. They finished restoring it when she was 14, and they’ve been to car shows together with it.

But how did this car‑loving handyman decide to be a doctor?

For Chad, it all began in the second grade. “My teacher said my handwriting was so bad that I should be a doctor,” he said. “Fine. I will be a doctor,” was his smart‑aleck response.

By the 9th grade, he had to write an essay about what profession he wanted as an adult. “I am a Christian, and at the time I felt that writing an essay about a profession that I wanted that did not help people was very shallow and not worthwhile,” he said. “At the time, I only knew one kind of doctor — the only doctors we had in our small town were family practitioners — and I had a lot of respect for them.”

During medical school, he was initially drawn to endocrinology, but during this third year he had both general surgery and orthopedic surgery rotations. He enjoyed each, but he loved general surgery, and he knew it was a profession that would allow him to live in a small town. In surgery, like working on cars, Chad can analyze the problem, dissect the parts, and fix what’s broken.

Continued on page 2

Athletic Physicals OfferedIt may be the middle of summer break – but it’s time to start planning for the 2015‑2016 school year. Athletic physicals begin in Atlantic on July 21st and will be scheduled on Tuesday evenings until August 11th. The cost is only $12 and immunizations will also be offered at this time.

For the exam, you will need:

Physical form provided by the school Minor consent form (if under 18 and NOT coming with a parent) Vaccine consent form with insurance information $12.00 cash or check due at the time of the exam

Consent forms can be downloaded at www.casshealth.org.

Athletic physicals will also be offered in Griswold from July 13th through August 14th during regular clinic hours. To schedule an appointment, please call:

Atlantic Medical Center 712‑243‑2850Griswold Medical Center 712‑778‑5140

2

Shannon Peterson, ARNP and Tammy Bireline, ARNP

New Coumadin ClinicPatients who are on blood‑thinning medications like Coumadin or warfarin know how important it is to manage their PT/INR numbers (how long it takes your blood to clot) — and now we’ve made it faster and easier for those patients to know and understand their blood test results.

Patients on Coumadin will now have an appointment with Tammy Bireline, ARNP, or Shannon Peterson, ARNP. Tammy and Shannon are Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners who have received specialized training in the management of Coumadin therapy. They work directly with all of our primary care providers, keeping them up‑to‑date on each patient.

Instead of going to the lab and waiting to hear back about results, during your appointment Tammy or Shannon will do a quick finger stick and provide immediate PT/INR results. At this time, they can also:

Adjust dosage if necessary Answer any questions or concerns Discuss any new medication, illness, and diet

The Atlantic Medical Center will be contacting patients to schedule appointments. For more information, please call 712‑243‑2850.

“People are different. I can do a gallbladder procedure every single day, and every single time it’s different. The anatomy is different, the disease process is different,” he said. “I love endoscopy, hernia repairs, all surgeries — I love, really love, appendectomies. I really love procedures where the patients feel miserable, because I know they’re going to feel relief. I like to make people feel better.” On the other hand, his most challenging surgeries are the ones where he

knows that the patient’s condition won’t improve over the long‑term. As a fixer, it’s emotionally challenging to not be able to fix everything for his patients.

“I care about my patients. That’s the most important thing for them to know about me,” he said. And it shows. Dr. McCance is serious about his work — he keeps his mind and eyes sharp, so that he can use his hands to heal.

Hands that HealContinued from page 1

3

Drowning is the

leading cause

of injury‑related

death among

children ages 1‑4.

Water Safety TipsAdapted from Safe Kids Worldwide, www.SafeKids.org.

Actively supervise children in and around water, giving them your undivided attention. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or near water, an adult should be within arm’s reach.

Designate an adult as the “Water Watcher” for a certain amount of time (such as 15‑minute periods) to prevent lapses in supervision when you have a large group swimming.

Water wings or noodles are fun toys, but they should never be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Always have your children wear a life jacket while on boats, around open water or during water sports. Make sure the life jacket fits snugly — have your child make a “touchdown” signal by raising both arms straight up; if it hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big or too loose.

Every child is different, so enroll children in swimming lessons when you feel they are ready. Teach them how to tread water, float, and stay by the shore. Be sure they know to always swim with a partner, and to never go near or in water without an adult present.

Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming. Swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool—be sure they know to be aware of uneven surfaces, currents, undertows and weather.

A large portion of boating accidents each year involve alcohol. Be safe — don’t drink alcoholic beverages while boating.

Infants and young kids are at a higher risk for hypothermia. Take extra dry blankets and towels to wrap them in to keep them warm.

Need to brush up on your CPR and First Aid skills?

CCHS offers Community CPR & First Aid classes on the 2nd Saturday of every month. You can take both classes for $75, or individually the classes are $40. For information, contact Marcy Dorsey in the CCHS Educational Services Department, at 712‑243‑3250, ext. 3503 or mdorsey@casshealth.org.

Individuals shall be accorded impartial access to treatment or accommodations that are available or medically indicated, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual preference, disability or sources of payment for care.

“Seasons” is published quarterly by Cass County Memorial Hospital to keep residents of the Cass County area in touch with issues in health care.

For more information, contact Cass County Memorial Hospital, 1501 East 10th Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022. Telephone: (712) 243‑3250

Todd Hudspeth Chief Executive Officer

Sara Nelson “Seasons” Editor

Medical Staff Monthly Outpatient ClinicsAllergy, Asthma, SinusRavinder Agarwal, M.D.

CardiologyAnand Deshmukh, M.D.Mark Holmberg, M.D.Mark P. Woodruff, M.D.Aaron From, M.D.Atul Ramachandean, M.D.Ann Narmi, M.D.

DermatologyAnne Nelson, PA‑C

Diagnostic ImagingNebraska‑Iowa RadiologyConsultants, Inc.

Gynecologic OncologyKerry Rodabaugh, M.D.

HemodialysisDavita Atlantic

NephrologyJ.P. Schmolck, M.D.

NeurosurgeryRic Jensen, M.D.

OncologyStacey Parker, M.D.Robert Warner, M.D.

OphthalmologyDavid Hanks, D.O.

PulmonologyJason Mohr, D.O.

Retinal SpecialistDavid Ingvoldstad, M.D.

UrologyBruce Lundak, M.D.Andrew Trainer, M.D.

Vascular MedicineEugene Waltke, M.D.

CCMH ServicesAcute, Hospitality, Skilled and Intensive Care Nursing

Respiratory Care

24‑hr. Emergency Department

Behavioral Health Services, inpatient and outpatient

Child Health Clinics

Laboratory

Lifeline

Health Screenings

Pet Therapy

Supportive Care

Hydrotherapy

Surgery: general, urological, ear‑nose & throat, podiatry, ophthalmologic, orthopedic & dental

Tobacco Cessation

Rehab Services: physical, speech, occupational & recreation therapies, cardiac and pulmonary rehab

Continuing Education

Care Coordination

Ambulatory Heart Monitoring

Telemetry monitoring

CPR & First Aid Classes

Diagnostic Imaging: CT scans, ultrasound, MRI, nuclear medicine, bone densitometry, PET scans, digital and stereotactic mammography, analog and digital radiography

Meals‑on‑Wheels

Diabetes Center

Sleep Studies

Hemodialysis

Obstetrics: birthing room, prenatal classes, fetal monitoring, epidural

Wound, Ostomy, Continence Care

4

Ear, Nose, and ThroatTracey Wellendorf, M.D.Family MedicineSeann Atkinson, D.O.Todd Bean, M.D.Elaine Berry, M.D. Vanessa Cook, M.D.Ojash Raval, D.O.Angie Weppler, M.D.Tressa Wilcox, M.D.Stacey Bean, PA‑CTammy Bireline, ARNPSarah Brend, PA‑CMary Fuller, PA‑C Jodi Goodrich, PA‑CScott Hixson, PA‑CShannon Peterson, ARNPObstetrics and GynecologyJames Brown, M.D., FACOG

OptometryJeff Goergen, O.D. Robert Weiland, O.D.OrthopedicsEdward Fisher, M.D., FAAOSPodiatryRoger Drown, D.P.M.PsychiatryIvan Delgado, M.D.Mark S. Hensley, Sr., ARNPDianna Prokupek, ARNPSurgeryChad McCance, M.D., FACSEmergency DepartmentPatricia Goodemote, M.D.Mark Johnson, M.D.Tammy Bireline, ARNPJen Morgan, PA‑CShannon Peterson, ARNPRay Skelton, PA‑C

CCMH AuxiliaryLucille Newton, PresidentWilbur Hansen, Vice PresidentElaine Martens, SecretaryCheryl Wessels, Treasurer

CCHS FoundationKent Gade, PresidentJane Kay, Vice‑PresidentSid Knop, SecretaryDave Chase, Treasurer

Board Of TrusteesNed Brown, ChairmanRoger HerringJohn Molgaard Leanne Pellett

Julie PollockJerry Putnam Phyllis Stakey