About 100 employees from Cass County Health System packed a conference room to join in the latest IHA Hospital Celebration in Atlantic.  This was the third of six celebrations IHA is hosting this year.

In Atlantic, health system CEO Pat Markham welcomed the capacity crowd.

“We’re here to celebrate the broad and positive impact our health system has on our community and county.  We applaud the high quality of your work, because we know it is challenging, important and unique.”

IHA President Kirk Norris reminded the group that their impact extends well beyond the work they do and the care they provide every day, all day.

“One thing we emphasize as we advocate on behalf of you and your hospital is the tremendous economic impact you have.  There are few, if any, organizations in your community or county that contribute as many jobs as your hospital,” he said, noting that the hospital also adds greatly to the area’s overall quality of life.

Echoing that sentiment was speaker Steve Siemens, who said,

“The people in this room change lives and improve this community every day.   Because you work hard and exceed expectations, you make people say ‘Wow,’ and then you do it again the next day…that is why we are here to celebrate you.”

Following the hour-long program, which included a specially produced video that promotes the hospital and its positive influence on the community, IHA treated the employees to ice cream, which was donated by Martin Brothers Distributing, an IHA Associate Member, and T-shirts commemorating the celebration.

The next IHA Hospital Celebration is scheduled for July 28 at Cherokee Regional Medical Center.  IHA is producing these events to further connect hospital staff to IHA’s mission and to recognize hospital leaders who have been particularly active in IHA.