The Cass Health Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cass Health
Welcome to the Cass Health podcast – the show where we hope to connect our community with healthcare information that’s relatable, understandable, and useful to your life; and where you get to know better the neighbors providing your care here in Cass County, Iowa.
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Cass Health's Weight Loss Surgeon Dr. William Rizk joins us for a conversation about gastric sleeve surgery. Some of the highlights include:
▪️ Defining who is a candidate for weight loss surgery
▪️ The difference between weight loss surgery and a diet
▪️ How Cass Health's weight loss program is designed to help patients succeed
▪️ What patients can expect before, during, and after their procedure
▪️ & learn a little bit about Dr. Rizk too!
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Get to know Dr. Jeals Brines!
Dr. Brines is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who provides care to all ages at Cass Health. Originally from Leon, Iowa, Dr. Brines received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Northwest Missouri State University in 2017, and her Doctorate of Medicine from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in May of 2021. She then went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at Unity Point Health Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines in June of 2024.
During this mini-episode, we asked Dr. Brines about:
- What she loves about Family Medicine
- What she wants patients to know
- Her hobbies
- Favorite teams and music
and more! Listen now to this short, fun episode to get to know Dr. Brines.
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Get to know Dr. Jill Pollpeter!
Dr. Pollpeter is a board-certified family medicine physician who joined Cass Health in the fall of 2024. Dr. Pollpeter received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Creighton University in May 2017, and her Doctorate of Medicine from Creighton University in May of 2021. She then went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at Unity Point Health Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines in June of 2024. Dr. Pollpeter provides the full scope of family medicine care, and her special interests include women’s health, procedures, and preventive medicine, with her main goal being to treat each patient as an individual and provide the care that will help them reach their health-related goals.
During this mini-episode, we asked Dr. Pollpeter about:
- What she loves about Family Medicine
- Why she chose Cass Health
- What she wants patients to know
- Her hobbies
- Favorite holiday
and more! Listen now to this short, fun episode to get to know Dr. Pollpeter.
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OB/GYN Dr. Marcela Pineda joins us to talk about perimenopause and the impact this transition can have on so many aspects of a woman's life. Some of the highlights include:
- Defining perimenopause
- Wide range of symptoms
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Changing nutritional needs
- Perimenopause's effect on weight gain
- Impact on women's sexual health
- and more!
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Dr. Seema Harichand joins us for an insightful conversation about cancer care and prevention. From reducing your risk to receiving a diagnosis, we talk about it all. Some of the highlights include:
- Risk factors
- The link between aging and cancer
- The types of cancer Dr. Harichand sees most often
- Words of wisdom for oncology patients
- The rapid advancements in oncology care
and more!
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Dr. Adam Verhoef joins us for an incredible conversation about maternal health. From preparing for pregnancy to postpartum care, we talk about it all. Some of the highlights include:
- Healthy habits to adopt before you're pregnant
- Tips for newly pregnant moms
- Keeping baby & you safe during pregnancy
- Nutrition and exercise
- Preparing for labor
- Importance of having a provider you trust
- Postpartum support
and more!
Episode Notes & Links
- CDC: Planning for Pregnancy (Webpage in English & Spanish)
- CDC Pregnancy Planner PDF
Get to know and listen to more from Dr. Verhoef:
Season 2, Episode 5
Men's Health Month with Max Starlin, PA-C & Dr. Adam Verhoef
Cass Health's cardiology provider Kristin Babb, PA-C joins us to talk about Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). Our topics included:
- What is AFib?
- Who is at risk
- The connection between AFib and strokes
- Treatment options for patients
- The impact of caffeine and energy drinks
- Decreasing your risk of developing AFib
- & learn more about Kristin too!
Cass Health's new podiatry provider Dr. Michael Egertsen joins us to talk about diabetic foot care. A native of Laurens, Iowa, Dr. Egertsen shares with us his background, stories of his time at the VA in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C., and how Cass Health led him back to Iowa. Dr. Egertsen also talked with us about:
- Red flags for diabetic patients to watch out for
- The importance of good gear like socks and shoes
- Proper foot care practices
- Lots of tips and tricks
- and learn more about Dr. Egertsen too!
Join us for the latest episode of the Cass Health Podcast with our Dermatology Provider, Lace Sindt, ARNP. November is Healthy Skin Month, and as winter approaches, we talked with Lace about topics like:
- What areas of the body are affected the most by dry skin
- Moisturizers and when to apply them
- Red flags of a condition more serious that just dry skin
- What soaps to use (and what ones to avoid)
- The importance of sunscreen during the winter months
Cass Health's Clinical Dietitian Beth Olsen joins us to talk about how to approach the holidays in a healthy way. Our topics included:
- How to manage holiday stress
- Enjoying the foods you don't typically get
- Dinner plate sizes
- Eating intuitively
- Holiday beverages
- Getting active after the meal
- Beth's favorite holiday dish
Cass Health's Athletic Trainer Andy Niemann joins us to talk all things sports. We talk about his background, how he got into athletic training, why he loves sports, and his favorite sports memories. A big part of Andy's role at Cass Health is supporting the health and safety of student athletes at Atlantic High School both on and off the field. Our topics included:
- The role of the AT and their relationships with coaches and athletes
- Common injuries and injury prevention
- Concussion symptoms and return-to-play protocols
- A parent's role during sporting events
- Navigating the maze of supplements & sports drinks
- Things parents and fans could have on hand for minor injuries
- Nutrition and hydration for athletes
Looking for our Fueling Trojan Athletes nutritional information? Find those downloads and learn more about supporting the health of student athletes at casshealth.org/sports.
Join us for a new episode with Cass Health's new Dermatology provider, Lace Sindt, DNP, ARNP. Lace has had a passion for helping people feel comfortable in their own skin from the moment she first began her work in a dermatology clinic as a nurse in 2009.
Our topics covered with Lace included:
- What medical dermatology is
- different types of acne and how to treat it
- Skin checks and who needs them
- Importance of sunscreen use
- Why no one should EVER use tanning beds
Cass Health's Family Medicine providers Dr. Adam Verhoef and Physician Assistant Max Starlin joined us to chat about men's health. Listen in as we talk about:
- What finally brings men in to the doctor
- When farmers can find time for their yearly appointment
- Addressing the stigma around mental health and how your provider can help
- Why establishing care with a Primary Care Provider is so important
- The importance of routine visits and preventive care
Join us for a new episode with Cass Health's Pelvic Floor Therapist Amber Michael, OT. As an experienced OT and mom, Amber's passionate about helping women address pelvic floor issues that many women unfortunately consider normal. Women of all ages will benefit from this episode where we also talk about:
- What the pelvic floor is and why it's so important
- Signs & symptoms that your pelvic floor might need some help!
- Preventive care & what you can do at home
- First steps and treatments (including how personal is a pelvic floor therapy appointment??)
- What advice she'd share with young women
Meet Dr. David Ingvoldstad from Eye Associates for Healthy Vision Month.
Listen to hear us talk about:
▪️ The common types of eye issues he sees here
▪️ Macular Degeneration & how it's treated
▪️ How he and Dr. Goergen work together
▪️ and learn a little about Dr. Ingvoldstad, too!
On this episode we talk about all things related to breastfeeding with two of Cass Health's OB nurses and certified lactation counselors, Brooke Dreager and Britni Olson.
Our topics included:
▪️ The first 24 hours of breastfeeding
▪️ The importance of getting the right latch
▪️ Breastfeeding tools & pumps
▪️ Answering the question: Is breastfeeding for everyone?
Listen in as one of our OB/GYNs Dr. Emily Chang answers some of the most common gynecological questions, such as:
- What’s human papilloma virus (HPV) and how did I get it?
- What does my abnormal PAP mean?
- Why do I keep getting vaginal infections?
- Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections?
- I’m told that I have an ovarian cyst, what does that mean?
- I’m told that I have a fibroid, what does that mean?
On this episode we welcome Cass Health's Senior Life Solutions Team of Karmen Roland and Kacey Peterson to talk about suicide awareness and prevention.
Our topics included:
▪️ Warning signs and symptoms
▪️ Steps of the #BeThe1To campaign
▪️ How mental & physical health are linked
▪️ Risk factors to be mindful of -- especially important for rural residents!
On this episode we're joined by Susan Herr-McDowell, PA-C, who sees patients in AMC Rapid Care.
Susan talks with us about:
Common reasons people visit Rapid Care
Who you'll be seen by in Rapid Care
What a PA is and what they do
Why it's still important to maintain a relationship with your primary care provider
& learn more about Susan, too!
On this episode, Cass Health's Dr. Angela Weppler and Mary Robinson, PA-C talk with us about:
▪️ Addressing vaccine myths
▪️ Why vaccine hesitancy has increased
▪️ The importance of early childhood vaccinations
▪️ Why vaccines are safe & can be trusted
▪️ and more helpful information!
For more information on vaccines, please visit cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html
Meet Dr. Jesse Himebaugh, one of Cass Health's visiting ophthalmologists. Listen to learn more about:
- Eye health myths
- Cataracts & cataract surgery
- How ophthalmologists & optometrists work together
- Corneal diseases
Plus, get to know Dr. Himebaugh -- we loved learning about his unusual childhood pet!
On this episode we welcome Dr. Jeff Goergen from Eye Associates for Healthy Vision Month!
Our topics included:
▪️ Why routine eye exams are important
▪️ How age and disease can impact your eyes
▪️ Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration
▪️ and learn a little about Dr. Goergen, too!
On this episode we welcome Cass Health's Senior Life Solutions Team of Karmen Roland and Kacey Peterson to talk about Mental Health Awareness month.
Our topics included:
▪️ How common mental health illness and struggles are
▪️ Signs and symptoms
▪️ Monitoring your mental health
▪️ How mental health is intertwined with physical health
Learn more about Occupational Therapy and the services our team provides. Joining us are Cass Health's two OTs -- Ashley Williams and Amber Michael.
- What is Occupational Therapy?
- What does a day in the life of an OT look like?
- What types of patients do they work with?
- What should a parent watch for in their child's development that may be a red flag -- and that an OT might be the right choice to help?
Sara Beth Jones, RN, Lead House Supervisor and SANE Coordinator at Cass Health talks with us about Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
We cover a range of questions including:
- What is a SANE nurse?
- What should I do if I have been the victim of sexual assault?
- How can I help or support a friend or family member if this happens to them?
- What is an advocate?
Please note that this episode includes information that may be uncomfortable to some listeners.
General surgeon Dr. Chad McCance joins us on this episode to talk about colorectal cancer.
- Are there early symptoms and warning signs for colon cancer?
- What is it like to get a colonoscopy?
- Who is at risk to develop colon cancer?
- Is colon cancer preventable?
Bonus! We also talk with Cass Health's dietitian, Beth Olsen, about how to incorporate more fiber into your diet.
On this episode, Cass Health's Dr. Edna Becht talks with us about:
▪️ Overall heart health
▪️ How to have a heart healthy diet
▪️ The importance of regular exercise
▪️ Why stress management is so impactful
▪️ and other Heart Health information
In this 2 for 1 episode we also hear from Cass Health's Cardiac Rehab lead nurse Megan Frederiksen! Megan gives us a breakdown of the awesome services cardiac rehab provides, with a family feel.
What do I do about my picky eaters?! What's for dinner?! Should I try that new diet??
Director of Public Health and Registered Dietitian Beth Olsen answers all of these questions (and more!) during our chat about National Nutrition Month.
Dr. Rick Rinehart talks about children's ENT issues in this first episode.
- Learn more about Dr. Rinehart's background and why he chose ENT
- Listen to his fun answers to our get-to-know-you questions
- Learn about common kids' ENT issues and why surgery is not so scary after all!
- Hear what the ENT has to say about q-tips and adult ENT issues
- Learn more about head & neck surgeries at Cass Health