Atlantic, IA — Officials with Cass Health say the hospital is excited to welcome three new rheumatologists to Atlantic Medical Center, RHC. Dr. Thomas Schmidt, Dr. Gino Chesini, and Dr. Stephen Slade will provide rheumatology care to patients beginning this fall. The three new providers will replace Dr. Kimberly Hendricks, who announced earlier this year that she is moving to Ohio to be closer to her family.

Dr. Thomas Schmidt

Dr. Gino Chesini

Dr. Stephen Slade

Tammy Bireline, Chief Clinic Administrator, says “We loved having her on staff, and while we will miss Dr. Hendricks, we certainly understand her decision and wish her the best. Over the last two years, we’ve seen the difference it makes for our patients to have rheumatology care closer to home. It was a priority for us to continue offering that access to care, and we’re excited to work with these new physicians.”

Dr. Schmidt, an Atlantic native, will begin seeing patients in September, with Drs. Chesini and Slade following shortly after. All three treat patients with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, and vasculitis among other systemic rheumatology conditions.

All new rheumatology patients will need a referral from their primary care provider; existing patients of Dr. Hendricks will not need a referral.