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Strengthening Rural Healthcare: A Trusted Partnership Between Amberwell Health and Cassling

by Veronica Sapp on Jul 25, 2025

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At Amberwell Health in northeast Kansas, sustaining and strengthening rural healthcare is more than a mission; it’s a way of life. And for Heather Birkinsha, RT (R) (CT), that commitment runs deep.

Born and raised just a few miles from Atchison, Kansas, Heather has spent more than a decade at Amberwell Health, advancing from student to radiologic technologist to serving in her current role as Director of Radiology.

“I always ask myself, ‘How would I want my grandparents to be treated?’” said Heather. “That’s how we approach care here. Our patients are getting the best care, and they’re being treated as people, not numbers.”

As rural hospitals across the country face closures, Amberwell Health has taken a proactive approach to addressing this issue. The health system has invested in outlying clinics, expanded services and made it a priority to bring more advanced care options to rural communities, so patients don’t have to travel hours for what should be routine care.

That model includes offering an impressive range of services from their Atchison location, a 25-bed critical access hospital. From surgical and orthopedic services to occupational health and a suite of radiology services, Amberwell is keeping top-tier care local.


Investing in that level of care requires foresight, planning and the right partners. When it came time to replace their aging imaging equipment, Amberwell didn’t just look for technology; they looked for a service model that could support their long-term vision. And Cassling was happy to answer that call.

“Cassling being a service provider was one of the biggest reasons we went with the purchases,” said Heather. “We’ve always been impressed with their reliability and responsiveness when servicing our equipment.”

From day one, the Cassling team worked alongside Amberwell, evaluating needs, walking through every configuration scenario, coordinating construction timelines and helping leadership understand the long-term value of new equipment investments.

The equipment upgrades, including a new MAGNETOM Altea MRI, have already made a measurable impact. New imaging systems have reduced scan times, improved image quality and enhanced the experience for both patients and staff. Most importantly, it’s helping Amberwell uphold its standard of care.

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“It’s reassuring to know that we have state-of-the-art equipment that can provide the highest quality scans out there,” said Heather. “And with Cassling service, knowing that if there is an event, our downtime is minimal. The timeliness and access to care are very important factors to serve the needs of our community.”

By combining local leadership, visionary planning and strong partnerships, Amberwell Health is building a model for what sustainable, high-quality care looks like in rural communities— not just for today, but for generations to come.

To learn more about Amberwell Health, visit www.amberwellhealth.org.

Are you looking to transform care in your community? Let’s talk about how Cassling can support your organization’s mission.

Meet the Author

As Cassling’s Marketing Manager, Veronica Sapp is responsible for leading Cassling’s marketing strategy through multimedia campaigns and overseeing the day-to-day operations of Cassling’s in-house marketing department. Prior to joining Cassling, Veronica served the healthcare community for nearly 10 years in a marketing career focused on medical staffing and long-term care. She earned her degree in Public Relations from the College of the Ozarks in Missouri.

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