SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Polly Olson of Chappell, Neb., and Darin Yates of Torrington, Wyo., have been honored by Air Link at Regional West for their contributions to regional emergency health care services.

The two are the recipients of Air Link’s Impact award. With both being so worthy, the $1,000 award was split between the two. A $500 donation in each of their names will be made to their respective EMS agencies in recognition of their dedication to providing quality emergency care.

Olson, who is also the Deuel County Clerk, has been the co-coordinator for the Chappell Ambulance Service for 20 years. She plays many roles and nominator Dru Lutkehus described Olson as “the go to person” if anyone is in doubt about whether medical services are needed. “She is always available to consult and cheerfully takes a shift for someone who needs a few hours or days of relief. Her sunny personality lifts everyone’s spirits,” she said.

Olson said she plans on asking the crew how they’d like to use the money. “Grants have helped us keep up on the majority of our equipment, so I’d like to know if there’s some type of training that they’d want to bring in.”

“We have an awesome, compassionate, caring crew. I’m so thankful for all of them. I’m thankful they nominated me, but one person can’t do it all. Each person makes an impact,” said Olson.

Darin Yates was nominated for the Impact award by crew member Christy Gutierrez. Yates has been a full time medic for Torrington EMS for 22 years and EMS Director for 12 years. He oversees a crew of 20 and, according to Gutierrez, is great at motivating employees to do better and give 100 percent to their job.

Yates was a stakeholder in Wyoming’s “Mission Lifeline” grant, which secured cardiac monitors and EKG machines, as well as transmission capabilities through the Leona Helmsley trust fund. By securing the machines, care improved for heart attack patients. The machines transmit heart images to the Emergency Department (ED) while en route, and the attending ED physician can then quickly determine whether the patent can be treated on site or needs to be flown elsewhere. With this new equipment, images and decisions happen before the patient arrives at the ED, saving precious time.

Yates is also the President of The Foundation at Banner Health, Torrington, and is currently running for Goshen County Coroner.

Yates said the money will be placed into a fund only used for training and “will benefit the entire service.” When asked how he felt about winning the award, he said, “It’s truly an honor. I appreciate the committee who chose me and the wonderful working relationship we have with Air Link and Regional West.”

Last year the winner of the Guiding Light Award was David Cornutt, MD. He was nominated by Sioux County Fire and Rescue, who used the money for electronic equipment for their training room inside their newly built fire hall. “We’ve never been able to conduct trainings without help from the school’s computers, and now fire and EMS can train right inside our own building. We’re also opening it up to the public for the 4-h kids, FFA, and anyone else who’d like to use it for training reasons,” said Misty Skavdahl, EMS Director for the Sioux County Rescue Squad.

Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.