SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services is pleased to announce that Kent Lacey, MD, of Scottsbluff has been named the Nebraska State Family Physician of the Year, by the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians. The award was presented to Dr. Lacey by Governor Dave Heineman at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln Thursday morning.

Dr. Lacey was nominated for the award by the Regional West Physician Satisfaction Team.

Dr. Lacey, a board-certified family medicine physician, joined the Regional West Medical Center medical staff in 1985.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb. He is a member of the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians and a fellow with the American Academy of Family Practitioners. He is also a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and the past president and board member of the Nebraska Heart Association.

In nominating him, his colleagues cited his “warm, compassionate, and caring manner” of caring for patients and their families. The nominating committee included testimonials from patients who told how Dr. Lacey went “above and beyond to provide care for patients.” One patient told how Dr. Lacey was at home caring for his own children while his wife was at work, yet he asked the patient’s mother to bring her child to his home where he examined her before sending her to the ER for a spinal tap, which showed she had meningitis.

Dr. Lacey serves as the medical director of the West Nebraska Veterans Home, as well as two Regional West departments – Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Rehabilitation Services. In 2006 he was named Nebraska Medical Director of the Year. He has been actively involved in medical staff governance. In addition, he provides on-call coverage at Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska and serves as the medical advisor to Birthright of Scottsbluff.

Dr. Lacey has demonstrated his commitment to the medical profession by mentoring young physicians in training through the Regional West Medical Center Family Practice Residency program. He serves as a preceptor for medical and physician assistant students. Several handwritten thank you notes from students he had mentored were included with the nomination.

In the Scottsbluff-Gering community, Dr. Lacey has coached numerous youth sports teams and served on the YMCA board of directors. He is an active member and Sunday school teacher at Monument Bible Church in Scottsbluff.

Dr. Lacey and his wife, Gayle, have three children and a son-in-law: Lauren and Bobby Learch; Allison Lacey, and Grant Lacey.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides 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, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.