Scottsbluff, Neb., – Do you know a medical professional, first responder, or health care support staff who goes the extra mile? Please consider nominating that individual for the Air Link Award.

The Air Link Award, formerly known as the Guiding Light and Impact Awards, was created to honor Peter Meyer, MD, Air Link Medical Director and a Regional West Physicians Clinic emergency medicine physician. Meyer was named the 2011 Medical Director of the Year by the International Air Medical Physicians Association. He was honored for his dedication to improving patient care and embodying characteristics of giving, support, and empowerment each and every day.

The award was established to honor other men and women who give unselfishly of themselves to further advancements in patient care, both in the pre-hospital and hospital environments. The 2015 winners were Darin Yates of Torrington, Wyo. and Polly Olsen of Chappell, Nebr.

Yates has been a full-time medic for Torrington EMS for 23 years, the EMS Director for 13 years, and within the last year has become the Goshen County Coroner. According to Christy Gutierrez, who nominated Yates, he “is great at motivating employees to do better and give 100 percent to their job.”

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 Dru Lutkehus, who nominated Olson, describes her 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,” Lutkehus said.

Air Link Award winner(s) will be presented with $500 payable to his or her respective agency for the purpose of education, training, or the purchase of equipment. Nominations must be received by Sept. 9. Send your nomination to tracy.meyer@rwhs.org or by mail to Air Link, Attn. Tracy Meyer, 4021 Avenue B, Scottsbluff, Nebr. 69361. More information is available online at rwhs.org/airlinkaward or by calling Tracy Meyer, Air Link Chief Flight Nurse, at 308-631-5187.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 182-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.