SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Eight nurses were recognized May 2 for outstanding service to patients and coworkers in celebration of National Nurses Week at Regional West Medical Center.

Nursing award winners were selected in each of eight categories that represent nursing leadership. The award winners were nominated by colleagues and nursing students.

The 2013 Regional West Medical Center Nursing Awards recipients include: ICU/PCU nurse Travis Hargreaves, BSN, RN, as Outstanding Nurse Preceptor; Cardiac Catheterization Lab nurse Lenna Booth, BSN, RN, for Structural Empowerment; Women’s Center nurse Lori Reifschneider, RN, for Transformational Leadership; PACU nurse Chris Micheels, BSN, RN, for Exemplary Professional Practice; surgery nurse Sonya Gilliland, LPN, winner of the LPN Award; Medical/Oncology nurse Ruth McGee, RN, for Empirical Outcomes; surgery nurse Mary Lockwood, RN, New Knowledge/Innovations Award; and Surgery office coordinator Peg McFarland, Friend of Nursing Award.

Amie Black, RN, of Sidney, Neb., was honored as the winner of the Nebraska Nurses Association District V “My Favorite Nurse” contest. She was nominated by a coworker for being “a nursing role model to the staff at Sidney Regional Medical Center.”

The nomination described Black’s compassion and generosity when she cared for a small child who was dirty and “had a look on her face of hardship.”

The nomination read: “Amie felt for this little girl and her living situation. She spent her own time and money, ran to the store and purchased new clothing and a toothbrush for the child. When Amie presented the new clothes to the girl, I have never seen a smile so sincere; the young child stated: ‘I have never owned my own toothbrush before.’ ”
The awards, presented as part of National Nurses Week, raise awareness of the value of nursing and help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American people.

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.