SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – The 110 men and women who staff Regional West Medical Center’s Laboratory Services department will celebrate National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week April 22 through 28.

The public is invited to the lab’s ‘Poster Day’ on Tuesday, April 24 in the upper lobby of Regional West Medical Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laboratory Services staff will display posters they have made that explain their role in health care. “Poster Day” offers an opportunity to meet staff members and learn about the career opportunities available locally at Regional West Laboratory Services.

The event will also include the presentation of a check from the staff to representatives of the Festival of Hope. The money was raised at a recent bake sale sponsored by the lab staff.

National Lab Week is an annual celebration of the medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in every aspect of health care. Since they often work behind the scenes, few people know about the critical testing they perform every day.

“Lab Week is a time to recognize the important work our staff does every day to help detect, diagnose, and monitor serious diseases,” said April Madden, assistant laboratory services director.

“Our staff plays a significant role in helping physicians interpret and correlate physical symptoms with a proper treatment plan, maintain the blood donor center and assist with autopsies,” she said.

Regional West Laboratory Services offers a full range of laboratory services to health care providers throughout Nebraska, Wyoming and Idaho. It is accredited by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists.

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.