At Regional West’s recent 2023 employee recognition celebration, Katrina Gonzales, LPN, was named the facility’s 2023 PEARL of the Year, celebrating her commitment to excellent service.

Each quarter, Regional West Physicians Clinic honors employees who exemplify outstanding teamwork and go above and beyond to care for their patients and coworkers. The PEARL award, which stands for Pride, Effort, Attentiveness, Respect, and Leadership, has recognized dozens of individuals since its inception in 2009.

Shortly before she turned 31, Gonzales decided to pursue her dream of attending nursing school. A week after she graduated, she started at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine, Scottsbluff. She worked in Endoscopy and The Village at Regional West but found her fit back in Family Medicine working as the primary care nurse for Tara Longoria, MD.

Gonzales said she takes pride in building relationships with her patients and advocating for their needs.

“I enjoy helping them, whether it’s finding a different medication that’s less expensive, or getting them into an appointment because they need to be seen sooner,” she said. “Our patients put so much trust in us, and I believe it’s truly an honor to be able to do what we do.”

A nomination from one of Gonzales’ patients echoed her willingness to go above and beyond.

“Recently, I was trying to get some medication from the manufacturer that I needed. Unfortunately, I was having problems getting ahold of them. Katrina stepped in and continued to help me get in touch. She didn’t give up until she reached them. She made sure that she communicated with me on her progress. I feel like she was genuinely concerned for me,” the nomination read. “Katrina has amazing customer service skills and I know that Regional West strives to provide great customer service to all their patients and customers. I believe Katrina has done that and continues to provide that for me. If she is doing it for me, she most likely does it for all her patients.”

Dr. Longoria added that Gonzales has all the qualities of an exceptional clinic nurse.

“Katrina is caring, conscientious, dependable, and a team player who exhibits great critical thinking skills. Patients are always complimentary of the care they receive from her during their clinic visit or over the phone. Patients describe her as caring, kind, helpful, and awesome,” she said. “Most patients simply tell me that Katrina is the best, and I agree 110%.”

When she’s not caring for her patients, Gonzales enjoys spending time with her husband of nearly 20 years, Tim, and her children Addison and Aaden. She looks forward to working alongside Dr. Longoria to provide the same great healthcare that they are known for.

“I think that Dr. Longoria and I make a great team, and I’m honored to work with her. She’s the doctor I work for, but she’s also one of my closest friends, and I think it shows with our patients that we are such a good team,” she said.