SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― A new chair was recently named to the combined Regional West Health Services and Regional West Medical Center board of directors, and two community members were welcomed to the board.

Current board member Jim Trumbull was named Regional West board chair.

The newly formed nominating committee, comprised of current board members, developed a list of over 20 community members, of which they forwarded a list of four to the board, who ultimately selected three to fill the open positions.

“There were numerous factors we looked at as a committee when considering the list of new board members,” said John Massey, board member and chair of the Governance Committee. “First, we needed to make sure they would be willing to serve if selected by the board. We also looked at their leadership experience, interests, skills, and what they could contribute to the overall board of directors for the betterment of Regional West.”

Members of the community joining the board are Seth Covalt, a certified public accountant and partner at Dana Cole & Co and Katy Reichert, an attorney with Holyoke, Snyder, Longoria, Reichert, & Rice PC, LLO. The third new community member joining the board will be announced in March.

Another change was to expand the voting physician representation on the board. Jeffrey Salisbury, MD, Regional West Vice-Chief of Staff, and Michael Yung, MD, Chief of Staff, joined the board representing medical staff leadership. Troy Dean, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Regional West Emergency Medicine, and Bradley Hertzler, MD, MDIV, FACS, Regional West Physicians Clinic-Surgery, Vascular Diagnostics, were selected by the medical staff to serve on the board as directors.

The seven new board members join the current voting members of the board: Rev. Lauren Ekdahl, Carolyn Escamilla, Lee Glenn, Dennis Hadden, Thomas Holyoke, Hod Kosman, John Massey, and Jim Trumbull along with the non-voting members Craig Krentz, Regional West Physicians Clinic Chief Operating Officer; Mel McNea, President and Chief Executive Officer; Alan Townsend, Regional West Interim Chief Financial Officer; and Amanda Vick, Regional West Chief Operating Officer.

“As we continue moving through changes at Regional West, the board also chose to implement changes, including term limits and adding more physician representation,” said Mel McNea, Regional West President and CEO. “We welcome our new members and their input to continue the momentum to improve care and service at Regional West. We want to thank the board members who are transitioning off of the board, including Mark Gillam; Eric Wiebe, MD; Jeffrey Holloway, MD, FACS; and Garden County representative Dennis Miller. We appreciate all they have done over the years for Regional West.”

The board has also enacted term limits. Beginning this year, each member can serve three, three-year terms and then rotate off the board. By staggering transition, beginning in 2025 at least two members a year will rotate off the board. McNea said that the term limit transition plan is organized and thoughtful.

“Our goal is to have new members mentored by the longer serving members. We don’t want to lose valuable insight and experience by having the entire board turn over at the same time. Adding these new board members strikes a nice balance between fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge.”

“As the board transitions and we add new community members, it’s exciting to note that each one brings a different background, perspective, and skillset to the board,” said Massey. “If community members are interested in serving on the board or have suggestions going forward, I encourage them to visit with current board members.”

About Regional West

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West features an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics. Regional West offers comprehensive and innovative healthcare services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.