Regional West had the honor of recognizing Breast Health Center supervisor Lanna Zulkoski, BS, R.T.(R)(M), as the facility’s 2023 STAR of the Year.

The STAR program at Regional West encourages employees, patients, their family members, and visitors to nominate employees who demonstrate outstanding care and customer service. The STAR of the Year is selected from the slate of quarterly STAR award winners.

In the late 1990s, Zulkoski moved from central Nebraska to the panhandle to attend Regional West Medical Center’s School of Radiologic Technology. She was drawn to mammography when she was doing clinical rotations, and after graduating in 2000 she joined the Breast Health Center team. A few years later she became the center’s supervisor, and has served the region’s mammogram, breast biopsy, and ultrasound patients for over 24 years.

Zulkoski said she tries to put her patients at ease and share a laugh or hug when they need it.

“I know our patients are going through a lot, but we try to make them smile if we can. I’ve had patients tell me, ‘I never dreamed I would be laughing through my breast exam,’” she said. “Sometimes it’s not a laugh; sometimes they need a big hug, and sometimes we just lend an ear. They remember that we’re there for them, and it’s great to have that connection with our ladies.”

Zulkoski’s nomination echoes her dedication to the patient’s journey.

“Lanna went above and beyond to coordinate with scheduling, the doctor, Radiology, and Breast Health to get me into surgery quickly after my aggressive, invasive breast cancer diagnosis! From the point of discovery on my annual exam until my surgery, Lanna was amazing,” her nomination read. “She stepped right in to provide me with the most wonderful care from sentinel node wire insertion (painless) to my radiology – even going above and beyond to make sure that all of my providers, including my oncologist who she had not met, were in the loop on my overall plan. Lanna is definitely a shooting star! Great, caring, compassionate, knowledgeable, and professional. She stepped in and stepped up to make sure my care was top notch!”

Throughout her career, Zulkoski has enjoyed getting to know her patients and feels touched when they ask for her specifically. She also enjoys working on the administrative side reviewing data to see how the Breast Health Center can improve. Regional West Director of Imaging Services Josh Lively, MHA, BS (R.T.)(R)(IV), said she is a valuable asset to the Imaging team.

“I’m so very proud that I get to work with Lanna,” he said. “In the nearly 20 years that I’ve been here, she has always demonstrated love for her profession and her patients.  She sees every patient as someone who deserves the best. I have learned so much from her over the years, and I am so thankful to have her on our team.”

After she received the STAR of the Year award, Zulkoski said she felt honored to be selected out of many employees who deserve recognition. In the years to come, she looks forward to providing excellent breast healthcare alongside her trusted team.

“This is a great facility with great people, and I feel like we’re doing a really important job for our ladies in the community.”