SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services recognized three employees at its recent annual employee banquet, as they each marked 50 years of service to the organization

Joellen Campbell, RN; Betty Castaneda, CNA; and Sandy Kling all began their careers in 1960.

“In today’s world, choosing to remain employed at one place for 50 years is a monumental accomplishment,” said Regional West President and CEO Todd Sorensen, MD, MS. “I think I speak for us all when I say a very big thank you to Joellen, Betty, and Sandy for your dedication, support, and commitment to Regional West for the past five decades.”

When Joellen Campbell went to work at the old West Nebraska General Hospital in downtown Scottsbluff, the second floor had wards only – no private or semi-private rooms and only two bathrooms. Nurses wore dresses, white hose, white shoes, and of course, their caps. When they left the building, even in the summertime, they were required to cover up their uniforms with a coat or a cape.

The first time Joellen wore pants as a nurse was in 1972. She broke her leg and it was set with a 14-pound cast that extended to the hip. Ten days after surgery, she returned to work in OB, on crutches, and was allowed to wear pants only because of the cast. It wasn’t until 1977 that nurses were finally permitted to wear uniform pants as long as they were white.

Despite the rules, regulations, and demands of her early career, Joellen has always loved being a nurse. Over the past 50 years, she has worked post-surgery, medical, ER, ICU, OB, as a House Supervisor, and taught at the School of Nursing. Today she works in Pre-Admit Testing, a department that she actually helped to develop back in the 80s.

Betty Castaneda began her career as a nurse’s aide at St. Mary Hospital. In 1977, she began working on West Nebraska General Hospital’s OB unit with the encouragement of OB nurse Eleanor Barkdoll, RN. She thanks Joe Salazar, RN and Ramona Giles, RN, for convincing her years ago to become a C-section scrub nurse; a position she holds to this day.

Betty greatly enjoyed the years when one of her responsibilities was giving newborn babies their first bath. She used the time as a teaching tool for first-time moms and dads. In addition, she taught new parents everything from how to swaddle and burp their babies to the importance of talking to their newborns.

In recognition of her hard work and dedication, Betty was recognized as Regional West’s Employee of the Month in November 2005 and was name Employee of the Year in 2006. She was also one of 12 Nebraska health care professionals featured in a 2006 statewide poster campaign promoting diversity in Nebraska’s health care workforce.

Housekeeping Office Coordinator Sandy Kling began her hospital career as a 16-year-old high school student. Since her mother, aunt, and a cousin all worked in the kitchen at St. Mary hospital, it seemed only natural that she apply there, too. She was promptly hired at 75 cents per hour and she recalls that working in the kitchen was demanding. “We didn’t go home until all of the dishes were done,” she said.

Following her high school graduation, Sandy worked full-time in Dietary until moving to the Housekeeping department in 1963. Sandy worked her way through the ranks in the Housekeeping department – starting as a housekeeper at St. Mary Hospital, then moving to West Nebraska General Hospital where she was promoted from supervisor to assistant director and finally lead housekeeper. Several years ago she went to a three-day workweek and now serves as the Housekeeping department’s office coordinator.

Sandy said she often tells Regional West housekeepers to be proud of the job they do for the hospital. “Housekeepers see patients every day and form a bond with them,” she said. “some patients don’t have any visitors, so they look forward to talking with the housekeeper who takes care of their room.”

Regional West Health Services is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide 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, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.