Regional West Celebrates 2024 Years of Service and Award Recipients

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West recently celebrated the 2024 years of service, STAR award, PEARL Award, DAISY Award, and Caring Kind Award recipients at its annual employee recognition celebration.

Employees celebrating their five-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, 25-year, 30-year, 35-year, 40-year, 45-year, and 55-year milestones were recognized with a certificate commemorating their service. Those celebrating 30 years of service and more were honored with a flower arrangement and a brief introduction read by their supervisors or co-workers. The celebration also honored Regional West’s 2024 STAR, PEARL, DAISY, and Caring Kind Award winners for their commitment to outstanding service and patient care.

“Our team members are the bedrock of our organization. The individuals recognized have dedicated many years to our healthcare system and community and have gone above and beyond to make sure our patients receive exceptional care. Safety, quality, and culture are the most important aspects of our work, and the event was about highlighting that focus. We are proud of our award winners and grateful for all the years of service represented at this celebration,” said Ned Resch, Regional West President and CEO.

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 2024 STAR award winners include Madi Bibb, RN, Birth and Infant Care Center; Brytni McLaughlin, RN, 3 East; Tom Newman, Environmental Services; Aimee Rice, Patient Access; Stefanie Schmidt, Food and Nutrition Services; and Seasons Uhrig, CNA, 3 East. The 2024 STAR of the Year is Stefanie Schmidt.

The PEARL award recognizes employees for outstanding customer service, quality patient care, and teamwork reflecting Pride, Effort, Attentiveness, Respect, and Leadership. The 2024 PEARL award winners include Soledad Duarte, Patient Access; Nick Gabel, CNA, Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine, Scottsbluff; Kasandra Garza, CMA, Urgent Care; Brenda Loose, Patient Access; and Kortni Lane Moss, Patient Access. The PEARL of the Year is Nick Gabel.

The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates excellence in nursing. Nancy Mainelli, a nurse in the Birth and Infant Care Center, is the 2024 DAISY Award winner.

The Caring Kind Award is an award presented annually by the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) that honors outstanding healthcare employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers, and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities. Regional West’s 2024 Caring Kind Award winner is Linda Fowler, nurse and clinical coordinator for Critical Care.

Chief Human Resources Officer Stacie Kallsen, M.Ed, SHRM-CP, said acknowledging the efforts and achievements of Regional West’s employees and their families celebrates the organization’s mission.

“Each milestone represents more than years of service—it’s a reflection of the values we live every day and the culture we are building together,” said Kallsen. “It’s shaped by the dedication of our employees and the quiet strength of the families who support them. That collective commitment is what drives us forward—uniting purpose, people, and performance in service to our community and for our patients.”

About Regional West
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.