SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Foundation is one of 36 Nebraska nonprofit organizations to receive grants from the Union Pacific Foundation this year.

The $10,000 grant is designated for the Western Nebraska Emergency Care Connection – a $900,000 campaign that unites panhandle hospitals in an effort to upgrade emergency radios used by regional hospitals, ambulances, and EMS providers, as well as Air Link.

Regional West Foundation is one of 36 Nebraska nonprofit organizations selected to receive more than $1 million in grants from the Union Pacific Foundation this year.

“Supporting these charitable organizations helps them continue to play important roles in improving the communities where our employees live and work,” said Robert W. Turner, Union Pacific senior vice president – Corporate Relations and Union Pacific Foundation president. “We are proud to make a positive contribution to building strong, sustainable communities across our railroad network.”

For more than 50 years, the Union Pacific Foundation has upheld the tradition of supporting community and civic programs. Grants benefit community, cultural, and health and human services organizations.

“We are so grateful to the Union Pacific Foundation for contributing to this regional campaign. Our goal is to upgrade emergency communication between EMS providers and hospitals. This grant will ultimately benefit everyone who lives, works, and travels in western Nebraska,” said Shelley Knutson, executive director of Regional West Foundation.

The Western Nebraska Emergency Care Connection campaign involves hospitals, foundations, and EMS services in 16 western Nebraska counties, including: Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Chase, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Keith, Kimball, Morrill, Perkins, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux.

For additional information about the Western Nebraska Emergency Care Connection, contact your local hospital foundation or call 308-630-1485.

Donations to the Western Nebraska Emergency Care Connection campaign are tax-deductible. To make a contribution, please send a check to the Western Nebraska Emergency Care Connection, P.O. Box 1844, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.