SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – On April 12, Judy Mackie, Activities Assistant at The Village at Regional West in Scottsbluff, Neb., received the 2011 Western District Direct Care Staff Award from the Nebraska Assisted Living Association (NALA). The award was presented to Mackie at the association’s Mid-Year Convention in Kearney, Neb. for providing outstanding resident care. Mackie was nominated by Karen Vorse, Administrator, at The Village at Regional West.

“Judy brings a ray of sunshine to everyone whose life she touches through the course of a work day. Her positive, purposeful approach to life has impacted residents, staff, and visitors and made a difference in their lives. She is passionate about enhancing our residents’ lives in anyway she can. She gave a stirring speech at our Veteran’s Day program, sharing about having all three of her sons serving in the military. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Judy is a valued employee and has a gift of bringing everyone together, inspiring us all to work in harmony,” said Karen Vorse, administrator at The Village at Regional West.

“Nebraska is filled with people like Judy who are providing quality care to assisted living facility residents every day. It is our pleasure to recognize Judy in this way,” said Heath Boddy, executive director of NALA.

More than 700 assisted living facility and nursing home owners, administrators, staff, and vendors participated in the three-day convention, which was themed “Navigating the Rivers of Change.”

The Village at Regional West is a 43-bed facility offering Assisted Living and Independent Living.

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.