SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – The Board of Directors of Regional West Foundation will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 2 to celebrate the opening of Regional West Foundation’s new Tranquility Garden.

“The Tranquility Garden is the region’s first healing garden within a health care system. It was designed within the hospital as a natural sanctuary to promote peace, relaxation, and serenity,” said Shelley Knutson, executive director of Regional West Foundation.

The garden was designed by Amy Seiler of A. Seiler Design. The stamped concrete patio and raised flower beds are outlined with bricks and granite purchased by employees, physicians, and community members as part of the 2010 employee fundraising campaign. The bricks and granite are engraved as memorials to loved ones and in honor of families and friends.

“I am very proud of the Regional West employees and physicians who generously donated to the campaign to transform this space into a beautiful garden for patients, their families, and employees to enjoy,” said Regional West Foundation board member and Past President Rick Morehouse.

The $100,000 project was also made possible through the generous donation of time, talent and resources provided by several area businesses. More than $45,000 worth of landscape design, landscaping, plants, and brick work, were donated by landscape designer Amy Seiler of A. Seiler Design; Dick and Marsha Meyer and Mike and Mona Olmstead, owners of Scottsbluff Landscaping; and Tom and Gerry Nation, owners of Robert Nation Masonry.

In addition, four local companies contributed part of the cost of their construction services to the Foundation. They include: Infinity Construction; Baker & Associates, Inc.; Van Pelt Fencing Co., Inc.; and Simon Contractors. The Facilities Management department at Regional West assisted with the construction and finish work on the Tranquility Garden.

The garden will be open to patients, visitors, and Regional West employees from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May through October. Winter hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November through April.

The Tranquility Garden is located outside the Medical Center meeting rooms. Entrances are located at the west end of the Restorative Care Unit, in the Keith and Goshen Meeting Rooms, and in the Nebraska Room (employee lounge).

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.