SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Foundation paid tribute Friday evening to retired family medicine physicians, Donald Gentry, MD, and his wife Meredyth, and R. Daniel Clark, MD, and his wife Jamalee, at the Foundation’s fifth annual gala at the Gering Civic Center.

The formal event, themed “A Black and White Affair,” is a major fundraising event for Regional West Foundation. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts was in attendance along with Nebraska State Senator John Stinner and his wife Rita. The Ricketts’ contributed to the live auction with the donation of a dinner for eight with the governor and first lady at their residence.

The evening’s guests of honor, Drs. Clark and Gentry, joined the Gentry Clinic in Gering in 1970 and 1971 respectively. At the time, the clinic was staffed by Dr. Gentry’s father, Bill; Uncle Max; and cousin Harold. The name of the office was eventually changed to the Gentry-Clark Clinic, and later, the Trails West Clinic. The physicians were recognized for their years of patient care, contributions to the medical center, and their involvement in the community.

Dr. Clark was raised in Holyoke and Fort Collins, Colo. He earned a teaching degree in chemistry and music at the University of Northern Colorado and taught math and science at Bayard High School for several years before pursuing medical school at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.  He served as Chief of Staff from 1982 to 1984.

Dr. Gentry was born and raised in Gering. He is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He served in the U.S. Public Health Service for two years before beginning his medical practice. He was Chief of the Medical Staff from 1986 to 1988. Dr. Gentry continues to serve on the Regional West Health Services and Regional West Foundation Board of Directors.

The gala also provided an opportunity to introduce the medical center’s newly recruited physicians and mid-level health care providers.

Regional West President and CEO John Mentgen, recognized Regional West’s employees of the year and highlighted the Foundation’s work, including construction of the New Education Center at Regional West and awarding more than $73,000 in nursing scholarships to 25 area students who are enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division.

Regional West Foundation has been raising funds for the benefit of the hospital since 1972. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that solicits tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of Regional West Medical Center. For more information about the Regional West Foundation, please call 308-630-1485.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 182-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.