SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., - Sandy Hebbert, RN, of Gering and Jamie Barnhart, LPN, of Lewellen, were among 78 Nebraska hospital workers honored Friday by the Nebraska Hospital Association for their excellence in service.

Hebbert, a recovery room nurse at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, and Barnhart, a charge nurse at Regional West Garden County in Oshkosh, received the Nebraska Hospital Association’s prestigious “The Caring Kind” awards. They were honored before an audience of more than 500 people at The Caring Kind Awards Luncheon held Oct. 23 at Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista, Neb.

For 36 years, The Caring Kind award has been given to Nebraska's most caring and compassionate hospital employees. The award honors outstanding health care employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers, and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities.

“Regional West is honored that two of our employees have been recognized as “The Caring Kind” by the Nebraska Hospital Association,” said John Mentgen, FACHE, President and CEO of Regional West Health Services. “Sandy and Jamie represent the best of caregivers by consistently going the extra mile for their patients. Their awards are well deserved.”

“The Caring Kind award recipients demonstrate the kindness, caring, dedication, and commitment that exemplifies why health care in Nebraska continues to be among the best in the nation,” NHA President Laura J. Redoutey said. “The NHA is proud to recognize these outstanding health care workers who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of their patients, co-workers, hospitals and communities.”

Hospitals across the state each select one The Caring Kind award recipient from within their respective institutions to be recognized during the NHA Annual Convention.

The event is held to showcase the exemplary work and care hospital employees provide day in and day out throughout the year. Every employee plays a critical role in providing high quality, cost effective treatment and ensuring the safety of themselves, their co-workers, and patients each and every day. Every job is important.”

“These individuals are the unsung heroes who work to keep our hospitals prepared, safe and operational,” Redoutey said. “While we set aside one day to honor these extraordinary individuals for their exemplary efforts, their dedication and commitment touches the lives of the frail, the vulnerable, the injured and sick each and every day.”

Four additional Regional West employees were also recognized at the convention as they sang the national anthem at the beginning of The Caring Kind luncheon. Julie Schaff, Regional West Director of Education; Randy Prouty, Diagnostic Radiology Supervisor; Susan Backer, Clinical Care Coordinator; and Sean McCracken, Lead Respiratory Therapist, made up a quartet of Regional West employees who sang The Star Spangled Banner. The quartet was selected from among seven entrants that auditioned to sing the national anthem at the NHA luncheon.

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.