August 2024

Introducing Regional West’s Network Operating Council (NOC) 

In 2008, Regional West leadership introduced a new concept in the delivery of healthcare called Physician Hospital Integration. The organization of a multispecialty medical and surgical group – Regional West Physicians Clinic – allowed participating physicians to be actively involved with hospital management in decision-making related to quality, safety, and patient care.

Flash forward to early this year when Regional West Physicians Clinic instituted a Network Operating Council (NOC) as part of a physician, provider, and patient satisfier initiative. The NOC was created to expand physician representation to the Physicians Clinic governing board, with each provider bringing a different background, perspective, and skillset to the council. The council is comprised of eight physicians, two advanced practice clinicians, and three administrative voting members.

Craig Krentz, Regional West Chief Network Executive (pictured above), said the new council is continuing Regional West’s positive momentum to improve care and service at the Physicians Clinic.

“We are changing the way we do things at Regional West, and it’s important that physicians and providers have more of a say in how the Physicians Clinic is run,” he said. “The Network Operating Council members are advocates for our patients, and this makes it easier for us to hear their needs and concerns. Our physicians are the pipeline between Regional West and our patients.”

Click here to read more.

Regional West is bringing the country's most widely used electronic health record (EHR) system to our patients in October. Click here to read more! 

Regional West Physicians Clinic-Orthopaedics is pleased to welcome William Murrell, MD. As part of the clinic that is the area’s leading resource for orthopaedic care, Dr. Murrell and his colleagues offer innovative solutions customized to your needs. He completed sports medicine fellowships at Plancher Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, New York, New York; and at The Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dr. Murrell is board certified in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He specializes in sports medicine and comprehensive shoulder, elbow, and knee surgery.

Welcome, Lesley Towery, MD, to Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine. As part of the Family Medicine residency program, Regional West partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, to provide a two-year family medicine residency program in Scottsbluff.

Dr. Towery earned a medical degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Regional West Physicians Clinic-Surgery, Vascular Diagnostics is pleased to welcome John Wolen, MD, FACS. Dr. Wolen and his colleagues provide comprehensive surgical services for the Nebraska panhandle and eastern Wyoming and, as the state’s only Level II trauma center west of Kearney, provide emergency and trauma surgery services for an even larger area. He has extensive experience in robotic surgery, breast surgery, trauma surgery, and thyroid/parathyroid surgery. Dr. Wolen is board certified in General Surgery. 

Regional West is pleased to welcome Advait Vasavada, MD, a family practice resident at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine. Dr. Vasavada earned a medical degree from the MP Shah Government Medical College, Jamnagar, India.

As part of the Family Medicine residency program, Regional West partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, to provide a two-year family medicine residency program in Scottsbluff.

Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology Recognizes Six Graduates

We’re proud to recognize Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology’s Class of 2024! To read more about their recent graduation ceremony,

click here.

“My 94-year-old mother, who has Alzheimer’s, fell and had an injury to her hand that took skill and patience for the ER staff to address. She was upset and in pain, not understanding what was going on. The compassion and patience that the ER team provided was wonderful. Dr. Dean, Jen (RN), and Courtney (CNA), along with the other staff members, were kind, caring, and skilled. They made what was a terrible event manageable with the best outcome that could have been expected. Thank you!”

~ Paulette Schnell

Regional West Trauma Team Moves to Whole Blood Transfusions for Trauma Patients

As an essential part of trauma care, blood transfusions are often carried out at trauma sites. Regional West recently made the change to provide whole blood transfusions for trauma patients.

“While Regional West will be among the smallest hospitals in the US to offer this lifesaving practice, it’s going to save lives and lesson the amount of complications, time spent in the hospital, and blood products our trauma patients will have to receive.”

-Rommie Hughes, MD, FACS, RPVI

Director of Regional West’s Trauma Program

Click here to learn more! 

Stefanie was recently recognized by Darren Jacobs, director of Food and Nutrition Services, for setting the bar high when it comes to teamwork, engagement, accountability, and patient care.

“She treats everyone with respect and dignity and is always willing to jump in and help with tasks without being asked to make sure things are being done correctly. Stefanie makes the patients feel welcome and that we care about them. She makes sure their diet orders are put in correctly and communicates with the cooks and employees about any major changes. Thank you for all you do, Stefanie!”

Recognizing Katrina Gonzales, Regional West's 2023 PEARL of the Year

At Regional West’s recent 2023 employee recognition celebration, Katrina Gonzales, LPN, was named the facility’s 2023 PEARL of the Year, celebrating her commitment to excellent service.

Each quarter, Regional West Physicians Clinic honors employees who exemplify outstanding teamwork and go above and beyond to care for their patients and coworkers. The PEARL award, which stands for Pride, Effort, Attentiveness, Respect, and Leadership, has recognized dozens of individuals since its inception in 2009.

Click here to read more.

Celebrating Anastasia Manley, Regional West's 2023 Caring Kind Award Winner

Last fall, Regional West nurse recruiter and staff development coordinator Anastasia Manley received the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) Caring Kind Award, recognizing her commitment to excellence at Regional West.

The Caring Kind Award, presented annually by the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA), honors outstanding healthcare employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers, and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities. Since 1979, Nebraska hospitals have honored their finest employees with The Caring Kind Awards. NHA member hospitals statewide are eligible to select one award recipient from their respective institutions to receive the honor.

Click here to read more.

Perez Earns NHA Scholarship

Join us in congratulating Paxton Perez, RRT, Regional West’s Respiratory Care supervisor, on his recent scholarship from the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA)! Paxton is the proud recipient of a $2,500 award from the NHA’s Undergraduate Health Care Career Scholarship Program and will use the funds to help pursue his bachelor’s degree in respiratory care from the University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota.

“This scholarship helps a lot, especially with the rising costs of classes. It was a big surprise for me,” Paxton said.

Well done, Paxton!

Breastfeeding Support Group

First and third Tuesday

10 a.m. to noon

Regional West Medical Center

Keith Room

4021 Ave. B l Scottsbluff

Click here for more information!

Postpartum Support Group

First Wednesday

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Regional West Medical Plaza South

Women's Center

3911 Ave. B l Scottsbluff

Click here for more information!

Weight Loss Support Group

First Wednesday

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Regional West Medical Center

Scotts Bluff II Room

4021 Ave. B l Scottsbluff

Regional West’s Stroke Program Earns 2024 Get With The Guidelines GoldPlus and Rural Stroke Silver Awards

Regional West is proud to be nationally recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for our commitment to providing research-based, high-quality stroke care with the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GoldPlus and Rural Stroke Silver awards. To learn more about these achievements,

click here.

Visiting Regional West

Visitors of all ages are welcome to Regional West Medical Center during normal visiting hours, which are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visitors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The main hospital entrance is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can also enter through the Birth and Infant Care Center entrance on the facility’s north side during these hours.

If visiting the hospital after 5 p.m. or on the weekends, please use the Emergency Department entrance.

Thank you for choosing Regional West!

Regional West Foundation Board Chair Mike Downey recently recognized John Massey for his 14 years of dedicated service as Chair of the Regional West Foundation Board of Directors.

“Thank you, John, for all you have done over your tenure for the Foundation! We look forward to your continued service as a board member.”

- Mike Downey

308-630-2244

Regional West Foundation has kicked off our Grateful Patient program! This program provides patients and their families a way to show gratitude toward a physician, provider, nurse, employee, or department who played a special role in their care.

If you know someone at Regional West who has made your care special, we invite you to share your story and make a donation in his or her name. They will then be recognized by the Foundation.

Click here to view the donation information form, or call the Foundation at 308-630-1485 to make a donation in someone’s name.