Regional West Medical Center Celebrates 100 Years in 2024

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -- Throughout 2024, Regional West will celebrate the 100th anniversary of caring for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

On April 15, 1924, the West Nebraska Methodist Episcopal Hospital opened at the corner of 18th and Broadway in Scottsbluff with a staff of 25. During the last 100 years, much has changed on our campus, in our community, and in our region. Although Regional West Medical Center is now a regional referral center and the state’s only Level II Trauma Center west of Kearney, at our roots we have always been a community hospital ? paid for by the community, supervised by a volunteer board of local citizens, and improved by contributions from volunteers and friends who continue to donate their time and talent in order to provide quality healthcare for the future.

No organization reaches 100 years without challenges. But with challenge comes opportunity, and we are excited about the many positive things that are happening at Regional West. Throughout the decades, our name and location have changed along with medical technology, and our staff and services have grown dramatically, yet we are committed to providing the same excellent care upon which we built our reputation. While much has changed since 1924, the dedication of our physicians, providers, employees, and countless others remains the same, and will continue as we embark on the next hundred years.

Regional West Acute Rehabilitation Unit Awarded Three-Year Reaccreditation

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -- Regional West Medical Center’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) recently earned a three-year reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), as well as special accreditation from CARF as a certified Stroke Specialty Program.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body that serves as the foremost standard setting and accrediting body for promoting programs and services for persons with disabilities. Regional West’s accreditation represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards.

“The Acute Rehabilitation Program (ARU) at Regional West Medical Center demonstrates a strong commitment to the delivery of highly reliable, high-quality, and patient-centered rehabilitation services,” stated the commendation.

As the only accredited inpatient rehabilitation facility in western Nebraska, Regional West’s ARU bridges the gap between the time patients needing intensive rehabilitation first enter the hospital to the time they return home.

“I am extremely proud of our staff,” said Rehab Services Director Tami Bokelman, MSW. “They work hard every day to meet CARF standards, and most importantly, are highly committed to providing our patients with skilled and individualized care while they are on the ARU.”

To earn reaccreditation, the ARU underwent a rigorous peer review process, demonstrating its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.