SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Regional West Medical Center has appointed Ned Resch as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the hospital’s board of directors announced Monday. Resch succeeds Mel McNea, who served in the role for the past two years.

Resch brings more than two decades of healthcare experience to Regional West. His career began in 2002 at Intermountain Healthcare, where he held various clinical and non-clinical positions. After earning a graduate degree in healthcare administration and policy from the University of Chicago, he spent seven years with the Veterans Healthcare System in leadership roles across multiple hospital systems.

Since 2016, Resch has worked with Banner Health, overseeing medical group operations in Wyoming and California before being named CEO of Banner’s Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, Wyoming, in 2019. Two years later, he took over as CEO of Sterling Regional MedCenter in northeast Colorado, where he secured over $20 million in capital investments to enhance care delivery infrastructure.

Regional West board chair Jim Trumbull expressed confidence in Resch’s leadership.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Resch to Regional West,” Trumbull said. “He brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership that will serve our hospital and community well.”

Trumbull also acknowledged McNea for coming out of retirement to assist during the leadership transition, as well as Amanda Vick, who served as interim CEO while continuing her role as Chief Operating Officer.

The start of 2025 has also brought changes to the Regional West board of directors. Term limits led to the departures of longtime board members Thomas Holyoke and Lee Glenn.

“Over the years, Tom and Lee have provided strong leadership and direction to improving healthcare throughout the region,” Trumbull said. “We thank them for their dedication to serving Regional West.”

The hospital’s nominating committee selected three new board members: Kory Knight, Gering Public Schools curriculum and instruction director; Carter Miller, a business owner and entrepreneur; and Jackie Cervantes-Guzman, an early childhood educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center.

Resch, who holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, said he is passionate about healthcare operations, strategy, and community engagement. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, playing guitar and pickleball, and spending time with his wife and four children.