SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the James Massey Surgical Technology Scholarships for the 2019 spring semester.

Jennifer Figueroa of Alliance and Lacy J. Osborn of Scottsbluff were each awarded $1,500 to attend the Surgical Technology program at Western Nebraska Community College.

Surgical technologists play a vital role in preparing operating rooms and assisting surgical teams during medical procedures. They make sure the proper instruments are in place, drape the patient, verify equipment is ready for surgery, and hand each instrument to the surgeon as needed.

The scholarship was established by Regional West otolaryngologist James Massey, MD, to encourage high school graduates to pursue training in the Surgical Technology program at Western Nebraska Community College. The $1,500 scholarships are offered to full-time students in both the spring and fall.

“A good surgical technologist is irreplaceable,” said Dr. Massey. “So often in today’s environment, a surgeon is working through scopes and microscopes. The more you can keep your eye on the microscope and the surgical field, the safer the surgery,” said Dr. Massey. “A skilled surgical tech anticipates the instruments the surgeon will need; eliminating the need for a surgeon to look away from the microscope and that creates a smooth handoff that leads to better a surgical outcome.” 

For more information about the James Massey, MD, Surgical Technology Scholarship or other health care scholarships, contact Julie Marshall, Regional West Foundation Director of Development, at 308.630.2244. Applications can be downloaded at www.RegionalWestFoundation.org.

Regional West Foundation raises, manages, and distributes funds to enhance the services, programs, and projects of Regional West Health Services. The Foundation supports projects to strengthen health care services that are essential to the quality and growth of our local medical community, including new technology, building improvements, and health education scholarships.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-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.