Great Plains Health
North Platte, Neb. – Great Plains Health is proud to announce that Danielle "Dani" Smith, MSN, RN, has been named one of the 2024 Nebraska Nurses 40 Under 40. This prestigious recognition was presented at the Nebraska Nurses Association Annual Convention held at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney on October 4, 2024.
The 40 Under 40 program, jointly organized by the Nebraska Organization of Nursing Leadership (NONL) and the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA), recognizes 40 nurses under the age of 40 who are currently licensed as RNs or LPNs across the state of Nebraska.
Tina Pate, Chief Nursing Officer at Great Plains Health, shared her thoughts on the achievement: "Watching Dani grow in her career has been incredibly rewarding. Her passion for patient care is infectious, and she has this amazing ability to connect with both patients and colleagues. Dani's not just a talented nurse; she's a natural leader who inspires those around her. This recognition is well-deserved, and I couldn't be prouder of her."
Upon receiving the award, Dani Smith expressed her gratitude: "Nursing isn't just a job for me. Every day, I have the privilege of making a difference in people's lives, and that's what drives me. This award is an honor, but the real reward is the incredible team I work with at Great Plains Health and the trust my staff place in me to guide them to provide the best care to our patients. They push me to be better every day."
The 40 Under 40 program highlights nurses who significantly contribute to leadership within the nursing profession through various avenues, including clinical practice, education and teaching, administrative leadership, research, writing/publishing, policy involvement, and healthcare innovation.
Kim Houtwed, NNA Executive Director, explained the spirit behind the recognition: "When we look at these young nurses, we see the future of healthcare in Nebraska. They're not just providing excellent care; they're reimagining what nursing can be. Whether it's a nurse developing a new patient education program or another advocating for policy changes, these 40 Under 40 honorees are shaping the future of our profession."
Great Plains Health congratulates Dani on this well-deserved recognition and her continued commitment to excellence in nursing.
About Great Plains Health
Based in North Platte, Nebraska, Great Plains Health is a fully accredited, 116-bed acute-care regional medical center serving western and central Nebraska, northern Kansas, and southern South Dakota. With 90 physicians representing nearly 30 medical specialties, the Great Plains Health system offers advanced health care, including heart and vascular, cancer, and
orthopedic surgery services. Great Plains Health is a Level III trauma center, and all of its emergency department physicians are residency-trained and board-certified in emergency medicine. The system employs approximately 1,200 employees and serves a geographic area spanning approximately 16,000 square miles. The hospital is accredited by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and is home to an American College of Surgeons accredited cancer center and Level II bariatric surgery program. For more information, visit gphealth.org.
About 40 Under 40
Annually beginning in May-June, the NONL and NNA accepts nominations to begin its search for 40 Under 40 candidates. During the next three months, the two associations’ review committee evaluate blinded nominations and look for nurses who represent the next generation of nursing leaders. The honorees are then recognized in October at the NNA Annual Convention Awards Breakfast.