Danielle "Dani" Smith, MSN, RN, of Great Plains Health has been named one of the top 40 Nebraska nurses under the age of 40.
This prestigious recognition was presented at the Nebraska Nurses Association annual convention held at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney on Oct. 4, GPH spokeswoman Emily Theiler said.
The 40 Under 40 program, organized by the Nebraska Organization of Nursing Leadership (NONL) and the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA), recognizes 40 nurses under age 40 who are licensed as RNs or LPNs across the state of Nebraska.
GPH Chief Nursing Officer Tina Pate said, "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, Smith expressed her gratitude.
"Nursing isn't just a job for me," she said. "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 contribute to leadership within the profession through such avenues as clinical practice, education and teaching, administrative leadership, research, writing/publishing, policy involvement, and healthcare innovation.
NNA Executive Director Kim Houtwed spoke of the spirit behind the recognition.
"When we look at these young nurses, we see the future of healthcare in Nebraska," Houtwed said. "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 congratulated Smith on the "well-deserved recognition and her continued commitment to excellence in nursing."
Based in North Platte, Great Plains Health is an 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.