Mike Dowling, center, with his wife Chrystal Dowling, right and daughter, Hope Dowling, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
LEXINGTON — A former Nebraska State Patrol investigator earned the Caring Kind award for his work at his new position with the Lexington Regional Health Center.
Mike Dowling, a former Nebraska State Patrol trooper and investigator of 27 years, is now the Chief Experience Officer with the Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC.)
Dowling was nominated by the staff 2024 Nebraska Hospital Association Caring Kind Award, which was presented as a surprise to him during a staff meeting after Interim CEO Wade Eschenbrenner made the announcement.
The gift basket was presented to Mike by Chrystal Dowling, his wife, who also works at LRHC.
Eschenbrenner read several quotes from staff members who nominated Dowling for the award. He said Dowling goes above and beyond for LRHC patients, even taking his holidays to make sure they have the best experience.
Other staff members Dowling is willing to help around the hospital with whatever jobs need done, including pulling weeds.
When asked how he felt about receiving the award, Dowling said he was “very humbled,” and noted there are so many great employees at LRHC who could have easily earned the Caring Kind award themselves.
Defining his role as the Chief Experience Officer, Dowling said his role every day is to visit patients and ensure that their stay at LRHC is the best and work to address any issues that arise before they leave.
Dowling said he has held the position for a year and a half.
When asked about some of the other tasks he helps with, Dowling said as a leader in the organization, he feels it is important to lead by example and show that no job is either too big or too small.
Dowling was asked how his experience with the NSP helps with his new role, he said it is a much different role and quipped that the stress level is much lower helping patients as compared to being a criminal investigator.
However, Dowling said the same analogies behind being a successful investigator carry over to the hospital, from helping the community to serving LRHC patients.
He said the transition was an easy one for him and he can now sit back and enjoy his work as the experience officer. He said LRHC is a great place to provide care for the community and he wants to help continue their mission.
