COLUMBUS, Neb. -- An eastern Nebraska hospital has announced the winner of one of its most prestigious awards.

Columbus Community Hospital named Kristin Rasmussen as its recipient of the 2022 Caring Kind Award.

The Caring Kind Award is an honor from the Nebraska Hospital Association that recognizes health care employees who go above and beyond to show compassion for patients. These employees demonstrate a dedication to both their job responsibilities and to service excellence.

Each year, hospitals and health care systems select one person from their organization whom the NHA recognizes at its annual convention. The NHA will honor Rasmussen during the Caring Kind Awards Luncheon at the 2022 NHA Convention Oct. 21.

Rasmussen works in the Occupational Health Services department at CCH. Amy Blaser, vice president of physician relations and business development, nominated her for the award. Blaser said she is an exemplary employee, and she proved that in spades during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, she was committed to administering as many COVID-19 vaccines to employees as possible to keep them safe and productive, hospital officials said.

In addition to serving local companies, Rasmussen travels all over the state performing random drug testing for high school and middle school students.

“She cares for the employees at our contracted sites as if they were her own children,” said Blaser.