DON at senior care facilities brings years of experience

Imperial Manor and Parkview-Heights has a new director of nursing as of Monday.
Gail Dinnel is originally from New Hampshire. She is a U.S. Navy veteran having served six years as a hospital corpsman.
She went to nursing school in Idaho, working with the Veterans Administration system before moving to this area 14 years ago.
Over the past 14 years, Dinnel has been employed as a registered nurse at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman working her way up to director of surgery.
“I have been working in an acute care medical setting for 26 years, and I have enjoyed every minute,” Dinnel said.
When this position came open she said she was excited for an opportunity for a new setting—from a hospital to a long term facility.
“I was excited to bring some of my ideas to this facility,” she said. “It would be a nice change of pace for me.”
She is passionate about quality care, and teaching nurses to have the skills to feel the same way, she said.
“A lot of small towns no longer have nursing home facilities. It’s fortunate to have one in this community, and I want it to continue to thrive,” she added.
Dinnel said she was anxious to work here and be a part of community pride in this facility. Her goals are to help empower the staff to be proud of the facility and their positions here.
She said she also wants to establish a rapport with the community that they can trust the staff will provide an excellent standard of care for their loved ones.
“I have been coming to Imperial and doing the majority of my business here since moving to Nebraska,” Dinnel said.
“I’m looking forward to interacting with the community on a different level than just shopping and visiting,” she added.
“I’ve been in nursing a long time, and I am excited to be a part of this team,” said Dinnel.
 Dinnel is mom to an 11 and 13-year-old, who attend school in Wauneta-Palisade. She replaces Margie Haider.