PULLMAN, WA—During Employee Appreciation celebrations, Pullman Regional Hospital recognized Cara Bruner, Director of Patient Access, as Outstanding Employee for 2026, and Kelsey Erwin, a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department, as Nurse Excellence Award winner.
Cara Bruner has worked at Pullman Regional Hospital for six years, starting her career in Urology. She was nominated by colleagues for the annual honor of Outstanding Employee and was selected from a pool of 35 nominees.
Colleagues of Bruner described her as consistently hardworking, passionate, and kind. A colleague shared, “Cara operates at a level that makes every team that she oversees stronger, often in ways that are not immediately visible. She is the vision of high performance with genuine care, and she is present when it matters, approachable without hesitation and consistent in showing support.” This was most notable when she stepped up to voluntarily lead training sessions for onboarding clinics outside of normal working hours, demonstrating an exceptional level of dedication and commitment to the team's success.
“I’ve only been at Pullman Regional for a few months, but even in that time, Cara’s impact has been impossible to miss," said Craig Carstens, Chief Financial Officer for Pullman Regional and Bruner’s supervisor. “It became immediately clear how deeply respected and appreciated she is across this organization.”
Kelsey Erwin has worked at Pullman Regional Hospital for 7 years as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse; she also provides specialized compassionate care for sexual assault patients. Erwin was nominated by her colleagues for the annual Nurse Excellence honor and selected from a pool of 10 nominees.
Hired in 2016, Erwin started her career at Pullman Regional in the Intensive Care Unit then transferred to the Emergency Department; she also serves in the Clinical Coordinator role, providing frontline leadership and coordination of clinical services at the hospital.
Nomination letters describe her as generous in sharing her knowledge and humor, a team player who covers shifts in her own department and others and strongly devoted to the success of the organization. “She is deeply committed to ensuring every patient feels heard, safe, and cared for, no matter how busy or challenging the shift may be. Her advocacy and willingness to do whatever it takes for her patients truly set her apart and reflect the heart of nursing.”
Stephanie Knewbow, Director of Emergency and Clinical Support Services, described Erwin as “exemplifying the very best of nursing through exceptional patient dedication, teamwork, and the positive energy she brings to every shift.” For her work providing trauma-informed care to patients experiencing vulnerable and difficult moments, she said, “Kelsey ensures evidence is collected with dignity, respect, and meticulous attention to detail. Her dedication to this specialized role has had a meaningful impact on both patient care and our community.”
About the Outstanding Employee Award
Nominees for the Outstanding Employee Award exemplify the Values, Vision, and Mission of Pullman Regional Hospital. Employees with two or more years of service who are in good standing and maintain current licenses and certifications are
eligible for nomination. Following a review of all nominations, the award recipient is selected by a committee of previous Outstanding Employee Award honorees.
About the Nurse Excellence Award
For the past 30 years, Pullman Regional Hospital has presented the Nurse Excellence Award to recognize LPNs and RNs who consistently go above and beyond their job responsibilities to deliver exceptional patient care. This award honors nurses who embody Pullman Regional’s values through compassion, professionalism, teamwork, and dedication they demonstrate in their work every day.
Media Contact
Alison Weigley, Director of Strategic Planning & Business Development
Public Information Officer
Pullman Regional Hospital
Office: (509) 332-2041 / Cell: (509) 330-0242
alison.weigley@pullmanregional.org