Kent R. Daws has joined the insurance agency staff at Pathway Financial.

The company is an independent insurance agency that was founded more than 80 years ago. Pathway Financial will have an office in Pathway Bank's Grand Island location, and Daws will be maintaining and developing new business in all lines of insurance in the Grand Island area.

Daws maintains a license for property and casualty, life, health, annuities and crop insurance. He comes to Pathway Financial after spending the last 14 years as a life insurance producer with the Knights of Columbus.

Daws and his wife, Tammy, along with their six children, have resided in Grand Island for more than 18 years.

Kent Daws can be contacted at Pathway Bank, 3333 State St., or by calling 382-3150, or toll free at (888) 382-3150.

Local physician appointed to position with commission on cancer

Dr. Brant Luebbe of Grand Island has received a three-year appointment as cancer liaison physician for the cancer program at St. Francis Medical Center. Cancer liaison physicians are an integral part of cancer programs accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Luebbe is among a network of more than 1,600 volunteer physicians who are responsible for providing leadership and direction to establish, maintain and support their facilities' cancer program. Luebbe is a member of the multidisciplinary cancer committee at St. Francis.

Cancer liaison physicians are responsible for spearheading commission on cancer initiatives within their own cancer programs, collaborating with local agencies and facilitating quality improvement initiatives. The commission on cancer collects data from its approved cancer programs and provides tools back to those facilities to help analyze patterns of diagnosis and treatment.

The commission on cancer is a consortium of 42 professional organizations dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. There are currently more than 1,400 commission-accredited cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.facs.org/cancer/.

Glause becomes Tastefully Simple team leader

Heather Glause, a Grand Island resident and independent consultant with Tastefully Simple, is now a team leader with the national direct seller of gourmet foods.

Glause earned the promotion through sales achievements and by adding new consultants to the team. The promotion entitles Glause to a variety of benefits, such as commissions, bonuses and allowances, among others.

The benefits of promotion encourage consultants to develop their business, said Tastefully Simple founder and Chief Executive Officer Jill Blashack Strahan. Consultants are also encouraged through an array of fun and meaningful incentives.

Tastefully Simple is the original national home taste-testing company featuring easy-to-prepare gourmet foods. For more information about Tastefully Simple products, taste-testing parties or the business opportunity, call Glause at 384-7144.

Valley County Health System employee wins Shining Star Award

ORD Carol Schroeder, director of home health and hospice at Valley County Health System, has been awarded the Shining Star Award by the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership.

Schroeder received the award for illustrating outstanding leadership in the promotion of end-of-life services and developing a new hospice program at the Valley County Health System.

She was nominated by co-workers Donna Streeter and Marilyn Winklebauer. In their nomination letter, Streeter and Winklebauer wrote about Schroeder's work to begin a certified hospice program at Valley County Health System in the fall of 2006, as well as her care and concern for patients.

"Carol is a role model of professionalism, compassion and integrity for the entire hospice team," they wrote. "She expects nothing but the best care for her patients. Her drive is contagious, and her love for her work is evident in all she does."

The Valley County Health System hospice department serves patients in eight counties. Schroeder was one of two people selected for the award from nominees across Nebraska.

Clinch achieves membership in Million Dollar Round Table

Outstanding client service, ethics and professionalism have enabled John Clinch of Grand Island to achieve membership in the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. Clinch is a 12-year Million Dollar Round Table member.

Attaining membership in the Million Dollar Round Table is a distinguishing career milestone achieved by less than 1 percent of the world's life insurance and financial services professionals. It requires Clinch to adhere to a strict code of ethics, focus on providing top-notch client service and continue to grow professionally through involvement with at least one other industry association.

The Million Dollar Round Table provides continuing education and skills improvement designed to help members provide the best in client service. It also helps members serve their community and maintain strong personal values.

For more information, contact Clinch at 384-9999 or john@clinchfinancial.com.