(ELKO, NEV.) The Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association (NEPA) has named Dr. Amber Donelli, Associate Vice President for Faculty Success and Dean of Health Science Human Services, and Great Basin College recipients of the 2023 Eastern Nevada Preparedness Partner of the Year. Nominated by the Eastern Chapter, NEPA met in March and selected Donelli and GBC as a 2023 partner. Donelli and GBC are recognized for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to NEPA, GBC quickly made internal changes and continued the nursing and EMS programs, including the paramedic program, throughout the pandemic, assuring an uninterrupted supply of nurses and EMS providers would enter the workforce as planned.

Dr. Donelli and the nursing and EMS faculty are also recognized for providing their support to eastern NEPA operations. During the pandemic, the GBC Elko Campus provided space and assistance for the community monoclonal antibody therapy clinic. Additionally, GBC is credited with a significant amount of disease contact tracing and supporting regional operations with training, testing, and immunization support.

“The support provided by Great Basin College, Dean Donnelli, Pat Anderson, and staff to this operation for over two years is an outstanding example of rural resiliency and an effective partnership that supports local preparedness,” said Lee Cabiniss Elko County Emergency Manager.

NEPA recognizes three partners per year. This award was conveyed to Donelli and GBC during an Elko County Commissioners meeting by Lee Cabiniss, the Elko County Emergency manager.

Great Basin College, “The Gold Standard in the Silver State”, celebrates students while offering associate and bachelor’s degrees in academic, career, and technical education areas. GBC serves students enrolled online from across the country and on campuses and centers across 86,500 square miles, two time zones, and ten of Nevada’s largest counties. Branch campuses also serve the communities of Battle Mountain, Ely, Pahrump, and Winnemucca. Satellite centers are located in nearly 20 communities across rural Nevada. We border Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and California.