Celebrating Linda Ducello's 50 Years of Service and Retirement

It is with immense gratitude and admiration that we announce the upcoming retirement of Linda Ducello, Registered Respiratory Therapist, who will be concluding her remarkable 50-year career with Campbell County Health on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Linda began her journey with CCH in 1975, when the organization looked very different. At that time, the facility had a two-bed emergency room, a four-bed ICU, thirteen double rooms for Med-Surg, and ten beds in OB.

In those early days, it wasn’t uncommon for the X-ray room to serve as a trauma bay when multiple patients arrived. It was a fast-paced, unpredictable time, with the Gillette community booming from oil fields and coal mines, and Linda was there through it all; calm, committed, and focused.

Linda began her career in respiratory therapy through on-the-job training. She later earned her Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the California College of Respiratory Care and went on to obtain her Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification from Independence University in Salt Lake City, Utah. Much of her clinical experience was gained at CCH, and she also trained in Omaha, Denver, and other locations. She credits her preceptor, Bing Gerner, for being a pivotal influence in her career, his patience, understanding, and encouragement gave her the confidence to pursue and persist in the field of respiratory therapy.

Throughout her five decades with CCH, Linda has worked across nearly every area of respiratory care: critical care, NICU, ER, ICU, floor care, rehab, cardiac stress testing, pulmonary rehab, pulmonary function testing, and sleep lab. She played an integral role in launching programs like the Pulmonary Function Lab and the respiratory care unit at what was then Pioneer Manor, now The Legacy. Most recently, she’s spent the past eight years at Home Medical Resources, which she describes as a meaningful and fitting way to conclude her career, serving patients in a different, deeply personal capacity.

Linda's career reflects not only her clinical expertise but also her leadership and adaptability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked tirelessly through long hours and staffing shortages. Her knowledge and experience were critical in maintaining high standards of care. She re-introduced efficiencies such as the DME closets that improved access to essential equipment, an initiative that still benefits our patients and team today.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Linda is a proud mother and grandmother. Her son is a police officer, and her daughter is a nurse at CCH. She has four grandchildren ranging in age from 9 to 24, and she is looking forward to spending more time with them. Her plans for retirement include travel, staying active, and enjoying the freedom of unscheduled days. Linda recently celebrated her 70th birthday with her twin sister Lana and many loved ones, an occasion filled with joy and reflection.

Linda shares that she will miss the patients most of all, as well as the deep connections she has made with coworkers over the years. When asked for parting advice, Linda echoes the wisdom of one of her early mentors, Hazel Johnson: to always center the patient, trust in your training, and offer comforting and calming words, even in the most stressful moments.

Please join us in celebrating Linda Ducello’s extraordinary legacy. Her impact on this organization and our community is immeasurable. We are honored to have worked alongside her and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.

To honor Linda’s phenomenal career and unwavering commitment to CCH, there will be a celebration at Home Medical Resources on Friday, August 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring snacks and a public gathering in her honor.

Then, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., staff are invited to stop by the cafeteria to enjoy cake, extend their well wishes, and help celebrate Linda’s remarkable career and lasting impact on our organization.

We hope you’ll join us in recognizing this meaningful milestone.