Healthcare Heroes Southern Nevada2023

 

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Corporate Sponsor

OPTUM – Caring Where You Are

Our community is only as healthy as the people who live here. That’s why Optum works tirelessly for the total health of our families, friends and neighbors. This care doesn’t just happen in physicians’ offices, but also by giving back – through volunteering, social advocacy, corporate giving, charity safety nets and so much more – from executive leadership to frontline workers.

Optum is the state’s largest multispecialty medical group, with more than 350 local healthcare providers through Optum Specialty Care, Optum Primary Care, and Southwest Medical, plus access to a vast network of contracted primary and specialty care providers through Optum – Nevada for Medicare Advantage patients.

Optum includes the work of the Optum Cancer Center, which provides patient-centered, compassionate care in a wide range of services under one roof in the Medical District, located in the heart of Las Vegas. Cancer patients benefit from tailored treatment plans and personalized and supportive services, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, breast care, imaging, palliative care and laboratory services.

At Optum, success means the health and happiness of its patients. That’s how it’s helping to create a healthcare system that works better for everyone.

Optum also strongly supports a vibrant healthcare education system and is proud to be a major contributor to the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Its grant is advancing care and access to people in southern Nevada, especially for those who are vulnerable. Optum also partnered with Touro University to educate and prepare a new generation of healthcare providers, helping them integrate into professional practice.

For more information, visit optumcare.com/nevada.

Thank You!

The success of Healthcare Heroes depends on the steadfast support of our sponsors. Together we’ve been able to honor dozens of community leaders in healthcare for their work. The Nevada Business Magazine extends a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to all of this year’s sponsors and to everyone that helped make this program possible.

Associate Sponsors

• City National Bank
• PNC Bank
• Roseman University of Health Sciences
• Touro University Nevada
• University Medical Center

Administrator

Karen Rubel

President and Chief Executive Officer | Nathan Adelson Hospice

Hospice care is one of the most challenging disciplines in the healthcare industry. Karen Rubel, Nathan Adelson Hospice’s president and CEO, understands the many challenges associated with end-of-life care. She has made it her mission to support her team as well as patients and families that entrust Nathan Adelson with hospice care for their loved ones.

Karen joined Nathan Adelson in 2007, and since then has overseen several major construction projects. In 2008, she finalized funding efforts to build an adult day care in Henderson on donated land. Four years later, she managed construction on the $2.6 million, 18-bed inpatient unit in the Mountain View Medical office building. In 2014, Karen managed a major renovation of the inpatient facility on Swenson, which was originally constructed in 1982.

In addition to managing construction and facility renovations, Karen has developed a number of programs that have helped thousands of individuals in southern Nevada during the passing of their loved ones. And, her accomplishments have had a national impact. She recently oversaw the team that developed iRefer DR, the first national “customized hospice app” for medical professionals.

Karen is a servant leader and spends much of her time mentoring and helping her team of compassionate providers that are on the front lines of helping people die with dignity. She is loved and respected by the people she works with, the patients and families that are helped by the hospice, and the community at large.

Care Provider

Eljena Marie Peterson

Family Nurse Practitioner | Tonopah Primary Care

Rural medicine in Nevada includes a number of additional challenges not found in metropolitan areas. Tonopah, a small community of just under 2,000 residents, is almost a hundred miles from the nearest emergency room. Members of the under-served community have come to depend on Eljena Marie Peterson, owner of Tonopah Primary Care.

Eljena is the only family nurse practitioner in the rural community. She is a full-time, board-certified nurse and part-time CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) instructor at Great Basin College in Elko. In addition, Eljena is an advanced practice registered nurse provider at Comfort Hospice Care in southern Nevada. She earned her family nurse practitioner degree from UNLV School of Nursing and her bachelor’s in nursing from Western Governors University.

Eljena relocated to Tonopah to embrace the tranquil and peaceful setting of the small community, which she has come to love. “I work from the heart and don’t give up. I work hard to ensure the healthcare needs of my community are met, which is an important part of my daily focus,” she said. As an advanced practice nurse, Eljena can utilize more skills to diagnose and treat conditions as opposed to a registered nurse.

Eljena thrives on caring for her friends and neighbors. “Working in a rural community is very rewarding because I can make a big difference. Striving for continual learning, career growth and improvement for my community is very important to me,” she said.

Educator

Michael Daubs, MD

Professor and Chairman | Department of Orthopaedics Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV

As a member of many research and education organizations, Dr. Daubs enjoys instructing his fellow spine surgeons at medical conferences around the world. A native Nevadan, he graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada School of Medicine. After graduating, he held faculty positions in the departments of orthopaedic surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Utah and, most recently, at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

In 2014, he returned home to form the first orthopaedic surgery residency program in southern Nevada. The program provides training for new orthopaedic surgeons, while encouraging current surgeons to continue their medical education through weekly seminars, research forums, quality assurance meetings and hosting visiting lecturers from the most accomplished spinal care centers in the nation.

Dr. Daubs is a prolific contributor to medical research and history, having published over 100 scientific journal articles and medical textbook chapters related to the treatment of the spine. In addition to his national and international contributions, he is committed to his hometown. He chairs the UNLV School of Medicine’s Orthopaedic Surgery department, where he provides students with hands-on training backed by his decades of extensive medical experience. Dr. Daubs instructs his students using cutting-edge technology such as UNLV’s surgery simulator to provide resident students realistic operating experiences. In addition, he mentors top graduate students, who will go on to serve patients locally and throughout the country.

Community Partner

Pamela Girgis

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | UNLV Health

Pamela Girgis, a UNLV Health pediatric nurse practitioner and project manager for school-based health clinics in Las Vegas, specializes in working with uninsured children, the homeless, sex-trafficked and refugee children and families. A strong advocate for these populations, she represents them at the state legislature, in the media and with the Children’s Health Fund Network and Nevada Children’s Health Project. She strives to build community partnerships with local and national agencies to ensure disenfranchised children have access to healthcare.

Girgis was instrumental in opening UNLV Health’s two school-based clinics, which provide free care to thousands of students and their families. The clinics handle everything from wound care, vaccinations, mental health counseling and vision testing. Strategically located where many families lack the resources to access proper care, at Bailey Middle School in northeast Las Vegas and the Clark County School District’s (CCSD) Family Support Center on Maryland Parkway, the clinics provide a lifeline to hundreds of refugee families.

The recently opened clinics are so successful that the school district is now allowing additional students from neighboring schools in northeast Las Vegas to be seen at Bailey. The clinic inside CCSD’s Family Support Center continues to stay busy as it is open to all of the district’s 300-thousand plus students.

Pamela, who is board certified as a pediatric primary care mental health specialist, has practiced medicine in private and non-profit organizations, and continues her work to improve quality measures, health systems and processes. With Nevada Health Centers, she was the sole provider on a mobile medical van providing care to the underserved.

Humanitarian

Michael Venton

Community Engagement Specialist | UnitedHealth Group

Michael joined UnitedHealth Group in 2018, the same year he earned his Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Management from UNLV. His role at UnitedHealth is to help close gaps in care for underserved patients and strive to improve health equity in Las Vegas on a larger scale.

As a community engagement specialist, he has been instrumental in supporting Medicaid outreach efforts, building partnerships and coordinating community events. Michael has a talent and passion for collaborating with stakeholders, prioritizing population health-related outreach activities and managing relationships with faith-based organizations.

Seeking to better the lives of at-risk communities, Michael provides medical support, education and appointment setting for vulnerable populations including African, Middle Eastern and Ukrainian refugees.

In his previous roles as health and social services coordinator and a community health worker, Michael demonstrated his commitment to providing exceptional care and support to Medicaid members. He successfully engaged, educated and case-managed individuals, removing barriers to access and improving patient experiences.

Volunteer

Favil West

Co-Founder | Foundation Assisting Seniors

Favil is a serial entrepreneur, accomplished businessman, former fighter pilot, and champion for seniors and veterans. Co-founder of the Foundation Assisting Seniors, Favil has played a critical role in providing healthcare services to seniors and veterans in southern Nevada. Over the past two decades, he has overseen the implementation of various programs that have increased safety, relieved pressure on families and, most importantly, increased the time seniors can spend with their loved ones.

One of the most notable programs Favil has assisted in developing is the HOWRU program, a service that provides daily wellness calls to subscribers and emergency contacts if there is no answer. To date, the program has saved a dozen lives. Next year, the HOWRU program will be transitioning to HOWRU24 to provide seniors with around the clock support. In addition to the HOWRU program, the Foundation provides the Medication Reminder Program and durable medical equipment to seniors and veterans living in the Las Vegas valley, thereby increasing safety and independence.

Favil is active in several other community programs, having recently being appointed to the City of Henderson’s Senior Citizen Advisory Commission, where he will make recommendations on numerous issues affecting the health and well-being of seniors.

Through his leadership and dedication, Favil has made life-changing and life-saving impacts on seniors and veterans throughout the region. His work serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that through collaboration, innovation and compassionate care, we can improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Innovator

Taryn Bragg, MD, MS

Pediatric Neurosurgeon | Intermountain Health

As Nevada’s only full time, board certified pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Bragg is on call 24/7 for at least 24 days of each month. Her passion is caring for children with disabilities, offering a variety of surgical interventions to treat spasticity, dystonia and other movement disorders. She also works with children suffering from hydrocephalus, spina bifida, Chiari malformation, spinal abnormalities, tumor and other neurological congenital abnormalities.

Last year, after noticing that children with sinus infections were developing brain abscesses at an alarming rate following the removal of pandemic mask mandates, she was motivated to take action.

After conferring with colleagues, she theorized that the incidences could be linked. Her observations were evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reviewed by the Southern Nevada Health District. The findings, which are set for publication later this year, may impact the future of how children with sinus infections are treated, as well as mask protocols.

Prior to coming to Las Vegas, Dr. Bragg practiced in Madison, Wisconsin and at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. In her 13 years of practice, Dr. Bragg has performed over 2,600 successful surgeries, many of which were life-saving, and all of which were life-changing. She is a member of numerous professional societies and continues to participate in academics. Dr. Bragg attends and speaks at national conferences and teaches national board review courses.

Sunil Patel, MD

Transplant Program Director | UMC Center for Transplantation

UMC’s Center for Transplantation is the nation’s top-ranked kidney transplant program, offering the highest one-year kidney survival rate and the shortest wait times in the nation. Spearheaded by Dr. Sunil Patel, the program’s success rate (functioning kidneys one year after surgery) of 97.26 percent far exceeds the national average of 93.85 percent. In addition, most patients of the program spend about 18 months to two years on the waiting list to receive a kidney, compared to large cities across the nation, where patients sometimes are on the waiting list for 10 or more years.

Dr. Patel, who leads a multidisciplinary team of clinical experts at the Center, is proud of the program’s success. “Patients who would have waited five or 10 years are now receiving kidney transplants in a matter of months at UMC,” he said. “Our team works tirelessly to find suitable donor kidneys for our patients. When patients receive a transplant quickly, their chances of survival increase significantly.”

Driven by his compassion, Dr. Patel has led the effort to nearly triple the number of kidney transplants performed annually in Nevada. Through innovative strategies to expand the kidney transplant program, Dr. Patel and his team members continue to provide hope for a growing number of patients.

The UMC Center for Transplantation continues to grow and evolve and recently expanded to include pancreas transplants, further elevating the level of care available to Nevadans.

Nonprofit

Dan Briggs, DrPH, LLD

CEO and President | MDX Labs and Founder The Neighborhood Clinic

Dr. Dan Briggs is the founder and CEO of numerous successful companies, including MDX, the largest independent medical lab in the state. He is heavily involved in the renewable energy space and has formed companies in numerous locations throughout the world.

He has a passion for helping people and contributing to the community. With the philosophy of giving back, MDX labs donated over $100,000 last year alone to a variety of nonprofit organizations.

As the founder of The Neighborhood Clinic, Dr. Briggs opened his first clinic location at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission after having rehabilitated an unused building on the site. With a full medical staff and an onsite lab and medicine dispensary, the facility is treating unhoused patients daily, and provides healthcare to a population of people that have gone years without access. Previously, clients of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission were required to travel off-site for medical and testing services, which posed transportation challenges, delayed services and sometimes threatened recovery efforts.

Dr. Briggs is planning two additional clinics, one in the downtown Las Vegas area and another in Henderson. “Even if we create more Neighborhood Clinics across the valley, we will likely just be scratching the surface of this community need. True population healthcare not only helps those who are underserved, or not served at all, but prevents the spread and growth of disease and viruses to the rest of the community. This is a community-wide benefit to what we provide,” stated Dr. Briggs.

Physician

Robert Lowe, MD, PhD

Founder and Medical Director Juvenile Arthritis & Rheumatology Care & Research Center | Kids Arthritis Care

Dr. Robert Lowe is Nevada’s only board-certified pediatric rheumatologist. His practice, Juvenile Arthritis & Rheumatology Care and Research Center, more commonly known as Kids Arthritis Care, serves as the only dedicated pediatric rheumatology clinic in the state.

Recognizing the need for children with autoimmune diseases to stay home for their care, Dr. Lowe founded the highly specialized practice in 2017. While he remains the only pediatric rheumatologist, he has plans to expand access by recruiting other board-certified physicians.

In addition to providing a much needed specialty, Dr. Lowe’s patients have high praise for his bedside manner and expertise. The mother of a young patient who has seen Dr. Lowe for six years had this to say, “Dr. Lowe never rushes judgment and considers all avenues of treatment and therapy before making a diagnosis and prescribing medications. He is thorough, compassionate and thoughtful in his approach to care. I know that my daughter, and hundreds of other children in Nevada, would be on a much harder road to recovery if it weren’t for Dr. Lowe’s expertise and willingness to find solutions and treatments that aren’t always easily accessible.”

In regards to Dr. Lowe’s bedside manner, the mother added, “During every visit, he listens to her, asks meaningful questions and makes sure she knows that her healing journey matters to him.”

Lifetime Achievement

Jerry Cade MD, MBA, AAHIVS

Interim Medical Director | Community Outreach Medical Center

Dr. Cade’s career has been dedicated to providing treatment for HIV, Hepatitis C (HBC), Hepatitis B (HBV) and other viruses as well as sexually transmitted infections. In 1994, Dr. Cade, along with Dr. Jim Christensen created the Nevada AIDS Research & Education Society (NARES) as a 501(C) 3 charitable organization. Over the years, NARES has become one of the largest, most diverse research entities in the state.

As the co-founder and co-director of NARES, Dr. Cade has served as the principal investigator for over 100 clinical trials, which include HIV therapies and vaccines, HCV therapies, other antimicrobials, as well as many under drugs. He has authored posters, abstracts and presentations for a number of national and international meetings and scientific conferences on the treatment of AIDS. Dr. Cade works with other educational institutions and private entities studying the social and behavioral issues associated with HIV, HBV and HCV prevention and treatment.

From 1995 to 1998, Dr. Cade served as a member of President Clinton’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, where he helped author and pass many national HIV recommendations and policies, which continue to be part of the nations AIDS, HBV and HCV strategy.

In addition to his many research and educational projects, Dr. Cade is an adjunct professor of HIV medicine and family practice at Touro University.

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Touro University

Associate Sponsor

Opened in 2004 and located in Henderson, Touro University Nevada, a private, nonprofit, Jewish-sponsored institution, was established to help address critical needs in healthcare and education and to provide healthcare services to underserved populations and communities throughout southern Nevada.

Touro is Nevada’s largest medical school and its only school of osteopathic medicine. Home to more than 1,500 students currently enrolled in the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and Health and Human Services, Touro offers degree programs in osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, physical therapy, medical health sciences, nursing and education.

Since 2019, Touro has expanded its annual medical school enrollment from 130 to 180 students, helping to build the pipeline of future physicians to address the state’s critical shortage. Nearly 200 graduates have chosen to stay in Nevada for their residency, helping to meet the local and growing demand for physicians.

In 2022, Touro’s College of Osteopathic Medicine was awarded the highest accreditation possible by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. This 10-year accreditation is awarded to a handful of osteopathic medical schools across the country.

Touro is also home to cutting-edge research led by Interim Director of Research & Chief Research Officer Dr. Aurelio Lorico, his global collaborators, and Touro students. Dr. Lorico’s recent groundbreaking discovery of a new pathway that HIV uses to infiltrate cell nuclei could, along with potential drug development, hold promise for new treatments for AIDS, viral diseases and even metastatic cancer. Ongoing exploration hints at applications in Alzheimer’s and broader cancer research.

Touro is playing a critical role in addressing Nevada’s physician shortage by graduating well-trained and highly qualified future doctors; it is making a transformative difference in the lives of the underserved patients it treats and it is quickly gaining a global reputation for cutting-edge research.

Martin-Harris Construction

Associate Sponsor

Martin-Harris Construction has been providing preconstruction, design-assist, design-build and construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) services to its clients for over four and a half decades.

Founded in 1976 in Las Vegas, the company has grown to be the largest general contractor headquartered in Nevada with projects throughout the Southwest. Martin-Harris is consistently recognized as a leading general contractor in publications like Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southwest and local industry associations have honored them with numerous awards including the NAIOP Southern Nevada Chapter General Contracting Firm of the Year for the last three years. In 2022, the company was the recipient of the Nevada Governor’s Points of Light Gold Award for their Corporate Volunteer Program, and the Vegas Chamber Business of the Year in the 100+ Employees category.

As a general contractor with self-performance capabilities, Martin-Harris’ experience extends far beyond project administration to provide first-hand trade knowledge for effective design constructability reviews, subcontractor management and schedule coordination. These capabilities provide their clients with the added assurance that subcontractor trades are held to the highest levels of quality and, should the need arise, have the in-house resources to step in and provide manpower to control critical path items.

No matter the scope — from $10,000 emergency repairs to $100,000 tenant improvements, and $10 million renovations to $100 million plus new builds — Martin-Harris has the resources and experience to consistently provide a certainty of delivery. The combination of their financial strength, construction knowledge and subcontractor relations assure quality work at a competitive price. Martin-Harris has offices in Las Vegas and Reno.

City National Bank

Associate Sponsor

Healthcare Heroes recognizes healthcare professionals who often go unnoticed for the work they do for our communities. City National Bank is honored to support this year’s Healthcare Heroes with our friends at the Nevada Business Magazine.

Celebrating nearly 70 years in business, City National® is long committed to supporting its clients, colleagues and communities. The bank is deeply rooted in the grounds of Nevada and dedicated to supporting those heroes on the frontlines.

City National is also proud to be the official bank for Touro University. As a member of Touro’s Advisory Board, I believe in the education and commitment needed for our students to become medical professionals in our communities. Our leadership team at the bank makes community engagement a top priority and works to ensure communities thrive throughout Nevada.

Sincerely,

Bruce Ford
Nevada Regional Executive
City National Bank

City National Bank Member FDIC. City National Bank is a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada.
©2023 City National Bank. All Rights Reserved.

Roseman University of Health Sciences

Associate Sponsor

The backbone of the healthcare sector are the professionals – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, administrators and support staff – that provide high-quality, empathic care in our hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, private practices and community pharmacies. These people dedicate countless hours to ensure our loved ones and families have access to the best care possible in our communities.

Each year, Nevada Business Magazine’s Healthcare Heroes honors and celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional patient care, drive innovation and promote a healthy Nevada.

We congratulate all of this year’s Healthcare Heroes for everything they have done to care for and improve the quality of life of the people of Nevada. Most importantly, we salute them for inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals through their extraordinary achievements.

As an institution whose mission is to advance the health and wellness of the communities we serve by educating current and future generations of health professionals, conducting research and providing patient care, Roseman University of Health Sciences has been a proud sponsor of this vital program nearly every year since its inception in 2006.

Dr. Renee Coffman
President & Co-Founder
Roseman University of Health Sciences

University Medical Center (UMC)

Associate Sponsor

UMC Foundation Brings Idina Menzel to Las Vegas for Evening of Hope Gala

Star-Studded Event to Raise Funds for UMC Children’s Hospital

MC Foundation will bring the “Big Apple” to Las Vegas for its second annual Evening of Hope Gala, a star-studded event featuring performances by Tony Award winner Idina Menzel and Grammy-nominated artist Aloe Blacc on October 13.

This intimate, VIP event will provide guests with delectable cuisine from the nation’s top celebrity chefs, signature cocktails crafted by Las Vegas’ hottest mixologists and one-of-a-kind experiences inspired by “the city that never sleeps.”

Hosted at Paris Las Vegas, the Evening of Hope Gala will also feature live performances by stage and screen star James Snyder and legendary musical director Michael Orland.

With funds raised during the Evening of Hope Gala, UMC Children’s Hospital will embark on the largest renovation in its history. UMC Children’s Hospital is a pillar of hope in the community of southern Nevada, providing children with the Silver State’s highest level of care, including the state’s only Designated Pediatric Trauma Center and only Verified Pediatric Burn Center.

Benefiting many of the community’s most critically ill and injured pediatric patients, this large-scale renovation of UMC Children’s Hospital will enhance the healing environment to match the hospital’s world-class care. The project will include upgraded patient rooms with entertainment and gaming devices, newly designed treatment areas to help calm fears while providing expert care, and enhanced play spaces for diversion therapy, in addition to many other significant improvements throughout the hospital.

Visit www.umcsn.com/gala to purchase your tickets and learn more about available sponsorship opportunities for the Evening of Hope Gala.

PNC Bank

Associate Sponsor

For nearly two decades, Nevada Business Magazine has celebrated the contributions of our healthcare community. Healthcare Heroes is an opportunity to recognize the companies and individuals committed to the wellness of our great state. PNC Bank congratulates all this year’s honorees, and we are proud to sponsor this important event.

The Healthcare Heroes program is more important than ever as the healthcare industry continues to face issues including workforce shortages, reimbursement challenges and pressure from new market disruptors, just to name a few. For more than 30 years, PNC Healthcare has maintained a team that understands the unique and complex needs of the healthcare industry and has been at the forefront of innovation to help our clients improve efficiencies, cut costs and boost revenue while delivering patient-focused care.

Relationships are integral to everything we do at PNC, and what makes these relationships work is a shared commitment to putting the patient first, and to improving the communities we serve. Working in partnership with each client to gain a deep understanding of their unique needs and delivering specialized healthcare solutions is never more advantageous than in this quickly changing economic landscape. Our PNC healthcare team, led locally by Nick Warner, is ready to help identify and deploy impactful solutions for the Nevada healthcare industry now and into the future.

Congratulations again to our 2023 Healthcare Heroes. We honor and appreciate all you do for our fellow Nevadans.

Sincerely,

Denette Suddeth
Regional President and
Head of Commercial Banking
PNC Bank

PNC Bank is a registered mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”). ©2023 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.