For nearly 20 years Nevada Business Magazine has been recognizing Healthcare Heroes in the Silver State.The program began as a way to recognize individuals in this important industry for their efforts and contributions. Each of the honorees on the following pages has had a tremendous impact on Nevada’s communities and are working to improve quality and access to care for all.
Administrator
This person has demonstrated an ability to manage several departments within a healthcare organization. They have a talent for leadership and excel at getting the job done.
Gina Zink
Carson Valley Health
A world traveler, Gina Zink was born in New Zealand and travelled throughout Europe and the Middle East before landing in Australia and eventually immigrating to America with her husband in 1997. She found her home in rural Nevada and now serves as executive director of physician clinics for Carson Valley Health. Certified by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics as a Rural Health Clinic Professional, Zink is driven to improve access to healthcare for the uninsured and under insured populations in Nevada.
Debra Fox
UMC
As the chief nursing officer for UMC, Debra Fox has a lot of responsibilities, and the energy to handle all of them. She joined the hospital in 2015 and has since led the transformation of the hospital’s nursing division. The transformation has helped UMC, which will become the first hospital in Nevada to achieve Magnet designation next year. This designation denotes the highest level of recognition in nursing care. Fox leads a team of over 1,200 nurses and is responsible for all aspects of nursing practice at UMC.
Since joining the organization, she has expanded the hospital’s commitment to academic nursing, formed collaborative partnerships with local schools and established a nursing residency program at UMC, allowing students to receive in-depth, real-world training. The program is accredited with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Before joining UMC, Fox was in executive leadership at complex health systems and spent her career managing large-scale turnarounds with a focus on clinical efficiency and quality, process improvement, research and real-time analytics. During her tenure at UMC she has reduced the turnover rate among nurses by half and works tirelessly to improve the behind-the-scenes processes to improve quality care.
Care Provider
This person has demonstrated genuine compassion and empathy for his/her patients.
Derek Reid
Nevada Peer Support Network and Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue
Battalion Chief Derek Reid has led a number of complex emergency responses in northern Nevada in his position at Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue. A leader with courage and compassion, Chief Reid sees first-hand the trauma that those in his field face. This awareness led him to form the Nevada Peer Support Network (NPSN) in 2018. NPSN is a nonprofit, statewide initiative aimed at supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of Nevada’s first responders, such as firefighters, emergency medical services, law enforcement, military members, dispatchers and hospital workers. Since founding NPSN, Reid has grown the organization to provide around the clock peer support, training and critical incident stress interventions. According to a report published last year by Mental Health America, Nevada ranks last in the U.S. for access to mental health. NPSN has been an instrumental part of helping thousands in the state, and beyond, confront trauma, reduce stigma and provide access to life-saving mental healthcare. As part of NPSN, Reid also established the state’s first mobile crisis response unit and a dedicated Resiliency Center, both of which bring support directly to scenes of tragedy. Reid is helping to reshape the culture of care in Nevada’s emergency services by prioritizing emotional survival alongside operational readiness.
Michelle Weihman, BSN, RN
Valley Hospital
Michelle Weihman is a registered nurse serving as house supervisor at Valley Hospital Medical Center. She has a wide-range of responsibilities with the overall goal of ensuring safe, compassionate care while supporting clinical teams through high-pressure and fast-paced healthcare challenges. She achieves this through strong leadership, resourcefulness and commitment to patient and staff safety. Part of her primary responsibility as house supervisor is managing patient placement. She determines where patients go after they are admitted based on their diagnosis and required level of care. She is also a first responder to code calls and responsible for security-related situations. From dealing with patient complaints to overseeing staffing and a range of logistical tasks including the dietary department, Weihman has a large, encompassing job. In addition to her work with Valley, Weihman founded the Dare to Care movement which helps women, healthcare professionals and caregivers move from burnout to empowerment with one-on-one coaching. She also started a podcast called “Dare to Care with Michelle” and authored two anthologies highlighting the efforts of others in the medical field. As an advocate for change in a system that can forget caregivers, she is helping others who care deeply carry on and thrive.
Educator
This person has been involved in teaching the future generation of healthcare professionals. They have demonstrated an ability to be a successful educator and are admired by his/her peers and students.
Dr. Gillian Moritz
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
A driving force behind the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine’s (UNR Med) anatomy education, Gillian Moritz, PhD serves as an associate professor at the school. Specifically, she teaches gross anatomy, neuroanatomy and embryology across multiple programs and serves as a course director, content director and curriculum leader. For first year medical students, Moritz teaches the entire clinical gross anatomy and neuroanatomy curriculum. For first- and second-year medical students she is responsible for ultrasound content. For physician assistants, Moritz teaches the majority of the anatomy course and lectures graduate students. She also mentors medical students, is a faculty advisor to three different medical student interest groups and serves on the Medical Education Steering Committee.
Clearly a committed educator, Moritz was awarded the E.W. Richardson Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest teaching honor awarded at UNR Med. As a teacher, Moritz’s innovative style, which blends active classrooms with case-based learning and lab experiences translates well to the students. The anatomy curriculum she directs consistently earns ratings above the national average. Last year Moritz achieved tenure at the school along with her promotion to associate professor.
Dr. Annabel Barber
Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
Sometimes the best teachers are those practicing in the field. That is certainly the case for Dr. Annabel Barber, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and professor of surgery with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. She has practiced in Las Vegas for over 27 years and served in leadership roles at several hospitals throughout the valley. In her role at the school, she is chief of the division of endocrine and gastrointestinal surgery and well-respected by her students and peers. In addition to teaching future surgeons, she trains resident physicians in surgical techniques, including the use of robotics, and is one of the only surgeons in southern Nevada to treat gastoparesis, a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine.
A sought-after speaker, Barber is also active in the community and works with underserved communities helping with access to care they may not have otherwise. With a Texas accent and ready smile, Barber’s warmth and caring support are the first thing someone may notice about her, followed closely by her keen mind and sharp medical skills.
Community Partner
This is someone who has seen a healthcare need in Nevada’s communities and has taken steps to address that need.
Mena Spodobalski
Evoke Warriors
Fitness is an integral part of healthcare, and one which is sometimes overlooked. As her main focus, Mena Spodobalski lives and breathes fitness and knows the importance a healthy body has on a healthy mind. She founded the nonprofit Evoke Warriors in 2021 to bring mental and physical fitness to cancer survivors. Spodobalski’s passion is to help others find confidence through fitness. The organization’s Mission Statement is to offer, “men & women new confidence to fight back against their cancer diagnosis through a powerful journey; embracing fitness, health & wellness.”
The program started when Spodobalski helped with a nonprofit called “Each One Tell One” which was focused on women battling breast cancer remaining physically fit. In 2016 she helped organize Breast Cancer to Bikini where they trained 20 women for six months on how to take back their bodies. From there the program evolved to what is known as Evoke Warriors today. Spodobalski, along with her team at Evoke, are Certified Cancer Exercise Specialists (CETI) trainers. They provide six months of safe workouts for fitness and conditioning for cancer survivors that includes health and nutrition along with lifestyle and wellness coaching at no cost to participants.
Jennifer McConnell
The Sharon Sigesmund Pierce and Stephen Pierce Center for Autism and Development Disabilities at Touro University Nevada
Jennifer McConnell has experience and insight into the needs of those dealing with autism and development disorders. She has served in healthcare for nearly 20 years and, for the past three, has specialized in individualized treatment plans for children aged three to 18. She is a board-certified behavioral analyst with the Sharon Sigesmund Pierce and Stephen Pierce Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Touro University Nevada. She is focused on helping children affected by autism and development disorders build critical life skills, including communication, emotional regulation and social interaction through evidence-based behavioral interventions.
Not forgetting the caregivers responsible for these children, McConnell also provides coaching and empowers them with tools to support their children beyond therapy sessions. As a parent of a child with disabilities, McConnell knows first-hand the needs of this community and is committed to making a difference in this field. She began her career in cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation but found her passion in neurodiversity and behavioral health. Currently pursuing a doctorate in human and organizational psychology, McConnell is focusing her dissertation on improving autism training for medical students.
Humanitarian
This person has a concern for and works to improve the lives and welfare of those that are less fortunate and/or underserved.
Dr. Lacy Fettic
Humboldt General Hospital
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Dr. Lacy Fettic found her home in rural Nevada. She serves as medical director rural health for Humboldt General Hospital (HGH) and previously served as residency site director for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV in Winnemucca. She has also been an associate professor with UNR Med. HGH is a teaching hospital and Dr. Fettic oversaw the development and implementation of individual rotations and curriculum to meet the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
A family physician by trade, Fettic is committed to ensuring Nevada’s underserved communities receive the care they need. Knowledgeable and kind, Fettic is a resource at HGH for her patients and colleagues. In one review, a patient said, Dr. Fettic is, “the most informed and knowledgeable physician we have ever worked with. Her friendly manner and genuine concern is amazing.”
Dr. Julpohng (JP) Vilai
Roseman University of Health Sciences
A Las Vegas native, Dr. Julphong Vilai, or JP, as he’s commonly known, is the pediatrics clerkship director and assistant professor with the department of clinical services at Roseman University of Health Sciences. He is responsible for overseeing the pediatrics clerkship at the school and is contributing to curriculum development for the school’s charter class. Vilai earned his undergraduate degree at University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), graduated from the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine and completed his residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital before returning to his hometown.
He is committed to the southern Nevada community and serves on various committees and in leadership positions throughout the valley with a focus on helping underserved youth. Since September of last year, Vilai has led the clinic at the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center and has helped to provide consistent and compassionate care to one of the the region’s most at-risk populations. He has also been instrumental in establishing a weekly Roseman University clinic at HELP of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit which assists individuals in achieving self-sufficiency by creating a link to essential services.
Volunteer
An individual who volunteers a significant number of hours to healthcare work. This could include a professional in healthcare or a hospital volunteer, for example.
Dr. Jacquie Cheun-Jensen
Nevada Rural Hospital Partners
Recently appointed director of quality initiatives with Nevada Rural Hospital Partners, Jacquie Cheun-Jensen, PhD was born and raised in Las Vegas and studied nutritional sciences as the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2018 Cheun-Jensen made northern Nevada her full-time home and has served in several leadership roles in the region, including as chief compliance officer and director of analytics for Silver State ACO. Despite her intellectually challenging career field, Cheun-Jensen is a committed community leader and spends countless hours per month in service to others.
She serves on the executive boards of CARE Chest, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Nevada, American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Nevada and Soroptimist International of Sierra Reno. An expert in compliance, analytics and stakeholder engagement, Cheun-Jensen shares her knowledge to positively shape the future of healthcare in Nevada. A leader with her boots on, she is also known as someone who jumps in and helps where needed. The nonprofits she works with are benefited by becoming more strategic and sustainable in their work.
Dawn Munoz
Dignity Health – Helping Hands of Henderson
Retired from the Clark County School District as a bus driver in 2018, Dawn Munoz decided she wasn’t quite finished. She began volunteering with Dignity Health – Helping Hands of Henderson. Her congenial attitude and caring heart quickly endeared her to the seniors she serves. Helping Hands of Henderson is a community-based transportation and nutrition program operated by Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican and is staffed, primarily by volunteers. The program provides transportation and nutrition services to seniors living in Henderson which is critical to citizens with lower incomes or disabilities to maintain independence within their own homes. Munoz is an active and vibrant part of her community.
Volunteering several days a week, Munoz goes above and beyond in her role. Often taking last-minute emergency rides, she has also been known to spend quality time with a client in need of companionship at the end of her route on food delivery days. “I consider Dawn my right-hand woman,” said Eve Van Enk, volunteer coordinator with Helping Hands. “She is very aware of our clients’ needs and is there to help. Nothing ever seems like a burden to Dawn.”
Innovator
A pioneer in Nevada’s healthcare community. Whether through new technology or groundbreaking research, this person has found innovative
ways to approach healthcare.
Katie McLean
Saint Mary’s Health Network
As executive director of network revenue cycle with Saint Mary’s Health Network, Katie McLean’s position demands an innovative mindset. She oversees employee management and development for teams ranging from front-of-house roles to back-of-house billing and collection teams. And, she is responsible for all facets of revenue cycle management (RCM) which is the process of identifying, managing and collecting patient service revenue. It takes a unique mind to navigate these complicated processes and McLean thrives under the challenges innate in her position bringing warmth, humor and inspiration to her teams.
As part of her RCM work, McLean is responsible for performing detailed analysis of outstanding accounts receivable and the development of adaptive strategies in order to navigate insurance billing and patient intake, a feat in innovation in and of itself. She also ensures the hospital system remains in compliance with state and federal regulations. Her mastery of this niche but important part of healthcare allows her to navigate some of the most complex areas of hospital operations. McLean has been a Nevada resident for nearly 50 years and built her career with Saint Mary’s Health Network. She joined the executive team in 2020.
Dr. Aimee Foord
Cure 4 the Kids Foundation
Aimee Foord, DO is innovating in healthcare for some of Nevada’s youngest patients. She is the director of benign hematology and a board-certified pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, a nonprofit advancing cures for childhood diseases through research and innovation. Foord joined the organization in 2022 and has led the expansion of the benign hematology program. Her responsibilities include overseeing care for patients with bleeding and clotting disorders, including hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and platelet function disorders. She also plays a role in the comprehensive management of sickle cell disease. Due to her expertise, Foord has been instrumental in shaping clinical standards, mentoring future providers and leading program development initiatives.
An attending pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Summerlin Hospital, Foord also holds faculty appointments as clinical adjunct faculty at Roseman College of Medicine and clinical adjunct assistant professor at Touro University. She is an active member of several professional organizations and has a commitment to patient advocacy, research and education. Foord’s work has made her a leader in her field, and she strives daily to improve outcomes for patients in pediatric hematology.
Nonprofit
Someone who works with a nonprofit healthcare organization in Nevada. This person is compassionate and dedicated to improving the lives of others.
Dr. Faith Whittier
Northern Nevada HOPES
Serving as chief medical officer for Northern Nevada HOPES, Dr. Faith Whittier leads clinical strategy and oversees all medical care programs for the nonprofit. HOPES’ mission is to provide affordable, high-quality medical, behavioral health and support services in the community. Whittier joined the organization in early 2023 and has been a force for growth and innovation as she focuses on patient-centered care. Under her leadership, HOPES has expanded and opened the Jerry Smith Community Wellness Center. She also helped launch a maternal healthcare program within the nonprofit which provides specialized prenatal and postpartum care for women engaged in substance use.
Whittier has spent her career serving marginalized populations and is a champion of integrating wraparound services with primary care to improve health outcomes. This focus allows for a holistic approach to complex problems in individuals and families and led to the establishment of a dedicated addiction medicine department within HOPES. Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, Whittier also provides women’s healthcare at HOPES. Her leadership and guidance has helped numerous individuals and her advocacy for dignified care continues to create meaningful change in the community.
Sherry Cipollini
Remote Area Medical
A small community about an hour west of Las Vegas, Pahrump is a rural town known to few outside of southern Nevada. Sherry Cipollini is a board-certified nurse practitioner dedicated to the town and the residents there. Since 2016, Cipollini has served as medical director for the Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinics hosted by the Nye Communities Coalition. The clinics provide free medical, dental, vision and mental health services to anyone in need with no identification required.
Since joining RAM, Cipollini has helped serve over 3,200 patients and delivered over $1.2 million in free care. She practices at the clinic, performing women’s health exams while managing medical operations. In addition to her nonprofit work, Cipollini founded Enhanced Aesthetics & Wellness medical spa. She was inspired to join the nursing field by her grandmother, Helen Marie Lucas Ross, who graduated with a nursing degree in 1947. Cipollini noted her grandmother’s caring nature and willingness to help others and was determined to follow in her footsteps. She keeps a tribute to her grandmother at her clinic in a framed display, Helen’s original nursing cape.
Physician
A medical doctor who demonstrates dedication to his or her career through patient satisfaction and knowledge of industry trends. This person should be a recognized leader in healthcare who goes above and beyond for their patients.
Dr. Michelle Chu
Renown Health
A board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Michelle Chu has been practicing in Reno since 2004. She is a general surgeon with an expertise in oncology and a primary specialty in breast surgery. She recently was instrumental in opening the Conrad Breast Center at Renown South Meadows Specialty Center which was created to bring all aspects of breast care together in one space. She is a detailed and staunch patient advocate who is admired by those she works with and treats. In addition to her work at Renown, Chu has been a highly rated preceptor for medical students at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
“Dr. Chu is a gift to this community. I have been her student, her colleague and her patient,” said Angel Cappiello, a physician assistant and faculty at the UNR Med Physician Assistant studies program. “We all deserve a physician on our team like Dr. Chu, a comrade in the truest sense, to a bunch of warriors who truly deserve nothing less than her brand of care.”
Dr. Wael Eid
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Wael Eid is a pulmonary, critical care and sleep specialist serving in southern Nevada. He is director of pulmonary and critical care services at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. There he leads a team of pulmonary, sleep and critical care specialists and treats sleep disorders, lung conditions, such as asthma and COPD, and patients in intensive care. In 2010, Eid co-founded United Critical Care, a multispecialty practice which offers in-hospital and outpatient services. About three years ago Eid co-founded MD Meals, where he serves as CEO, to help patients navigate their health through diet.
When speaking with a diabetic friend, Eid realized the difficulty patients can face when they must follow prescribed diets while balancing taste preferences and medical needs. This led Eid to create a service that bridges the gap between medical nutrition therapy and gourmet cuisine. Eid has an all-around passion for patient care and successful outcomes. His years of clinical practice has given him firsthand knowledge of the challenges that patients face, particularly around nutrition, and he works to help make eating healthier easier.
Lifetime Achievement
Someone who has dedicated their life to healthcare and has spent a significant amount of time in Nevada. They must have been practicing in
healthcare for a minimum of 25 years.
Dr. Kevin Linkus
Northern Nevada Health System
Dr. Kevin Linkus, partially retired and on his way to full retirement, is an innovative and patient-focused doctor who has dedicated much of his career to northern Nevada. Working with Northern Nevada Health System, Linkus has worked with many of the hospitals in the region throughout the years. He is a cardiothoracic surgeon who was recruited to Reno in October of 1989 by Renown, at the time Washoe Medical Center. He helped form Reno Heart Surgeons to ensure northern Nevada residents had the care they needed in-state. In addition to working with the hospitals in the region, Linkus has helped teach future doctors at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and has a career marked with leading and teaching others along the way.
Passionate about his craft, Linkus, though he has been practicing for over 40 years, shows no signs of being tired of his work. Even after he retires, Linkus plans to stay in the game and advise others as they seek to practice medicine. This includes his daughter who is currently working on obtaining a medical degree. “I’m really a Nevadan at heart,” Linkus said and it shows in the compassion and care he’s showered on the community over the years.
Dr. Elizabeth Solomon
College of Southern Nevada
With over 35 years in healthcare, Dr. Elizabeth Solomon has devoted her career to the education of future nurses and medical professionals. She serves as the director of nursing at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) where she supports an array of nursing programs for the school. Under her leadership, CSN’s simulation center at the North Las Vegas campus was opened and plans to expand the simulation capabilities to Henderson are already underway. As nurses continue to be a critical need for the southern Nevada community, Solomon has put herself at the forefront of addressing the shortage.
Solomon began her career with an Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She continued with her education, eventually earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Touro University. As a life-long learner, Solomon works to instill similar values in the students she oversees. She has a commitment to excellence and, through CSN, is working to prepare the next generation of nurses across all levels of education. Her work to both innovate nursing education and help students excel has a significant impact on the next generation of healthcare professionals which will ripple out to the entire southern Nevada community.
