The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV commemorated its partnership with Optum Care by renaming its graduate medical education (GME) classroom space The Optum GME Classroom.

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(from left) Dr. Michael Daubs, professor and chair for the school’s Department of Orthopaedics and medical director of Optum Care Orthopaedics and Spine; Dean Mark Kahn; and Dr. Robert McBeath, Southwest Medical CEO

The UNLV orthopedic surgeon residency program is the first of its kind in Nevada. Residents learn from Optum Care surgeons and train at University Medical Center (UMC). This partnership provides an education and foundation for future leading orthopedic surgeons to deliver excellent care.

Optum also established the Optum Dr. Tony and Renee Marlon Endowed Chair in the Department of Orthopaedics  with a pledge of more than $1.2 million over five years.  Dr. Tony and Renee Marlon have generously donated a match to those funds, for a total of $2.5 million.

“We are extremely grateful to Optum and the Marlon family for helping us train Southern Nevada’s orthopaedic surgeons of the future” said Dean Marc J. Kahn. “They are helping us enrich the experience so these physicians can become the next leaders in the field.”

“This classroom dedication stands as a symbol of our partnership and dedication to the community,” said Dr. Michael Daubs, professor and chair for the school’s Department of Orthopaedics and medical director of Optum Care Orthopaedics and Spine.

A reception took place immediately following the dedication on Tuesday, April 12.