Thirteenth Annual Healthcare Heroes

 

LEGACY

The first and longest running program of its kind in Nevada, Healthcare Heroes was born in 2006 with 10 categories and a seemingly endless supply of nominees. Since the beginning, Healthcare Heroes has been a catalyst to help grow healthcare in the Silver State.

Taking the idea of contributing to healthcare a step further, the Healthcare Heroes scholarship fund was created. With scholarships set up at the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the funds are set aside for those students seeking careers as healthcare educators. With nearly 300 Healthcare Heroes honored and tens of thousands of dollars donated to Nevada schools, it’s safe to say that Healthcare Heroes is and continues to be a success.

Over the years, Healthcare Heroes has had several distinguished members of Nevada’s medical industry serve as judges for the event. This year’s judges had the same unenviable dilemma as judges of previous years: determining this year’s class of Healthcare Heroes.

The Healthcare Heroes team extends a huge “thank you!” to everyone that has helped this event succeed, especially our corporate sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, the associate sponsors, the 2018 judges and all of the Healthcare Heroes participants and event attendees.

Honorees

Administrator

Northern Nevada

Tiffany Portia Coury
Chief Operating Officer | Northern Nevada Medical Center

At the very core of Tiffany Portia Coury, is a team builder. She lives by the motto, “If you’re in healthcare and you’re not providing direct patient care, you’d better be supporting those that do.”

A visionary leader and veteran administrator, Tiffany encompasses Northern Nevada Medical Center’s (NNMC) philosophy of “Honoring Life’s Journey”. As COO, her role is to provide operational oversight and executive leadership for all the hospital’s service lines.

She joined Universal Health Services, parent company of NNMC, in 2005, after almost a decade of healthcare experience. She quickly advanced within the company and moved to Nevada in 2010 to begin her role as COO of NNMC. A hands-on administrator, Tiffany collaborates with all levels of staff at the hospital, and often communicates directly with patients to obtain feedback on ways to improve and enhance services.

Among her many accomplishments during her tenure at NNMC are: leading the organization to achieve total joint care, spine and low back pain accreditation; achieving the 95 percentile nationally for patient experience ratings; reinvigorating service lines to ensure top performance and meeting patient expectations; and supporting C-suite leadership with NNMC’s expansion plans for 2020 and beyond.

In addition to her role at the hospital, Tiffany is passionate about population and community health. She has worked with Washoe County and other local partners to help find solutions to the many population health challenges. Tiffany has also served on the board of directors for REMSA as well as the local equestrian association. An avid equestrian herself, Tiffany spends her free time with her two horses.

Southern Nevada

Elaine Glaser
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer | Valley Hospital Medical Center

Elaine Glaser has been the CEO/COO of Valley Hospital since 2005, but has been in executive leadership with the hospital’s parent company, Universal Health Services (UHS), since 2004. Prior to her tenure at Valley Hospital, Elaine was an associate administrator at it’s sister hospital, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center.

A 25-year veteran in the healthcare industry, Elaine was recently honored by UHS when she received the Chairman’s Eagle Award in recognition of achieving the Chairman’s Council for three years. Elaine is passionate about healthcare, team building and providing excellent patient care. She is highly respected among her peers for her leadership abilities and compassion for her staff and the patients they serve.

In addition to her leadership role at Valley Hospital, Elaine is extremely involved in the Southern Nevada medical community. As the hospital is located in the heart of the City of Las Vegas Medical District, Elaine sits on several committees including the Downtown Masterplan Executive Steering Committee, the Las Vegas Medical District Advisory Council, the Homeless Advisory Committee and the Form Based Code Committee. In addition, she has served on the American Heart and American Stroke Association boards and is a Western Region Stroke Task Force Member.

Elaine is a true healthcare visionary with a talent for leading teams. She has earned a reputation for putting her employees, patients and families first when making important decisions.

Care Provider

Northern Nevada

Erin Gostin, RN, CMSRN, PCCN
Supervisory Registered Nurse | Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center

A compassionate care provider, Erin Gostin, is committed to the patients she serves as well as her co-workers and team at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Erin is a supervisory nurse at the hospital, where she has been an acute care nurse for nearly five years in Medical Telemetry.

Her promotion to supervisory nurse has increased her duties, but has not removed her from direct patient care. She is often one of the first to respond to any situation in support of her team, and the patients they serve.

Erin started her nursing career later in life, after raising three children. She went back to school in her late forties, to add the required courses for nursing school on top of her existing finance bachelor’s degree. Upon her acceptance into the Orvis School of Nursing, Erin excelled at patient care while establishing herself as a leader within her class.

Among the many attributes that set Erin apart is her sense of humor, a trait that’s appreciated by her patients and co-workers alike. Patient care can often be stressful, but Erin’s team can always count on her to lighten the mood.

Her leadership role has added a number of responsibilities, but Erin never loses sight of her most important role: care giver. She has earned her reputation as a compassionate nurse that truly cares about her patients and takes the time to listen, comfort and, sometimes, laugh with them.

Southern Nevada

The 21
Community Ambulance

Nearly a year ago, the 1 October shooting had an immeasurable effect on the Las Vegas community and beyond. Serving that night as the on-site event medical coverage for the Route 91 Harvest Festival were 16 medical professionals employed by Community Ambulance. Those 16 were later joined by five off-duty co-workers who had originally set out to enjoy a night off at the concert, but stayed to help when tragedy struck. Simply referred to as “The 21”, this team of medical professionals provided care to the victims of this tragedy and their quick thinking saved multiple lives.

Community Ambulance routinely provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation. However, 1 October was anything but “routine”. The evening turned from helping the intoxicated and dehydrated, to dodging bullets in order to help those wounded. That night, The 21 heroically ran into danger to pull wounded into the first-aid structure, under stages and behind stand-up bars to get them out of harms way and to provide first aid.

These 21 heroes, the first to respond, let their training take over and brought some sense of order to an increasingly chaotic atmosphere, quickly and professionally. Their actions, during the first few minutes of the shooting, resulted in saving countless lives. In addition to getting the wounded to safety, they applied tourniquets to stave off hemorrhaging, replaced fluids for internal bleeding and immobilized trampled limbs.

Each of the 21 exemplifies a true hero by putting the welfare of others above their safety.

Educator

Northern Nevada

Jeremy Matuszak, MD, MBA, FAPA, DFAACAP
Medical Director | Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital

Dr. Jeremy Matuszak has a gift, and a passion, for teaching up-and-coming medical professionals. He has trained a generation of psychiatrists and has been resident training director as well as assistant/associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNRSOM) since 2014.

From the school, Dr. Matuszak has recieved the Outstanding Department Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Teaching in 2010 and 2013. In addition, in 2014 he received a national honor, the Ira Pauly Lifetime Achievement Award, for the psychiatrist whose qualities residents most want to emulate. And, earlier this year, Dr. Matuszak was the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association’s Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents.

In addition to sharing his knowledge with students, Dr. Matuszak is the medical director for Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, the first behavioral healthcare hospital developed in Northern Nevada in 35 years. The brand new facility provides 124 much needed beds for the area.

Dr. Matuszak is a leader in elevating behavioral health in the state and has served in numerous leadership positions with the Nevada Psychiatric Association. He was appointed to the Nevada Governor’s Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board last year.

Aside from his roles as educator and medical director, Dr. Matuszak is a prolific and respected researcher. He has received a number of grants and published extensive scientific research on a variety of psychiatric conditions and issues.

Southern Nevada

Christina Demopoulos, DDS, MPH
Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences | University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine

There are few things more rewarding to Las Vegas native Dr. Christina Demopoulos than sharing her knowledge and engaging students at her alma mater. She earned her undergraduate and master of public health degrees at UNLV before receiving her dental degree from the University of Southern California and her dental public health training from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

She teaches public health, tobacco cessation, health promotion, behavioral sciences and access-to-care topics within the pre-doctoral dental program at UNLV. She also provides information about tobacco cessation and access to care within the post-graduate dental program.

Since joining the School of Dental Medicine in 2001, Dr. Demopoulos has worked diligently educating students, faculty and other dental professionals including pediatric dental residents. She is the go-to person at the school for health promotion, dental public health initiatives and tobacco cessation.

Tenured just this summer, Dr. Demopoulos has students knocking on her door after hours or emailing her on weekends asking for guidance. She always takes the time to meet with them to provide clarification, guidance and direction. She is motivated by her students to work hard to ensure they have the foundational knowledge necessary to succeed as dental professionals.

Community Partner

Northern Nevada

Peter Reed, PhD, MPH
Director | Sanford Center for Aging Professor of Community Health Sciences | University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Dr. Peter Reed, serves as director of the Sanford Center for Aging and a professor of community health sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. The Sanford Center’s mission is to enhance quality of life and well-being among elders through translational research, education and community research.

With two decades of experience in the field of aging that bridges research, practice, policy and organizational leadership, Dr. Reed has focused his career on helping seniors and supporting their quality of life. During his career as a public health gerontologist, Dr. Reed has worked as a direct service provider, researcher, advocate, non-profit leader and social change agent, always striving to enhance the well-being of elders in every setting.

Prior to joining the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013, he served as chief executive officer of the Pioneer Network, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a culture of aging that is life-affirming, satisfying, humane and meaningful. Under his strategic and operational leadership, the non-profit engaged in research, advocacy and education to foster deep transformation in organizations across the continuum of aging supports and services.

Dr. Reed has earned an international reputation in the field of aging and has helped raise the profile of aging services and the culture of change throughout the region. He is a highly sought after evaluator and reviewer for nationwide grant proposals and programs and a seasoned lecturer and presenter.

Southern Nevada

Lois Tarkanian, PhD
Councilwoman, Ward 1, Mayor Pro Tem | City of Las Vegas

Dr. Lois Tarkanian was sworn into office as the Las Vegas City Councilwoman representing Ward 1 in 2005. She was re-elected in 2007, 2011, and 2015. She currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem for the city.

An educator at heart, she has held positions as a teacher, speech pathologist, principal, central office administrator and college instructor. Dr. Tarkanian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and a Doctorate in Leadership and Human Behavior. For the City of Las Vegas, she has been instrumental in advancing the Las Vegas Medical District (LVMD).

Centrally located in downtown Las Vegas, and almost entirely within Ward 1, the LVMD was established in 1997 but limited development for years. However, Dr. Tarkanian’s vision for the area and persistence in moving the project forward has grown the LVMD, improving quality and access to healthcare in Southern Nevada.

Today, the LVMD stretches across 684 acres in Las Vegas. By 2030, it is expected to have an economic impact of $2.42 billion, generate over 16,000 jobs and create state general fund revenues of over $121 million.

Dr. Tarkanian was instrumental in the development and completion of the LVMD’s master plan, insuring the district would integrate into the surrounding neighborhoods. From the beginning, Dr. Tarkanian has recognized that this project is collaborative and would need the Southern Nevada community’s help to come to fruition. Her efforts are paying off as the LVMD continually sees increased development and new stakeholders.

Humanitarian

Northern Nevada

Jeffrey Zollinger, DO
Physician | Sweetwater Pain and Spine

Passionate about helping those less fortunate, Dr. Zollinger is busy, both at home and abroad, fulfilling a mission of care. He also has a talent for motivating others to get involved with this mission. Most recently, Dr. Zollinger and a group of doctors and staff from Sweetwater Pain and Spine, traveled to Guatemala to provide humanitarian and medical aid.

A February tradition for Sweetwater and Dr. Zollinger, the Guatemala mission trip leads the team to remote areas and families with low income and poor nutrition. There they build gardens, provide much needed day-to-day items and medical care.

A collaborative effort, Dr. Zollinger reaches into the local Reno community to support these trips as well. Patients, friends and family of the Sweetwater team all help to provide for the trip through financial means as well as donations of physical items and time. In addition to the aid missions, Dr. Zollinger encourages and participates in several community events throughout the year, making a culture of giving an integral part of his practice.

An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Zollinger has called Northern Nevada home for the past several years. He has contributed to multiple presentations and publications and is dedicated to his patients.

Southern Nevada

Rachell Ekroos, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, AFN-BC, DF-IAFN, FAAN
Assistant Professor | University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing

Dr. Rachell Ekroos’ commitment to underserved and never served populations is demonstrated throughout every aspect of her life. It’s clearly evidenced through her clinical practice in a free walk-in clinic and in the focus of her research projects. Her commitment is also shown in her work as a nurse educator helping students understand the specialized needs of under served populations. As a nurse leader, she spearheads change locally and across the state of Nevada and through her contribution to better meet the needs of populations affected by violence.

Having served as a clinical forensic resource and consultant to numerous organizations and government entities over the past 18 years, Dr. Ekroos contributes as an adviser or subject matter expert on local, regional and international committees. Her areas of expertise include sexual violence, intimate partner violence, interpersonal violence, multidisciplinary response to violence and ethics. In addition, she has specialized expertise in the areas of human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation and technology-enabled crimes against children.

Dr. Ekroos maintains a continued commitment to advancing evidence-based practices across the multidisciplinary teams responding to violence or mass disaster and increasing access to services for populations affected by violence. She remains actively involved in addressing social determinants of health involving exposure to violence and advancing ethically sound nursing practices. She continues to engage current partners and develop new relationships to impact practice and policy.

Volunteer

Northern Nevada

Rota Rosaschi, MPA, LSW
Executive Director | Nevada Public Health Foundation

Rota Rosaschi knows a few things about public health and welfare, and she knows a lot about giving back to the community in which she lives. Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Rosaschi is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Masters in Public Administration. Armed with 15 years of experience in public health and 30 years in public welfare in Nevada, Rosaschi has, and continues to, contribute to the well-being of Nevada.

She has spent a great deal of her career devoted to improving the quality of life for Nevada’s children, the elderly and needy adults. She was a key player in the state’s welfare reform, implemented in the late 1990s. Her contribution was the development of public welfare programs providing statewide employment and training services and removing barriers to work for Nevada’s single mothers and needy two-parent families, thus helping them move towards self sufficiency.

Rosaschi works tirelessly to advance the mission of the School of Community Health Sciences (SCHS) at the University of Nevada, Reno, which is “Making Health Happen”. She volunteers as the chair of the Community Advisory Board, a crucial role for the school’s strategic decisions. Last year SCHS was reinstated as an independent academic unit and this year submitted an application for full accreditation as a School of Public Health.

In her executive director role, Rosaschi works closely with state, local and non-profit agencies on issues of mutual interest to those of the Nevada Public Health Foundation. The organization facilitates meetings, organizes conferences, implements legislative directives, and secures public speakers on public health issues.

Southern Nevada

Nenita Maningat
On Duty Administrator | University Medical Center

Nenita Maningat is an on duty administrator with University Medical Center (UMC) and has over four decades of nursing experience. She is small in stature, but a one-woman powerhouse with the ability to inspire and motivate those around her to always do better and give back to the community. She is a servant leader.

In addition to her work at UMC, Nenita is the president and founder of a charitable organization, From the Heart Charitable Groups. The organization annually raises thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, Children’s Heart Foundation of Nevada, AFAN, UMC’s Heart Failure Clinic and Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation’s Camp Cartwheel.

Every year, she takes the lead in organizing gala events to raise money for these organizations and personally oversees all aspects of the events. Through her efforts, tens of thousands of dollars have been donated to organizations that take care of adults with HIV/AIDS and heart disease and both adults and children battling cancer.

Nenita’s work with From the Heart is added to the challenging task of overseeing the operations of the overnight shift at the hospital. Respected by her peers, she has been recognized for her leadership and kindheartedness as UMC’s Employee of the Year in 2005. She is a shining example of outstanding nursing care to over 4,000 employees. She has also received congressional recognition and been honored with nursing excellence awards.

Innovator

Northern Nevada

Jacqueline Cox, RN, BSN, MPA
President & CEO | Specialty Health, Inc.

Jacqueline Cox, a healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience, looks at the world differently. A leader and visionary, she is always striving to create systems that result in win-win situations. Her background in healthcare includes serving as a nursing supervisor and director of business services at a large acute care hospital, chief executive officer for a orthopedic practice, owner and chief financial officer of a workers’ compensation third party administrator and founder of Credential Link and SpecialtyHealth, Inc.

SpecialtyHealth is a licensed utilization review company and managed care organization for workers’ compensation and includes group health, wellness and prevention, primary access clinics and several statewide and national provider networks.

Jacqueline has developed three proprietary database systems for health assessment, utilization review and case management, and certifications for workers’ compensation and group health. Her work has been published and she is a much sought after speaker.

In addition, she has brought together a panel of more than 40 specialists who are board certified, nationally recognized and highly respected by their peers. This unique resource, known as the Super Specialist Panel of Expert Reviewers, provides additional reviews as part of a second opinion, and is part of the appeals process.

Fully engaged in the Northern Nevada community, Jacqueline serves on numerous boards and committees.

Southern Nevada

Aaron Ritter, MD
Associate Staff, Director of Clinical Trials | Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of older adults with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Dr. Ritter is an innovative researcher and dedicated clinician.

Heavily involved in the clinical trials program at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, he is dedicated to finding ways to better diagnose and treat neurodegenerative diseases. Since assuming leadership of the program, Dr. Ritter has added five new trials. Participants, who understand Alzheimer’s is a terminal disease, say they love contributing to a better future and are excited about access to prospective new treatments. Earlier this year, Ocrevus, a medicine, that was tested at the Lou Ruvo Center, received FDA approval to treat multiple sclerosis.

This year, Dr. Ritter will continue his role as one of the principal investigators of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ and the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s $11.1 million Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) federal grant. With this project, researchers at the two organizations have embarked on a collaborative effort to further understand the progression of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and, ultimately, to advance patient care.

In addition to his research, Dr. Ritter invests in the next generation of medical professionals and freely shares his knowledge. A gifted teacher, he lectures in the physician assistant program at Touro, presents at continuing medical education seminars in Las Vegas and speaks at community events.

Non-Profit

Northern Nevada

Tracy Copeland
President | Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness

The Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness organization is working hard to make people understand the importance of organ donation. It’s founder, Tracy Copeland, is the heart of the organization and is passionate about its mission. She uses every opportunity to educate the Northern Nevada community and often shares her personal testimony.

In 1998, she was in a coma with liver failure. At the same time, Terry Lee Snow, the victim of a tragic motorcycle accident was also in a coma, with no hope of recovery. In the midst of unimaginable grief, the Snow family made the decision to donate Terry’s organs and tissue. It was this donation that saved, not only Tracy’s life, but the lives of four others as well as the sight of two additional individuals.

As the 2018 Non Profit Healthcare Hero, Tracy will be the first to tell you she’s not the hero. Instead, she points to the Snow family, especially the donor’s mom, Kathy Snow, who has become friends with Tracy. The families have become very close and seek opportunities to share their collective story.

In 2008, Tracy organized the first Donor Awareness Walk as a fundraiser for transplant athletes to attend the US Transplant Games. While the walk continued to grow (more than 1,000 attendees in 2017), Tracy officially founded Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness in 2011. The volunteer organization raises awareness of the need for organ and tissue donations while honoring donors and donor families.

Southern Nevada

Julie Beasley, PhD
Child Neuropsychologist and Clinical Director | University of Nevada, Las Vegas Ackerman Autism Center

Dr. Julie Beasley, a Las Vegas native, has been in private practice for 17 years. She was the first pediatric neuropsychologist in Southern Nevada who specialized in children from birth to young adulthood with developmental, medical, behavioral and learning disorders. She developed the area’s first social skills groups for students with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

When the Grant a Gift Foundation and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine joined forces to help meet the needs of individuals and families living with a loved one with autism spectrum disorder, the leaders of each organization wanted Dr. Beasley at the helm. The collaboration of the two organizations, along with the philanthropic support of it’s namesake, Gary Ackerman, resulted in the Ackerman Autism Center. Dr. Beasley accepted the position and is the organizations’ first clinical director.

In her role at the center, Dr. Beasley spearheaded the move to do something never done before in Nevada. She brought clinical care, family support, research, diagnostics and behavioral therapy all under one roof. In addition, she has put together a team of professionals who genuinely want to help people improve the quality of life of those affected by autism and related conditions. Since opening in October of 2016 through the end of 2017, the center has served over 3,600 individuals and their families, a clear indication of the need for services provided by the center.

Physician

Northern Nevada

Derek Beenfeldt, MD
Chief of Primary Care | Renown Health

Even with the tremendous responsibilities of clinical and operational decision making for the 18 location, 90 provider primary care group of Renown Health, Dr. Derek Beenfeldt remains dedicated to his patients. His compassion was evidenced even prior to medical school when he volunteered in palliative care at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and with Circle of Life Hospice. As a medical student, family medicine resident and primary care physician, his commitment has grown to include the care of large numbers of patients in the Northern Nevada region.

Prior to medical school, Dr Beenfeldt was a practicing attorney in Reno. His leadership skills were evident early on when he was the student body president at the University of Nevada, Reno. Later he assumed leadership roles at the University as well as the School of Medicines’ family medicine residency. Currently he leads as a primary care physician in the Renown Health Medical Group.

He joined the group in 2014 and, last year, was appointed chief of primary care and charged with overseeing quality, patient satisfaction and access to all locations within the system. He developed and implemented the Primary Care Model, which has become the model for the system population health strategy, of which he leads.

In addition to his roles as physician and chief of primary care, Dr. Beenfeldt remains active in community organizations and donates freely of his time and talent to serve the Northern Nevada community.

Southern Nevada

Syed Saquib, MD
Medical Director | University Medical Center Lions Burn Care Center

Dr. Saquib, a trauma and burn surgeon and medical director of University Medical Center (UMC) Lions Burn Care Center, is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best medical outcomes possible. His accomplishments are vast, and his resume is impressive. Even more significant, those that know him best describe him as compassionate, caring, humble, kind and reserved. He always puts his patients first and is genuinely engaged in providing them with the best care possible.

Driven by his desire to help people, Dr. Saquib chose to pursue a career in trauma and burn surgery, two particularly demanding specialties. While he often sees patients at the most vulnerable times in their lives, he is grateful for the opportunity to provide life saving care and valuable support to people in need of his surgical skills.

Dr. Saquib was working as the trauma surgeon on duty the night of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. He worked tirelessly to save lives and played a key role in delivering the best possible care for the critically injured patients at UMC. Not one of his patients that night who arrived with a heartbeat died. UMC eventually cared for 104 patients who sustained injuries during the shooting. Working alongside the entire trauma team, he remained calm and collected during the incredibly stressful evening. He recognized that the injuries he treated on October 1 were no different than the gunshot wounds he sees on a regular basis.

He is particularly proud of the community’s response to the tragic shooting, including the work of UMC and other hospitals, first responders and community members. “We met the worst of humanity and the best of humanity,” he said.

Lifetime Achievement

Northern Nevada

David Zucker, MD
Pediatrician, Pediatric Associates

With over four decades serving as a pediatrician, Dr. David Zucker has created a legacy of excellence caring for his young patients. And, as any new mother can tell you, that means caring for the parents as well by putting their minds at ease. His method of communicating has become legendary. He draws out his medical explanations on the white paper of the exam room table, giving the youngest of patients a visual they can relate with.

In addition to the more general practice of pediatrics, Dr. Zucker has become a specialist in juvenile diabetes, having raised two children with Type 1 diabetes. His expertise in this area filled a void in the community due to the limited number of doctors that specialized in the treatment of children with diabetes.

Dr. Zucker is a community faculty member of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and has mentored countless medical students throughout his career. Over the years, he has been recognized with a number of awards and honors for his work in bringing compassionate care to generations of Northern Nevadans.

Among his awards are the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine’s Thomas J. Scully Preceptor Award, the CH WOODS award from the Washoe County Medical Society, the Silver Syringe Award from Immunize Nevada, the Nevada State Medical Society’s Distinguished Physician Award and recognition from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for his years of support of Type 1 diabetes in the community.

However, as grateful parents of his patients will tell you, Dr. Zucker’s greatest accomplishments are performed daily in his exam room as he demonstrates compassionate care.

Southern Nevada

Mary Ann Allison, MD, FACP
Medical Oncologist and Practice President, Retired | Comprehensive Cancer Centers

Dr. Allison has spent a lifetime caring for others and more than 22 years helping patients as they take on the battle for their lives. She is a medical oncologist and one of the founding members of Comprehensive Cancers. Dr. Allison served as practice president until she retired in May of this year.

During her years in practice, Dr. Alison served as principal investigator on numerous clinical research studies for breast cancer. She helped foster the practice’s affiliation with the US Oncology Network and is a member of the organization’s breast cancer research committee. Her work has contributed to improved standards of breast cancer care throughout the country.

In addition to her commitment to treatment and research, Dr. Allison is an advocate and role model in the Southern Nevada community. Her dedication and compassion for her patients extends well beyond the clinical setting. Recognizing the emotional toll the diagnosis of cancer brings with it, Dr. Allison started the non-profit, The Caring Place, an organization designed to promote emotional and mental healing for patients and caregivers.

The organization provides no-cost adjunctive therapies, programs and services to support, educate and empower those who have or had cancer, their family members, friends and caregivers. Now under the umbrella of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, the organization offers a number of new services and programs for adults and children affected by cancer.

Dr. Allison is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in the medical industry and has spent her career giving back to the community she serves.

Corporate Sponsors

Anthem BlueCross BlueShield

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been serving Nevada since 1969. As Nevadans, our associates live and work in the same communities that we serve. Last year, our charitable foundation and associates contributed more than $800,000 and hundreds of volunteer hours to vital organizations and causes across the state.

“We’re proud to support the many great organizations and programs that are making a difference in in the lives of the people in our communities throughout Nevada,” said Mike Murphy, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its foundation work to identify the health issues most in need of attention and then direct charitable support and volunteer efforts toward improving those areas. Major areas of focus for Anthem include promoting active lifestyles and working to reduce the devastating impact of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease on Nevada children, adults and seniors.

Key areas of support include the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Jessie Rees Foundation and JRDF. Nevada communities also benefit from grants made by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s charitable foundation to organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes.

Through the Associate Giving Program, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield associates make one time and ongoing contributions to health-focused charities in Nevada, which are matched by its parent company’s charitable foundation.

”In our nearly five decades serving Nevadans, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield remains committed to making Nevada a better and healthier state for us to live in and for our children to grow up in,” Murphy said. It is a true honor to work with so many great people and organizations and we look forward to doing so again in the years to come.”

Associate Sponors

Roseman University of Health Sciences

Roseman University of Health Sciences was founded as a non-profit, private institution in Henderson, in 1999 in response to the educational and healthcare needs of the state. Today, Roseman University has an enrollment of nearly 1,600 students and employs more than 500 faculty and staff on three campuses in Nevada and Utah.

Roseman University offers five academic degree programs in pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine and healthcare business. Additionally, the University is pursuing accreditation for an MD-granting College of Medicine. The College of Medicine operates Roseman Medical Group, offering neurology and family medicine at its first location in Spring Valley. Roseman’s College of Dental Medicine operates an Orthodontic Clinic in Henderson, offering affordable, high-quality treatment for children, teens and adults.

Roseman University recognizes that every student has a different learning style and that adult learners may need to be engaged differently. The university also believes that every student can succeed and compete at a very high level if given the right tools and training. Breaking down barriers and increasing communication and partnership between student and teacher are at the core of success, proficiency and content mastery. Student-to-student collaboration develops healthcare professionals that work in teams so that the patient has the very best chance of a good outcome.

As a result, the university developed the Six-Point Master Learning Model to provide an educational environment that not only produces and ensures high levels of achievement from all students, but also fosters cooperation and collaboration in the learning process. The model consists of the Block Curriculum, Active and Collaborative Learning, Competency-based Education, Assessment Learning, Early Experiential Learning, and a Classroom Design that facilitates learning. All of these components reinforce one another, and contribute to an unparalleled educational environment.

Roseman University has campuses in Henderson and Summerlin as well as the Salt Lake City suburb of South Jordan, Utah.

Northern Nevada Medical Center

Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) is proud to honor life’s journey by providing award-winning healthcare that meets the needs of our region. Located in Sparks, this full-service acute care hospital offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical services to the greater Truckee Meadows region, and beyond.

With over 500 employees and 400 physicians on staff, NNMC is a recognized leader for quality care. The hospital is proud to share the following quality distinctions:

• Accredited Chest Pain Center, Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
• Advanced Primary Stroke Center, The Joint Commission
• Joint Replacement – Knee and Hip, The Joint Commission
• Spine Surgery, The Joint Commission
• Back Pain, The Joint Commission
• A-grade for Patient Safety, The Leapfrog Group
• Safety Across the Board (one of 27 hospitals nationwide), Premier & the Hospital Engagement Network
• Mission Lifeline Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award, American Heart Association
• Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award, American Heart & Stroke Association
• ACTION Registry Platinum Performance Achievement, American College of Cardiology

NNMC exemplifies the personalized spirit of compassion throughout the 108-bed hospital. Employees are committed to a service excellence model that focuses on high standards of care and support to patients and their families.

“Northern Nevada Medical Center is a reflection of the spirit and dedication of our physicians and staff, and the dignity they show our patients and their family members, at a time when they are most vulnerable,” said Alan Olive, CEO of NNMC. “We are privileged to honor the life’s journey of our patients every day.”

The health system is owned and operated by Universal Health Services, Inc. Additionally, NNMC is a proud partner of the Silver State ACO, a collaborative effort that improves quality of care and reduces health care costs for enrolled patients.

Donor Network West

For over three decades, Donor Network West has served the Nevada community by connecting a donor’s gift to those in need.

Organ, eye and tissue donation offers the hope to heal. The generous decisions of donors and their families allow the organization to recover and allocate organs and tissues for transplantation and research. Thanks to these heroes, the organization can carry out its mission of saving and healing lives.

Donor Network West is the federally designated non- profit, 501 (c) (3) organ and tissue recovery organization that serves 13 hospitals and more than 500,000 people in Nevada. The organization works in close partnership with families, doctors, nurses and funeral homes, as well as coroners and medical examiners, to connect organ, eye and tissue donors to recipients.

The generosity of Nevadans is the driving force for the organization. In 2017, Donor Network West saw the highest number of donors in its history for the region. These deceased organ and tissue donors have the potential to improve the lives of nearly 1,300 people.

“We are Nevadans serving Nevada. The diverse and growing population in our donation service area inspires us to continue to identify innovative ways to better serve our communities and partners in an effort to save and heal more lives,” said John Lilley, Nevada regional director of Donor Network West.

Donor Network West is a Donate Life organization accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). It is also a member of Donate Life Nevada.

University Medical Center (UMC)

Combining highly specialized, exclusive services with the latest breakthroughs in medical technology, UMC offers the highest level of care available in Nevada. In support of the hospital’s mission to provide patients with the best possible medical outcomes, UMC offers Nevada’s only Level I Trauma Center, only Designated Pediatric Trauma Center, only Burn Care Center and only Center for Transplantation.

Providing care to the community’s most critically injured patients, the UMC Trauma Center offers a world-class team of medical professionals who have dedicated their careers to saving lives. Serving patients in a vast, 10,000-square-mile area, the UMC Trauma Center cared for approximately 12,000 patients in 2017 alone.

The UMC Lions Burn Care Center serves as one of only a small number of hospitals to receive verification as a Burn Center from the American Burn Association and the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. This achievement recognizes the UMC Lions Burn Care Center’s commitment to providing patients with the highest level of burn care.

In recent years, UMC has firmly established its position as a statewide leader in surgical technology, providing patients with access to cutting-edge procedures and diagnostic tools. UMC recently became the first and only hospital in the state to offer a Pediatric Robotic Surgery Program, utilizing the advanced da Vinci Xi Surgical System to improve young lives.

Earlier this year, UMC also became the first and only hospital in Nevada to introduce the ExcelsiusGPS robotic navigation platform, allowing for minimally invasive spinal surgeries designed to result in less blood loss, less muscle damage and potentially faster recovery.

“From life-saving trauma and burn care to cutting-edge robotic surgery, UMC takes pride in elevating the level of care available in Nevada,” said UMC CEO Mason VanHouweling. “As our community’s hospital and the state’s leading academic medical center, UMC has a responsibility to introduce innovative new technologies and procedures that have a positive impact on the people we serve.”

Saint Mary’s Health Network

Saint Mary’s has been a healthcare staple in Northern Nevada, starting in 1908 with a small hospital opened by Dominican Sisters in response to the needs of the community. Today, that vision has grown. The Sisters’ small hospital has evolved into a large 380-bed facility that provides the highest quality, most compassionate care to its patients as proven by the many awards they’ve received. These include a 4-star rating from CMS, numerous Healthgrades recognitions, and earning American Heart Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” for both Stroke and Heart Failure. Saint Mary’s is also the only hospital in the region to have received Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade A four times in a row.

The success of Saint Mary’s goes beyond the traditional hospital campus, into a comprehensive network of services designed to achieve the mission of delivering compassionate, quality care to patients and better healthcare to communities. Saint Mary’s Medical Group has six primary care offices, eight specialty offices and includes three urgent cares, four freestanding imaging sites and an outpatient lab service.

Saint Mary’s Network includes outpatient rehabilitation therapy, home health, hospice, palliative care and has a fitness center, sleep center, cancer center and wound care center. Saint Mary’s also provides pulmonary treatment and rehabilitation, including being the only location in Northern Nevada to provide Bronchial Thermoplasty, which is treatment for those suffering from severe asthma. Saint Mary’s Health Network is where the best healing begins.

Desert Radiology

The field of radiology is changing as new innovative imaging technology is introduced and more radiologists are entering radiology practices subspecialized in areas such as interventional radiology. As the largest radiology provider in Southern Nevada, Desert Radiology continues to stay ahead of industry trends by using the power of new imaging techniques to add greater value and access to the patients it serves.

At Desert Radiology, we pride ourselves in offering the highest quality of medical imaging care that is fast, convenient and accessible to our patients. We know imaging needs are everchanging, so we have adapted our care model over time to reflect that. With nine imaging locations across the Valley, we serve over 30,000 patients monthly in our outpatient facilities, and our reach continues to expand.

In recent years, executives at Desert Radiology made the decision to invest dollars even further to support the local community so that our care doesn’t stop when patients leave our facilities. We have brought this vision to life by partnering with local and national charities and non-profit organizations as well as professional and minor league sports and collegiate athletics. Currently, we work with non-profits like City Impact Center and Volunteers of Medicine of Southern Nevada. We have partnerships with Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas Lights Club (FC), the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas 51s, and the UNLV athletic department.

Excellence is in our DNA when it comes to radiology. In 2017, our practice was designated as a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, an accreditation that recognizes the best-quality imaging practices and diagnostic care.

Throughout 50 years of service, we have built an extensive network that serves 12 hospitals, a large cancer center, multispecialty medical centers and several other facilities in Southern Nevada.

Comprehensive Cancer Centers

Comprehensive Cancer Centers is a multispecialty practice offering medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology, breast surgery, cancer genetic counseling, pulmonology and clinical research. The practice is dedicated to providing the most effective treatments, both existing and emerging, in order to diagnose and treat cancer, serious blood disorders, breast health conditions, lung diseases and sleep disorders. Comprehensive offers state-of-the-art facilities throughout Southern Nevada that integrates the latest diagnostic, therapeutic and research capabilities in a professional yet caring environment.

At the core of Comprehensive’s efforts is a genuine desire to support, strengthen and enhance the overall health of our community.

Among its many partnerships that prioritize health and wellness, Comprehensive has ongoing skin safety partnerships, providing complimentary sunscreen at Wet’n’Wild, and Las Vegas 51s games among others. Earlier this year, through a collaboration with Nevada Cancer Coalition, Comprehensive expanded this program to Downtown Summerlin, Springs Preserve, Cowabunga Bay and the Cadence master-planned community. For the past two years, the practice has also sponsored a community-driven, anti-smoking campaign – “I Quit For” – at UNLV, Thomas & Mack Center and Sam Boyd Stadium.

To support future healthcare professionals, Comprehensive has established scholarship programs at Touro University of Nevada, UNLV College of Sciences and UNLV School of Medicine. Comprehensive created a residency rotation for internal medicine residents focused on hematology/oncology, breast surgery and pulmonology for students at UNLV School of Medicine. The practice also established a mentorship program through Touro University, where medical and nursing students can get hands on learning experiences.

To offer patients access to the latest in cancer treatment and therapies, the organization has developed an extensive research program. The practice participates in more than 170 Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical research studies each year and has played a role in developing more than 70 FDA-approved cancer therapies.

When it comes to the most effective treatments – new or emerging – and the vitality of Southern Nevada, Comprehensive is truly on the frontlines.

HealthCare Partners

It’s a fascinating time to work in healthcare. It’s a time of unprecedented change and innovation, and it is clear that in 10 years the delivery of healthcare will look much different than it does today. HealthCare Partners is proud to have a long history of delivering high quality care to its patients. Since 1996, HealthCare Partners’ has been committed to providing healthcare with a personal approach that is accessible.

In HealthCare Partners’ experienced network in Nevada, more than 300 primary care physicians and 1,700 specialists combine high quality care with exceptional service. HealthCare Partners’ patient-centered and comprehensive approach, which the company refers to as a Total Care Model, supports patients with a network that encompasses providers, nurses and specialists.

Through this model, HealthCare Partners provides comprehensive primary care, specialty care, urgent care and hospice services to more than 300,000 patients across Southern Nevada. The organization’s specialty care services include cardiology, endocrinology, internal medicine, oncology/hematology, pediatrics and women’s health.

With 100 HealthCare Partners’ primary clinics and specialty affiliates throughout Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Pahrump, Mesquite and Boulder City, people have more access to expert care near home. In fact, HealthCare Partners is the only medical group in Southern Nevada with all 14 acute care hospitals within its network.

Caring for patients and caring for each other is at the core of what HealthCare Partners strives to do. Moving forward, the company strives to continue innovating and pushing forward to discover new ways to provide quality care.

P3 Health

Physician-led P3 Health Partners is offering patients new options for their healthcare in Southern Nevada. P3’s Elite Network includes 200 primary care providers and nearly 1,000 specialty providers. Their providers are bonded by a shared passion for delivering excellent patient care. They are on a mission to change healthcare from a system that profits from sickness to one that sees patient wellness as its primary goal.

This dynamic team, led by industry pioneer’s CEO Sherif Abdou, M.D. and CMO Amir Bacchus, M.D., is committed to putting providers back in charge of care, aligning incentives and engaging patients to live their best lives.

P3 guides and influences communities to better health by focusing on prevention, unburdening medical providers and engaging patients. By using population health management strategies, they identify high-risk patients and ensure they get the care they need.