LAS VEGAS – Dr. Nilesh “Neil” Gokal of Southwest Medical Associates, part of OptumCare, has been awarded an honorary Pi Alpha Award by the Pi Alpha Honor Society. The recognition took place Oct. 30 as part of the physician assistant (PA) banquet held at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino for the PA students of Touro University in Henderson.
The award recognizes accomplishment in the areas of significant academic achievement, leadership, research, community/professional service, and the encouragement of a high standard of character and conduct among PA students and graduates.
“Southwest Medical has ongoing health care provider pathway programs designed in partnership with local health care educators, including our PA Pathways program with Touro University,” said Dr. Robert McBeath, president and CEO of Southwest Medical. “This award is a very gratifying recognition of his education and effort in integrating medical students into professional practice within our community.”
The Pi Alpha Honor Society was organized in 2004 by the Association of Physician Assistant Programs and is the nonprofit division of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).
Dr. Gokal is the medical director of clinical education for Southwest Medical Associates, as well as a family medicine practitioner in Southern Nevada. He is also an adjunct clinical faculty member for the UNLV School of Medicine and pending affiliation with Roseman University.
About Southwest Medical Associates
Southwest Medical, part of OptumCareTM, was founded in Las Vegas in 1972 and is Nevada’s largest multispecialty medical group with 370 local health care providers through Southwest Medical and OptumCare Specialty and Primary Care, including seven convenient care centers, six urgent care centers, two outpatient surgery centers and two community centers catering to older adults, plus access to a network of 800 providers throughout southern Nevada.
Our full spectrum of health care services includes Southwest Medical Associates Hospice, improving the quality of life for people experiencing a terminal illness. We bring care and comfort home to our patients through Home Health Services, Home Care Plus and Total Home Care and Palliative Care, part of the continuum of care for all stages of a person’s life. For more than four decades we have provided this experienced, compassionate, innovative and high-quality care to patients throughout Southern Nevada. From our 24-hour urgent care center to industry-leading technology such as convenient e-visits and online options like the NowClinic® telemedicine platform, Southwest Medical’s goal is to bring patients the health care they want, the way they want it.
For more information: SMALV.COM.