Corporate Sponsor
Southwest Medical – 50 years of safeguarding
Southwest Medical has been a part of southern Nevada for 50 years, and it means the world to us to provide care to the communities we’ve called home for so many decades.
For our team, that means offering more than 350 providers in over 30 clinic locations throughout southern Nevada – the state’s largest multi-specialty healthcare group.
It means making sure we have a variety of care options for our patients – our neighbors: 15 primary care locations, seven specialty care departments, five complete care healthcare locations, two ambulatory surgery centers, and five urgent care locations, one of which remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All that plus a robust telehealth program designed to work with the changing, and sometimes challenging, times we find ourselves in.
From the very beginning, our top priority has been the health and well-being of our patients, our community and our team members, and as the decades have passed and so much else has changed in our world, that priority has remained unshaken, and in fact, is more solid than ever before.
Being part of the community as long as we have, we know Nevadans, and we care for our neighbors. That’s why, along with offering the top-quality healthcare options we’ve become known for, we also support those in the community who share our commitment to serve the underserved, and to lift up those who need a helping hand. We’re longtime supporters of Project 150, which attends to the needs of high school students experiencing homelessness; the Tyler Robinson Foundation, which has done so much for children and families battling pediatric cancer; Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, which promotes improved lifestyles for local seniors with compassion and dignity; and many others.
Through our time in the community, we’ve also had the experience of rolling out and maintaining large-scale public health initiatives, experience which proved vital in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We operated numerous drive-through COVID testing and vaccination clinics throughout the community, not only for our members, but for the community as a whole.
Southwest Medical is Nevada’s largest multi-specialty medical group. The full spectrum of our healthcare offerings includes Southwest Medical Hospice Care, improving the quality of life for people experiencing a terminal illness, and Home Health Services, which allows us to bring care and comfort to our patients in their homes. We were also early adopters in the community of large-scale telehealth services, now facilitating more than 7,000 fully virtual care visits each month, to better accommodate our neighbors and their needs.
Southwest Medical is part of Optum Care Nevada, a combined family of more than 5,000 providers across the state, as well as specialty care offering services for lung, allergy, and cancer care.
In good health,
The Team at Optum Care 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
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation
- Roseman University of Health Sciences
- Touro University Nevada
- University Medical Center
Administrator Heroes
Northern Nevada
Walter Davis
Chief Executive Officer | Nevada Health Centers (NVHC)
For the past decade Walter Davis has served as chief executive officer for Nevada Health Centers (NVHC), a nonprofit community health organization. The organization has been in Nevada since 1977. Under his leadership, NVHC has expanded to serve over 50,000 patients each year and Davis leads a team of over 400 healthcare professionals. The organization now has 18 community health centers, three mobile healthcare programs, two residency programs and a presence throughout the state.
Davis is committed to his purpose in the community and has a history of exemplary service in northern Nevada. Prior to joining NVHC, Davis served in leadership roles at large healthcare organizations including Renown Health, Cigna and MedPartners, among others. Improving health equity and community health outcomes for communities across Nevada has been a hallmark of Davis’ career. He established the Beverly E. Coleman Nevada Health Foundation to help provide access to quality healthcare in communities across Nevada.
Davis recognized the need for workforce development in the healthcare industry and took action to address provider shortages in the state. He’s helped establish partnerships with Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno to establish family medicine residency programs, some of which serve the rural communities of northeastern Nevada. Recently, Davis accepted an appointment to the Teacher’s Health Trust Board of Directors in southern Nevada. Previously he served as board chairperson for the Nevada Primary Care Association where he was recognized with an award for exceptional administrative leadership last year.
Southern Nevada
Andrew Priest, EdD, PT
Campus President and Provost | Touro University Nevada
Moving to Las Vegas from Iowa, Dr. Andrew Priest joined Touro University Nevada in 2012 as the dean of the College of Health and Human Services. He now serves as campus president and provost for Touro, the largest medical university in the state. Dr. Priest received a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University and a Masters of Physical Therapy from Baylor University. He is also a licensed physical therapist in Nevada and Iowa. Prior to starting his career in higher education, Dr. Priest was a physical therapist for the U.S. Army.
Before and throughout the COVID pandemic, Dr. Priest proved to be a leader for the university. He helped implement community healthcare programs that provided a valuable service to southern Nevadans while helping students at the school achieve hands-on experience. “Dr. Priest has always put student clinical preparation and community outreach as the most important and defining aspects of our training programs,” said Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth, assistant professor in the School of Physician Assistant Studies at Touro and a former Healthcare Hero honoree. She continued, “It’s wonderful to work for a leader whose values align with our goal of serving the underserved populations in the Las Vegas Valley.”
Shortly after the pandemic shut down southern Nevada, Dr. Priest assumed the role of interim provost at Touro, recognizing the challenges the position would come with. He rose to those challenges and helped the university pivot to continue to educate future healthcare providers and serve the community. Moving forward, Dr. Priest is leading the charge to open new programs and research efforts at the university.
Care Provider Heroes
Northern Nevada
Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, MS
Regional Clinical Director | Carbon Health
Urgent Care Medical Director and Physician | Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell has collected a multitude of titles over the course of her career. She obtained her medical degree from Ross University and completed her residency at the University of Nevada, Reno in Family Medicine, graduating in 2015. These days she serves as regional clinical director and Nevada interim co-head of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Carbon Health. She is also the medical director for the Washoe County Sexual Assault Response Team and volunteers as an assistant medical examiner for Washoe County Child Protective Services. However, what Dr. Curry-Winchell’s array of titles only hint at is her commitment to helping others in her community and how much she truly cares about the work she does.
In particular, Dr. Curry-Winchell has a passion for helping those that are most underserved and underrepresented to give them a voice and ease health disparities. Part of her work is dedicated to shedding light on the needs of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) populations in northern Nevada. For example, during COVID, Dr. Curry-Winchell brought attention to the disproportionate impact the disease had on BIPOC and worked to improve numbers within that population. She joined the Reno Mayor’s task force and Governor’s Medical Advisory Team for COVID to futher help those affected by the disease.
In addition to her other efforts, Dr. Curry-Winchell is a practicing physician and manages urgent care clinics in Nevada for Carbon Health. In a word, Dr. Curry-Winchell simply cares. That care translates to a passion and dedication for her work and community.
Southern Nevada
Joyce Malaskovitz, RN
Chief Nursing Officer | Desert Springs Hospital, Universal Health Services, Inc.
Joyce Malaskovitz moved to Las Vegas in 1989 and the city gained a valuable advocate committed to improving healthcare. She has been a registered nurse for the past 41 years and began her career working with patients struggling with diabetes and in need of bariatric surgery. She brought that experience to Nevada and achieved many firsts for the region.
Under her leadership, Desert Springs Hospital became the first in Nevada to achieve the American Diabetes Association Accredited Outpatient Diabetes Program and the American Association of Diabetes Educators Accreditation for the Outpatient Diabetes Education Program. The hospital also became the first in the United States to achieve the Joint Commission Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care Diseases, Specific Care Certification. The designations are important to Joyce because she wants her patients to know they can receive the best diabetes care in Nevada.
Malaskovitz’s concern for wellbeing doesn’t end with her patients, it carries over to her staff and team at Desert Springs Hospital where she leads by example as chief nursing officer. She does everything she can to show her team that she cares including handwritten notes thanking them for their work and surprise treat bags that she distributes. A positive attitude even in tough times and honest concern for those around her are indicative of Malaskovitz’s leadership. “I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished,” said Amanda Taormina, Malaskovitz’s daughter and senior manager of events at MGM Resorts International. “To this day, when someone asks me who my hero is, my answer has always been my mother, Joyce Malaskovitz.”
Educator Heroes
Northern Nevada
Cara Cruz, BA, RN, CIC, CPHQ
Director of Risk and Quality, Infection Control and Patient Safety Officer | Carson Valley Medical Center
As a leader with the Carson Valley Medical Center, a critical access hospital (CAH) in Gardnerville, Cara Cruz serves as an educator and mentor to her peers. She is the director of risk and quality as well as the functioning infection control and patient safety officer. She’s been in a leadership position at the hospital since 2013 and in her current position for nearly a decade. As a safety officer, Cara shines and has become the center of a network of safety operations. She grew the hospital’s Risk and Quality departments to include a team of professionals working in the areas of patient advocacy, compliance, infection control, patient safety and clinical analysis.
Cruz is a mentor in her field and has been generous in sharing her knowledge on best practices in Nevada and across the nation. Improving CAH quality is one area of Cruz’s expertise, and she is known as a leader in CAH quality improvement, educating hospital leadership across the nation through Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance, a program supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.
Successful initiatives that Cruz has implemented include the Medication Safety Committee, Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, Ethics Committee and Readmissions Focus Group. She also initiated and oversees Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPE) which identifies professional practice trends that might impact the quality and safety of care. Her ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of her patients and staff has caused others to seek her out as a mentor and she works to provide a positive example they can emulate.
Southern Nevada
Lisa Durette, MD, DFAPA, DFAACAP
Assistant Professor | Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Director | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
Dr. Lisa Durette seemingly has too many letters following her name to be referred to as a high school dropout. Regardless, that’s exactly what she is. She is also a five-time cancer survivor, an assistant professor, director, community service leader and avid knitter. Dr. Durette dropped out of high school at just 16 years old after being accepted to college. She’s battled cancer in the form of four lymphomas and a thyroid cancer since she was in her teens. She credits her battle to making her acutely aware of how precious life is and how finite of a time there is to make the world better.
Since she was very young, Dr. Durette wanted to be a doctor to help others. She didn’t exactly take a direct path to get to where she is today, with stops for survival training as a Major and Flight Surgeon in the US Air Force Reserves for example. But, her path is both a model for others and one that’s provided her the skills she needs to lead. As an assistant professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, she has come to realize that she has the greatest impact where two of her career roles intersect.
As a mental health educator to the general public, she helps simplify complex conditions and destigmatizes mental health disorders for others. As an educator of the next generation of mental health professionals, she has the ability to multiply her impact through each of her students. Dr. Durette’s passion for helping others has made her a dedicated teacher and advocate for mental health.
Community Partner Heroes
Northern Nevada
Kayleen Mahlberg
Director of Support Services | Carson Tahoe Health
One could argue Kayleen Mahlberg’s history in healthcare began because she didn’t make the volleyball team in high school. After failing in her attempts to be on the team, she began serving as an athletic trainer at Elko High School. The experience taught her how much she enjoys ensuring that those around her have the tools they need to succeed. After trying on various positions within the healthcare world, Mahlberg landed as a purchasing agent for Renown Health (at the time known as Washoe Medical Center). In that role she found her perfect niche.
Mahlberg eventually transitioned to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center as a senior buyer and helped outfit the new 148-bed hospital. Proving her mettle, she soon became the director of supply chain for the hospital and took over food services, revamping the retail side of the café. These successes brought her the oversight of the logistic department and led her to the role of director for the environmental services department.
When COVID hit, Mahlberg had been serving Carson Tahoe Health in a variety of capacities since 2005 and was well aware of the needs of the hospital system. As supply chain issues began to affect frontline workers, Mahlberg was ready to face the crisis head-on. She worked with her teams to find resources wherever she could, from state and local entities to creative reuse of appropriate supplies. Mahlberg’s forward-thinking and efforts during COVID were lifesaving for the hospital and providers taking care of patients.
Southern Nevada
Jon Bilstein
Executive Director and CEO | Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
Jon Bilstein has been living in Las Vegas for over 40 years, serving in healthcare in southern Nevada for more than 25 of those years. In 2017, Bilstein became executive director and CEO of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada. At Comprehensive, Bilstein is responsible for the overall practice to ensure its mission, employee morale, customer service and care delivery exceeds expectations. He also manages, develops, strategizes and directs his administrative teams. None of which is a small task. Comprehensive has been providing groundbreaking cancer treatments since 1974 and Bilstein is responsible to carry on the organization’s legacy.
From new community partnerships with the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Aviators and Las Vegas Lights, to opening new treatment centers, Bilstein has been a part of tremendous growth at Comprehensive. He’s also led the charge to support future healthcare professionals through scholarships at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, Touro University and Roseman University, among others. He’s even dedicated his time to mentor one of the program’s scholarship recipients. In addition to all these partnerships, Bilstein leads by example serving as a board member for CEOs Against Cancer and on the Las Vegas Advisory Council for the Downtown Medical District.
Working to improve cancer care from the very bottom up, Bilstein has worked closely with Comprehensive’s government affairs team to lobby for bills that provide better outcomes for patients. Under Bilstein’s guidance Comprehensive has launched new genetic counseling services, and boosted the organization’s clinical research program to give patients access to the latest advancements in cancer treatments right here in southern Nevada.
Humanitarian Heroes
Northern Nevada
Jose Cucalon Calderon, MD
Pediatrics Physician | Renown Health
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics | University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Born and raised in Ecuador, Dr. Jose Cucalon Calderon received his medical doctorate from the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. He went on to complete his residency at the University of South Alabama before joining Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) in 2017. He currently serves as a pediatrics physician at the Renown Healthcare Center and as an assistant professor of pediatrics at UNR Med.
Dr. Cucalon Calderon’s Reno career is focused on serving pediatric Medicaid patients, many of whom are Hispanic. Early-on he noticed a need to support the Hispanic community while helping to reduce barriers to their access of healthcare resources. As a native-Spanish speaker, Dr. Cucalon Calderon is able to connect with young Hispanic patients and their families to help them find and receive needed or preventative care.
To further aid this effort, he was selected as one of 19 physicians nationwide to participate in the National Hispanic Medical Association Leadership Fellowship program and he established the Nevada Chapter of the organization, recently serving as co-chair. Proactively searching for better ways for underserved children and their families to connect with care, Dr. Cucalon Calderon has initiated efforts providing services from bilingual resources to health literacy programs. He is committed to reaching out to the community and providing a helping hand for them to receive care.
Southern Nevada
Brent Bartholomew, MD, FACOG
Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician | Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada
Dr. Brent Bartholomew received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1990. He moved to Las Vegas shortly after to complete his residency with the University of Nevada School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN). After completing his residency, he began practicing in southern Nevada eventually helping to found Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada in 2007.
In southern Nevada, Dr. Bartholomew has practiced at most of the hospitals in the Las Vegas Valley and has served as the OB/GYN department chair at Summerlin Hospital. As chair, he is responsible for establishing guidelines and protocols, credentialling new physicians and reappointments of current physicians as well as coordinating interactions with various other departments. In addition, Dr. Bartholomew is one of only a handful of southern Nevada physicians certified to perform robotic surgery for gynecological procedures.
In recent years, Dr. Bartholomew has participated in the EMPOWERED Program which provides support services for pregnant and postpartum women with substance abuse disorder. In the words of Dr. Andria Peterson, executive director of the program, “Perhaps most notable about Dr. Bartholomew is his kind-hearted, unbiased approach to medical treatment. Participants of the EMPOWERED Program frequently express gratitude for his acceptance of them as individuals. He provides positive feedback, education and is their biggest cheerleader.” His encouragement has helped women recover from substance abuse disorder and he works to give them and their children the tools to succeed in the journey to recovery.
Volunteer Heroes
Northern Nevada
Shelby Hunt, DNP, RN, CEN
Director of Emergency Services | Northern Nevada Medical Center
Starting as a candy striper when she was 14, Shelby Hunt was thinking about a career in healthcare when other kids were still determining their interests. She’s carried that passion with her and now works in healthcare full-time in addition to the hundreds of volunteer hours that she continues to contribute each year.
Hunt graduated from nursing school when she was 24 years old, recognizing that work in healthcare required more than the typical “9 to 5” commitment of other career-paths. She is passionate about giving back to both others in the healthcare field and patients in need and she donates her time generously to do so. Hunt currently serves as director of emergency services at Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) and has now had a 28-year career in healthcare, with 22 years in northern Nevada.
In addition to her full-time responsibilities at NNMC, Hunt has volunteered with the Washoe County Health District Youth Protective Factors Action Group, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women, the Truckee Meadows and REMSA Paramedic Advisory Board, the Nevada Heart and Stroke Task Force and the Class of 2016 Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce Leadership. She is also the second longest-standing volunteer member of the Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement Committee. In addition to her expanded workload during the pandemic, Hunt volunteered over 100 hours in the last year to help tutor nursing students after seeing them struggle with remote learning. Hunt hopes to make an impact on her community and is tireless in her commitment to share her talents with the region.
Southern Nevada
Garfield Matson, Jr.
Volunteer | University Medical Center
Garfield (Gar) Matson is 84 years old. He was born on March 18,, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN and is the oldest of three boys. He served in the Navy and had a career in the medical equipment industry. On November 14, 1959, after only three months of courtship, he and his wife, Brenda, got married. Together they have three children, four grandsons and one great-grandson. When looking to retire, the Matsons chose Las Vegas so they could retire to “no snow”.
He and his wife, Brenda, started volunteering at University Medical Center (UMC) in 2009 and were committed and active in their service at the hospital. Their efforts were focused on bringing joy and a sense of normalcy to young patients at UMC Children’s Hospital and the Lions Burn Care Center. “We found a home with UMC and loved working with them any way we could,” explained Matson. “The playroom at the Children’s hospital was our favorite but any time we could help we went. Many of the staff have become family.” Their weekly visits to the hospital brought tremendous support to pediatric patients and their families. Through the years they also served as foster parents and there are countless stories of how the two intervened to help where they saw a need.
In 2020, after 60-years of marriage, Brenda passed away. Rather than retreat into grief, Matson chose instead to honor his wife’s legacy of compassion and giving back by carrying on the volunteerism they loved. “Brenda passed when the pandemic was in full swing and I was lost,” he said. “When the opportunity to get involved again was presented I was all in.”
Innovator Heroes
Northern Nevada
Kat Geiger, LCSW, CEDS, PMH-C
Founder and CEO | Thrive Wellness of Reno
For much of her professional career Kat Geiger has served in the mental healthcare realm as a tech, therapist, clinical and executive director. She has expertise in treating eating disorders, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, emergency psychiatric intervention and pediatric psychiatric intervention. She has over 20 years of experience in mental health treatment and earned a Master’s in social work from the University of California, Berkley.
An unfortunate reality for Nevada, the state ranks low in mental health metrics. Fortunately, the state has advocates like Geiger who are willing to jump in to improve those metrics. After noticing a lack of mental health treatment options, Geiger founded Thrive Wellness of Reno in 2016, an interdisciplinary mental health treatment center. The center is designed to combat disjointed healthcare and create better outcomes for patients through the combination of several different healthcare disciplines. Through Thrive, Geiger and her team of providers develop individualized therapeutic interventions for each client using evidenced-based practices.
Geiger leads a team of over 30 providers including therapists, registered dietitians, physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, perinatal mental health nurse, practitioners and other office staff. Together they’ve helped over 700 people and have over 120 years of combined experience. Geiger is passionate about developing individualized plans for the clients she works with to help them achieve the best outcome. She also works to assess community gaps for services and takes action to fill those spaces.
Southern Nevada
Erick Vidmar, VHA
Senior Director | Cleveland Clinic Nevada, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Erick Vidmar received his Master’s in healthcare administration from Ohio State University and has been working with the Cleveland Clinic for 17 years. For the past five and a half years he’s been with Cleveland Clinic Nevada and currently serves as senior director for the organization. He has held several leadership positions throughout his career including working for five years with the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi leading the restructuring of the family medicine and outpatient specialty clinics there.
Here in Nevada, Vidmar is responsible for overseeing Cleveland Clinic’s operations including expansion, operations and community projects. His passion for brain health and thinking outside the box to find innovative solutions to problems is evident in the way he leads. He has worked to find clinical expansion opportunities at the center while remaining financially viable and ensuring future growth. Under Vidmar’s leadership, Cleveland Clinic Nevada has become one of the leading and largest clinical research sites in the country for Alzheimer’s. The center has conducted over 100 studies and received recognition for excellence in clinical care, research and education of neurodegenerative diseases.
A nonprofit, Cleveland Clinic has unique problems in the financial realm and, when Vidmar assumed his current position in 2016 the center was operating at a loss. Using his knowledge of the medical landscape and financial management to find creative solutions to this problem, Vidmar began to turn that loss around. Today the loss has been eradicated and a more sustainable model of operational efficiency and improvement is in its place.
Nonprofit Heroes
Northern Nevada
Oscar Delgado
Councilman, City of Reno, Ward 3 | Chair, District Board of Health
CEO | Community Health Alliance
Oscar Delgado is on a mission to build better, more equitable communities in northern Nevada. He does so through his many community and nonprofit responsibilities. Delgado obtained a Master’s in social work and urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan in 2010.
Shortly after obtaining his degree, he moved to Reno and became a program/policy analyst for Washoe County Juvenile Services. There he collaborated with administrators to make policy and program recommendations. From there he went to work with Access to Healthcare Network where he managed a grant that aids children with learning, physical and behavioral disabilities. He also worked with various northern Nevada programs facilitating community education sessions and coordinating assistance with prescription medication for Reno’s drug court.
In 2012, Delgado ran and was elected to represent Reno’s Ward 3 and he was reelected in 2016 and again in 2020. He’s also been a part of connecting multicultural communities, government entities and nonprofit organizations. This career path led him to Community Health Alliance where he currently works as CEO. Community Health Alliance is an organization that provides comprehensive medical and dental services to a range of patients including the uninsured and underinsured. He began with the organization as director of community relations eventually transitioning to chief strategy officer and taking on the role of CEO in October 2019. As head of Community Health Alliance, Delgado has overseen incredible change through the pandemic and helped it grow despite those challenges.
Southern Nevada
Jennifer Wakem
Chief Financial Officer | University Medical Center
Finances are important for nonprofits, perhaps even more so than for-profit organizations. Nonprofits are beholden to their mission, but they must fulfill that mission without the primary goal of generating a profit. University Medical Center’s (UMC) mission is to serve the community by providing patient-centered care in a fiscally responsible and learning-focused environment. It is a nonprofit hospital that’s been in southern Nevada for over 90 years. A large part of the reason UMC is able to fulfill its mission is because of Jennifer Wakem, chief financial officer (CFO) at the hospital. She is responsible for the financial performance of the organization.
Wakem joined UMC in 2017 after working in financial leadership roles for much of her career. Wakem takes a hands-on approach to her role as CFO recognizing that financial requirements must be balanced with patient needs in order for the hospital to be successful. To that end, Wakem marries her attributes of compassion and concern for the well-being of patients and staff with her ability to be a strong financial steward to work closely with clinical experts to achieve goals together.
During the pandemic, Wakem was a vital resource for UMC and helped support the organization in developing a successful crisis response. She has been personally involved with patients who have long-term needs ensuring they are able to get the care they need and is proactive in her role. She is known as a welcoming leader and sets an example for others to follow while always keeping in mind the importance of fiscal responsibility at UMC.
Physician Heroes
Northern Nevada
Jenny Wilson, MD
Emergency Room Director | Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Medical Director | REMSA
With over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Jenny Wilson has a host of accomplishments. She has worked with some of the nation’s most well-known and highly regarded medical schools and hospitals. In her senior year of college at Harvard, Dr. Wilson helped lead the lacrosse team to an NCAA championship title. She then attended John Hopkins University School of Medicine and graduated in the top 5 percent of her class with Alpha Omega Alpha honors.
Before moving to Reno, Dr. Wilson completed an internal medicine internship with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an emergency medicine residency at Albert Einstein School of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. From there, she worked as an attending at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, eventually moving west to work for Sutter Health. In 2002, Dr. Wilson began working for Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and became the medical director for Reno Emergency Physicians Association nine years later. The association is the hopsital’s contracted emergency physician group.
Since 2018, Dr. Wilson has also served as ground medical director for REMSA Health. In that role she oversees ground operations, medical dispatch, education and the nurse health line department. In addition to her professional contributions, Dr. Wilson serves on the Saint Mary’s Board of Directors and the Western Physicians Alliance Board of Directors. “Dr. Wilson has been an integral part of our pandemic response team in the community,” said Tiffany Coury, CEO of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. “She is a cheerleader for her colleagues, her front-line team and the executive teams that she works with. Dr. Wilson has developed strong, long-lasting relationships, and she is incredibly well respected.”
Southern Nevada
Shahid Ahmad, MD
Critical Care Doctor | Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center
When Dr. Shahid Ahmad was young, he recalls his father ingraining in him the concept that, “the world should be better off because you were in it.” He took this concept and allowed it to shape his life and career. Hailing from Tucson, AZ, Dr. Ahmad completed his undergraduate education at the University of Arizona. He went on to complete his medical training at Florida State University and the University of Michigan before returning to the southwest to be closer to home. He landed in Las Vegas and began working it the Critical Care Unit at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center, in the midst of the COVID pandemic.
In a relatively short time, Dr. Ahmad has made a strong mark at the hospital and is admired by both his colleagues and patients for his compassion. He’s had his own battle with cancer and so Dr. Ahmad recognizes how valuable life is. That recognition colors his interactions and leads him to go above and beyond for those around him. From asking the CEO of Southern Hills for permission to bring a patient’s German Shepherds to the hospital to cheer her up to bringing food to the husband of another patient who was so focused on his wife he wasn’t taking care of himself; Dr. Ahmad notices the needs of the people around him. He doesn’t stop there, however, he takes action to care for them and seems tireless in his ability to give.
From volunteering on his days off to sending daily words of encouragement to his teammates at the hospital, Dr. Ahmad is a physician that clearly loves what he does and finds joy in seeing his patients and colleagues succeed.
Lifetime Achievement Heroes
Northern Nevada
Cheryl Hug-English, MD
Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Medical Director of Student Health
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
A third generation Nevadan, Dr. Cheryl Hug-English received her undergraduate degree with a Bachelor’s in biology from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in 1978. She went on to graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) in 1982 and receive a Master’s in public health in epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1985. She spent four years working in Los Angeles before returning to northern Nevada to work the majority of her medical career in the College of Health at UNR.
Dr. Hug-English has served in several leadership roles at the university including working as assistant dean and chair of the admissions committee, associate dean of admissions and student affairs and interim dean for UNR Med. She’s also actively involved in the northern Nevada community and has served on the boards for Join Together Northern Nevada, Nevada Women’s Fund and Saint Mary’s Foundation Board. She served as a member of the Nevada State Medical Board from 1996 to 2004 and as president from 2001 to 2004. Dr. Hug-English has also served on the American College Health Association Board of Directors since 2019 and, this year, is the interim president elect for the board.
A career dedicated to educating future physicians and improving health are hallmarks of Dr. Hug-English’s professional accomplishments. She’s been very involved in with UNR’s Student Health Center and has served as medical director for the center for nearly 30 years. Dr. Hug-English is an institution and beloved at the university. She has served as a pillar of support for students striving through the challenges of medical school. She’s a resource and has helped launch the careers of hundreds of physicians.
Southern Nevada
John Rhodes, MD
Senior Medical Director of Primary and Adult Medicine, Mountain West Region | Southwest Medical
Born and raised in Nevada, Dr. John Rhodes has studied at both the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) in 1988 and completed his residency at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital in Arizona in 1991. He’s served on the admissions committee for UNR Med and was a contributing author to the parenting book, “ABCs of Childcare”. Currently Dr. Rhodes is senior medical director of primary and adult medicine for the Mountain West Region at Southwest Medical, a part of Optum Care.
Dr. Rhodes is a dedicated support of children with special needs and their families. He was named a Lili Clair Foundation Compassionate Care Award recipient. Along with his wife, Dr. Rhodes helped create a pathway program to help children with intellectual disabilities attend Faith Lutheran School. From the beginning of his career, Dr. Rhodes has had a clear mission of addressing the holistic health needs of his native community in southern Nevada. His responsibilities at Southwest Medical allows him to maintain a patient-centric attitude that, in his words, “keeps the ‘care’ part of ‘healthcare’ front and center.”
When he sees a need in the southern Nevada community, Dr. Rhodes steps up to help. One such need is the severe doctor shortage in the area. Rather than trying to recruit physicians already in the area, Dr. Rhodes took it upon himself to travel around the country visiting residency programs, conferences and gatherings of healthcare professionals to recruit physicians to his community. Over the past several years, Dr. Rhodes has recruited around 60 healthcare physicians to southern Nevada thereby helping to ensure the community he loves can thrive into the future.
Southern Nevada
Rafael Zenteno, MD
Neonatologist | Pediatrix Medical Group
Born on July 15, 1945, Dr. Rafael Zenteno obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and his Doctorate from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. He trained in Mexico and through the southwest up until about 1983 working in pediatrics and neonatology. He eventually landed in southern Nevada and has a tremendous impact on the region. He’s served in several roles at hospitals throughout the community most recently working as director of the neonatal intensive care unit and chairman of pediatrics at St. Rose San Martin Hospital as well as a neonatologist for the Pediatrix Medical Group with Sunrise Hospital.
Dr. Zenteno has impacted the lives of hundreds of babies and their families over the course of his career. “I am in awe of his dedication to provide the best care possible to the most vulnerable,” said Deepa Nagar, corporate director of Pediatrix. “At the age of 75 he could have retired or decreased his workload but Dr. Zenento chose to do the complete opposite. He was the first person in the [medical] group to volunteer to work without fear or hesitation. That is true leadership [and] dedication.”
Working to stay up-to-date on the latest training and actively seeking opportunities to improve healthcare, Dr. Zenteno continues to go strong. When asked if he had plans to retire, a small shake of his head and smile were his reply. “I have had the privilege of knowing him for four years and been very impressed by his kindness and competence,” explained Beth Carlson, CNEO with St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena campus. She added, “On a personal note, I am grateful to have Dr. Zenteno care for my grandchild and can only imagine the number of lives he has helped to save in his career. Thank you for giving of your talents to make a difference in a world that very much needs dedicated people like you.”
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Associate Sponsor
Healthcare is in many ways the most significant part of a thriving economy. It is a fundamental part of people’s lives, supporting their health and well-being. Without quality healthcare, Nevada would not be able to attract and grow businesses and the skilled workforce needed to create a strong and vibrant economic future.
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 are the people who dedicate countless hours to ensure that we and our loved ones 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 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 of all, 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 important 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 to Raise Valuable Funds with High-Profile ‘Evening of Hope’
Gala Entertainers, Celebrity Chefs Come Together in Support of UMC
UMC has served Southern Nevada for more than 90 years, providing life-saving services while expanding access to high-quality care across the community. For the first time in UMC’s rich history, the hospital’s foundation will host a large-scale gala to raise funds in support of its community-focused mission.
The UMC Foundation’s inaugural Evening of Hope Gala will take place on October 20, 2022, at Wynn Las Vegas. Made possible by presenting sponsors Felicia and Ben Horowitz and the Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation, the gala will offer an elegant evening of unforgettable experiences for guests.
With a star-studded entertainment lineup featuring headliners Katharine McPhee and Erich Bergen, the gala will include a full evening of one-of-a-kind performances by artists from the Broadway stage and the Las Vegas Strip, including Jeff Civillico and Spiegelworld.
Guests at the gala will also be treated to an endless signature feast served by world-renowned celebrity chefs, including Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (Border Grill), Chef Nicole Brisson (Brezza), Chef Bruce Kalman (Soulbelly BBQ) and many other culinary legends. In addition, the Evening of Hope will include bottomless signature cocktails, unique VIP experiences and an exclusive after-party.
The inaugural gala will support a variety of innovative, patient-focused programs that not only elevate the hospital experience, but also promote improved medical outcomes by reducing stress and offering hope to the people who need it most. Funds raised at the event will directly support child life services, integrative therapy programs, music and pet therapy, and other valuable initiatives for hospitalized patients.
Visit www.umcsn.com/gala to purchase tickets for the UMC Foundation’s inaugural Evening of Hope Gala and learn more about available sponsorship opportunities.
Touro University
Associate Sponsor
Touro University Nevada was established in 2004 to help address critical personnel needs in health sciences and education in the State of Nevada. The university is home to more than 1,600 students in a wide range of degree programs; osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, medical health sciences, and education.
As a private, not-for-profit, Jewish affiliated university, the mission of Touro University Nevada is to provide quality educational programs in the fields of health care and education in concert with the Judaic commitment to social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity. A core component of the university’s mission is to serve others in the community.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Touro’s students and faculty have been on the frontlines providing care to thousands of residents across the Las Vegas valley, starting with free COVID-19 screenings at Cashman Field. As the pandemic progressed, students remained a fixture in the community. Thanks to a generous donation of 200,000 surgical masks from the Cyrus and Michael Tang Foundation, the campus community delivered masks to hospitals, physicians, medical centers, senior care facilities, and first responder agencies throughout the valley. In addition, Touro’s faculty and students, in partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District, created more than 20,000 COVID-19 test kits.
Touro’s students also launched #MedReady, a website that allowed students to provide volunteer services to the Southern Nevada community, including free K-12 online tutoring; free undergraduate and MCAT online tutoring; grocery pickup for seniors, first responders and healthcare workers; and other frontline opportunities for healthcare students.
Students under faculty supervision have administered nearly 20,000 COVID-19 vaccinations across the Las Vegas valley, including mass vaccination events on campus and numerous points of distribution (PODs) at Catholic Charities, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Lutheran Services of Nevada, Sun City Anthem, the East Las Vegas Community Center, and many more.
