DR. SEAN S. AMELI AND DR. BERGE J. DADOURIAN OF THE AMELI HEART CENTER
TOP 2014 DOCTORS
2014 | VOL. 4 SPONSORED BY:
Advertisement
NEVADA STATE BANK ASSISTS ONCOLOGY PRACTITIONERS Here at Nevada State Bank, we continue to assist our medical professionals with needed working capital, equipment loans, and other short-term financing, in order for their practices to thrive. In the field of Oncology, never has there been a better time to work with our medical professionals in achieving these goals, since the technology literally “changes by the day” and new advancements are realized often in this very important field. Our dedicated team of professional bankers understand that advancements in this field—like the new Calypso® System, advanced Radiation Oncology, Radiosurgery and more—are changing the scope of cancer treatments, but are still very expensive to purchase and implement without a financial partner understanding specialists’ needs. Nevada State Bank has made the medical industry one of its highest priorities, assisting medical professionals with equipment, staffing and other office-expense related items. We also help them gain the capital to finance these projects. We understand that physicians need state-of-the-art equipment to better treat their patients for the best possible results. The Calypso® System is an excellent tool that gives clinicians the ability to provide maximum radiation treatment in very specific areas that will not harm surrounding healthy tissue. So many of our physician clients are a beacon of the community. They save lives each and every day and continue to provide the needed medical services to the Valley’s ever-growing population. As research continues to change the way many physicians practice and administer medical services, rest assured, Nevada State Bank, Professional Banking Group will be there to assist them too.
— Dean G. Collins
Senior Vice President, Nevada State Bank 888.851.3651 Dean.Collins@nsbank.com
Nevada State Bank is committed to supporting southern Nevada’s medical community. As a proud sponsor of Healthcare Quarterly, we hope you find great value in the news and information included in this great publication.
WHEN YOU’RE IN THE FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE, IT HELPS TO HAVE AN ARMY ON YOUR SIDE.
UNITED TO REDEFINE CANCER CARE Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada treats more patients than all other Nevada treatment centers combined. For two decades, we have been affiliated with the world-renowned UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and The US Oncology Network – one of the nation’s largest networks of community-based oncology practices.
UNITED WE HEAL • Through our affiliation with The US Oncology Network, you can put the knowledge and experience of nearly 1,000 physicians nationwide on your side. • Your individual treatment plan will draw on nearly 1,300 clinical research trials involving more than 56,000 patients.
RIGHT HERE IN NEVADA • Comprehensive is the only oncology-specialized practice in the state of Nevada to be affiliated with both UCLA and The US Oncology Network. • Comprehensive is now conducting more than 170 Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical research studies in Nevada. • As one of the leaders in UCLA’s research network, Comprehensive delivers the same groundbreaking treatments in state and close to home, without patients ever needing to travel to UCLA. • More than 4,000 out-of-state patients come to Comprehensive each year to secure the strongest possible allies in their fight against cancer. • Comprehensive has helped develop 49 FDA approved cancer therapies.
Cindy Enerson Family
Diagnosis: Breast, Ovarian & Colon Cancer
This means no matter what you face, chances are we’ve faced it before. Comprehensive possesses the absolute latest medical research to support your own unique course of individual treatment. And if your participation in a research study could benefit you, we can give you opportunities that simply don’t exist elsewhere.
Ask your doctor about Comprehensive. Visit cccnevada.com for more information or call 702.952.3350 to schedule an appointment today.
United in Healing
The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health. © 2014 McKesson Specialty Health. All rights reserved.
Whether it’s fingers and toes or eyes and nose,
Fusch Commercial Interiors & Design can diagnose your office woes!
Let FCI & Design give your office the right prognosis.
We treat the design and function of your office to meet the needs of your budget, while setting the level of your expertise. Please contact us for an in office visit. Hours:
Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday & Sunday Closed
Visit Our Showroom
Fusch Commercial Interiors & Design 6415 S Tenaya Way #145 Las Vegas, NV 89113 (702) 202-4227 www.theproducerslv.com
TOP SURGEON TOP FACILITY Dr. Lane Smith is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Las Vegas, Nevada who has been awarded the honor of Top Doctor for 3 consecutive years. In his 13-year-period as a plastic surgeon, he has performed over 15,000 plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Smith has four board certifications, including plastic surgery and facial plastic surgery. Dr. Smith’s extensive education, training and expertise can help meet your aesthetic goals. Contact Dr. Smith today. It would be his privilege to consider and care for you as a patient.
ACCREDITED ON-SITE SURGICAL CENTER
|
C H I C L A V I E O N - S I T E M E D S PA
SMITH PLASTIC SURGERY WORLD-CLASS SURGEON WITH WORLD CLASS RESULTS
CONTENTS
64 COVER FEATURE Top Doctors 2014
38
OUT FOR BLOOD United Blood Services seeks donations in summer months.
42
56
THE NEXT GENERATION Interlukin-2 immunotherapy program makes huge strides in cancer treatment.
46
JUST A TAP AWAY Southwest Medical Associates finds innovative ways to use technology in health care.
51
A FOCUS ON SENIORS Southern Hills Hospital offers senior programs.
52
VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE Prepare for changing medical landscape with new building.
56
THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY Sunrise Children’s Hospital is Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive children’s hospital.
77
MEDICAL PROFILES Southern Nevada health care professionals are profiled in our medical advertising section.
97
COMMUNITY 97
MAKING THE ROUNDS Southern Nevada health care events in pictures
100
CALENDAR Upcoming events and classes
106
THE LIST Skilled nursing facilities
108
BY THE NUMBERS Health care facts and figures
110
LOOKING BACK Valley Hospital paved way for growth of Valley Health System
8
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
64 COLUMNS 20
ADMINISTRATOR Jill Bernacki, Trauma Intervention Program of Southern Nevada
22
TECHNOLOGY Raul Meoz, M.D., F.A.C.R., Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Southern Nevada
26
WELLNESS Andrew M. Cash, M.D., Desert Institute of Spine Care
30
REAL ESTATE Stacy Scheer, Colliers International Las Vegas
34
HEALTH CARE LAW Kristin H. Cogburn, Cogburn Law Offices
TOP 2014
DEPARTMENTS 82
DOCTORS
85
86 88
Samuel E. Green, M.D., F.A.C.C., Nevada Cardiology Associates
PATIENT SUCCESS PROFILE Jeff Thompson, Solutions Recovery
90
NONPROFIT Q&A Nevada Health Care Association
DR. SEAN S. AMELI AND DR. BERGE J. DADOURIAN
93 COVER PHOTOGRAPH L.E. Baskow
DOCTOR Q&A Kelly S. Schmidt, M.D., Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
OF THE AMELI HEART CENTER
Dr. Susan A. Reisinger, a practicing radiation oncologist for 29 years, is one of Las Vegas’ 2014 Top Doctors.
THE NOTES Notes from the health care community
TOP 2014
CONSUMER Q & A David Marlon, Solutions Recovery
DOCTORS
2014 | VOL. 4 SPONSORED BY:
95
HEALTH TIPS The lastest health and nutrition news
Dr. Susan Reisinger photo by Steve Marcus
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
9
FROM THE EDITOR
A
s a father of four, I’ve sat in more than my share of physician waiting rooms, urgent cares and hospitals over the years. That’s the way it is when you’re a father of some very active children. Living in such a sports-minded household over the past 17 years — translation: four kids involved in various soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, track and field and basketball seasons — there have been trips to the doctor for more things than just immunizations, ear aches, strep throats and stomach viruses. And I won’t even mention the times Dad had his own set of “owies” from the softball diamond and then reconstructive ankle and leg surgeries last year. In witnessing their births, having tubes inserted in a few of their ears, getting their tonsils and adenoids removed, authorizing a rotator cuff/torn labrum surgery, and watching them mend from a broken tibia plateau, an ACL replacement and a few broken digits, the Langrell household has managed to experience many of the health care industry’s specialties. A magazine such as “Top Doctors” certainly would have come in handy over the years! This is the fourth consecutive year that we’ve published this popular edition since the Las Vegas Life nameplate went on hiatus in 2007. This year, it’s back under the VEGAS INC name and as part of our Health Care Quarterly magazine. As promised, you’ll find the current list of the top doctors in Southern Nevada inside. This year, we factored in several physician-rating services. VEGAS INC considers criteria such as years of experience, board certification, education, disciplinary history, training, professional achievement, industry recognition and awards. These ratings are regularly refreshed based on new information gleaned from doctors as well as from certifying, licensing and disciplinary boards. We’ve listed top doctors in each of 36 specialties. All of that is book-ended in an issue full of health care news, columns, Q&As and features that you’ve grown familiar with in HCQ. You’ll also find our Medical Profiles section in this issue, a compilation of paid advertisements of bios of doctors who want to let you know what they offer in the local medical community. There’s little question that selecting a doctor for your family can be difficult. Although it’s easy to scroll down the list of providers that your benefits provider hands out each year and find one convenient to your home, we all know that’s not an ideal solution. With our guide, you now can take a more educated approach. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor: Comprehensive Cancer Cancers of Nevada and our cover sponsor for this issue of Health Care Quarterly: Nevada State Bank. We also appreciate the support from Tableau at Wynn Resort for hosting our celebration soiree. We hope you find this special feature of Top Doctors in Health Care Quarterly useful in the coming year. Find a spot for it on your desk, your office or your coffee table at home, where it can be of service to your family. Until next time,
Rob Langrell Editor of Custom Publications rob.langrell@gmgvegas.com
12
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES AND EMERGENCIES.
FROM TODDLERS TO TEENS, THE PERFECT ER. We offer the region’s largest, most comprehensive ER designed just for kids (and teens). You’ll be comforted to know your child will be seen by emergency physicians who specialize in pediatric medicine 24/7. Visit SunriseChildrensHospital.com or call (702) 233-KIDS (5437).
Specialists from Head to Toe
Remember, you can text “ER” to 23000 to learn average wait times in our ER. Message and data rates may apply. For more info visit texterhelp.com
FROM THE SPONSOR
W
ynn Las Vegas is proud to honor our valley’s best doctors and care centers as part of the Top Doctors 2014 event. We would like to congratulate each of you and express our gratitude for all that you do to care for the men, women and children of Las Vegas. You are shining examples for our community. We hope you enjoy Tableau, our elegant poolside restaurant that has become a top spot for breakfast meetings, power lunches, private dinner parties and events. With a bright and sophisticated interior that transitions beautifully to the outdoors, Tableau features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of our meticulously landscaped gardens and pools. Located inside the Forbes Five-Star Award-winning Wynn Tower Suites, Tableau can accommodate semi-private and private events of up to 100 people. It is the perfect location for office parties, holiday celebrations, association cocktail receptions, corporate events and family reunions. Like all Wynn restaurants, Tableau’s world-class chefs can customize an event menu to suit any occasion. For more information, please call 702.770.2251. Congratulations again to the 2014 Top Doctors.
14
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Tableau photo courtesy of Wynn
FROM THE SPONSOR
C
omprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) is proud to sponsor the 2014 VEGAS INC Top Doctors publication and event, which recognizes the dedicated physicians who are leaders in their field and in the community. CCCN would like to congratulate all of this year’s honorees. We are honored to work with VEGAS INC to showcase the top medical professionals who are working together to provide quality health care in Southern Nevada. For more than 35 years, CCCN has been a steadfast advocate for quality cancer care. Today, we offer 11 treatment centers and offices throughout the valley, focused on medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery and research. Over the years, we’ve become affiliated with some of the most reputable cancer-fighting organizations in the world, including The US Oncology Network and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA. Through our national affiliations and local community partners, we bring world-class treatment options to patients right here in Nevada. CCCN participates in more than 170 clinical research studies each year and our doctors have helped develop 49 FDA-approved cancer therapies, accounting for nearly one-third of all approved therapies to date. While extremely proud of our accomplishments, we keep pushing forward to collaborate with other medical professionals, organizations and research institutions to offer the most modern and effective treatments for our patients. Like Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, more local medical groups, practices and hospitals are participating in research than ever before – all committed to bringing new treatments and technologies to our city. Our community’s top doctors are not only being recognized here in Southern Nevada, but across the globe as well. And that is something we can all be proud of. To all of the Top Doctors: congratulations. We’d like to thank all of you for your outstanding service and unwavering dedication to your patients, our community and our profession. Sincerely,
James Kilber, MBA Executive Director Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
15
PUBLISHER TRAVIS KEYS (travis.keys@gmgvegas.com)
EDITORIAL EDITOR OF CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS ROB LANGRELL RESEARCH LIBRARIAN REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ RESEARCHER PASHTANA USUFZY
ART ART DIRECTOR MICHELE HAMRICK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS L.E. BASKOW, CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS,
Las Vegas Life Magazine Top Doctors 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
“Voted one of the best doctors in Las Vegas”
STEVE MARCUS, SAM MORRIS PHOTO COORDINATOR YASMINA CHAVEZ
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OF SALES OPERATIONS STEPHANIE REVIEA PUBLICATION COORDINATORS KASHMIR DIXON, SUE SRAN MAJOR ACCOUNT MANAGER MARK DE POOTER MAJOR ACCOUNT COORDINATOR KAREN PARISI BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SALES MANAGER GUY BERTUZZI GENERAL SALES MANAGER JAMAL PARKER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR KATIE HARRISON MAJOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS MARK DE POOTER, JEFF JACOBS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES SHELLEY BRUNNER, VINCE DUROCHER, JULIE EAGER, JEFF FARGO, KELLY GAJEWSKI, KENNETH HARMON, FRANCHOT HUTCHINSON, TREVOR LAYNE, BREEN NOLAN, JESSICA ZIVKOVITCH
PRODUCTION VICE PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING MARIA BLONDEAUX
Tony Alamo, M.D.
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL HUNTSBERRY PRODUCTION MANAGER BLUE UYEDA PRODUCTION ARTISTS MARISSA MAHERAS, DARA RICCI
• Graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine • Volunteer for Search and Rescue and Tactical Physician for the Metro Police SWAT division. • Past Chief-of-Staff of two prominent hospitals • Current seated Gaming Member of Nevada Gaming Commission. • Past Chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission • Aviation Medical Examiner Dr. Alamo, born and raised in Nevada, established Alamo Medical Clinic in 1994.
Congratulations to Dr. Alamo on his 6th year as a “Top Doc”.
TRAFFIC SUPERVISOR ESTEE WRIGHT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER SEAN RADEMACHER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS CARLOS HERRERA TRAFFIC COORDINATORS MEAGAN HODSON, KIM SMITH
DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION RON GANNON ROUTE MANAGER RANDY CARLSON FULFILLMENT MANAGER DORIS HOLLIFIELD CIRCULATION RESEARCH SPECIALIST CHAD HARWOOD
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP MANAGER MICHAEL URIARTE EVENT MANAGER KRISTIN WILSON
GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT & CEO PAUL HAMILTON PUBLISHER LAS VEGAS SUN BRIAN GREENSPUN
ALAMO MEDICAL CLINIC Tony Alamo, M.D.
Angela S. Miller, M.D.
(702) 456-4011 www.AlamoClinic.com 56 N Pecos Rd, Ste A • Henderson, NV 89074 16
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
EXECUTIVE EDITOR TOM GORMAN MANAGING EDITOR RIC ANDERSON PUBLISHER OF ONLINE MEDIA DONN JERSEY ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS DELEN GOLDBERG CREATIVE DIRECTOR ERIK STEIN VEGAS INC 2360 CORPORATE CIRCLE, THIRD FLOOR HENDERSON, NEVADA 89074 | 702.990.2550
When Your
Health is on the Line,
You Have a Clear Choice Desert Radiologists is dedicated to exceeding the expectations of patients, referring physicians and the healthcare community. Our expert team of 60 board-certified radiologists provides the highest level of diagnostic and interventional imaging care at 10 Nevada hospitals and five fully accredited outpatient facilities. And this year, to provide greater convenience, we are proud to announce the opening of a sixth center in northeast Las Vegas, meeting the needs of the entire community.
702.759.8600
www.DesertRad.com
Timeless Beauty for Modern Professionals
T
he Fisher Center is coming soon to LOOK Style
Society at Town Square Las Vegas this summer.
Inside this stunning and comprehensive beauty venue, Dr. Orna Fisher offers Medical Spa services and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation including Botox and filler injections. Cosmetic surgery of the face and body is done at an accredited surgery center and includes multiple procedures such as: Blepharoplasty (eye lift) Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) Face and neck lift Fat transfer Breast augmentation, lift, reduction, and major re-do’s Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) Liposuction Tummy tuck and “Mommy Makeovers” Body contouring after major weight loss Labiaplasty Call for questions about any procedure not listed above
ORNA FISHER, M.D. PLASTIC SURGEON
Limited-time complimentary consultations and skin-care evaluations.
5380 S. Rainbow Blvd., Ste 210. Las Vegas, NV 89118 Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lasvegasplasticsurgeon
To schedule your consultation or for information regarding any procedures, please call:
702.362.5960
www.drfisherlasvegas.com
features
Our Baby of the Month.
Photographer: Meghan Poort
Aaleiyah’s Story It was a long six-year journey for mom and dad to finally meet their beautiful girl Aaleiyah. After meeting with Dr. Littman in 2008, they began IVF treatments the following year. The couple was able to retrieve and freeze 10 embryos, and mom got pregnant on the first try. However, it wasn’t meant to be and she miscarried. The next try with a frozen embryo transfer the following year ended in a biochemical pregnancy (a very early miscarriage). With no possible causes found to reveal the reason for the miscarriages, mom and dad decided to take a break from trying. In 2013, they attempted another frozen embryo transfer. The transfer initially resulted in a twin pregnancy, however one of the babies stopped growing at six weeks. But not Aaleiyah. It was her time to enter this world. Mom and dad were ecstatic! Congratulations to mom, dad and our Baby of the Month, Aaleiyah, for not giving up on your long road to parenthood. Such an incredible story of hope and determination produced our gorgeous, well-deserved Baby of the Month.
To learn more about Red Rock Fertility, visit us online at www.redrockfertility.com Red Rock Fertility Center is Nevada’s 1st and only boutique-style center specializing in personalized physician care and expertise in an intimate, cozy setting. Giving the gift of life all year long. Eva Littman,
Mark Severino,
Shannon L. McGrath,
Practice Director, Trained at Duke & Stanford Universities
Medical Director, Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Received Master’s Degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University with the Highest Honors
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
“ Voted 2012, 2013 and 2014 Top Infertility Doctor”
6410 Medical Center Street, Suite A • Las Vegas, NV 89148 870 Seven Hills Drive, Suite 103 • Henderson, NV 89052
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
“2012 Compassionate Doctor Award”
Schedule An Appointment Today 702-979-7475
M.S.N., W.H.N.P.-C.
Follow us on:
A D M I N I S T R AT O R C O L U M N
TRAUMA INTERVENTION PROGRAM ASSISTS FAMILIES, FRIENDS OF TRAGIC INCIDENTS By Jill Bernacki
I
magine a recent newsworthy tragic scene: a fatal multicar accident, a homicide or a drowning accident. Then, picture how many emergency responders need to be involved at that location in the immediate aftermath. Fire, paramedic and police will all be there, and perhaps the coroner’s office, CSI or detectives too, depending on the case. All of these professionals serve a specific purpose whether it is to solve the crime, put out a fire, attempt to save a life or restore safety. While the emergency responders are hard at work, there are other individuals on these scenes as well – the victims. Imagine the panic, fear, shock and sadness these individuals may feel. To support the victims, volunteers from the nonprofit organization Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Southern Nevada are there to provide the emotional and practical assistance that the victims might need in the immediate aftermath of tragedy. TIP is a national nonprofit organization founded in Southern California in 1985 by mental health professional Wayne Fortin after he realized there was a desperate need for immediate, on-scene support during and after a tragedy. There are currently 13 active affiliates across the country, with one more in development. TIP is built on four core principles: providing a caring presence on scenes of tragedy, being available for the community’s daily disasters, responding to emergency responders on-scene requests 24 hours a day and helping TIP volunteers become involved in the community and growing as individuals as a result. For the Southern Nevada TIP affiliate, 2014 is a milestone year, marking 20 years of service in Clark County. Growth is measured by the number of “calls” that requested TIP volunteers, as well as the number of volunteers it retains. In 2013, TIP was requested and responded to more than 1,200 scenes of tragedy. Eighty percent of requests for TIP volunteer presence are to support individuals after they have encountered a death in their home. They are most requested to be on scenes following “natural” deaths, however they also frequently are called to scenes of suicides, homicides, overdoses and accidental deaths. The other 20 percent of on-scene requests range from
20
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
motor vehicle accidents, robberies, fires and tragedies that occur in a public setting. TIP volunteers respond to scenes of tragedy at the request of police, fire, paramedic, hospital, coroner’s office representatives and other emergency responders. Their primary focus is to provide support to those who are struggling to find the ground underneath them in the immediate aftermath of tragedy. TIP volunteers might find themselves supporting: an elderly woman who just became a widow, the driver of a vehicle who hit and killed a pedestrian or a child who happened to be at a convenience store with their parent during a robbery. Although it is shocking to know individuals in Las Vegas and its surrounding communities encounter a large number of crisis situations, many have found it comforting to know that TIP is supporting these individuals in time of need. Currently, TIP has 70 volunteers who have all completed an intensive training program that includes 35 hours of initial nationally certified training, a thorough application and screening process with background checks, three months of field training and monthly continuing education. Each volunteer commits to a minimum of 36 hours of volunteer work each month. The work performed by TIP volunteers varies from call to call. They are taught to pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal cues “clients” give in order to determine what type of support is needed. TIP volunteers will most likely always begin with providing emotional support by simply being a caring presence to a person who is in shock or who is beginning the grieving process. Volunteers are able to provide practical assistance by informing those on the scene of the process that is taking place amongst the emergency responders on the scene. Volunteers also help those they are serving to prioritize all of the demands they are facing. Common questions TIP volunteers help answer include: • “How does one plan a funeral?” • “What do we do with social security?” • “How do I tell the children their sibling has died?” • “What do we do next?”
TIP volunteers offer a 42-page resource guide to at least one person on each scene. The guide provides a comprehensive listing of community resources including support groups, counseling services, funeral homes and government agencies that might be helpful in the aftermath of tragedy. The guide also provides an explanation of the coroner office’s process as well as answers common questions individuals might have after a death. TIP’s website (TIPofLasVegas.org) also offers numerous resources specific to certain types of tragedy. The success of TIP wouldn’t be possible without the relationships it has with all of the local emergency agencies. “They are an extension of our office. Our job would be much more difficult without them,” said Clark County Assistant Coroner John Fudenberg. Following each call, a survey is sent to the primary investigating officer, charge nurse or lead emergency personnel on scene. Access to these sensitive scenes requires that volunteers maintain the highest standards possible, and to ensure constant improvement, feedback is significant in retaining relationships. Police officers and firefighters often tell members of TIP, “I think of calling you before I do anything else,” and when on a tragic scene, this is a comment that TIP volunteers take great pride in. TIP has three full-time staff members who manage the day-to-day operations of the organization, handling administrative functions, fundraising, recruiting and managing volunteers. The staff also provides education to the valley’s emergency responders regarding not only the volunteer program, but also emotional first aid for the emergency responders themselves. TIP staff also rotates being on-call 24 hours a day, to respond to high-profile scenes, provide assistance to volunteers and handle calls for service when all volunteers are already assigned to other calls. Being
so hands on with the operational aspect of TIP keeps the mission in the forefront of staff members’ minds. To say the work that TIP does is enjoyable would not be appropriate – as we all wish crisis didn’t happen. However, the harsh reality is that tragedy does happen every day. The work at times may be thankless, challenging, unpleasant or tough. However, the volunteers will not think twice to quickly come alongside someone during the worst moment of their life – often sitting next to them in the middle of a street, wiping their tears, holding their hands as they scream, or accompanying them to say goodbye to their deceased loved one for the final time. These meeting don’t occur because someone is having a good day – but to say the TIP volunteers are honored to be with them during those difficult times is an understatement.
Jill Bernacki is the CEO of Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Southern Nevada.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
21
TECHNOLOGY
HDR, CYBERKNIFE ARE SOME OF THE NEWEST CANCER-FIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES HELPING IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR MANY PATIENTS By Raul Meoz, M.D., F.A.C.R.
M
edical technology is evolving and the treatment of cancer is no exception. Take a look at how the treatment of breast cancer has advanced in our lifetime. Just 40 years ago, a breast cancer diagnosis essentially guaranteed a mastectomy, despite the size of the primary tumor. These days, lumpectomies, radiation therapy and contemporary medical technology provide patients with much more targeted treatment plans and are precise and less time-consuming experiences. Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) has national affiliations with UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the US Oncology Network and the Nevada Cancer Research Foundation, which allows the practice to collaborate with some of the field’s most respected authorities in cancer research and treatment. Through these affiliations, Southern Nevada is home to world-class medical technology and treatments that patients can access locally without the need to travel. CCCN actively researches new cancer treatments and utilizes the latest in treatment technology, hosting more than 170 clinical research studies each year. These studies eventually lead to new therapies, drugs, treatments and medical techniques that are implemented and accepted in respected clinics across the country. While each therapy has its own delivery methods, the traits of precision and time-effectiveness are becoming more and more prominent in today’s technology. A prime example is High Dose Rate brachytherapy (HDR).
eters. Then, a high dose of radiation is given to a limited area, sparing the surrounding normal tissue and reducing potential side effects. HDR is utilized to treat a number of different types of cancers, including cervical, prostate and breast cancers. A treatment that once was reserved for gynecological malignancies and cervical cancer is being employed across the oncology spectrum. This technology is not only helping patients, but radiation oncologists as well. HDR machinery is equipping oncologists with a much more user-friendly experience, allowing them to provide quicker results and faster plans for patients. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) involves treating the lumpectomy cavity in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Utilizing HDR, APBI can be completed within a five-day span, with treatments twice per day. While APBI has been an effective treatment for over a decade, the technology and outcomes surrounding it, HDR included, continues to improve.
HDR success stories For many patients, HDR is a personal choice as it not only can reduce treatment times, but it can also improve
High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Each High Dose Rate brachytherapy (HDR) treatment lasts only a few minutes, causes little discomfort and has a short recovery time. HDR uses a radioactive source that travels to the tumor site to be treated via specially designed cath-
High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment causes little discomfort and has a short recovery time. Continued on page 24
22
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
The Valley Health System Five hospitals. One passion. Quality care. The Valley Health System hospitals are conveniently located throughout Las Vegas and provide comprehensive care.
For a FREE physician referral Call Direct Doctors Plus® 702.388.4888
Emergency Care All of The Valley Health System hospitals offer: • ER Wait Times Online • Text EZ to 379248 • erjustgoteasier.com ER wait times and ER Reserve available on your smart phone, laptop, tablet and computer any time. ER Reserve lets you request a time in the ER when you need emergency care for non-life-threatening conditions.
• Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Centers • Certified Chest Pain Centers • Robotic, minimally invasive surgery
Specialty programs: • Maternity care & neonatal intensive care units
• Children’s Medical Center
• Diabetes treatment centers • Wound care services • Surgical weight-loss center
www.valleyhealthsystemlv.com
Centennial Hills Hospital • Desert Springs Hospital Spring Valley Hospital • Summerlin Hospital • Valley Hospital
Hills Hospital Medical Center 1 Centennial 6900 North Durango Dr. • 702-835-9700 Springs Hospital Medical Center 2 Desert 2075 E. Flamingo Road • 702-733-8800 Valley Hospital Medical Center 3 Spring 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. • 702-853-3000 Hospital Medical Center 4 Summerlin 657 Town Center Drive • 702-233-7000 Hospital Medical Center 5 Valley 620 Shadow Lane • 702-388-4000 ER Wait Time is an average provided for informational purposes only. ER Reserve should be used only if you decide your care can wait until the time you select. Do not wait if your symptoms or conditions worsen or if you need immediate care since delays may complicate your condition. If you are unsure of your condition or if your condition worsens, then please go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1. Some insurance plans may not cover an ER visit if it is deemed urgent care or may apply a different copay. Please check your covered benefits with your insurance provider for details. Text message and data rates apply. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of The Valley Health System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
Follow our hospitals on
TECHNOLOGY Continued from page 22
outcomes by minimizing the damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Locally, CCCN patient Ann Larson opted for accelerated partial breast irradiation therapy following a lumpectomy. Looking forward to a trip of a lifetime, something Ann and her husband had been planning for years, she was leaving for an African safari 10 days after her scheduled treatment. Ann was able to complete her treatment in five days by receiving two 10-minute treatments per day, one in the morning and one six hours later. “It was a good option for me because a week and half after I completed the treatment, we left on our safari,” Ann said. “It was well worth it to have the treatment go so quickly. I experienced no discomfort while on my trip and I had so much fun. It was wonderful.”
Exclusive to CCCN in Southern Nevada, CyberKnife is being used to target hard-to-reach cancers and tumor sites.
Taking on skin cancer According to the American Cancer Society, more than 81,220 Americans will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer this year. CCCN will soon begin utilizing HDR technology to treat those with skin cancer and melanoma. This treatment will provide an alternative to soft X-ray machines being used at dermatology practices. Using special applicators designed for skin cancer, HDR can be completed in just seven to eight treatments administered over a two- to three-week span, as opposed to alternative treatments given on a daily basis for a much longer time period. Additionally, no surgery is required and the HDR applicator targets cancer on the skin’s surface.
HDR and beyond Besides HDR, CCCN also offers a number of other medical technologies, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), ImageGuided Radiotherapty (IGRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and CyberKnife Radiosurgery. CyberKnife is exclusive to CCCN in Southern Nevada and is utilized to treat brain tumors, head and neck tumors, lung tumors, liver lesions, prostate cancer, spine tumors, previously irradiated tumors and many other hard-to-reach tumor sites. Operated by CCCN’s own specially
trained radiation oncologists, CyberKnife can target and eradicate tumors anywhere on the body with incredible precision. Traditional radiation treatment is radiotherapy, in which cancer cells and adjacent normal cells receive low doses of radiation. The normal cells can repair themselves, but with unstable DNA, the cancer cells cannot. As a result, after as many as 40 treatments over time, the tumor shrinks and ultimately stops functioning. Radiosurgery, like CyberKnife, delivers a much higher dose of radiation in as many as one to five treatments. To spare surrounding healthy tissue from exposure, radiosurgery relies on precision and accuracy. CyberKnife is highly useful as an adjunctive therapy. In many cases, it is used in combination with conventional radiation therapy or chemotherapy to maximize treatment efficacy. It’s technology such as HDR, CyberKnife and the other treatment and research options available at CCCN that give doctors and patients much more hope. In 2014, nearly 14,000 Nevadans will be diagnosed with cancer. CCCN is armed with a research-driven approach and the modern equipment needed to take on cancer.
Dr. Raul Meoz is a radiation oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.
24
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
WELLNESS
BOSSES WHO HAVE THEIR WORKERS’ ‘BACK’ MAY AVOID PAIN, INJURIES IN THE LONG RUN By Andrew M. Cash, M.D.
B
ack disorders are the most common form of ill health at work, and are often caused by ordinary work activities such as sitting in an office chair or heavy lifting. Both business owners and employees have a role in preventing workplace back injuries. For business owners, applying ergonomic principles can help prevent work-related back pain and back injury and help encourage workers to maintain a healthy back. For employees, learning the proper way to care for and strengthen their back is essential to preventing any condition. For business owners, it is important to provide a healthy working environment by:
Training managers to perform ergonomic evaluations regularly Educate managers on proper ergonomics including looking at the way an employee sits, types, moves around their workspace and more. A simple evaluation can uncover areas of improvement that need to be addressed. By training someone to perform these evaluations within the company, you’ll save on hiring a consultant and will always have someone readily available to ensure a healthy work environment is maintained.
Encouraging employees to request assistance if necessary Encourage employees to be proactive when it comes to their safety and health. Let employees know that you are open to suggestions regarding ergonomics and will efficiently address any concerns. Consider setting up evaluations for each employee every six months to a year to tackle any problems that could surface.
26
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Purchasing ergonomically conscious furniture Make the decision to spend a bit more on office furniture that is designed ergonomically correct. The return on investment and pain prevention will be worth it.
Getting employees moving Consider including office-friendly stretches in the company’s monthly employee newsletter and encourage employees to take breaks to walk and move around. Stretching has many benefits and relieves tension in muscles, making employees more aware of their posture in general. For employees, maintaining your back health at work can be accomplished by: Continued on page 28
The #1 Choice for All-Laser LASIK
by Local Eye Doctors...and a Whole Lot More! Wellish Vision Institute is a high-quality multispecialty eye care practice that combines modern state-of-the-art technology and the expertise of a team of doctors to offer the latest in all-laser LASIK vision correction, advanced cataract removal with premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), premier fellowship trained glaucoma treatment and management, implantable collamer lens (ICLs), dry-eye treatment, diabetic eye care management and much more. At Wellish Vision Institute, we can help you find the best solution for your eye-care needs. All of our surgeons are fellowship trained at some of the top institutions in the country.*
Dr. Kent Wellish was Nevada’s first laser vision surgeon, starting his practice in 1994. He is truly a “doctor’s doctor,” having been voted a “top doctor” for LASIK by his peer physicians on multiple occasions. In a recent survey, local eye doctors’ offices were asked to whom they would send their patients, family and friends for LASIK eye surgery, and their number one choice was Dr. Kent Wellish!
Front Row: Aiyin Chen, M.D., Kent L. Wellish, M.D., Jay K. Mattheis, M.D. Back Row: K.C. McCandless, O.D., Chris C. Shen, M.D., Jefferson Langford, O.D.
Services
• Nationally Recognized All-Laser LASIK • Monovision LASIK • Nationally Recognized Advanced Cataract Removal with Premium IOLs and Astigmatism Correction • Advanced Dry Eye Treatments with LipiFlow® and IPL • Dry-Eye Treatment Center of Excellence • Glaucoma Treatment and Management*** • Diabetic Ocular Screening Exams and Management • Pterygium Removal • Intacs and Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) Treatment for Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia**** • ICL Implants for High Levels of Nearsightedness • Flapless LASIK (Advanced PRK) • Ocular Screening for People Taking Plaquenil
Limited - Time Offer
$1,000 off All-Laser LASIK + 0% financing for 24 months
**
‡
Call us now at 702-733-2020 to schedule your
free All-Laser LASIK consultation. Must have LASIK performed by September 30, 2014. East Location 2110 East Flamingo Road, Suites 210 & 211, Las Vegas, NV 89119 West Location 2555 Box Canyon Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128
WellishVision.com VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN WHY OUR DOCTORS ARE SOME OF OUR BEST-KEPT SECRETS *U.S. News & World Report. **For a limited time only. Certain restrictions apply. Not to be combined with any additional offers. For risks and benefits, see our website. ***Drs. Chris Shen and Aiyin Chen are fellowship trained at some of the top glaucoma fellowship training programs in the country. ****CXL FDA study site. Not yet FDA approved. Call for appointment to see if you qualify for FDA study or other treatments. Approval expected in early- to mid-2014. ‡LASIK financing with approved credit. Offer expires 6/30/2014.
WELLNESS Continued from page 26
Taking regular breaks to get up, walk around and stretch
vent constantly looking down at your desk. Wrist rests for the keyboard and mouse can also be helpful.
Stay active and get your blood flowing throughout the day. Be sure to stretch and move around throughout the day, as sitting in an office chair for prolonged periods can cause discs to become compressed. Disc compression can cause pain, poor posture and may worsen over time.
Varying your tasks, so that you are trying to avoid the same movements for prolonged periods using the same part(s) of your body
Sitting up comfortably in a chair that supports your lower back Your office chair should swivel, provide lumbar support, have good padding, have an adjustable backrest and allow you to rest your feet comfortably on the floor. If your office chair is lacking any of these properties, you may want to ask your employer to replace it or spend the money to replace it yourself. Be sure that you adjust your chair height so your forearms are comfortably resting on the desk and your elbows are at the right angles. Employ the principles of ergonomics to maintain good posture while you are working. Make sure your computer screen is eye level and maintain a viewing distance of 18-24 inches. Use a document holder to pre-
Remember to change your posture as often as possible. Sustained positioning can result soreness and pain in the back. Frequent short breaks are better for your back than fewer long ones – muscles have a chance to relax while others take the strain.
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, drinking plenty of water and not smoking Keeping yourself healthy is the answer to preventing many conditions. Take care of your body with healthy food, stay hydrated and avoid smoking. In addition, combine fitness activities, such as walking, biking or swimming, with targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles in your back and abdomen.
Dr. Andrew Cash is a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and the founder of the Desert Institute of Spine Care in Las Vegas.
28
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
R E A L E S TAT E
PULSE OF LAS VEGAS’ HEALTH CARE MARKET IS RETURNING, BUT PLAN FOR SOME CHANGES By Stacy Scheer
T
he numbers are in, and health care real estate in Las Vegas has taken a turn for the better so far in 2014, with positive net absorption of 45,362 square feet coupled with a healthy decrease in vacancy to 18.8 percent and a slight increase in asking rental rates over fourth quarter of 2013 to $2.11 per square foot on a full service gross basis. Tenant confidence in the health care sector has begun to return, translating into longer-term leases, taking on more space and adding satellite locations. But with more than 1.2 million square feet of vacant medical space currently out in the market, until this sector experiences a significant increase in absorption of existing space, demand for new facilities will remain stagnant. Notwithstanding recent on-campus expansions such as those at Mountain View Hospital and St. Rose Dominican Hospital’s Siena Campus, construction of ground up facilities off hospital campuses has remained non-existent since fourth quarter of 2011. However, just as the traditional office market is seeing a resurrection of its halted projects, such as the One Summerlin Tower at the Shops at Summerlin and The Gramercy (formerly Manhattan West); medical developments are also being revived.
The restart of the mixed-use Centennial Hills Center Medical Campus located south of Centennial Hills Hospital is well under way with phase one consisting of a two-story and seven single-story medical office buildings, totaling 113,500 square feet, scheduled for completion in mid-2014. Phase two of the project would bring an additional 180,000 square feet of space, 45,000 square feet of which is retail. Remodels of existing facilities are also on the rise as an economical alternative to new construction. There are multitude planned medical projects in the Valley, including several assisted-living, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, such as the 300,000-square-foot mixed-use Citra Symphony Park Senior Living and Care Campus positioned between the Smith Center and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center in downtown Las Vegas, and the $1.6 billion, 228-acre mixed-use Union Village health care complex planned in Henderson, demonstrating that growth is on the horizon. Beyond the impact of the “Great Recession,” the recovery of the medical office market in Southern Nevada has taken multiple blows due to the implications of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Delivery of care is evolving and so are health care facilities in size, location, design and The planned Citra Symphony Park their acquisition and dispoSenior Living and Care Campus will sition strategy. be located between the Smith Center Consolidation is driving and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo space needs. Health care Center in downtown Las Vegas. providers of all sizes are realizing the financial benefits of economy of scale by either aligning with the major health systems and universities or joining dominant medical groups. Larger practices require larger spaces that impact the real estate market in two ways: increased vacancy of smaller facilities and increased demand for large, contiguous spaces. Landlords with multi-tenant buildings will need to relocate smaller Continued on page 32
30
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
“City National has a knack for taking care of every detail.” My efforts need to be concentrated on the best patient outcomes, not worrying about accounting controls or day-to-day financial transactions. I want to work with a bank that has the best products, the best training, the best people and the best experience – and that’s City National. City National is The way up® for my business.
Steven Thomas, M.D. Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute Hear Dr. Thomas’ complete story at cnb.com/Knack4Detail.
Experience the City National Difference.
SM
©2014 City National Bank
Call (702) 425-6559 or visit cnb.com to find a business banker near you.
City National Business Banking
CNB MEMBER FDIC
R E A L E S TAT E Continued from page 30
tenants in order to amass the necessary square footage to house these larger medical groups. Geographic diversification has become the new tool in capturing market share. Urgent cares, off-campus emergency departments, and primary care facilities are shifting to patient-centric, non-traditional locations in neighborhood retail centers strategically located in more affluent residential neighborhoods in high-traffic, high-visibility intersections, often near competing provider locations. Doing so provides name recognition for health systems and drives patient traffic back to their acute care facilities. This “retailization” effect helps alleviate retail vacancy, but will continue to hinder the medical office recovery. Expect design to get a face-lift. The medical office of the future will focus on efficiency and patient experience. Multi-specialty medical groups are consolidating space needs by sharing common spaces, such as waiting rooms, break rooms and restrooms. Environments that were once dark and sterile will be replaced by colorful, more open, airy designs with extensive natural light. In addition, advances in technology are making physicians and nurses more mobile, eliminating the need for doctors’ offices, large nurses’ stations, and even file storage.
Cash is king. With declining reimbursements and increasing costs, mitigating a facilities’ real estate costs has become top priority. Nonrevenue generating functions such as administrative offices and billing are being moved off-campus or being outsourced to third-party vendors. Health systems are monetizing non-core assets via sale-leaseback arrangements, freeing up capital to enhance their balance sheets and reinvest in infrastructure, technology, and renovate facilities. Leasing is becoming the preferred acquisition method for off-campus facilities to take advantage of low lease rates, free rent incentives, and tenant improvement allowances in order to offset extensive build-out costs. Providers are also utilizing an adaptive use strategy by repurposing former grocery stores and vacant inline and big box retail spaces to get to market faster and mitigate initial capital outlay for construction. So what does all this mean for health care real estate in Southern Nevada? The health care real estate market – like health care – is going through a significant transition. Demand is trending upward but until the valley experiences a major uptick in job growth resulting in net absorption, lack of new construction and competition for tenants are expected to continue.
Stacy Scheer, CCIM, LEED Green is an associate at Colliers International – Las Vegas.
Top Doctors in Weight Loss Once Again! Dr. Erik Evensen and Dr. Dana Trippi of Premier Physicians Weight Loss and Wellness want to thank their community and peers for their continued support. Their practice thrives on a personalized and deeply supportive weight loss program. Patients along with their health care provider set realistic weight loss goals and learn how through small tailored changes in diet, exercise, behavior modification and with the help of pharmacotherapy, how to achieve and maintain a healthier weight for the rest of their lives. They see patients in an expeditious manner, are affordable, they do accept some insurances, and are located conveniently on Decatur just north of Charleston, with close access to I-15 and I-95.
702.822.7400 607 S. Decatur Blvd. | LV, NV 89107 | www.wellnesslasvegas.com 32
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Continue the Care by Coordinating the Care
Care management is vital in delivering patient-centered care, yet it is often missing in care options for our nation’s aging population. As the nation’s largest, fully diversified post-acute care provider, Kindred is delivering solutions to patients, families, hospitals, and managed care organizations to improve patient care, reduce rehospitalizations and lower costs. We are committed to playing a leading role in solving the challenges of aging by managing and coordinating the unique care and rehabilitative needs of each patient. Come see how Kindred continues the care every day at ContinuetheCareVegas.com
TO REFER A PATIENT, CALL: 702.784.4333 888.378.9431
CONTINUE THE CARE ContinuetheCareVegas.com
In the Las Vegas area Kindred offers services in: 3 Transitional Care Hospitals • Subacute and Transitional Care Unit • Outpatient Rehabilitiation Services • Outpatient Wound Clinic • Home Health RehabCare Contract Rehabilitiation.
H E A LT H C A R E L A W
PROTECT YOUR HEALTH AND RIGHTS AFTER AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT By Kristin H. Cogburn
A
utomobile accidents can often be a traumatic and confusing ordeal. Even if you have been in a prior accident, each accident is unique. It may be difficult to know exactly what to do when you’re involved in a car accident. You, or the other party involved in the accident, may be injured or experiencing anxiety, fear and stress. All of these factors can hinder your ability to assess your physical condition and respond correctly, which may have detrimental consequences if you later pursue a personal injury claim. Here are some helpful tips if you should ever be involved in an automobile accident:
After the auto accident
statement or accept liability. Sometimes your own insurance can become an adversarial party if the other driver doesn’t have adequate or valid insurance. • Do not speak with the adverse insurance company or provide a statement. Your insurance can provide the details and speak with them on your behalf. This includes communications for property damage claims. • If you feel you’re injured or have questions, contact an attorney immediately. If you retain an attorney, he or she will proceed with all communications with the insurance companies and it’s advisable that you not speak with the insurance companies once you hire an attorney. Many attorneys will handle your property damage claims in addition to any personal injury claims you may have.
• Directly after the accident, make sure that you and your passengers are not injured. • If someone in your vehicle, or in the other vehicle involved, is injured call the police immediately. This is important to ensure that proper medical assistance arrives at the scene. It’s also important as the police will prepare a traffic accident report. This will help with any liability issues that may arise later. • If the accident occurs in Henderson or North Las Vegas, contact the police so they will arrive at the scene and assist in determining liability. If the collision happens in Las Vegas and you are not aware of any immediate injuries, the police will not be dispatched pursuant to their new policy. • They will arrive if someone does not provide insurance or if there was a hit and run driver involved. It’s critical that you document all evidence at the scene. Gather witness information (name, address, phone number). Take pictures of the vehicles, property damage, the surrounding areas and any injuries you or your passenger experiences. Take pictures of the license plate, VIN number, insurance cards and licenses. Make sure to take notes of the surrounding area, road and weather conditions and any traffic signals that are present at the scene. • Contact your insurance company to inform them you have been in an accident. Do not provide a recorded
• If you feel you may be injured, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Many times the adrenaline and anxiety you experience after an accident may mask the full extent or presence of an injury. • Even if you feel you’re not injured, you should be evaluated by a physician. You may feel sore or pain days or weeks later. If you feel an ER visit is not necessary, it is advisable to visit your primary care physician within a day or two of the accident. • If you have health insurance you should provide the hospital this information. If you do not have health insurance, the hospital may work out a payment system with you. • Make sure to describe the auto accident and all your injuries in detail to the doctors. Even if pain or injury appears minimal, make sure to disclose it so the doctor can make a note of it. • If you’re told to have follow-up treatment, make sure to do as directed. If it’s recommended that you continue with treatment with another provider, make sure you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Don’t wait to continue treatment. You want to avoid any gaps in treatment. • Focus on healing and recuperating from your injuries and let your attorney do the rest.
Injuries
Kristin H. Cogburn is a co-founder and partner at Cogburn Law Offices in Las Vegas.
34
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
HEALTHCARE BANKING
JURIS BANKING
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BANKING
CPA
BANKING
Medical, legal, and accounting practices need experienced banking professionals who speak their language. Our Professional Practice Banking groups know your industry and can provide products and services specifically designed with you in mind.
Call today to get the conversation started. 702.248.4200 bankofnevada.com/professionalbanking 5/14
A division of Western Alliance Bank. Member FDIC.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America® Leads the State In Integrative Care Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) in Phoenix is revolutionizing oncology treatment. As a result, cancer patients from across the nation travel to CTCA® for cancer care. This innovative hospital combines leading edge treatments including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery with scientifically supported, complementary therapies including nutrition, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, spiritual support, massage therapy, acupuncture, oncology rehabilitation and chiropractic care. All of these therapies, as well as comprehensive digital imaging and lab services, are provided under one roof, while maximizing efficiency and coordination of care while minimizing stress on patients. CTCA is also the nation’s first and only all digital cancer hospital. “No other hospital in the country provides a comprehensive, personalized and integrative approach to treating cancer,” Joel Granick, MD, medical oncologist at CTCA explains. “We believe it is important to treat the whole person, not just the cancer. We also believe in providing the Mother Standard® of care in the delivery of that treatment.” Choosing the right treatment facility is one of the most important decisions a patient and their caregivers will make in their journey with cancer. Each day, cancer patients from across the nation come to CTCA to receive care from a team of highly skilled clinicians and physicians with expertise in treating all forms of cancer, including complex and advanced-stage disease. The hospital’s travel program assists qualifying patients with expenses incurred while traveling for care. Upon arriving at CTCA, patients receive an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan developed by cancer experts across multiple disciplines who work together as a team. According to Edgar D. Staren, MD, PhD, MBA, president and CEO of the Phoenix hospital, this revolutionary approach to medicine developed at CTCA, known as Patient Empowered Care®, advances care through health literacy. “Time is one element, but even more important are the value and quality of the communications and interactions with their care team,” Dr. Staren says. “When patients are provided clear and thorough information and an understanding of their condition, they are empowered to make educated decisions about their cancer care. We believe this will lead to improved quality of life.” Advocating for patient empowerment through health literacy, CTCA publishes quality of life data and survival outcomes for the most common cancer types on their website. To learn more about the unique, integrative treatment options available at CTCA, or to speak with an Oncology Information Specialist for more information, visit cancercenter.com or call 888-214-9488. - Scott Wellman
“I joined CTCA from MD Anderson because all of my research and work has been motivated by the thought of giving patients every option to beat their disease.” NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
Maurie Markman, MD Specialty: Medical Oncology Years Practicing: 21 years Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
“Memorial Sloan-Kettering gave me a solid foundation and better prepared me to practice at a cancer center with an integrated team of oncologic specialists. ”
RADIATION ONCOLOGIST
Lanceford M. Chong, MD, MPH Specialty: Radiation Oncology Years Practicing: 21 years Medical School: University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
“Our Patient Empowered Care® model puts the patient at the center of a team of highly motivated oncology care providers, giving the patient more time with their providers, improving communication, and offering a high level of care and convenience for the patient.” DIRECTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Shauna Birdsall, ND, FABNO Specialty: Naturopathic Medicine Years Practicing: 12 years Medical School: National College of Natural Medicine
“At CTCA, our highly trained healthcare professionals utilize state of the art technology and scientifically supported complementary medicines, resulting in optimal comprehensive cancer care.” Matt McGuire President and CEO CTCA, Phoenix
888-214-9488
CANCERCENTER.COM © 2014 Rising Tide
Let us handle your employee benefit packages so you can get back to business. Call today for a free LeavittCare consultation.
Go with the local leader in benefits. Call us today at 702-932-4600
Leavitt Group Benefits Services 7881 W. Charleston #140 | Las Vegas, NV 89117
38
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
OUT FOR BLOOD UNITED BLOOD SERVICES SEEK DONATIONS THIS SUMMER
By Paul Milakeve
E
very two seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. United Blood Services of Southern Nevada is doing everything it can to assist those who need blood in Nevada and parts of Arizona and California. So far, generous donors have provided United Blood services with 14,821 units of blood products in 2014. One donation can impact as many as three lives, and UBS is grateful for everyone who takes the time out of their day to donate blood. Giving blood can be a selfless act. The odds of a donor meeting the person Continued on page 40 SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
39
LEMPER
PAIN CENTERS
LEADERS IN INNOVATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT Dr. Brian Lemper is one of the area’s top doctors in his field. Lemper Pain Centers is leading the country in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. As one of the few teams performing this procedure, we are able to help relieve the pain from:
+ SPINAL INJURY
Continued from page 39
whose life was saved because of the donation are slim, but that doesn’t stop people from taking time to donate blood and make a difference in someone’s life. Now isn’t the time to get complacent, however. United Blood Services is always in need of all types of blood, especially blood types O-positive and O-negative. Summer is also coming, and the season of sun provides United Blood Services with a bevy of challenges come June, July and August. In those three months, UBS sees a decline in donors. It happens for a variety of reasons that go beyond the organization’s control. First, there is the searing desert heat that prompts people to remain indoors for long stretches to avoid being out in triple-digit temperatures, reducing their ability to go out and donate. The
+ ARTHRITIS + SPRAINS + HEADACHES + SCIATICA
Don’t Spend Another Day in Pain! Call today for a consultation:
702.272.0500 Dr. Brian Lemper
www.DrLemper.com 5950 S. DURANGO DRIVE | LAS VEGAS 89113
40
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
One blood donation can impact as many as three lives.
heat doesn’t only affect potential donors. Blood donation mobile units struggle to keep cool as well, making blood drives on mobile units an exercise in perseverance. Then there is the challenge of one of the biggest donor groups not being easily available in the summer: high school students. High school students, who make up 15 percent of the organization’s total donations for a year, are out of school and enjoying time away from the campus. This causes UBS to miss out on up to 1,000 units a month when students are enjoying the three-month hiatus. Take into account
there are people who live in Las Vegas for only eight months out of the year before traveling back to cooler temperatures for the summer, and UBS loses a lot of its usual donors. That makes the summer months a difficult time for gathering blood donations. That’s why it’s more important for those on the fence about donating blood to take a leap of faith and give blood at one of UBS’ three locations, or take part in one of the many blood drives that will be scheduled. Unfortunately, many people don’t consider giving blood until someone close to them is in need of a transfusion. Now is the best time to be proactive. In those summer months when donations drop, first-time donors or those who haven’t donated in quite some time can help make up the shortfall. UBS relies heavily on its community partnerships during these months. The community partners allow the organization to reward donors for their time. Giving our donors gifts provides incentive for them to make a day out of a donation by giving them
another activity to enjoy other than simply donating blood, such as seeing a show like “Raiding the Rock Vault,” attending a Las Vegas 51s baseball game or enjoying a free dinner. UBS works endlessly to partner with local businesses to provide gifts for donors. Last year, the organization was able to reward a donor with a one-year lease for a new car among other things such as working with Penn & Teller for the annual event “13 Bloody Days of Christmas” in December. Even with donor gifts from its partners, UBS still needs more help from the community. Aside from giving blood, businesses that aren’t partners with United Blood Services can get help by hosting blood drives on their properties, bringing the blood drives to their employees and making it easier to donate. Businesses can also help by providing UBS with gifts as a way to thank donors for their donation. Every little bit helps, and UBS is grateful for everyone who donates regardless of the time of the year. UBS’ mission will always be about saving lives. United Blood Services is fortunate to have such generous donors from all around Southern Nevada, who make it possible to save lives when tragedy strikes. Without the donors, UBS could never fulfill its mission of providing blood to those who need it at critical times. For more information on United Blood Services, visit its website unitedbloodservices.org/lv or call (702) 228-4483. Paul Milakeve is the donor recruitment manager at United Blood Services in Las Vegas.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
41
Dr. Walter Quan, Jr. is a board-certified medical oncologist, chief of medical oncology and director of immunotherapy at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear, Ariz.
42
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
THE NEXT GENERATION INTERLUKIN-2 IMMUNOTHERAPY PROGRAM MAKES HUGE STRIDES IN CANCER TREATMENT By Walter Quan Jr., M.D.
T
he incidence of melanoma has increased approximately two-fold over the last 20 years to approximately 76,000 new cases in 2013. Similarly, primary cancers of the kidney have also increased in frequency to 65,000 cases. While both cancers are surgically curable in their early stages, they are notorious among medical oncologists for being resistant to virtually all of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat the most common solid tumors. Despite the encouraging, although temporary tumor shrinkages seen with newer targeted chemotherapy such as vemurafenib in melanoma and sunitinib in kidney cancer, prolonged disease-free survival is seen in both cancers only with immunotherapy, specifically Interleukin-2.
Interleukin-2 is a naturally occurring, moderate-size protein with the primary purpose of activating lymphocytes as part of a person’s normal immune function. Because of genetic engineering, it’s now available in quantities much larger than what individuals are able to generate on their own. Particular interest in this molecule arose in 1985 when Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D. and his colleagues at the National Cancer Institute reported that out of 25 patients with metastatic, incurable cancer, 11 experienced tumor shrinkage by at least 50 percent, with one patient with metastatic melanoma having all disease disappear. The other responding patients included those with kidney cancer, colon cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Unlike cytotoxic chemotherapy, Interleukin-2 does not have any direct effect against cancer cells. Instead, Interleukin-2 binds to receptors on a patient’s lymphocytes, converting them into cancer killers. In light of the therapy’s success, Interleukin-2 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992 for use in metastatic kidney cancer and in 1997 for metastatic melanoma. Today, with the application of Interleukin-2, approximately 6 to 7 percent of patients with metastatic kidney
cancer or metastatic melanoma will have their cancer disappear completely, and another 8 to 10 percent will have a decrease in tumor volume of 50 percent or more. Not to mention, these results have been seen to be long-lasting. The majority of patients who received Interleukin-2 are still alive, showing no evidence of disease four-and-a-half years after they initially responded to the treatment. Appropriate dosing remains a drawback to therapy. The approved schedule resembled that of the National Cancer Institute in which patients receive three intravenous doses per day for five consecutive days (up to 14 doses). Additionally, the most common side effects of immunotherapy (fever, rigors, nausea, fatigue), as well as a “capillary leak” syndrome, has led to fewer centers actively administering this therapy at the current time. Of those who do, many administer the treatment in the Intensive Care Unit and/or limit its use to patients younger than 50 years of age. What that translates to, is that more than 50 percent of patients with metastatic melanoma or kidney cancer would never be considered for treatment with these dosing restrictions in place since the median age of both cancers is older than 60. Continued on page 44
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
43
Continued from page 43
WE GIVE OFFICES THE PROPER “DUDE” FACTOR. Visit Our Showroom
Fusch Commercial Interiors & Design 6415 S Tenaya Way #145 Las Vegas, NV 89113 (702) 202-4227 www.theproducerslv.com 44
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Understanding these concerns, approximately 20 years ago, a group of investigators, of which I am one, sought to maintain the activity of intravenous Interleukin-2 therapy but reduce toxicity and allow for a wider age range of patients to receive this treatment. Dr. Malcolm S. Mitchell at the University of Southern California/Norris Cancer Center developed a “West Coast” regimen allowing for patients with melanoma, and subsequently with kidney cancer, to receive single intravenous doses of Interleukin-2 daily on Monday through Friday for two consecutive weeks. Dr. Gross found that by giving about 20 to 33 percent of the standard chemotherapy dose of cyclophosphamide, immune function could be further enhanced without the severe toxicity noted in the inpatient studies. This treatment schedule could be repeated every 21 days, which then resulted in five percent of patients having their melanoma disappear completely, 18 percent having their tumor volume decrease by at least 50 percent, and 13 percent having their tumor volumes decreased by 25 to 49 percent. Additionally, patients up to 75 years of age could be treated. While there have been amazing advances in Interleukin-2 therapy, this treatment is not suited for all patients with metastatic melanoma or kidney cancer. Parameters that are considered before recommending Interleukin-2 therapy include whether the patient has symptoms from their cancer, whether they are able to perform all of their own routine care, whether they have normal liver function, they also cannot have any current brain metastases, history of stroke, or a need for oxygen supplementation. In preparation for the treatment, all patients must pass a lowlevel cardiac stress test as people with atherosclerotic heart disease would be at risk for heart attack, and as they begin the treatment regiment, all patients must have routine blood work done on the first day of each treatment cycle. The level of physician involvement, along with a dedicated, well-trained nursing team, is essential to the success of the Interleukin-2 immunotherapy program. Cancer Treatment Centers of America patients are examined daily prior to the start of each treatment to ascertain any symptoms they may have experienced from the prior therapy and to determine if there are any clinical signs that would indicate a premedication is needed to reduce side effects. Worst-case scenario, the day’s intended Interleukin-2 dose should be withheld. Patients are watched closely in the outpatient infusion center for common side effects including fever, rigors and nausea, which are reversible with post-therapy medication. Vital signs are conducted at least hourly, and in the case of low blood pressure, they are treated with intravenous saline. The physician sees patients approximately midway through their observation stay and then again prior to discharge from the center. Multiple physician visits allow for pre- and post-Interleukin-2 supportive care regimen adjustments for the next day’s therapy. In the past last 20-plus years, the investigation of Interleukin-2 has led to the creation of variations to attempt to further increase the activity against melanoma and kidney cancer. Both cancers are, unfortunately, increasing in incidence, but we are making therapeutic advances in both diseases. Currently the opportunity for long-term, disease-free survival is best seen with the Interleukin-2 therapy.
WellHealth Quality Care A Multi-SpecialtyAccountable Care Network
The Nation’s Healthcare System is Changing! As a physician directed provider network, WellHealth is leading the way in the management of patient care. Each of our physician members have committed to working together with his or her colleagues to improve the delivery, quality, and value of our healthcare system.
wellhealthqc.com
(702) 545-6116 Call our provider network specialists today to discuss participation options
My.WellHealthQC.com | facebook.com/WellHealthQualityCare @WellHealthQC | (855) 404-WELL
JUST A
TAP AWAY FROM KIOSK CHECK By Samuel Bauzon, M.D., M.M.M., C.P.E.
S
outhwest Medical Associates is the oldest and one of the largest multi-specialty medical groups in Southern Nevada. One of the key differences between Southwest Medical and its competitors is its embrace of innovation and technology to strengthen customer service and maintain an ongoing competitive advantage. Many of our baby boomer and senior patients are as computer savvy as their younger counterparts, and are active participants in their health care. Across the age spectrum, patients want secure access to their personal health record 24/7 from their computer or smart phone. Continued on page 48
46
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
-INS TO PHONE APPS TECHNOLOGY BRINGS SIMPLICITY TO HEALTH CARE
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
47
Continued from page 46
Several online services provided by Southwest Medical include My SMA Health Online, My SMA Health Online Mobile Internet and My SMA Mobile App, which take patients to the SMA Portal. Once in the portal, patients have access to a clinical visit summary that includes their list of active medical conditions, active medications and allergies and their plan of care. Telemedicine is one aspect of these technological endeavors that Southwest Medical is pioneering to improve patient accessibility to care. It uses telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical health care at a distance. It helps eliminate distance barriers and can improve access to medical services that would often not be consistently available either in distant communities, or with patients for whom transportation or scheduling may be an issue. Southwest Medical’s telemedicine program, known as NowClinic, is part of Southwest Medical’s concept of On-Demand Medicine, providing patients with access to medical care via a variety of venues, 24/7 and without an appointment. NowClinic is a Skypelike technology that meets regulatory and privacy compliance and allows patients using their computer or mobile device to have a virtual visit with Southwest Medical providers. The scope of care through NowClinic is limited to nonurgent conditions, but nothing comes close to NowClinic in terms of convenience and access to medical care for our patients. It’s like having your doctor making a house call, yet virtually. NowClinic has surpassed 1,000 telemedicine visits since Southwest Medical launched the service on Jan. 1. Another valuable use of the SMA Portal is the patient’s ability to send an e-visit to their clinicians. E-visits are essentially e-mails that patients may send to their clinicians and expect a response within 24 hours in a secure HIPAA-compliant environment. Like the NowClinic visits, patients may only send e-visits for nonurgent conditions. In addition, they may request refills of their prescriptions that can be sent electronically to their local pharmacies or their Prescription Benefit Managers and they have the ability to check current wait times for the Urgent Care centers. They can also make referral requests; gain access to their medical records (e.g., laboratory or X-ray results) and have easy access to health and wellness educational materials and programs tailored to their needs, such
48
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
as classes on diabetes, heart health, pregnancy, preventive health, smoking cessation and weight management. Another feature is called Health Risk Assessment (HRA), which identifies a patient’s health and lifestyle profile and provides personalized recommendations to improve their overall health. TouchPoint, another health care technology effort of Southwest Medical, is a fast and convenient answer to scheduling and checking in for an appointment. Similar to the self-serve kiosks one might use when checking in at an airport, the TouchPoint kiosks are easy to use and add tremendous value to the patient experience. When a patient schedules an appointment online via the SMA Portal, the patient can pay their co-pay and print out a check-in pass, not unlike an airline boarding pass, allowing them to check-in and avoid waiting when they arrive for their appointment. The patient walks up to the TouchPoint kiosk next to the front desk, scans the check-in pass and is ready to be seen by the clinician. When patients arrive for their appointment, if they haven’t used NowClinic is part of Express Check-In, Southwest Medical’s they can check-in telemedicine program at the TouchPoint and provides patients kiosk with their with access to driver’s license or medical care via a a health insurance variety of venues card. The co-pay 24/7 and without an can be made with a appointment. credit card. Southwest Medical is also reviewing the TouchPoint system and exploring opportunities to use the self-service kiosk as a tool for educational videos, gathering demographic data and printing medical forms. For any business considering the merits of technology in client service, measurement is essential in documenting success. When I developed e-visits for use at Southwest Medical for my Masters thesis in 2010, Southwest Medical had only 6,184 e-visits for that year, with only the adult medicine department (internal medicine and family medicine) participating. By 2013, Southwest Medical had 30,613 e-visits from various departments, including pediatrics, OB/GYN, rheumatology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, podiatry, neurology, urgent care, convenient care, NowClinic and health and wellness. Southwest Medical has been tracking Portal metrics since 2008. For January 2014 alone, out of 58,854 log-ins there were 45,712 views for medical records, 54,587 views of test results and 12,842 referral inquiries. What’s more, of the total log-ins for the month of January, 21,769 were done using mobile devices. The statistics are very convincing when it comes to baby boomers. Of the total e-visits sent, about 50 percent came from younger
commercial patients but a surprising 26 percent came from senior patients older than 65 years. Of these, 61 percent are females and 39 percent are males. For January 2014, there were 2,247 scheduled appointments online; 1,019 used the Portal to make payments, and 427 used Express Check-In. As a forward-thinking organization, Southwest Medical began implementing an enterprise-wide Electronic Medical Record system beginning in the early 2000s. For those who may be unfamiliar with the concept, Electronic Medical Records (EMR) – sometimes referred to as Electronic Health Records (EHR) – is a systematic collection of electronic health information about an individual patient or population. It is a record in digital format that is capable of being shared across different health care settings. In some cases this sharing can occur by way of network-connected, enterprise-wide information systems and other information networks or exchanges. EMRs may include a range of data, including medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal statistics like age and weight and billing information. Southwest Medical’s clinicians are well versed in the advantages of having an EMR system and patients reap the many benefits that an EMR system brings. These systems are designed to accurately capture the state of the patient at any given time. Its key benefit is that it allows for an entire patient history to be viewed without the need to track down the patient’s previous medical record volume, and assists in ensuring data is accurate, appropriate and legible. It reduces the chances of data duplication, as there is only one file that can be modified, which means the file is constantly upto-date when viewed at a later date and eliminates the problem of lost forms or paperwork. Because all of the information is in a single file, it makes it much more effective when extracting medical data for the examination of possible trends and long term changes in the patient. Another major initiative for Southwest Medical is actively participating and in engaging patients to opt-in for HealtHIE Nevada, a Health Information Exchange (HIE) initiative which is expected to dramatically improve a secure and timely exchange of medical information among many health care entities in Southern and Northern Nevada. An HIE provides the capability to electronically move clinical information among disparate health care information systems with the goal of facilitating access to and retrieval of this data to provide safe, timely, efficient, effective and equitable patient-centered care. These systems are also useful to public health authorities in assisting in analyses of the health of the population. Benefits include reduced expenses associated with: the printing, scanning and faxing of documents, including paper • and ink costs, as well as the maintenance of associated office machinery the physical mailing of patient charts and records, and phone • communication to verify delivery of traditional communications, referrals, and test results the time and effort involved in recovering missing patient infor• mation, including any duplicate tests required to recover such information
For the Health of Your Business • • • • •
Business Formation and Structure Sales and Acquisitions Contract Review and Negotiation Healthcare Compliance/HIPAA Fraud and Abuse/Licensing Investigations
WWW.NUTILEPITZ.COM
1070 W. HORIZON RIDGE, STE 210 • HENDERSON, NV 89012 • 702.307.4880 675 SIERRA ROSE DR, STE 101 • RENO, NV 89511 • 775.284.1020 @NutilePitzLaw
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
49
Continued from page 49
Increased access to these medical data would reduce duplication of unnecessary tests and reduce healthcare cost, improve quality of care and better manage the patient population – the “Triple Aim” that Southwest Medical is striving for. It may seem that each day brings hundreds of new phone apps to the market. Southwest Medical keeps pace with these changes in order to enhance patient engagement with their own health care, sometimes referred to in the medical field as “patient activation.” Patient activation means equipping patients to obtain the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to take a proactive role in their health. Activated patients engage more in healthy behaviors such as healthy diet and regular exercise, self-management of their medical conditions, medication adherence and other behaviors linked to positive health outcomes. Several apps are now available for patients that monitor their physical activities during the day and sleep patterns at night. I participated in a small-scale pilot when I enrolled a small number of senior patients to wear an accelerometer called Fitbit. As a physician participant in the pilot, I wore one of these devices to encourage some of my patients to join, and I have been wearing the device even after the pilot program concluded. My personal goal is 10,000 steps daily. From the time I wake up in the
morning to the time I get home from work, I take roughly 4,000 steps, which means having to use the treadmill to walk or jog another 6,000 steps to meet my goal. The end result is that I am maintaining my weight without working too hard for it. Fitbit is just one example of self-monitoring apps that encourage patient engagement and equip patients to become more proactive with their own preventive behaviors, and are a good step towards the patient-physician coach relationship that Southwest Medical strives to have. Despite the advances – and advantages – of technology, the personal relationship between doctor and patient outweighs all other factors. One of the best uses of medical technology in the present day is ready access to medical information. This also has potential risks, as people may access medical information from online sources that are not reputable or reliable. This is where a good doctorpatient relationship is of the utmost importance – it is simply irreplaceable. As patients become more knowledgeable and medically sophisticated, physicians and caregivers must be prepared to keep up with the vast volume of medical information available so that we are able to continue giving valuable medical advice and insight to patients.
Dr. Samuel Bauzon is medical director of clinical documentation and quality initiatives and director of informatics at Southwest Medical Associates.
33 Physicians at the Top of their Field. 9 Honored as Top Docs by Las Vegas Life. One Vision. Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada congratulates our nine physicians named Top Doctors by Las Vegas Life. The dedication shown by you, and the entire practice, is helping to make a future without cancer, a reality. HEMATOLOGY / ONCOLOGY Heather J. Allen, MD, FACP Fadi S. Braiteh, MD Khoi M. Dao, MD Edwin C. Kingsley, MD Wolfram E. Samlowski, MD, FACP Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD
50
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
RADIATION ONCOLOGY Dan L. Curtis, MD Raul T. Meoz, MD, FACR GENERAL SURGERY Souzan E. El-Eid, MD, FACS 702.952.3350 • cccnevada.com
SENIOR-FOCUSED SERVICES A HIGH PRIORITY AT SOUTHERN HILLS HOSPITAL By Kimball S. Anderson, CEO, Southern Hills Hospital
A
s the aging population grows in the Las Vegas Valley, Southern Hills Hospital recognizes that there many ways to address the needs of our senior citizen population in a healthcare setting. Most recently, Southern Hills Hospital identified and implemented programs and elements that specifically assist senior patients, in hopes that their experiences are the best that they can be during an especially vulnerable time. The Senior Care Initiative at Southern Hills is aimed at accommodating senior patients and their families in various ways such as, but not limited to:
• Opened RISE (Respect, Inspire, Strengthen, Empower) Behav-
ioral Health, providing both inpatient and outpatient programs for ages 50 and older coping with behavioral health symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: depression and anxiety; loss of cognitive abilities; dealing with grief and loss; and more. For more information and/or an assessment, call 702.880.2415.
• Earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Alzheimer’s disease program. This certification award recognizes Southern Hills’ dedication to continuous compliance with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
• Became a NICHE [Nurse Improving Care for Healthsystem
Elders] certified hospital (only one of two hospitals in Las Vegas), enhancing the care and education of our nursing staff specifically focused on special care for senior patients.
•
Added amenities in the Emergency Department such as painted door moldings to visually aid in depth perception while navigating in the ER; installed wall clocks with enlarged numbers for easier reading; and purchased senior-friendly furniture.
• Implemented animal-assisted therapy in the RISE Behavioral Health unit, with plans to expand pet therapy to additional units in the hospital.
For more information, visit SouthernHillsHospital.com or call (702) 880.2700 to find a physician, receive free nurse advice or register for a class.
Time for a checkup? Meadows Bank is a financially strong and secure local bank committed to our community. With a ’5-star rating’ and highly ’personalized and private’ banking experience, we can strengthen the health of your money and financial future. We offer a full suite of deposit and loan products including: Conventional/SBA 504 and 7(a) Loans Office Buildout Loans Medical/Dental Equipment Financing Practice Purchase Loans Online Banking/Cash Management Lock Box/Remote Deposit Capture All deposits FDIC insured to the maximum limits
702.471.2265 | www.meadowsbank.com SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
51
52
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE PREPARES FOR CHANGING MEDICAL LANDSCAPE By Florence Jameson
A
lexander Goya was in his late teens when he started noticing swelling and pain in his neck and armpits. He couldn’t explain the constant weight loss, his lack of appetite and the extreme
fatigue he felt every day. Just as Goya began experiencing these symptoms, his father was laid
off and could no longer afford health insurance for his family. With progressively intensifying symptoms and no health care coverage, Goya thought he had nowhere to turn – until he found Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada.
Continued on page 54
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
53
Continued from page 53
VMSN is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to providing uninsured Nevadans with access to preventative and comprehensive medical care. The physicians at VMSN found that he had a form of cancer known as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that makes cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally, compromising the body’s ability to fight infection and weakening the immune system. With the help of VMSN, Goya was able to undergo expensive tests needed to diagnose his condition and start on the path of effectively treating his illness. Goya is only one of 2,500 Nevadans a year who have benefited from the services that VMSN provides at its clinic on Paradise Park at 4770 Harrison Drive, Las Vegas. The clinic offers preventive and wellness health care as well as treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.
Building plans for the new Volunteers in Medicine clinic located downtown on the corner of Martin Luther King and Madison Avenue.
In addition to primary and specialty care, VMSN offers diagnostic services and a medical dispensary that supplies approximately $2 million worth of free medications to patients who cannot shoulder the costs. At the Paradise Park clinic, Goya is able to undergo regular check-ups with volunteer physicians and obtain the prescription medications he needs to maintain his health. The clinic at Paradise Park offers a wide variety of medical services to uninsured Nevadans, but it is only a beginning. VMSN plans to widen its reach by opening a second clinic in downtown Las Vegas. In 2008, Strategic Solutions and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas conducted a feasibility study for VMSN, which found that the city’s downtown area had the highest poverty and lowest level of access to health care. This proposed location at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Madison Avenue will be readily accessible by public transportation. A downtown clinic will not only bring
54
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
the services of the nonprofit closer to those who need it the most, but it will also allow the organization to more than quadruple its patient base, reaching more than 12,000 patients. More than ever, Las Vegas needs a free clinic downtown to help care for the uninsured in our city. At the end of the first open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act, an additional 120,000 Nevadans received coverage under Medicaid and another 29,000 enrolled in qualified health plans. However, even with the implementation of the ACA and the expansion of Medicaid, there are still approximately 500,000 Nevadans who are left uninsured. VMSN serves as a safety net for this portion of the population, those who often get overlooked by government subsidized programs because of their income level but still cannot afford the costs of health insurance through the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.
As the landscape of medicine changes, VMSN is ready to evolve and meet the needs of the Las Vegas community now and in the future. When Nevadans seek the help of VMSN, the nonprofit will work to connect patients with the programs under the ACA that are appropriate for them. VMSN will help those who are qualified to obtain coverage through Medicaid, and those who can afford insurance to enroll in a qualified health plan. For others who fall through the cracks, VMSN will serve as a life raft, providing them with the health care services they need. For most VMSN patients, the organization will serve as a temporary solution until, with their improved health, they are able to get back to work and are fully capable of taking care of themselves and their families. For some who may never be capable of becoming completely independent, VMSN will be there to care for them until they are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. At the planned downtown clinic, VMSN will offer expanded services desperately needed throughout Southern Nevada, such as dental, vision, and mental health care. Uninsured Nevadans will have access to free eye care through VMSN’s vision clinic. With the addition of the dental wing, VMSN will be able to treat approximately 3,000 dental patients per year, aiding in the prevention of oral cancer and reduction of disparities in oral health. Perhaps the most important expansion is the mental health program. Although often overlooked, mental illness is the No. 1 health problem in America and in Southern Nevada. When patients have the mental health and substance abuse services they need, the benefits of treatment extend far beyond the individuals to their families, their professional colleagues and their community at large. VMSN has raised $1 million toward its goal of funding the downtown clinic at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Madison Avenue. The various permits have also been acquired and the architectural design has been completed. VMSN still needs approximately $1 million in additional funding to build this invaluable community resource that will provide comprehensive services for those who have nowhere else to turn for health care. Besides monetary donations, VMSN is also in need of equipment to successfully run the clinic and provide the new services, including computers, dental chairs and vision equipment. As a volunteer-run organization, VMSN is always in need of generous people who are willing to donate their time and efforts to serve the needs of their neighbors. In addition to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and medical students, VMSN is also in need of non-medical staff that can help with greeting patients, monitoring telephones, conducting eligibility screenings, housekeeping, landscaping and other important tasks. Volunteers are vital to the clinic’s success. VMSN is an example of what a community can do when people come together to help neighbors in crisis. To learn more about the downtown clinic, and opportunities to donate or volunteer, visit vmsn.org. Dr. Florence Jameson is founder and CEO of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada.
CORONADO SUNSET MEDICAL CENTER 6460 Medical Center Street, Las Vegas, NV On the West Sunset Road Exit of I-215 Directly adjacent to Southern Hills Hospital
WILL BUILD TO SUIT
1,681 TO 15,140 SQ. FT. AVAILABLE. FULL GROUND FLOOR AVAILABLE. FREEWAY SIGNAGE AVAILABLE.
WELCOMING
Douglas Fife, M.D. and Surgical Dermatology & Laser Center
Exclusive Leasing & Management By
COMMERCIAL SPECIALISTS 702.364.0909 SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
55
THE
HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
By Amanda Powell
F
or little Gracie Myers, turning 1 years old was more than just a milestone – it was a miracle. “She is my miracle baby,” said Shondale
Myers, Gracie’s mother. When Shondale went into labor just 24 weeks into her pregnancy, doctors in her hometown of Bullhead City, Ariz., told her that here was little chance her baby would sur-
vive. Shondale was brought by helicopter to Sunrise Children’s Hospital where she underwent an emergency C-section. Continued on page 59
56
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
SUNRISE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
As Nevada’s largest, most comprehensive Children’s Hospital, Sunrise Children’s provides advanced pediatric and neonatal medicine to the residents of Southern Nevada and the surrounding region.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
57
“
Sunrise Children’s is the only hospital
in the region with the ability to perform pediatric open-heart surgery and
pediatric electrophysiology studies.
58
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Photo by Ronda Churchill
Continued from page 56
Gracie now joins thousands of children who are able to lead happy, healthy lives after being cared for at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. As Nevada’s largest, most comprehensive Children’s Hospital, Sunrise Children’s provides advanced pediatric and neonatal medicine to the residents of Southern Nevada and the surrounding region. In addition to pediatric cardiology, Sunrise Children’s also features Nevada’s largest, most comprehensive 72-Bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 24bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). In partnership with the Children’s Heart Center of Nevada, the physicians and staff at Sunrise Children’s Hospital are able to perform complex cardiovascular procedures in Southern Nevada’s first Hybrid Operating Room. A Hybrid OR combines a traditional operating room with a cardiac catheterization lab. This allows physicians to offer both interventional and surgical treatment options to patients in the same environment. Sunrise Children’s is the only hospital in the region with the ability to perform pediatric open-heart surgery and pediatric electrophysiology (EP) studies. An EP study is a test that records the electrical activity and the electrical pathways of the heart. This test is used to help determine the cause of a heart rhythm disturbance such as Atrial Fibrillation (Afib). During the EP study, a specially trained interventional cardiologist safely reproduces the abnormal heart rhythm. By pinpointing the exact nature of the disturbance, physicians are able to appropriately treat the condition with medications or additional cardiac procedures. These EP studies are performed in a dedicated pediatric cardiac catheterization lab. While the advanced technology at Sunrise Children’s Hospital is essential to providing excellent patient care, it is the people who have dedicated their careers to pediatric medicine that make the difference. Sunrise Children’s Hospital has been a staple in the Southern Nevada community for generations. Long-time residents of the Las Vegas Valley who were born at Sunrise now have children and grandchildren who were also born there. New residents of Southern Nevada have also embraced Sunrise Children’s Hospital as their provider of choice. “When you are caring for children, you are not just treating the patient,” said Todd P. Sklamberg, Chief Executive Officer at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and Sunrise Children’s Hospital. “You are caring for the parents, grandparents, and siblings as well. No parent wants to think about their child in the hospital. But when hospitalization is needed, it is a relief for parents to know that their child can receive excellent care right here in our community.” Sometimes, the closest Emergency Department is not the best or the fastest place to receive care. As a Level II Trauma Center, Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and Sunrise Children’s Hospital care for the emergent needs of some of the sickest patients in the region. Each year, hundreds of patients are transferred to Sunrise Children’s Hospital from throughout the southwestern United States by a dedicated Pediatric and Neonatal Transport Team. This highly skilled and Continued on page 60
THE CARDIOVASCULAR DESTINATION
Congratulations to Nevada Cardiology Association’s own Dr. Samuel Green for being honored as one of the 2014 Top Doctors.
From routine cardiac procedures to life-threatening emergencies, Nevada Cardiology Associates strive to serve the entire community with advanced healthcare that’s committed, compassionate, accountable and assured. ✚ ADVANCED NON-INVASIVE TESTING ✚ EP SERVICES ✚ INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC PROCEDURES
NEVADA CARDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES 3121 S. Maryland Pkwy., Ste. 512 Las Vegas, NV 89109 702.796.7150
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Ste. 460 Las Vegas, NV 89128 702.233.1000
w w w . n e v a d a c a r d i o l o g y. c o m SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
59
Continued from page 59
specially trained team travels to the location of the patient and ensures a safe medical transfer to the facility, either by helicopter or ambulance. Sunrise Children’s Hospital has a separate, dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department that cares for more than 30,000 patients each year. Designed with patients from babies to teens in mind, the Pediatric Emergency Department has Board Certified Physicians on staff in addition to equipment and technology that addresses the unique needs of patients ages newborn to 18. Should additional care be required, Sunrise Children’s has expert pediatric sub-specialists on staff. Sunrise Children’s Hospital cares for mothers as well as pediatric and neonatal patients. More women choose to deliver their baby at the Women’s Center at Sunrise Children’s Hospital than any other hospital in Nevada. Sunrise Children’s was the first hospital in the valley to implement a full-time Laborist Program. Laborists, also known as Obstetric (OB) Hospitalists, are available at Sunrise Children’s Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In a study conducted by Dr. Brian Iriye of the High Risk Pregnancy Center in conjunction with Sunrise Children’s Hospital, a full-time Laborist Program was associated with a 27 percent reduction in cesarean delivery (in contrast to no laborist). The study, which was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was compiled from data reviewed for three time periods from 2006 to 2011. Data from 6,206 women having their first baby were retrospectively reviewed. “This first published study is important for women’s health, as it shows that having dedicated full-time laborists – hospital based obstetricians dedicated only to labor care – is associated
60
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
with a large reduction in cesarean delivery rates,” Iriye said. “Our results may have important implications on care for delivering mothers and the future of laborist programs and obstetrics training within the United States.” Cesarean delivery is major surgery associated with uncommon but increased risk of medical complications such as infection, bleeding, and blood clots that can occur in the lower extremities or lungs. These medical complications lead to increased financial costs in addition to the risks upon maternal health. Cesarean delivery also increases hospital stay for recovery leading to added costs even in uncomplicated cases when compared to vaginal delivery. The total cesarean section rate in the United States is 32.8 percent, which represents a 60 percent increase since 1996. As the most advanced Level III NICU in the region, Sunrise Children’s Hospital serves critically ill newborns and premature infants who require medical or surgical intervention. Around 800 babies a year are cared for in this unit by a comprehensive team of clinical experts. Besides board-certified neonatologists, the newborn care team consists of specialty-trained nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, charge nurses, respiratory practitioners, social workers, case managers, developmental specialists, lactation specialists and support staff. The NICU utilizes specialty infant beds designed for the safe monitoring and stable environment that high-risk infants require. The hospital also has a 46-bed Pediatric Unit that specializes in caring for patients from babies to teens. As the region’s largest, most comprehensive pediatric hospital, Sunrise Children’s employs a multidisciplinary staff specifically trained in the
medical, emotional and developmental needs of children. The Pediatric Unit provides specialized equipment in a range of sizes and special technology and monitoring systems designed specifically for children. Sunrise Children’s Hospital is able to care for children with a wide variety of health care needs, from medical conditions and surgery to hematology and oncology. Besides talented physicians and nurses, Sunrise Children’s Hospital also employs Child Life Specialists to assist children and their families during hospitalization, illness, injury, and treatment. Child Life Specialists work closely with the medical team to provide the best possible care for children and their families. “Our goal is to reduce the stress that can be caused by illness and hospitalization,” said Laura Gould, a child life specialist at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. “We work with our patients and their families to ensure that their development, emotional, and psychosocial needs are being met while they are with us.” Child life specialists help prepare children for medical treatments and procedures, which are explained using teaching tools, special dolls, photographs, and medical equipment. They help determine each child’s level of understanding, including any misconceptions he or she may have about the hospital experience. Child life specialists also help children develop coping strategies like imagery, distraction and relaxation to reduce anxiety. “When children have an accurate understanding of what to expect before, during, and after a procedure, they are less anxious and more willing to cooperate,” Gould said. “They also experience less difficulty at home after the procedure.” Sunrise Children’s Hospital resides on the same medical campus as Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center – Nevada’s largest, most advanced acute care facility with 690 beds and specialty services in a number of areas including cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, neurosciences, Orthopedics, oncology, rehabilitation and robotic surgery. Sunrise Children’s Hospital works closely with various organizations including Children’s Heart Center of Nevada, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, and Familyto-Family Connection, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and other key community stakeholders to ensure that patients and their families have access to necessary resources and education.
Amanda Powell is associate vice president of marketing and communications at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and Sunrise Children’s Hospital.
Photos courtesy of Eric Jamison of Studio J Inc.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
61
Business Communications Solutions that are:
Large. Local. Scalable. The Las Vegas Convention Center is powered by Cox.
Our scalable, reliable communications supported by local professionals will help to give your medium – large sized business the opportunity to generate more productivity and success.
Get a PRI and 25/5 Mbps Internet for
$392
- Cox PRI supports your entire business using a single communications platform delivered over our private network.
00
/month*
Plus for only $200 more get a hosted and managed IP Phone System with double the Internet speed!
- High capacity voice service that interfaces with your phone system PRI port. - Our private network backbone is a self-healing, 100% fiberoptic network with speeds available up to 150 Mbps with Cox Business Internet and up to 10 Gbps with Cox Optical Internet.
Call 702-522-9815 or visit coxbusiness.com today. *Offer valid until 8/31/14 and is available to new subscribers of Cox Business VoiceManagerSM PRI and Cox Business InternetSM 25 (max. 25/5 Mbps). Prices based on 3-year service term. After completion of the 3-year service term standard rates apply. Equipment may be required. Free install requires a 3-year service contract and is limited to standard installation; maximum outlets and allowances may apply. Prices exclude equipment, installation, taxes, and fees, unless indicated. Speeds not guaranteed; actual speed may vary. Rates and bandwidth options vary and are subject to change. Discounts are not valid in combination with or in addition to other promotions, and cannot be applied to any other Cox account. Services not available in all areas. Other restrictions may apply. Š2014 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
I SURV IV ED BECAUSE OF
NEVADA’S ONLY TRANSPLANT CENTER Lucy had been waiting a long time. Despite hours of dialysis, her kidneys didn’t have much longer. When the match was found, she was able to receive her new kidney here, less than twenty miles from her home, her Paiute community, and the people who love her. Only UMC can provide the highest level of care in Nevada, which makes UMC one of Nevada’s most vital resources.
TOGETHER, WE SHINE. umcsn.com
TOP DO
64
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Photo Credit
CTORS 2014
The Best of the Best in Southern Nevada Don’t put anything ahead of your health and well-being. If it’s a Top Doctor that you need, then it’s a Top Doctor you deserve. We’ve done the research and legwork for you to identify the best of the more than 3,600 doctors in Southern Nevada. This annual publication features 205 of the best physicians in 36 different specialties.
Photo Credit
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
65
How were the 2014 Top Doctors selected?
Can physicians pay VEGAS INC to be listed? Absolutely not!
If my doctor didn’t advertise, is that why he/she isn’t listed? Again, no! A majority of the doctors listed in the next few pages are finding out for the first time that they earned this honor. Most didn’t know the results until reading it here for the first time. The only exceptions are the doctors we wrote short profiles about, who of course, were notified during the interview process.
66
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
If my doctor doesn’t appear in the list, does it mean he/she isn’t a good doctor? No. We realize that no process is a perfect process. However, we deem our methodology as quite reliable.
Why not ask the patients?
FAQ
This year, we used several physician-rating services. VEGAS INC considers criteria such as years of experience, board certification, education, disciplinary history, training, professional achievement, industry recognition and awards. These ratings are regularly refreshed based on new information gleaned from doctors as well as from certifying, licensing and disciplinary boards. While the list of the 205 doctors on the pages that follow is wide-ranging and carefully researched, many good physicians don’t appear on the list. This reference is best used as just one step in the careful journey toward finding the doctor who is right for you.
Good question. We have found that patients generally lack the knowledge and medical expertise to judge a particular doctor’s qualifications. If the rating were solely based on a physician’s bedside manner, that a patient survey would have been the best route to go.
Some of the Top Doctors have stories and photos of them in the section. Why?
It would be impossible for us to profile every one of the 205 “Top Doctors.” We simply chose a few of the top-rated doctors from a wide array of areas of medicine for a short “Question and Answer” session and photo. It was entirely random — no need to read more into it.
SPRING 2014
TOP DOCTORS
ADDICTION MEDICINE Maurice D. Gregory 2020 Goldring Ave. Las Vegas 89106 702.822.1356
Joel M. Grisham 2075 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 150 Las Vegas 89123 702.432.2779
Miriam O. Adelson 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas 89109 702.733.5301
Michael S. Levy 4445 S. Jones Blvd. Las Vegas 89103 702.873.7800
ADOLESCENT MEDICINE David H. Barton 1524 Pinto Lane Las Vegas 89106 702.383.3642
Rosemary Y. Hyun 7220 S. Cimarron Road, Suite 155 Las Vegas 89113 702.564.8556
Heath H. Hodapp 2350 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway Henderson 89052 702.564.8556
ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY Jim Christensen 4 Sunset Way, Suite A3 Henderson 89014 702.434.9690
Victor E. Cohen
Andrew S. McKnight 2485 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100 Henderson 89052 702.212.5889
David H. Tottori
Paul V. Hereen 10105 Banburry Cross Drive, Suite 250 Las Vegas 89144 702.731.8224
Pamela A. Ivey
9020 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas 89129 702.240.4233
2865 Siena Heights Drive Henderson 89052 702.731.8224
BARIATRICS
Thomas L. Lambert
James D. Atkinson 3802 Meadows Lane Las Vegas 89107 702.313.8446
Erik P. Evensen 607 S. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas 89107 702.822.7400
Allan D. MacIntyre 8955 S. Pecos Road, Suite 1A Henderson 89074 702.724.1400
Darren W. Soong
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 135 Las Vegas 89128 702.598.3999
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY Michael L. Ciccolo 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 690 Las Vegas 89109 702.732.1290
Neel V. Dhudshia 5320 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 282 Las Vegas 89118 702.737.3808
Nancy A. Donahoe
3802 Meadows Lane Las Vegas 89107 702.313.8446
5320 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 282 Las Vegas 89118 702.737.3808
Dana L. Trippi
J. Randall Feikes
607 S. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas 89107 702.822.7400
5320 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 282 Las Vegas 89118 702.737.3808
Thomas W. Umbach
Juan E. “Rick” Martin Jr.
3235 E. Warm Springs Rd., Suite 100, Bldg. 24 Las Vegas 89120 702.463.3300
CARDIOLOGY Sean S. Ameli 8689 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 105 Las Vegas 89117 702.906.1100
Berge J. Dadourian
4445 S. Eastern Ave., Suite A Las Vegas 89119 702.735.1556
8689 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 105 Las Vegas 89117 702.906.1100
Joel L. Katz
Samuel E. Green
2625 Box Canyon Drive Las Vegas 89128 702.360.6100
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 460 Las Vegas 89128 702.233.1000
5320 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 282 Las Vegas 89118 702.737.3808
Robert G. Wiencek 2865 Siena Heights Drive, Suite 131 Henderson 89052 702.616.6580
DERMATOLOGY Alan J. Arnold 2685 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 200 Las Vegas 89146 702.365.5162
Miriam S. Bettencourt 1701 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 7B Henderson 89074 702.257.7546
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
67
TOP DOCTORS
Lucius Blanchard 2650 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 208 Las Vegas 89128 702.360.2100
Douglas J. Fife 6460 Medical Center St., Suite 350 Las Vegas 89148 702.255.6647
Lionel J. Handler 10105 Banburry Cross Drive, Suite 350 Las Vegas 89144 702.243.6400
Gary S. Markewich 3196 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 409 Las Vegas 89109 702.892.0370
ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES AND METABOLISM Brian A. Berelowitz 653 N. Town Center Drive, Suite 315 Las Vegas 89144 702.804.9486
William Reid Litchfield 2415 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100 Henderson 89052 702.434.8400
Quang T. Nguyen 700 Shadow Lane, Suite 400 Las Vegas 89106 702.431.7008
Freddie G. Toffel 2700 E. Sunset Road, Suite D-34 Las Vegas 89120 702.736.2021
FAMILY MEDICINE
DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Troy P. Bertoli
Rajneesh Agrawal
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89128 702.869.9200
2020 Palomino Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89106 702.759.8600
Paul D. Bandt 2020 Palomino Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89106 702.759.8600
Hong T. Dang 2020 Palomino Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89106 702.759.8600
Whitney B. Edmister 2020 Palomino Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89106 702.759.8600
Dianne Mazzu 2020 Palomino Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89106 702.759.8600
Brian E. Schulz 2020 Palomino Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89106 702.759.8600
68
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
Dana M. Forte 9010 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas 89129 702.240.8646
Michael J. Gunter
GASTROENTEROLOGY Howard I. Baron 3196 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 309 Las Vegas 89109 702.791.0477
Gregory M. Kwok 3820 S. Hualapai Way Las Vegas 89147 702.796.0231
Frank J. Nemec 3820 S. Hualapai Way Las Vegas 89147 702.796.0231
Mohammed A. Shafi 1647 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89123 702.914.6555
Nicholas A. Tibaldi 2316 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 280 Las Vegas 89106 702.877.8330
Nicolae “Mickey” Weisz 7150 Smoke Ranch Road, Suite 110 Las Vegas 89128 702.804.1818
GENERAL SURGERY Terence G. Banich
7455 Washington Ave., Suite 445 Las Vegas 89128 702.804.5138
700 Shadow Lane, Suite 370 Las Vegas 89106 702.382.8222
Jeffrey P. Ng
Annabel E. Barber
2870 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 300 Las Vegas 89109 702.408.0471
Anjali A. Rege 4475 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas 89119 702.737.1880
Lara C. Wenner 3960 W. Craig Road, Suite 101 North Las Vegas 89032 702.473.8380
David H. Park 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson 89014 702.777.4809
SPRING 2014
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 112 Las Vegas 89128 702.562.1777
Souzan E. El-Eid 9280 W, Sunset Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.952.1251
Mark T. Hoepfner 700 Shadow Lane, Suite 335 Las Vegas 89106 702.382.6591
Ronald S. Hofflander 3201 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 601 Las Vegas 89109 702.894.4440
top doctor Dr. Sean S. Ameli specialty Cardiology in practice 24 years
Kiarash L. Mirkia 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 550 Las Vegas 89128 702.496.7500
Francis W. Teng 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 508 Las Vegas 89128 702.838.5888
Shawn T. Tsuda 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 120 Las Vegas 89102 702.671.5150
GERIATRIC MEDICINE Mike Y. Jeong 5550 S. Jones Blvd. Las Vegas 89118 702.870.0000
Alvin B. Lin 2410 Fire Mesa Street, Suite 180 Las Vegas 89128 702.992.6888
Lisa F. Rosenberg 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson 89014 702.777.4809
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY Camille A. Falkner 1397 Galleria Drive, Suite 203 Henderson 89014 702.476.3400
Robert J. Futoran 341 N. Buffalo Drive, Suite D Las Vegas 89145 702.410.5822
Nicola M. Spirtos 3131 La Canada Street, Suite 241 Las Vegas 89169 702.693.6870
HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY Heather J. Allen 3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas 89169 702.952.3400
Photo by L.E. Baskow
What colleges have you attended and where did you earn your medical degree(s)?
I received my Bachelor of Science in biology and cybernetics from UCLA and my medical degree in 1987 from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. The remainder of my education and training was completed at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. There, I did my internal medicine internship and residency as well as my cardiology fellowship. I also served additional years as both chief resident in internal medicine and chief fellow of cardiology. Prior to my move to Las Vegas, I served as full-time academic staff at Cedars Sinai.
Why did you choose this particular specialty and when did you know this was what you wanted to do?
While at Northwestern, I was on the road to become an obstetric gynecologist. Not only had I had personal exposure to the field growing up – as my mother was an OB/GYN physician – but I had done extensive research in it that resulted in my work published in medical literature. One day during my rotation in obstetrics, a patient required a cardiology consultation. It was that single interaction with and observation of the cardiologist with the patient that opened my eyes to the world of cardiology subspecialty. The consulting cardiologist, who spent quite some time with the patient, asking questions, listening, leading to more questions, likened to a detective – a medical Sherlock Holmes – made a diagnosis with simple yet sophisticated diagnostic evaluation tools as well as his knowledge. I felt that is where and what I wanted – to solve the puzzle of each patient, where each comes in with varied medical histories, and where I could make a rapid and substantial impact. Subsequently while looking into this specialty, I realized that it is not only deals with the No. 1 killer of people around the world and especially the United States but also is making the most rapid progress in cutting edge basic
science and clinical advancements. While as a doctor in this field, I am able to maintain a relationship with each patient on long-term basis.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a medical professional?
While there are many, probably the most rewarding moments are when I am able to recognize a problem, make a diagnosis and treat it not by sophisticated testing but by spending time with the patients and obtaining historically subtle and yet pertinent information that had gone unnoticed for some time.
What are some of the things in this field that have captured your attention?
The ability to bring together results of basic science to the bedside and apply the new findings has not only captured my attention, it is the single most effective means of eradicating or at least reducing suffering from cardiovascular diseases so effectively over the past 20 years. My own exposure at Cedars Sinai while training and as a full time staff of a dynamic academic center was beyond exciting. My research work that I did at Cedars Sinai (in conjunction with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm) is currently applied in clinical settings as a potential means of eradicating hardening of blood vessels.
What is the biggest problem you see in the health care industry?
The current state of medicine has fast become volume driven medicine. This affects the single most important aspect of the quality of care and patient-physician relationship: Time. The time necessary to communicate, discover, gather information, is a significant challenge that our current health care systems faces. It is crucial and fragile in light of the ever changing economy of medicine faced by the physicians and healthcare professionals and balancing the survival of a practice. This is a problem that I take personally and resist the changes it can make on the way I deliver care to my patients and the way in which I practice medicine and cardiology, despite it unfortunately, being a reality nationally and globally. Finally the politicization of medicine also has distracted the focus of patient care from quality and prevention to just about any other not so significant topics.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
69
TOP DOCTORS
Fadi S. Braiteh
Jeffrey D. Fisch
3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas 89169 702.952.3400
2510 Wigwam Parkway, Suite 201 Henderson 89074 702.722.2229
Khoi M. Dao
Eva D. Littman
10001 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 108 Henderson 89052 702.952.3444
6410 Medical Center St., Suite A Las Vegas 89148 702.979.7475
Russell P. Gollard
Mark R. Severino
2460 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway Henderson 89052 702.822.2000
6410 Medical Center St., Suite A Las Vegas 89148 702.979.7475
Edwin C. Kingsley
Bruce S. Shapiro
3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas 89169 702.952.3400
8851 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100 Las Vegas 89117 702.254.1777
Wolfram E. Samlowski
Geoffrey Sher
9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.952.1251
5320 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 300 Las Vegas 89118 702.892.9696
Nicholas J. Vogelzang 3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas 89169 702.952.3400
INFECTIOUS DISEASE Brian J. Lipman
2501 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas 89102 702.878.3235
INFERTILITY
70
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
Theresa L. Steckler 653 N. Town Center Drive, Suite 306 Las Vegas 89144 702.243.7483
Bradley J. Thompson
Said T. Daneshmand 2769 Sunridge Heights Parkway, Suite 100 Henderson 89052 702.254.1777
600 Whitney Ranch Road, Suite B-11 Henderson 89014 702.818.9246
Neville Pokroy
Charles B. Bernick
William R. Shoemaker
Eugene L. Speck
Jessie Piceno
NEUROLOGY
2870 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 300. Las Vegas 89109 702.735.0258
3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 780 Las Vegas 89109 702.737.0740
David A. Makil 1750 E. Desert Inn Road, Suite 200 Las Vegas 89169 702.732.2438
56 N. Pecos Road, Suite A Henderson 89074 702.456.4011
Michael J. Petruso
Ronald A. Shockley
500 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 12 Las Vegas 89106 702.877.1887
Antonio T. Alamo
3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 400 Las Vegas 89119 702.369.5582
3121 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 412 Las Vegas 89109 702.309.2311
Venugopal Botla
INTERNAL MEDICINE
7190 Cimarron Road1 Las Vegas 89113 702.675.3240
Sudhakar Mallela
Marvin J. Bernstein 500 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 12 Las Vegas 89106 702.877.1887
500 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 12 Las Vegas 89106 702.877.1887
Ethan M. Cruvant
10001 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 307 Henderson 89052 702.776.8300
NEPHROLOGY
3650 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 300 Las Vegas 89109 702.796.8036
SPRING 2014
888 W. Bonneville Ave. Las Vegas 89106 702.483.6000
Jeffrey L. Cummings 888 W. Bonneville Ave. Las Vegas 89106 702.483.6000
David L. Ginsburg 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 220 Las Vegas 89102 702.731.9110
Spencer O. Miller 4700 Las Vegas Blvd. North Nellis A.F.B. 89191 702.653.3244
Timothy W. West 888 W. Bonneville Ave. Las Vegas 89106 702.483.6000
Dylan P. Wint 888 W. Bonneville Ave. Las Vegas 89106 702.483.6000
top doctor Dr. Eva D. Littman specialty Infertility in practice 9 years
NEUROSURGERY John A. Anson 8530 W. Sunset Road, Suite 250 Las Vegas 89113 702.851.0792
Keith S. Blum 7271 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100 Las Vegas 89117 702.240.4090
Derek A. Duke 861 Coronado Center Drive, Suite 200 Henderson 89052 702.896.0940
Jason E. Garber 3061 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 200 Las Vegas 89109 702.737.1948
Stuart S. Kaplan 3061 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 200 Las Vegas 89109 702.737.1948
Randal R. Peoples 2865 Siena Heights Drive, Suite 131 Henderson 89052 702.616.6580
Kelly S. Schmidt 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 765 Las Vegas 89109 702.948.9788
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY Geoffrey C. Hsieh 3131 La Canada Street, Suite 241 Las Vegas 89109 702.693.6870
Kelly R. Jackson-King 3196 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 303 Las Vegas 89169 702.255.3547
Florence Jameson 5281 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas 89119 702.262.9676
What colleges have you attended and where did you earn your medical degree(s)? Duke University – Undergraduate Degree Duke University – Medical School and OB/GYN Residency Stanford University School of Medicine (Stanford University Medical Center) – Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship
Why did you choose this particular specialty and when did you know this was what you wanted to do? I wanted to be a doctor since I was 4 years old because my dad was a very good doctor and I saw how his patients appreciated everything he did for them. After receiving my medical degree from Duke University, I started out training as an OB/ GYN. During my residency, I became interested in the infertility field because of all the new, constantly evolving discoveries in the field and the fact that it involves making a direct impact on the lives of so many people. I knew I had made the right choice the first time I helped a couple become pregnant and saw the joy on their faces. Being a mother, I know the profound impact parents have on their children’s lives and vice versa. It’s absolutely an amazing feeling to help these couples achieve their dreams of becoming parents.
What are some of the things in this field that have captured your attention?
Egg freezing and preimplantation genetic screening are the hottest new topics in our field. Cryopreservation of eggs, also known as egg freezing, has come a long way since I started out in fertility therapy. When I was in fellowship training, egg freezing was considered experimental and was not
associated with very high success rates. In fact, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) had released a statement announcing that egg freezing was not a recommended process to help women achieve pregnancy later in life. The ASRM recently revised that statement and is now encouraging women to freeze their eggs. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is a test that shows which embryos are chromosomally normal. Red Rock Fertility has incorporated PGS into all of our in vitro fertilization cycles, and we have found a significant increase in success rates with the addition of that test.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a medical professional?
Every year, Red Rock Fertility hosts an Easter picnic where all of the families we have helped with achieving pregnancy attend with their babies. Seeing all the little ones and how happy the parents are is definitely the best reward. It makes you realize that what we do is life changing. Also, if patients can’t make it to the picnic, they usually stop by the office with their newborns and I get to hold them and see the smiles on the parents’ faces. That makes everything well worth it.
What is the biggest problem you see in the health care industry?
I have concerns about the degree to which some insurance companies can influence patients’ medical care. I have experienced scenarios where insurance policies instruct multiple times to give a patient treatment that isn’t indicated before I have been able to pursue treatment that is needed and indicated. This can be frustrating, as my top priority is my patients’ health. Unfortunately, these experiences with health insurance companies are a reality of the current state of health care. I hope to see the health care industry continue to reform so that patients’ needs always come first.
David E. Kartzinel 3196 Maryland Parkway, Suite 410 Las Vegas 89109 702.731.6000
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
71
TOP DOCTORS
Steven F. Kramer 1934 E. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas 89104 702.369.5758
Nicole J. Moss 2931 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 204 Las Vegas 89128 702.233.2123
K. Warren Volker 9260 W. Sunset Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.255.3547
OPHTHALMOLOGY
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY Jeffrey P. Cichon 3570 E. Flamingo Road Las Vegas 89121 702.454.3400
Michael J. Crovetti 2779 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 200 Las Vegas 89052 702.990.2290
George M. Elkanich 2680 Crimson Canyon Drive Las Vegas 89128 702.228.7355
Nitin J. Engineer Jack Abrams 6450 Medical Center Street, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.304.9494
Peter W. DeBry 2575 Lindell Road Las Vegas 89146 702.362.3937
Weldon E. Havins Jr. 2575 Lindell Road Las Vegas 89146 702.362.3937
Rodney D. Hollifield 653 N. Town Center Drive, Suite 518 Las Vegas 89144 702.369.0200
Kenneth W. Houchin 2575 Lindell Road Las Vegas 89146 702.362.3937
Steven N. Montgomery 2100 N. Rampart Blvd. Las Vegas 89128 702.731.2088
Helga F. Pizio
9975 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 110-B Las Vegas 89183 702.586.4684
Michael Miao 2800 E. Desert Inn Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89121 702.731.1616
Jason H. Nielson 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 201 Las Vegas 89123 702.434.6920
Bernard C. Ong 8551 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 251 Las Vegas 89128 702.796.7979
David G. Stewart 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 201 Las Vegas 89123 702.434.6920
William T. Stewart 2800 E. Desert Inn Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89121 702.731.1616
Timothy J. Trainor 8420 W. Warm Springs Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89113 702.740.5327
Troy S. Watson
501 Rose St., Suite 150 Las Vegas 89105 702.485.5000
2800 E. Desert Inn Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89121 702.731.1616
Tushina A. Reddy
Randall E. Yee
2100 N. Rampart Blvd. Las Vegas 89128 702.731.2088
72
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
8420 W. Warm Springs Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89113 702.740.5327
SPRING 2014
OTOLARYNGOLOGY Daniel H. Kim 1905 McDaniel St. North Las Vegas 89030 702.838.9710
Sina C. Nasri 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 575 Las Vegas 89128 702.804.4729
Walter R. Schroeder 8530 W. Sunset Road, Suite 230 Las Vegas 89113 702.792.6700
Robert J. Troell 7975 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 103 & 104 Las Vegas 89117 702.242.6488
Robert C. Wang 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 112 Las Vegas 89128 702.562.1777
PAIN MANAGEMENT Marjorie E. Belsky 9333 W. Sunset Road, Suite A Las Vegas 89148 702.968.6259
Daniel L. Burkhead 9920 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 110 Las Vegas 89128 702.684.7246
Quan Haduong 7326 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas 89129 702.386.4700
Anthony C. Ruggeroli 6070 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.307.7700
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY Ruben J. Acherman 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 690 Las Vegas 89109 702.732.1290
top doctor Dr. John J. Minoli specialty Plastic Surgery in practice 30 years
William J. Castillo 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 690 Las Vegas 89109 702.732.1290
Alvaro Galindo 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 690 Las Vegas 89109 702.732.1290
Gary A. Mayman 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 690 Las Vegas 89109 702.732.1290
Abraham Rothman 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 690 Las Vegas 89109 702.732.1290
PEDIATRICS Blair K. Duddy 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 260 Las Vegas 89128 702.870.2099
Constantine George 6252 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 110 Las Vegas 89118 702.253.5410
Pamela L. Greenspon 10105 Banburry Cross Drive, Suite 370 Las Vegas 89144 702.260.4525
Kenneth E. Misch 2350 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway Henderson 89052 702.564.8556
Laura L. Weidenfeld 653 Town Center Drive, Suite 106 Las Vegas 89144 702.363.3000
PLASTIC SURGERY Goesel A. Anson 8530 W. Sunset Road, Suite 130 Las Vegas 89113 702.822.2100
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
What colleges have you attended and where did you earn your medical degree(s)?
I am a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. While an undergraduate, I attended the University of Virginia and Fordham University, New York (Summa Cun Laude – Bachelor of Science, 1980). During my undergraduate education, I was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to work at Oak Ridge Biomedical Laboratories in Tennessee. In 1984, I earned my medical degree with academic honors from SUNY-Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, N.Y. I then complete a one-year post-doctoral research fellowship in brain research at the same institution. In 1991, I complete a six-year residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Washington University’s Barnes and Jewish hospitals in St. Louis. I then completed a oneyear advanced facial plastic surgery fellowship with Dr. Frank Kamer of Beverly Hills in association with the UCLA Medical Center. In 1996, I completed a two-year residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Texas, Southwestern with primary clinical work at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Baylor Hospital in Dallas. In addition, during the 1990s I was a clinical instructor of NYU plastic surgery residents and otolaryngology residents at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. All told, I have been in the private practice of plastic surgery for more than two decades.
Why did you choose this particular specialty and when did you know this was what you wanted to do?
My mother recently found a copy of a homework assignment that I prepared when I was about 7 years old. In it, I drew a simple illustration of a physician at an operating table, and I wrote in an early-school-age hand, “When I grow up I want to be a doctor surgeon. A surgeon operates. He helps people from dying.” So my pursuit of medicine started in grammar school! But, it was through medical volunteerism during my teenage years and through an early interest in science that I steadily became
aware of my career choice. Once immersed in anatomic and clinical studies during medical school, I gravitated toward the creative field of plastic and reconstructive surgery – with particular interest in the nose, face and neck.
What are some of the things in this field that have captured your attention?
In plastic surgery, there seems to be an everevolving final word – always a new technique or a breakthrough product that pushes the cutting-edge envelope. Actually, it behooves the responsible surgeon to find the delicate balance between respecting the true-and-tried while prudently embracing new discoveries that may indeed evolve into the updated true-and-tried. In this spirit since the 1980s, I have marveled at and eventually embraced the advances in liposuction, endoscopic plastic surgery, endoscopic nasal surgery, autologous fat grafting, injectable therapies such as fillers and Botox, and minimally-invasive surgical procedures, even in an office-based setting.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a medical professional?
I am always moved when patients realize their goals through the work that we do together. There is something poignant about seeing someone through the entirety of a surgical cycle that has its alpha and omega, its beginning and end, from the original preoperative notion of a realistic outcome to its postoperative fulfillment and the happiness that follows.
What is the biggest problem you see in the health care industry?
The increase in bureaucracy in medicine is choking the healing arts. The march toward socialized medicine has heralded the decline of solo practitioners who were once the backbone of trusted and forged doctor-patient relations. That dynamic was therapy in itself, and that is now fleeing the current scene, along with a number of doctors seeking early retirement to avoid the chokehold of increasing regulations. Indeed, there are sizable shifts within the inner ranks of medicine now too, with doctors fleeing once-prized primary care specialties (due to the strain of the same centralizing, governmental, restrictive overtones) and seeking refuse on the shores of aesthetic medicine, so that field of cosmetic surgery has become so diluted with practitioners of varied experience, from the skilled expert to the dangerous neophyte.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
73
TOP DOCTORS
Arthur M. Cambeiro
Terry H. Leavitt
2370 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 130 Henderson 89052 702.566.8300
68 N. Pecos Road, Suite A Henderson 89074 702.456.1441
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 125 Las Vegas 89128 702.869.0855
Michael C. Edwards
Tracy K. Leavitt
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
68 N. Pecos Road, Suite A Henderson 89074 702.456.1441
8530 W. Sunset Road, Suite 130 Las Vegas 89113 702.822.2100
Wesley W. Lyon
Terrence B. Higgins
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 215 Las Vegas 89128 702.586.4600
8530 W. Sunset Road, Suite 130 Las Vegas 89113 702.822.2100
Jameson B. Noorda
Christopher Khorsandi 2779 Sunridge Heights Parkway, Suite 100 Henderson 89052 702.509.7288
John M. Menezes 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 190 Las Vegas 89102 702.671.5110
John J. Minoli 870 Seven Hills Drive, Suite 101 Henderson 89052 702.459.3223
Jeffrey J. Roth 9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 236 Las Vegas 89148 702.450.0777
Lane F. Smith 8871 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas 89117 702.838.2455
William A. Zamboni 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 190 Las Vegas 89102 702.671.5110
68 N. Pecos Road, Suite A Henderson 89074 702.456.1441
Debora Barney
Tam T. Nguyen 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89109 702.894.5100
Lisa Ann Durette
Susan A. Reisinger
5516 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.646.0188
Norton A. Roitman 2340 Paseo Del Prado, Suite D-307 Las Vegas 89102 702.222.1812
Daniel Sussman 4205 Mont Blanc Way Mount Charleston 89124 702.493.5203
PULMONARY DISEASE John B. Collier
Charles D. McPherson
74
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
Raul T. Meoz
6284 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 110 Las Vegas 89118 702.257.0140
Peter J. Bregman
Eunah Hong
Brian D. Lawenda 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89109 702.894.5100
PSYCHIATRY
PODIATRY
4840 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 101 Las Vegas 89148 702.362.2622
Danny L. Curtis 655 N. Town Center Drive Las Vegas 89144 702.233.2200
9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89148 702.952.1251
3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 125 Las Vegas 89128 702.869.0855
3175 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 320 Henderson 89052 702.878.2455
George S. Tu
10300 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 13-342 Las Vegas 89135 702.728.4442
Ralph M. Nietrzeba 9280 W. Sunset Road, Suite 312 Las Vegas 89148 702.737.5864
SPRING 2014
3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89109 702.894.5100
David A. Pomerantz 8285 W. Arby Ave., Suite 100-A Las Vegas 89113 702.735.7154
Beau J. Toy 624 S. Tonopah Drive Las Vegas 89106 702.463.9100
Paul K. Treadwell 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 100 Las Vegas 89109 702.894.5100
RHEUMATOLOGY Michael E. Clifford 7151 Cascade Valley Court, Suite 103 Las Vegas 89128 702.944.5444
Mitchell D. Forman 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson 89014 702.777.4809
top doctor Dr. Susan A. Reisinger specialty Radiation Oncology in practice 29 years
Kenneth D. Grant 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson 89014 702.777.4809
Scott J. Harris 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson 89014 702.777.4809
Ewa Olech 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 220 Las Vegas 89102 702.731.9110
Christianne M. Yung 2482 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 130 Henderson 89052 702.614.6868
UROLOGY Clare Close 2653 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 100 Henderson 89052 702.220.4006
Andrew H. Hwang 5701 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 201 Las Vegas 89146 702.877.0814
Mark E. Leo 56 N. Pecos Road, Suite B Henderson 89074 702.877.0814
Scott A. Slavis 3131 La Canada St., Suite 217 Las Vegas 89169 702.796.8669
VASCULAR SURGERY Earl D. Cottrell 7200 Cathedral Rock Drive, Suite 130 Las Vegas 89128 702.228.8600
Bruce J. Hirschfeld 7200 Cathedral Rock Drive, Suite 130 Las Vegas 9134 702.228.8600
What colleges have you attended and where did you earn your medical degree(s)? Bachelor of Science – Chatham College, Pittsburgh
Medical Degree – Hahnemann University, Philadelphia Internship, Department of Surgery – Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Residency, Department of Radiation Oncology – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Why did you choose this particular specialty and when did you know this was what you wanted to do? I first realized I wanted to be a radiation oncologist during medical school. Being able to treat life-threatening illnesses with stateof-the art-technology was very interesting to me and I truly enjoyed it. Also, I found that some female patients with certain diagnoses are more comfortable with a female physician. I take pride in providing personalized and compassionate care to our patients.
daily radiation delivery time takes only a few minutes and is usually performed at a time of the patient’s choosing at one of our conveniently located centers. There are minimal side effects associated with radiation therapy. Sedation is not necessary, so patients can drive themselves to treatment sessions and get back to their lives right away. This is less of a burden on patients and their caregivers, letting them get back to a normal schedule.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a medical professional? After practicing medicine for more than 29 years, it is still rewarding to treat cancer patients in our local community using the latest, state-of-the-art technology. Our sites are equipped with advanced technology and same-day or next-day consult appointments are typically available. We have a staff of health care professionals dedicated to the care and management of patients and their families during this challenging time. I also take pride in working for a company that cares for every patient individually, regardless of their ability to pay.
What are some of the things in this field that have captured your attention?
High-quality cancer care is more readily available in local communities today. For example, in Las Vegas, we have four convenient locations around the valley and are able to provide personalized care in a timely manner. Because radiation oncology treatments are continuous and can require daily treatment, care needs to be available closer to a patient’s home or work. 21st Century Oncology and other community providers like us have provided this solution on a national level. Also, radiation therapy technologies have improved considerably in recent years. We are now able to treat skin cancers in six treatments and some prostate and breast cancers in as little as five days. The actual
Kenneth E. McIntyre Jr. 1707 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 160 Las Vegas 89102 702.671.5150
Photo by Steve Marcus
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
75
ANSON EDWARDS HIGGINS P L A S T I C
S U R G E RY
A S S O C I AT E S
www.PlasticSurgeryVegas.com
MEDICAL ADVERTISING SECTION SP O N S O R ED BY:
Arthur M. Cambeiro, M.D.,
Randall E. Yee, M.D.
Timothy Trainor, M.D.
PLASTIC SURGERY
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
MEDICAL ADVERTISING SECTION
F.A.C.S.
Dr. Arthur Cambeiro is a double boardcertified plastic surgeon and belongs to National Advisory Council for Leaders in Breast Aesthetics, a group of fewer than 100 plastic surgeons who are at the forefront of breast and facial surgery. He also serves on both the St. Rose Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and St. Rose Community Board of Directors. As a native of Las Vegas, he graduated from Bishop Gorman Preparatory School and then received his degree from the University of Southern California with honors. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from the University of Colorado and continued his education in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the world famous Mayo Clinic. Dr Cambeiro has been featured as a plastic surgeon in Glamour, Allure and Newsweek magazines. He has been voted one of Las Vegas’ top plastic surgeons by multiple publications including: Las Vegas Life, VEGAS INC, KNPR Desert Companion, Seven and a Guide to America Top Plastic Surgeon. He has also been honored with the 40 Under 40 award by VEGAS INC.
Dr. Timothy Trainor received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame where he graduated with honors. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago where he was elected into the AOA medical honor society. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. After completing his residency, Dr. Trainor served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, providing orthopedic surgical care for our Armed Forces. In 2004, Dr. Trainor was appointed to the teaching faculty of the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he taught orthopedic sports medicine to orthopedic surgery residents. He was Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Camp Ramadi, Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from February 2006 until September 2006. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is also board certified in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is currently the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center and is the consulting physician for the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Advanced Orthopedics & Sport Medicine
Advanced Orthopedics & Sport Medicine
8420 W. Warm Springs Road Las Vegas, NV 89141
8420 W. Warm Springs Road Las Vegas, NV 89141
2370 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 130 Henderson, NV 89052
2451 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 130 Henderson, NV 89052
6850 N. Durango Drive, Suite 218 Las Vegas, NV 89149
(702) 566-8300
(702) 740-5327
(702) 740-5327
SurgiSpa Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery
AdvOrthopedics.com
SurgiSpa.net
78
Dr. Randall Yee, a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and founder of Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, has been providing care in the Las Vegas Valley for 10 years. Dr. Yee graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 1996. He carried out his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at St. James Olympia Fields, receiving specialty training at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Medical Centers. Dr. Yee is Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine from Lake Tahoe Orthopedics, working closely with the U.S. Olympic Ski Team. In addition, he has provided care for a vast array of athletes ranging from high school stars to professional athletes around the world. Dr. Yee is an Associate Professor at Touro University, training medical students in preparation for their advanced residencies. He is the founder and chairman of the FIRST Orthopedic Residency Training Program in Nevada, educating new surgeons in the field of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Yee has been recognized locally and nationally as a “Top Doctor” in his area of medicine.
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
AdvOrthopedics.com
MEDICAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Dr. Clark Jean, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), specializes in multidisciplinary management of cancer and serious blood disorders. Prior to joining CCCN in 2003, Dr. Jean participated in research at Cornell University, Tufts University and at the Lincoln Medical Center in New York City. An honors graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Jean pursued his medical studies at Tufts University School of Medicine in 1997. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and his residency at the Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn. Dr. Jean completed his fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at UCLA Medical Center – San Fernando Valley. Dr. Jean is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 7445 Peak Drive Las Vegas, NV 89128
(702) 952-2140 CCCNevada.com
Margaret Terhar, M.D.
Michael J. Anderson, M.D.
R A D I AT I O N O N C O LO G Y
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
Clark S. Jean, M.D.
BREAST SURGERY
medicalprofiles F.A.C.S.
Dr. Margaret Terhar, a board-certified breast surgeon at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), is driven by the relationships she builds with her patients and their families. She has a passion for identifying her patients’ distinct diagnosis and building customized solutions that enhance their quality of life. In 1990, Dr. Terhar began private practice in general surgery with a heavy emphasis on breast care. She treated patients for 15 years before dedicating her practice solely to the care of breast-related diseases. She served as Medical Director of the Breast Center at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and chair of the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Treatment Planning Conference. Dr. Terhar moved to Las Vegas in 2005 and handles approximately 300 surgical cases each year. She continues to receive post-graduate training in breast care and is certified in breast ultrasound from the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She is a facilitator for the multidisciplinary breast cancer treatment planning conference at the Sunrise Breast Center and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Terhar is also a member of the Sunrise Breast Center Steering Committee, Clark County Medical Society and Nevada State Medical Association.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
Dr. Michael Anderson, a board-certified radiation oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), is an active member of the Southern Nevada medical community, always exploring research and innovative treatments for his patients. He is involved with the Sunrise Breast and GI conferences and sits on the Las Vegas CyberKnife tumor board. He is a local leader in High Dose Rate brachytherapy treatments for gynecological and breast cancers and was instrumental in the research phase of recently FDAapproved therapy for prostate cancer, Xofigo. Dr. Anderson received his medical degree from State University of New York in 1995. He completed his internship in internal medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno, and his residency in radiation oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Sunrise Hospital Cancer Committee from 2007-’09 and was a member of the Institutional Review Board Committee at University Medical Center from 2006 to 2009. Dr. Anderson is a member of the American College of Radiation Oncology, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89169
3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 270 Las Vegas, NV 89109
10001 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 108 Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 369-6008
(702) 952-3400
CCCNevada.com
CCCNevada.com
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
79
MEDICAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Suzan Fu, D.D.S.
DENTISTRY
F.A.C.S.
Dr. Thomas Umbach is a fellowship-trained Las Vegas bariatric surgery specialist devoted 100 percent to bariatrics with more than seven years training in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery. His memberships include Fellow of American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Fellow of American College of Surgeons and American Board of Surgery. After starting up the laproscopic surgical weight loss program at Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco, which services all of northern California, Dr. Umbach then created a Center of Excellence program in Eugene, Ore., and rejuvenated the Bariatric Program at Desert Springs Hospital. His other achievements include being named America’s Top Surgeon in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and Newsweek’s 15 Leaders in Bariatric Surgery in 2011. Board-Certified: American Board of Surgery Fellow: American College of Surgeons, American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons Fellowship: Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Southern California M.D.: Medical College of Virginia
Blossom Bariatrics 3235 E. Warm Springs Road, Ste. 100, Bldg. 24 Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 463-3300
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
Bright Smile Dental 1958 Village Center Circle, Suite 4 Las Vegas, NV 89134
(702) 914-6600
BlossomBariatrics.net
80
Dr. Suzan Fu, D.D.S., has been recognized as a leading and top rated dentist throughout Southern Nevada and has more than 10 years of distinguished experience in the areas of general, cosmetic and pediatric dentistry. She received her B.S. degree from University of Arizona, and postgraduate degree in dentistry from Loma Linda School of Dentistry, California. Board Certified in Arizona, California, Nevada and credentialed by the states of California and Nevada in conscious sedation, she additionally holds hospital privileges for outpatient general anesthesia services. Dr. Fu was named America’s Top Dentist for 2009 (Consumer’s Research Council of America), and was a Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Scholarship recipient and was awarded for her academic performance in all four years of dental school. Dr. Fu is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the Southern Nevada Dental Society (SNDA), the American Dental Association (ADA), Nevada Dental Association (NDA), California Dental Association (CDA), Tri-County Dental Association (TCDA), and Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Dr. Fu’s services include root canals, crowns, bridges, veneers, braces, implants, gum surgeries, and bone grafts.
SPRING 2014
Y O U R P R A C T I C E S P E C I A LT Y H E R E
Thomas Umbach, M.D.,
B A R I AT R I C S U R G E R Y
Your Name Here, M.D.
Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Bio Here Your Practice Name Here Your Address Here Your Website Here
(702) 444-4444
CALL NOW to find out how you can buy a profile and put YOUR information here!
702.990.2443
SOLUTIONS
MEDICAL SPACE ON THE HOSPITAL CAMPUSES OF: ■
Centennial Hills
■
Desert Springs
■
Spring Valley
■
Summerlin
■
Valley
FOR YOUR HE ALTHCARE RE AL E STATE NEEDS For more information
DEBORAH TUSSING SPENCER Senior Vice President
702/216-2363 dspencer@ensemblere.com
www.ensemblere.com
THE NOTES
Drs. Barry Nahin, Emily Peterson, Ethan Cruvant and Paul Emery joined the Dignity Health Medical Group. Nahin is a boardcertified family medicine physician, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Nevada Academy of Family Physicians, and was previously with K|E Medical Group. Peterson is a board-certified pediatrician, a member of and fellow for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and is formerly with Nevada Pediatric Specialists. Cruvant is a board-certified internal medicine physician, a member of the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, Clark County Medical Association and Nevada State Medical Association, and is formerly with K|E Medical Group. Nahin, Cruvant and Emery will practice at the primary care clinic at 8285 W. Arby Ave., Suite 231, Las Vegas, while Peterson will see patients at the primary care clinic at 10001 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 203, Henderson.
NAHIN
Cortney Warren, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at UNLV, joined the board of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada.
PETERSON
CRUVANT
Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican’s San Martín Campus received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican made $336,894 in grant awards to nine nonprofit organizations in Henderson and Las Vegas. This is the 21st year St. Rose has made such funding available. Community recipients included: Dr. Joel & Carol Bower School-Based Health Center, $50,000; Shade Tree Stallman-Touro Clinic, $20,000; Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, $50,000; Helping Kids Clinic: Health Access without Walls, $50,000; FirstMed Health & Wellness, $20,000; Saint Therese Center, $16,984; Nevada Diabetes Association, $15,000; Jewish Federation, $50,000; and UNLV Nevada Healthy Homes: $65,000.
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Healthier4U Vending of Las Vegas was ranked No. 17 among the Top 100 fastest-growing franchises for 2014 by Franchise Gator. Nvision Laser Eye Centers purchased the two practices of Nevada Eye Care, which has a team of five board-certified physicians. Nvision has 15 locations in California in addition to the two Las Vegas centers.
Dr. Tony Chin is medical director of the Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Rose EMERY de Lima Campus’ Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility. Chin has resided in Southern Nevada since 1994 and has been a medical director and rehabilitation director at various facilities locally. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from Albany (N.Y.) Medical College and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
82
Dr. Florence Jameson, founder and president of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, was named to the Silver State Health Exchange Board by Gov. Brian Sandoval. She was recognized as a Queen of Hearts honoree for 2014, presented by the JAMESON Discovery Children’s Museum. Jameson was one of 10 Queen of Hearts honorees for her advocacy and efforts in providing free medical care for Southern Nevadans.
Coast Dental practices opened four locations in Southern Nevada: 2047 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, Las Vegas; 3163 N. Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas; 8445 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas; and 2660 Windmill Parkway, Henderson. Dr. James W. Dunnavant Jr., DDS, was awarded a fellowship in the American Society of Dental Surgeons. Southern Hills Hospital earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Alzheimer’s disease program. Southern Hills is one of two hospitals in the country and the only hospital in Nevada to achieve this certification. Jennifer Le is chief financial officer at Southern Hills Hospital. She was previously the associate CFO at MountainView Hospital, also part of the Sunrise Health System in Las Vegas. Dr. Brian Lawenda, a board-certified radiation oncologist, was appointed as national director of integrative oncology and cancer survivorship at 21st Century Oncology. It has launched the Integrative Oncology Program, which is an approach to care with a focus on nutrition, exercise and stress reduction, for cancer patients in Southern Nevada. Also, Cindy Berry was promoted to vice president of Nevada operations. Fifteen medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and breast surgeons from Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada were named Top Doctors by Castle Connolly. Drs. Nicholas Vogelzang and Wolfram Samlowski were chosen as national Top Doctors. Thirteen physicians at CCCN were named regional Top Doctors. They are: Drs. Mary Ann Allison; Fadi Braiteh; Dan Curtis; Khoi Dao; Souzan El-Eid; Farzaneh Farzin; Clark Jean; Edwin Kingsley; Raul Meoz; Paul Michael; Hamidreza Sanatinia; James Sanchez and Michael Sinopoli.
THE NOTES
Dr. Samir Bangalore passed his epilepsy specialty boards through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, making him the only board-certified epileptologist in Nevada. He is the medical director at the Epilepsy Center at Sunrise Hospital.
Dr. Graham Linck is a physical therapist at Aliante Integrated Physical Medicine. He one of the first physical therapists to be Fellowship Certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics. Additionally, AIPM is undergoing a build-out for an additional LINCK 1,500 square feet of treatment space for physical therapy, physiotherapy, functional rehab/exercises and performance enhancement.
BANGALORE
MountainView Hospital CEO Chris Mowan joined the advisory board of directors at Goodwill of Southern Nevada.
Dr. Kelly Schmidt joined the Nevada Neurosciences Institute at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. Schmidt specializes in adult and pediatric neurosurgery.
MountainView Hospital’s Tim Foley, who works in the cardiovascular and thoracic surgery clinic, was the national Hospital Corporation of America winner in the “Quality and Patient Safety” category. More than 1,500 ideas were submitted from across the country.
SCHMIDT Sunrise Health System of Hospitals, which includes Sunrise Hospital, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital in the Las Vegas Valley, earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for re-certification as Primary Stroke Centers. Sunrise Health was the first system of Certified Primary Stroke Centers in Las Vegas.
FOLEY
Community Ambulance, a locally owned and operated ambulance company, donated equipment to Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada. Donations included an automated external defibrillator, oxygen tanks, EpiPens and teaching/certifying the staff in CPR and use of the defibrillator.
Our Board Certified Physicians and Staff are committed to Quality and Compassionate Care in the Las Vegas Valley.We Provide access to a range of procedures and state of the art technology.
PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: Е Acne Care • Blood Work • Comprehensive Health Care • Diabetes
• Hypertension • Immunizations • Internal Medicine • Obesity/Weight Loss
• Pap Smears • Pediatric Care • Pre-Op Clearances • Smoking Cessation
(702) 240-8646 | fortefamilypractice.com Open 6 Days a Week from 7am - 7pm.Committed to care.We accept most insurances.Se habla Español.
Dr. Dana Forte
Dana Forte, a native Las Vegan began her career with the goal of having a smalltown practice where she knows her patients by their first name and can give them personalized care. She believes that individuals should take control of their health before it takes control of them. She assists her patients in setting attainable goals to reach an overall state of well-being.
9010 W. Cheyenne Ave.Las Vegas, NV 89129 // 4845 S. Rainbow Blvd.Ste 402 Las Vegas, NV 89103
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
83
THE NOTES
Benjamin Baumann is chief financial officer at MountainView Hospital. He previously was the CFO at Southern Hills Hospital. Highland Manor of Mesquite was recognized BAUMANN with the gold award as the state’s top-performing health care facility working in post-acute care by the Nevada Health Care Association Perry Foundation. Winning the silver award was Silver Ridge Health Care Center, Las Vegas, while Silver Hills Health Care Center, Las Vegas, collected the bronze. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that works with members to improve the quality of care and provide education and training to providers. Karla Perez, regional vice president of seven hospitals in the Western region of Universal Health Services, joined Nevada State Bank’s board of directors. PEREZ Southwest Medical Associates assisted the American Red Cross in its efforts to support the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Money was donated for each “like” on the SMA Facebook page. Employees from Health Plan of Nevada and SMA also collected 20 large boxes of new and used clothing, shoes and non-perishable food items.
Various Membership Opportunities Also Available
84
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
Dr. Mohab Ibrahim was board certified in pain management by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Ibrahim, who is also a board certified anesthesiologist, operates Pain Center of Nevada. IBRAHIM Dr. Rutu Ezhuthachan, a local pediatrician and medical director for United Healthcare, was named CDC Childhood Immunization Champion for her efforts to promote childhood immunization in Southern Nevada. This award is given out each year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC Foundation to acknowledge individuals who promote immunization among children in their communities. Lynn Stange is chief compliance officer at Nathan Adelson Hospice. She previously worked for Nathan Adelson in 2003 as director of staff development and regulatory compliance. Stange most recently assisted the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization responses to the proposed Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation.
Nathan Adelson Hospice earned accreditation by the Joint Commission for demonstrating compliance with critical national standards for hospice care.
Our location is centrally located and convenient to the Las Vegas Strip while at the same time offering a feeling of peacefulness with its private entrance and tranquil setting.
Book your next event today at (702) 734-1122
SPRING 2014
STRANGE
DOCTOR Q & A
KELLY S. SCHMIDT, M.D.
ADULT AND PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGEON
THE NEVADA NEUROSCIENCES INSTITUTE AT SUNRISE HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER
What’s new with you and your hospital?
What do you do after work?
At the Nevada Neurosciences Institute at Sunrise Hospital, we are dedicated to providing world-class neurological and neurosurgical care to the residents of Southern Nevada and the surrounding region. I care for both pediatric and adult patients by treating various conditions of the skull, brain, and spine. I treat patients from all over the Southwest region of the United States.
Other than spending time outside enjoying Southern Nevada’s natural wonders, I play soccer several times a week. I also like to see Vegas shows and try new restaurants around town.
What is the best advice you have received, and whom did it come from?
Describe your style as a doctor.
Blackberry, iPhone or Android? iPhone.
What’s the best part about living in Las Vegas?
I am very hands-on with my patients. Communication is the key to any physician/patient relationship. I like to spend time with my patients and make sure they fully understand their care, as well as listen and respond to all of their questions and concerns. Contemplating brain or spine surgery can be overwhelming for a patient – it is important that they feel like we are a team in the process.
The best part about living in Las Vegas is the weather. I love hiking at Red Rock and spending time at Mount Charleston or Lake Mead.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
The best piece of advice that I have ever received came from my mom. Growing up, she would always tell me that if you work hard and put your mind to it, you can do or accomplish anything.
If you could change one thing about Las Vegas, what would it be? The one thing that I wish I could change about Las Vegas is its transient nature. Many of my patients have been relocated to other parts of the country by their job or to be closer to family. While I know this is common in Las Vegas, it makes it very difficult to offer these patients continuity of care.
What are you reading right now? As both an Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgeon, I try to keep up with my teenage patients and what they are paying attention to. I just finished the Divergent series, and am not too ashamed to admit that I also read the Twilight and Harry Potter books. I just saw the Divergent movie, and can tell you that the book is much better.
Practicing neurosurgery in Southern Nevada.
What is your dream job, outside of your current field? If I had my dream job, I would be a wildlife photographer. I love to travel, and have a passion for photography and animals. Wildlife photography would bring all of these things together. Alternatively, I could be very happy as the general manager of the Denver Broncos.
What is something that people might not know about you? I was president of my class at the George Washington University School of Medicine for four years. It was the first – and last time – that I have tried my hand at politics.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
85
DOCTOR Q & A
SAMUEL E. GREEN, M.D., F.A.C.C. GENERAL CARDIOLOGY WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY AND TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY NEVADA CARDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES
What’s new with you and your company? What is exciting and new in my practice is that we are returning to a more traditional model of health care and trying to take a more “city wide” approach to quality. We decided to focus on three hospitals primarily, instead of six, now allowing us to see our patients where we usually are, and not spend time rushing from place to place. This lets us stay in one place, and be there when we’re need for an emergency or difficult case.
What is the best advice you have received, and whom did it come from? The best advice I received was from my father in law, who once said “If your don’t talk to the patient, it does not matter what the X-ray says, you won’t know what’s going on.”
What challenges do you face in the health care industry here?
What are you reading right now? I am actually listening to “Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth and the Rise of Humanity” by David Christian. It’s a course that Bill Gates recommended on his blog. Professor Christian gives a unique “larger” perspective about the Universe and man’s brief role in it, and the trends he points out are very revealing.
We now have a very interesting medical system here. Each insurance company has lists of preferred doctors and hospitals. Some of these lists are focused on cost savings and contracts. Geography, traditional referral patterns and prior relationships may not be the primary focus. Our patients have to understand where to go, whom to see, and hope that the various parts of the system are communicating with each other so that they get the safe effective health care they need. Insurers need to know that they are getting high quality care and spending the patient’s money wisely.
What do you do after work?
What’s the best part about living in Las Vegas?
Blackberry, iPhone or Android?
I love the fact that in Las Vegas you can go out as late as you want and something is always open. I especially love that all the people are so friendly, as most people have just moved here from somewhere else and are eager to make new friends.
iPhone all the way, and I have had all three. I like the tight integration between my iPad, iPhone and Mac. I do not mind Apple’s closed app system, as there still seem to be many app choices. I don’t like Apple’s 1 year product cycle, and would love more phone hardware choices., especially a microSD card slot.
If you could change one thing about Las Vegas, |what would it be? I would insist that Las Vegas get public transportation from the airport to the population centers. Most cities our sizes have some type of rail system or subway system. It’s definitely one of the obvious things we’re missing here.
86
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
After work I talk to my wife and we share stories of the day. Unfortunately, I also usually do an hour of clinical notes every night because of electronic records. I usually try to find time to workout with a run or on the elliptical for an hour before the night’s over
Describe your style as a doctor. I am very direct and straightforward. Every doctor wants to be the “smartest” or most skilled doctor, while the best doctors are also the “kindest.” Keeping this balance is always challenging, and as I grow older the latter seems just as important.
“
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully still in clinical cardiology, with better medicines and diagnostic tools. The growth in information technology and medical applications will make the field of medicine even more exciting. The other problems, like paperwork and Insurance hassles and universal coverage will one day be solved.
of your current field?
Working for Wired Magazine, testing new tech gadgets and toys.
Working for Wired Magazine, testing new tech gadgets and toys.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Magical expectations. I wish I could control the co-pay or deductible that the patient has or the insurance company has set up for the patients. Doctors have little control over the conditions insurance companies impose on patients or fees, other than not participating in the network.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Local deposits
Bank
Citibank National Assn1
Local branches
National deposits
Bank of America
11 12 13
Wells Fargo Bank
$151.90 billion
54
$939.70 billion
5,798
$7.37 billion
83
$753.78 billion
6,299
Laura Schulte region president
$2.49 billion
1
0
Beal Bank Nevada
0
Kathy Yodice branch manager
Jeff Dunmire area director
$2.48 billion
32
$1.08 billion
21
Dallas Haun president, CEO
Nevada State Bank
$2.45 billion
12
0
0
Bruce Hendricks CEO
750 E. Warm Springs Road, Ste. 400 Las Vegas 89119 855-4612 • NSBank.com
Bank of Nevada 2700 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas 89102 248-4200 • BankofNevada.com
PARADISE AIRPORT CENTER
DIABLO INDUSTRIAL CENTER
U.S. Bank
$1.87 billion
73
$196.54 billion
3,065
Lori Soren NV president
$1.31 billion
43
$741.96 billion
5,388
Bob Strauss branch manager
$724.9 million
1
0
0
1
$183.5 million
2
Kathy Potter branch manager
$390.7 million
9
$18.93 billion
73
Larry Charlton SVP, Nevada regional executive
$312.2 million
4
0
0
Pete Atkinson CEO
2300 W. Sahara Ave., First Floor Las Vegas 89102 251-1600 • USBank.com
JPMorgan Chase Bank 9911 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 1 Las Vegas 89117 938-0050 • Chase.com
USAA Savings Bank
the sky is not the limit.
Brian Moynihan CEO
1970 Village Center Circle, Ste. 1 Las Vegas 89134 598-3500 • BealBankNevada.com
3773 Howard Hughes Parkway Las Vegas 89169 862-8891 • USAA.com
The Childrens Heart Center Client Since 2010
Larry Seedig president
SPRING MOUNTAIN SQUARE
M & I Bank
$500.1 million
3993 Howard Hughes Parkway, Ste. 100 Las Vegas 89169 737-3910 • MIBank.com
City National Bank 10801 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas 89135 952-5901 • CNB.com
Bank of Las Vegas 6001 S. Decatur Blvd., Ste. P Las Vegas 89118 939-2400 • BankofLasVegas.com
Mutual of Omaha Bank
$288.4 million
5
950 S. Rampart Blvd. Las Vegas 89145 880-3700 • MutualOfOmahaBank.com
Washington Federal Savings & Loan Association
$4.05 billion
OFFICE
4
$8.50 billion
RETAIL
Jeffrey Schmid CEO
Pam Callahan division manager
DEVELOPMENT
We believe in communication. And that isn’t just talk Deloitte Growth Enterprise Services is committed to serving privately held companies. That begins with a communication skill called listening. We’ve heard what you want — trusted-advisor relationships, customized service offerings, tremendous value with every contact — and we deliver it every day. See what we mean. Start the conversation with our Las Vegas team.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN’S HEART CENTER
39
161
SPEEDWAY COMMERCE CENTER II
$219.8 million
INDUSTRIAL
9340 Sun City Blvd., Ste. 103 Las Vegas 89134 638-1236 • WashingtonFederal.com
15
1,026
3800 Howard Hughes Parkway, Second Floor Las Vegas 89169 791-6370 • WellsFargo.com
SPEEDWAY COMMERCE CENTER
14
Top executive
17
$8.98 billion
300 S. Fourth St. Las Vegas 89101 654-7900 • BankofAmerica.com
STEPHANIE STREET POWER CENTER
10
National branches
$165.97 billion
3900 Paradise Road, Ste. 127 Las Vegas 89109 800-627-3999 • Citibank.com
Contact Larry Krause at +1 702 893 4222 or e-mail us at dges@deloitte.com
$172.7 million
1
$20.1 million
1
8912 Spanish Ridge Ave. Las Vegas 89148 471-2265 • MeadowsBank.com
rise Hospital & Medical Center
Rose Dominican Hospitals-
Aspen Billings Boise
Boulder Carson City Cheyenne
Colorado Springs Denver Denver Tech Center
Jackson Hole Las Vegas Reno
Salt Lake City Santa Fe Washington, D.C.
12/1/11 11:57:53 5:04:12 PM 12/9/11 AM
12/8/10 5:48:44 PM
specialty hospitals
52094.indd 1
11/22/10 4:09:04 PM
Ranked by January-June 2012 operating revenue
EVERY KISS MATTERS
Rank
Hospital
1
Kindred Hospital Las VegasFlamingo Campus
2
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson
Operating revenue
Net income (loss)
Licensed beds
Inpatient days
Top executive
$20,328,440
$4,597,714
142
17,277
Jennifer Schomburg CEO
We’re lending To nevada’s businesses $17,105,571
$6,781,399
$15,671,298
$5,353,790
90
11,500
79
10,680
Kenneth Bowman CEO
10301 Jeffreys St. Henderson 89052 939-9400 • HealthSouth.com
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas
Farzin Farhang medical director
1250 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas 89102 877-8898 • HealthSouth.com
Re: Reinvent Gaming From: Slot Machines
At St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, we’re committed to excellence pay attention to every detail, for every patient, every single day.
To: Gaming Management
5 6
Kindred Hospital LV - Sahara Campus
70
10,069
Timothy Deaton administrator
$1,102,571
118
19,564
Bonnie Essex Hillegass administrator
CEO Whether you’re looking for a loan to add space, buy $11,368,611 $2,461,704 90 13,625 Robert Marshall CEO equipment, or expand your capabilities, we’re here for $827,625 6,477 the good Dave Tupperones, you. Through the$8,547,962 hard years as61 well as CEO we’ve been actively lending to Nevada businesses, $8,436,521 $578,493 82 11,293 Darryl Dubroca asMountain a central part of our mission since 1994. CEO, managing director 7000 W. Spring Road $11,658,957
$726,836
$7,958,203
$3,364,865
52
7,757
Kent Ashley
5110 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas 89146 871-1418 • KindredHospitalLVS.com
Montevista Hospital
Horizon Specialty Hospital - Las Vegas
Spring Mountain Treatment Center
10
HealthSouth - Desert Canyon Rehab Center
11
Seven Hills Behavioral Institute
5900 W. Rochelle Ave. Las Vegas 89103 364-1111 • MontevistaHospital.com
640 Desert Lane Las Vegas 89106 382-3155 • FundLtc.com
50
7,651
Deanna Martin CEO
9175 W. Oquendo Road Las Vegas 89148 252-7342 • DCRH.net
EVERY PATIENT MATTERS 12 13 14 15 Rose de Lima Campus • Siena Campus • San MartĂn Campus • 702-616-4900 • www.StRoseHospitals.org
LAS VEGAS RENO PHOENIX TUCSON ALBUQUERQUE SILICON V VALLEY LRLAW.COM
0000071070-01.indd 1 85-92_FinancialServices.indd 87
$6,777,236
$732,910
58
9,119
28
3,902
Estrella Sutton CEO
24
2,711
Rosemary Thiele CEO
John Hull CEO
call us 702.248.4200
3021 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy. Henderson 89052 214-8099 • PsySolutions.com
Kindred Hospital LV - St. Rose de Lima Campus
$6,635,826
$274,793
$4,006,807
$387,571
102 E. Lake Mead Pkwy. Henderson 89015
Progressive Hospital 4015 McLeod Drive Las Vegas 89121
bruce Hendricks
Chief Executive Spring Mountain Sahara Behavior Institute Officer 5460 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas 89146 216-8900 • SpringMountainSahara.com
Red Rock Behavioral Health Hospital 5975 W. Twain Ave. Las Vegas 89103 214-8099 • PsySolutions.com
John guedry
$3,879,074
$1,378,492
$2,696,957
$797,369
President 30 and Chief 4,407 Operating Officer
21
3,374
Darryl Dubroca CEO, managing director
Your Business Partner Robert Marshall CEO
bankofnevada.com
Loan products are subject to credit approval.
Net income (loss)
Licensed beds
Inpatient days
Occupancy rate
255,134,927
3,460,878
700
700
63.61
Affiliate of Western Alliance Bancorporation
11/11
Sources: UNLV Center for Health Information Analysis and VEGAS INC research
157,980,227
219
93.74
Rod A. Davis president, CEO
455
60.00
Robert S. Freymuller CEO
6,974,957
541
541
70.89
Brian Brannman CEO
(8,008,869)
16,448,930
404
404
57.39
Kevin A. Stockton CEO
112,567,765
(1,903,540)
235
235
88.00
Will Wagnon CEO
98,329,634
5,355,345
231
231
75.40
Leonard Freehof CEO
84,265,760
(1,801,467)
276
276
50.62
77,564,851
(3,705,437)
8,619,762
219
455
ert Springs Hospital Medical Center
VEGAS INC | 97
12/7/11 4:43:08 11/28/11 4:07:39 PM
You’ll never miss what you lost. Schedule your free informative seminar today.
147
that at Greenberg Traurig...there is always an office open somewhere you may need us. Greenberg Traurig’s Las Vegas office provides the resources of an international law firm for our international city.
Our network means your employees save from day one.
Sam Kaufman CEO
147
68.19
Vicky VanMeetren president, CEO
60,449,760
(6,231,704)
171
171
58.87
Kevin A. Stockton, CEO
56,687,805
(6,733,352)
129
129
74.43
Allan M. Spooner president, CEO
44,987,109
2,199,906
177
177
70.84
Rick Kilburn CEO
25,425,003
(4,827,813)
139
139
55.17
Kim Anderson CEO
cost is lower - even before they have satisfied their deductible. So your employees can get the care they need to stay healthy. And healthy employees make for a
9 E. Lake Mead Blvd. h Las Vegas 89030 -7711 • NorthVistaHospital.com
0 W. Sunset Road Vegas 89148 -2100 • SouthernHillsHospital.com
Our Las Vegas attorneys advise clients on a wide range of legal issues, encompassing:
Business Phone Ĺ˜ )5(( &DOOLQJ )HDWXUHV Ĺ˜ 5HOLDEOH 4XDOLW\ 6HUYLFH Ĺ˜ &DOO 0DQDJHPHQW )HDWXUHV Ĺ˜ 0RELOLW\ 2SWLRQV
large networks to make sure when your employees visit a network doctor their
E. Lake Mead Parkway derson 89015 5509 • StRoseHospitals.org
As we end the year marking our five-year anniversary as Greenberg Traurig in Las Vegas, we want to thank our clients, the community and our friends for the opportunity to serve you — for decades as Nevada lawyers, and as Greenberg Traurig since 2005.
Cox Business Internet SM Ĺ˜ )DVWHU 6SHHGV Ĺ˜ )5(( 2QOLQH %DFNXS Ĺ˜ )5(( 6HFXULW\ 6XLWH Ĺ˜ 'HVLJQHG IRU 0D[LPXP Productivity
Give your employees health care coverage from Anthem. We work with our
0 N. Durango Drive Vegas 89149 9700 • CentennialHillsHospital.com
thern Hills Hospital & Medical Center
02_InsideFrontCover.indd 1 0000068257-01.indd 1
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
0 W. Warm Springs Road Vegas 89113 5509 • StRoseHospitals.org
th Vista Hospital
11/27/12 12/13/12 11:38 5:36 PM AM
Thanks for noticing
5 E. Flamingo Road Vegas 89119 8800 • DesertSpringsHospital.com
tennial Hills Hospital
0000078879-01.indd 1 96 93-104_HealthCare.indd
Sylvia Young CEO
113,867,837
149,536,267
0 S. Rainbow Blvd. Vegas 89118 3000 • SpringValleyHospital.com
Rose Dominican Hospitalse De Lima Campus
10/25/10 1:29:31 PM
Top executive
118,688,004
0 N. Tenaya Way Vegas 89128 5000 • MountainView-Hospital.com
Rose Dominican HospitalsMartin Campus
52569.indd 1
6ZLWFK WRGD\ DQG H[SHULHQFH WKH GLIIHUHQFH Operating revenue
Shadow Lane Vegas 89106 -4000 • ValleyHospital.net
ing Valley Hospital Medical Center
11/26/12 5:22 12/13/12 1:42 PM
The surgery – which lasted only 40 minutes – was covered by her insurance. She went home the next day. Now, she’s at her ideal weight. She’s healthy. She’s active. And she’s living the life she always wanted to live.
To talk about your business,
you’re healing, it’s the little things that matter.
All deposits FDIC insured to the maximum limits
$3,424,281
$13,493,464
Las Vegas 89117 873-2400 • SpringMountainTreatmentCenter.com
brought him to our healing garden for special visits. When
702.471.2265 | www.meadowsbank.com
$14,989,002
2170 E. Harmon Ave. Las Vegas 89119 794-0100 • FundLTC.com
7 8 9
So when one of our patients missed her dog during her stay, we
High rolling can often get your head spinning. But it doesn’t always have to be a gamble – especially when you’re playing with Konami Gaming. More than just a manufacturer of gaming hardware and software, the company that is “Born from fun TM , � delivers huge payouts of innovation and turns risky business into an investment jackpot. Together with their legal team, Lewis and Roca, Konami is poised to stay on top of its game and the global gaming industry.
and we’re here for you.
Complex Care Hospital at Tenaya 2500 N. Tenaya Way Las Vegas 89128
Harmon Medical & Rehab Hospital
and believe in delivering a higher standard of care. That’s why we
Committed to a partnership
0 W. Charleston Blvd. Vegas 89102 2000 • UMCSN.com
untainView Hospital
She had always battled her weight. Her blood pressure was high. Her energy was low. And she wasn’t getting around as well as she wanted to. But with the help of Dr. James Atkinson and Dr. Darren Soong, all that changed.
2250 E. Flamingo Road Las Vegas 89119 784-4300 • KindredHospitalLVF.com
3
4
Town Center Drive Vegas 89144 7000 • SummerlinHospital.org
versity Medical Center
The day Mary Swannie-Ryan underwent the gastric sleeve procedure by Surgical Weight Control Center marked the first day of her brand-new life.
www.hollandhart.com
96-130 GENERAL.indd 130
12/13/12 10:11 5:46 PM 12/11/12 10:09 AM
0000062573-01.indd 1 77-88_FinancialServices.indd 79
na Campus 1 St. Rose Parkway derson 89052 5000 • StRoseHospitals.org
ley Hospital Medical Center
LOSE SOMETHING YOU’LL NEVER MISS.
VEGAS INC | 79
Insert_pages.indd 2 1 0000082264-01_BOL_HarschInv_Ad.indd 0000082264-01.indd 1
S. Maryland Parkway Vegas 89109 8000 • SunriseHospital.com
mmerlin Hospital Medical Center
I love to ski and hike when I have a weekend off. My skiing ability has not really improved over the years, but my equipment has. Living in Nevada, we’re reasonably close to many great mountains. Hiking in Red Rock can’t be beaten, and I would encourage and visitors here to experience it.
To learn what a difference our attitude might make for you, contact Greg Gilbert at (702) 669-4620; Hughes Center, 3800 Howard Hughes Parkway, 10th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89169.
Copyright Š 2010 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited 36USC220506
OF BUSINESS LISTS 2013
pital
Anything else you want to tell us?
As the largest law Ă„rm based in the Mountain West, we’re used to setting our sights high. It gives us an afĂ„nity for clients with similarly lofty goals. We’ve developed a focus on client service that guides us from the courtroom to the boardroom—a focus that is as valued at sea level as it is at a mile high. As used in this document, “Deloitteâ€? means Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, and Deloitte Tax LLP, which are separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. All services are provided within the rules and regulations applicable under the practice of public accounting.
Arvind Menon CEO
78 | Book of BUSINESS lIStS 2012
— Dr. Samuel Green
www.deloitte.com/us/dges
Children’s Heart Center has provided quality medical care to children with heart disease since 1980. But more than that, they go the extra mile for patients who need help paying for medical expenses. When they needed a banking partner, they chose Nevada State Bank because we share their dedication to helping Nevadans. We found innovative solutions to help their practice lower its operating costs - so they could pass on the savings to the children who depend on them. As Nevada’s largest state-chartered bank, we’ve been making a difference in the lives of Nevadans for over 50 years.
www.nsbank.com | 1.866.618.3574
Meadows Bank
When I graduated medical school, I first went to Duke University to study psychiatry. After six months of it, I was talked out and transferred into internal medicine and cardiology. Psychiatry was fascinating to read about, but required so much patience. Worse, there were no gadgets in psychiatry. Cardiology has far more technical tools.
What is your dream job outside
What is your dream job, outside of your current field?
Rank
What is something that people might not know about you?
healthy business.
Learn more about what Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has to offer at anthem.com/connects2
Call now for offers on Cox Business Phone, Internet and TV that can save you money.
Business TV Ĺ˜ )5(( +' 3URJUDPPLQJ Ĺ˜ 1R $GGLWLRQDO &KDUJHV for Local Channels Ĺ˜ &KRRVH IURP 0XOWLSOH 3DFNDJHV
Life and Disability products underwritten by Anthem Life Insurance Company. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc. In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area): RightCHOICEÂŽ Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy AllianceÂŽ Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), which underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), which underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively, which underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ÂŽ ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
VEGAS INC | 91
BUSINESS lIStS 2012
Entertainment Gaming Hotels, Resorts & Casinos Intellectual Property & Technology Media & Internet Real Estate Tax
3773 Howard Hughes Parkway Suite 400 North Las Vegas, NV 89169 702.792.3773
built for progress
Call 702-939-1146 or visit coxbusiness.com
enter for Health Information Analysis and VEGAS INC research
Advertising Law Appellate Art Law Business Reorganization & Bankruptcy Commercial Litigation Construction Corporate & Securities
| Celebrating Five Years in Las Vegas
www.gtlaw.com
1 8 0 0 AT T O R N E Y S I N 3 2 L O C AT I O N S ° | U S A L AW F I R M O F T H E Y E A R , C H A M B E R S G L O B A L AWA R D S
BUSIN LISTS 2E0S14S 53424.indd 1
89-98_HealthCare.indd 0000067674-01.indd 1 91
11/30/10 6:52:47 PM
BOOK OF
11/30/11 12/9/11 11:54:48 11:44:00 AM AM
164_BackCover.indd 0000061178-01.indd 11
§
information about our qualifications and The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written inf our experience. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Š2010 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Contact: Mark G. Tratos in Las Vegas at 702.792.3773. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. §Greenberg Traurig was selected by Chambers and Partners as USA Law Firm of the Year, 2007. *Operates as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. 10987
Call for offers. Telephone modem equipment may be required. Modem uses electrical power to operate and has backup battery power provided by Cox if electricity is interrupted. Cox cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free Internet service or the speed of your service. Rates and bandwidth options vary and are subject to change. An HDTV and HD receiver or CableCARD™ are required in order to receive HD channels from Cox. If you own a One-way Digital Cable Ready (DCR) TV or other display device that is CableCARD-compatible, you may lease either a CableCARD or a digital set-top receiver in order to receive Cox Digital CableSM. If you wish to lease a CableCARD in lieu of a digital receiver, you must obtain the CableCARD from Cox. Installation or activation fees may apply. CableCARD is a registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabsŽ) and is used with permission. Programming may vary by location. Rates vary and are subject to change. Additional costs for installation, construction, connection, relocation, inside wiring and equipment may apply. Telephone service, including access to e911 service, will not be available during an extended power outage or if modem is moved or inoperable. Services not available in all areas. Other restrictions apply. Telephone services are provided by Cox Nevada Telcom, LLC. Š2012 CoxCom, LLC., d/b/a Cox Communications Las Vegas, Inc. All rights reserved.
12/7/11 10:09:57 4:46:26 PM 12/1/11 AM
A page is just a page... until it becomes a book!
Supplemen
t to VEGAS
Mary before her procedure
Mary Swannie-Ryan
James D. Atkinson, M.D., FACS Medical Director
Darren W. Soong M.D., FACS Bariatric Surgeon
INC
Get your ad in the 2015 Book of Business Lists. Place Celeb your page into theraresource ting Lawfor business success. Strong Apa
rt, Stronger LEWIS ROCA ROTHGERBER
Fir m Grow
Together
th
Visit us online at VEGASinc.com
ALBUQUER
SPRINGS | DENVER | LAS VEGAS
| PHOENIX | RENO | SILICON VALLEY
| TUCSON | LRRLAW.C OM
Most Insurance Accepted (including Medicare)
BUSINESS LISTS
Lewis and Roca has joined forces with Rothgerber Lewis Roca Rothge Johnson & Lyons rber. Eective to become September 2013, of the largest law ďŹ rms in the the combinati on creates one Western U.S. oďŹƒces. The combin with 250 lawyers ed ďŹ rm oers across nine an enhanced in litigation, real and expanded estate, energy range of service and utilities, property, gaming s banking, insuran , and religiou ce, intellectual s institutions. Because togethe r we’re stronge r. QUE | CASPER | COLORAD O
Call (702) 337-2096 or visit SurgicalWeightControlCenter.com
2014 BOOK OF
To advertise call 702.990.2443
Surgical Weight Control Center performs all weight loss procedures at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Desert Springs Medical Center Hospital is a Nationally Accredited Bariatric Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Results shown are atypical and individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not agents or employees of Desert Springs Hospital Medical center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
SPONSORED BY:
000009575d2-01.indd _CVR1.ind 1 1
11/26/13 10:05 AM
01_Cover_spine.indd
1
12/12/13 10:10 10:07 AM
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
87
PATIENT SUCCESS PROFILE
JEFF THOMPSON
DIAGNOSIS: DRUG ADDICTION PATIENT OF: SOLUTIONS RECOVERY
J
eff Thompson told himself he would stop taking prescription drugs on his 16th birthday. It passed. He promised he would stop using heroin on his 17th birthday. It passed. By the time police officers showed up at his door on his 18th birthday, Thompson was already years deep into his addiction, and he had turned to selling drugs to support his $250-a-day habit. On his first day as a legal adult, he had the most important decision of his life to make – go to prison for theft or go to rehab. In July 2007, he entered Solutions Recovery, a Las Vegas-based drug and alcohol rehab center. A scared, strung out, 110-pound kid, Thompson was, in his own words, as “close to death as death could be.” He spent 30 days at Solutions Recovery and credits his counselor with single-handedly saving his life. Today, he uses his experience mixed with drive and creativity to help others escape addiction. “I’m grateful I went through what I went through. There’s a deeper meaning to life when you’ve been through hell,” Thompson said. “I’m one of the lucky ones. I made it out. A lot of people don’t make it out. Putting the people you love through that sort of misery isn’t worth it. I’ve had a lot of friends not make it out.” The key to unlock his sobriety was easier said than done – he had to want to stay sober more than he was afraid of what would happen if he used again. The road wasn’t an easy one, for he had years of addiction and fear to battle. At age 12, he began using marijuana and alcohol, gateway drugs that opened and led Thompson down the path of an addict. As an underage youth, it was easier for him to score prescription pills such as Lortab and oxycodone – and later heroin – than it was to buy alcohol. “It was cheaper, easier to get. I spent twice as much and got twice as bad twice as fast,” Thompson said of the prescription pills, which he believed to be “harmless” because they were prescription, not understanding oxycodone shared the same opiate base as heroin. “I didn’t think I could get addicted to the pills. The information wasn’t there like it is now.” His teenage years were ruled by his addiction. He was kicked out of the Clark County School District and preceded to hurt anyone in close vicinity. “I fell into that addiction, and I’d do whatever I had to,” Thompson said. “I became a thief, a liar. I was a master manipulator. I became a sad soul. I was so far into my addiction it was hard to reach me.” Today, it’s Thompson’s goal to reach those who are out of reach – through music or other efforts. After all, his first adult decision was afforded to him by friends who decided to not press charges. Once he emerged from the fog, he was reintroduced to his creative side and re-familiarized himself with his passion for writing and music. He took the moniker “Ekoh” and started his new life.
88
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Other than playing locally, he’s recorded in Good Charlotte’s recording studio in Southern California, released an EP and has performed with Wu-Tang Clan, Everlast and Kottonmouth Kings, artists he looked up to as a kid. “I’m living the dream I thought about when I was using. It’s mind blowing,” he said. “The most important part is loving the life you live sober … the whole goal for the music was to make an impact on my younger self. Make music I would’ve liked at 13, 14 years old. Be a message of hope, which is what I try to be.” Instead of focusing his efforts strictly inward, Thompson donates his spare time to helping those in need – in need of recovery, in need of inspiration, in need of hope. His best friend was murdered three years ago, so he makes time to help friends and family of murder victims. He’s a sponsor for recovering addicts going through the 12-step program, feeds the homeless once a month and donates his talent to anti-bullying campaigns. The time he has is precious, and he spends every second doing something positive, he said. “I take the time, any second I have. I’m not one to shy away from trying to be of service in any way,” he said. “Everything I do is trying to take something bad and turn it into something positive. It allows you to take the power back.”
“
Everything I do is trying to take something bad and turn it into something positive. It allows
tion ide Prescrip Free Statew m ra g Pro Assistance
you to take the power back. — Jeff Thompson
Free
% 5 7 o t p u e v a S Never Expires
Program Highlights: Free to all patients. Cards are pre-activated - no sign-up forms needed. Discounts on brand and generic medications. Helps patients that have high deductible plans or are uninsured. Reduces patient callbacks. Enhances physicians’ ability to treat patients with drugs that may not otherwise be affordable. For more information or to order free hard cards visit:
www.nevadadrugcard.com Suzanne Domoracki
Suzanne@nevadadrugcard.com • 702-510-0100 Nevada Drug Card Preferred Pharmacy:
Free Rx iCard
Jeff Thompson photos by Fred Morledge
Compliments of:
Nevada Drug Card
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
89
NONPROFIT Q & A
NEVADA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION 35 E. HORIZON RIDGE PARKWAY, #110-137 HENDERSON, NV 89002 866.307.0942 | DANIEL@NVHCA.ORG OR REGISTRATION @NVHCA.ORG NVHCA.ORG
Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Owned/operated by: Nevada Health Care Association Daniel Mathis, president and CEO
Operating since: 1974
the unique needs of its membership through state and national advocacy, quality initiatives, professional development and by providing members with the tools to stay ahead of the competition. We have a proven track record of positively affecting regulations, trends and legislative policies because of our standing as the strongest and most influential long term care trade association in Nevada.
What’s the most important part of your organization? Describe your organization. The Nevada Health Care Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public health and welfare for improved postacute care among health care providers in Nevada. With membership statewide, including most of the state’s skilled nursing facilities and a growing number of assisted living facilities, our members employ over 12,000 Nevadans. As a nonprofit organization, NVHCA’s objectives are to: • Promote public health and welfare for better post-acute care among health care facilities in Nevada • Address common industry issues • Improve the ability of facilities to meet the long-term care needs in their areas • Consider the long-term care needs for the entire state of Nevada • Sponsor educational and grant funded projects to further objectives
What is your mission? The mission of the NVHCA is to improve the quality of care in Nevada’s skilled nursing, assisted living and other post-acute care settings through advocacy and education.
Whom do you help? The NVHCA improves the quality of care in Nevada’s skilled nursing, assisted living and other post-acute care settings in large part through the leadership, support and advocacy provided to its members while working with them and the broader health care community. This work ultimately helps the most fragile Nevadan’s we are charged with caring for.
What makes your organization unique? Throughout its more than 40-year history, NVHCA has been serving
The most important aspect of our organization is our representation of Nevada’s post-acute care providers to state and federal government. Medicare and Medicaid, as payers, make up the largest number of our customers. Through this work we can improve the lives of everyone who need our services.
What is the hardest part about operating your nonprofit? The hardest part is getting people to change their mind about postacute care. There is a stigma associated with “nursing homes.” Over the last 20 years, skilled nursing has transformed to a higher acuity provider with shorter lengths of stay. Skilled nursing is an important part of the continuum of care, helping reduce hospital costs by being able to provide a safe discharge destination once the acute settings have established a course of treatment.
What is the best part about operating your nonprofit? It’s hard to say what the best part is, since there are so many bright spots, but it’s rewarding to help our members provide quality care to the local people they serve. Helping the people in charge of delivering care in Nevada’s post-acute care facilities improve their performance is an important part of our mission. Our data has improved in accuracy and timeliness and covers 18 different quality measures. We can customize education to each specific provider. I also like connecting with the families of those we care for to provide education and support. For example, one resident’s daughter is a registered nurse, and she advocated for physical restraints to keep her mother from falling. I met with her, and after discussing the issues brought on by these kinds of restraints, she changed her mind and now supports the plan of care for her mother. She now works with the facility and is even more satisfied with the services she has received. Continued on page 92
90
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dr. Mark Stradling, Dr. Douglas Lorenz, Dr. Surjeet Singh, Dr. Rajy Rouweyha, Dr. Rudy Manthei, Dr. Glen Hatcher, Dr. Darrick Neibaur, Dr. Shoib Myint, Dr. Douglas Orton, Dr. Vincent Gassen.
QUALITY CARE, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. Nevada’s premier source for ophthalmology and optometry. At Nevada Eye & Ear, we’ve assembled a team of top physicians to deliver care at the highest level of excellence. Nevada Eye & Ear has five Refractive Cataract Surgeons experienced in offering advanced
2598 Windmill Parkway Henderson, Nevada 89074 9100 W. Post Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89148 2020 Goldring Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89106
technology of premium IOL’s which offers you the advantage of seeing better near or far.
Call 702-896-6043 to schedule your appointment today.
893 Adams Boulder City, Nevada 89005 3640 S. Highway 160, Suite 101 Pahrump, Nevada 89048 1301 Bertha Howe Avenue, Suite 1 Mesquite, NV 89027
*Not all physicians shown
Continued from page 90
What obstacles have your organization overcome?
LAS VEGAS TOP DOC
Our obstacles are image, the nursing shortage, appropriate funding and compliance education, in no particular order. These challenges are ongoing. On the positive side, our membership in the association is growing. We represent all but one of the freestanding skilled nursing facilities as members and a real movement from the assisted living providers to join is underway.
How can individuals and businesses help you? Ideally, individuals and businesses interested in improving the level of post-acute care in Nevada can help by joining the NVHCA as a member or as an associate member. The NVHCA Perry Foundation is accepting tax-deductible donations that fund compliance reviews for post-acute providers. These mock surveys can help providers improve their quality measures in the delivery of care. Other services are director of nursing and MDS certifications for registered nurses.
What are some of your upcoming events or projects?
The Only Triple Fellowship Trained Acute Care & Bariatric Surgeon in Nevada
Dr MacIntyre specializes in: Laparoscopic Flexible Abdominal Banding Sleeve Gastronomy Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass He has developed a comprehensive wellness program to aid in his patients success. It includes a state of the art gym, a nutritionist and bariatrician to help develop a strong before and after care program, a psychologist to support and guide patients through their weight loss journey, monthly support groups, fitness classes and a staff that cheers all of his patients on as they meet their goals.
Phone:: 702.724.1400 Fax:: 702.724.1402 Pecos & Pebble • Henderson Craig Rd & 95 • NW Las Vegas www.SurgicalWeightLossSolutionsLV.com 92
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
We have monthly educational opportunities available that are both face-to-face and virtual. Our annual conference in Lake Tahoe each August is included in all levels of associate membership, and our “Endeavors” recognition event (held for the first time this year) is an annual event recognizing the top-performing NVHCA members. At the same time, the program identifies and helps facilities that need it most, offering customized education and resources to improve performance. Anything else to add about your nonprofit and the work you’re doing? The NVHCA Perry Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that works together with the post-acute care community to build integrity, efficiency and service excellence for Nevada’s post-acute care consumers and providers. This is achieved through community awareness and donor support. The NVHCA Perry Foundation is committed to providing evidencebased practice education to Nevada’s post-acute care provider and regulatory community. This education is essential to equip Nevada’s post-acute care community with the tools necessary to improve quality indicators, recruit quality personnel and support a career path for new health care professionals. Through this education, the foundation improves the quality of care and promotes consistency and professionalism in care delivery. The NVHCA Perry Foundation has been offering courses in a classroom setting on a regular basis to professional caregivers in the skilled nursing and acute hospitals field since its inception. In 2013, the Foundation integrated educational offerings for caregivers in the assisted living and residential facilities for group communities. In 2014, the Foundation is implementing an e-learning platform that will include live webinars and a webinar-on-demand format to give caregivers another choice for their educational delivery. All courses are approved for continuing education units by numerous licensing boards, depending on the course offered. Another aspect of our work is the NVHCA Political Action Committee (PAC), a 501(c)(6) organization. It helps ensure our members have a strong voice when decisions are made that impact the delivery of health care. We work with elected officials and policymakers at all levels of government regarding post-acute care issues in Nevada in order to address deficiencies and improve the quality of care statewide.
CONSUMER Q & A
DAVID MARLON PRESIDENT
SOLUTIONS RECOVERY
Is there a cure for addiction? “Cure” is a funny way of talking about it. We may never know if there is a switch that can just be flipped like that. One thing I do know is that there are some very simple actions that will deeply impact how addiction dismantles someone’s life. Being open and honest about addiction is important. Reaching out to professional therapists and doctors will greatly improve the chances of getting and staying sober.
What are the dangers of detoxing from alcohol without the supervision of a medical practitioner?
toxification, residential treatment, partial care, intensive in-patient and outpatient services. The addictions coverage for Medicaid is significantly more limited. The way addiction is viewed both socially and professionally is changing for the better every day. More options for treatment will lead to a healthier population.
There’s a nationwide shortage of psychologists, which is contributing to the nationwide lack of adequate mental health services. How do you help fill that void locally?
Many people underestimate the dangers of self-managed or self-prescribed detox. Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol over a long period of time can alter the production of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. When you suddenly remove alcohol from the equation, the brain goes into a sort of shock to regain balance. The effects can range from heart palpitations and vomiting to delirium and seizures, which can be fatal. The health risk with alcohol detox is not worth it; seeking help to pull away from heavy drinking is highly advised.
I’m not sure if there is a lack of providers, but I do know that there is a lack of funding for mental health. Another problem is the directional flow of patients in the mental health sector. As we’re seeing in Las Vegas right now, mental health patients are heading to the ER with people who have broken limbs, the flu or have been in an accident. We need more facilities that can address their mental health. The proper mental health system needs to address their meds and offer therapy with continued case management. But those things take money and some systematic restructuring.
I found pills in my child’s backpack. Now what do I do?
What are the most common signs of addiction?
Talk to your kids. Don’t be afraid to discuss substance abuse and addiction with your child; providing them with the necessary information about the dangers of drugs and alcohol could save their life. Being open and honest with them has absolutely no down side. If you talk, they listen, simple as that.
There are many signs of addiction. Some common social signs that someone is addicted are a sudden drop in attendance or performance either at school or work, sudden changes in appetite or sleep patterns as well as sudden change in body weight and unexplained or sudden financial problems, which could lead to theft. There are also quite a few physical signs that someone is addicted: bloodshot eyes, pinpoint or dilated pupils, lurred speech, impaired coordination and uncontrollable tremors. Friends and loved ones know their behavior really well. They are always to first to see that there is a problem, and they are often to ones that reach out to us for help.
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, I now have health insurance. What addiction help is covered? The Essential Benefit Plan and The Parity Act require coverage for addictions. The commercial plans through Nevada Health Link provide coverage for the full range of addiction treatment, including: inpatient de-
Continued on page 94 SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
93
“ Continued from page 93
Right after Hoffman’s death, Russell Brand
was quoted as saying that, by dying, Hoffman probably saved 10 lives. We will never
Gabel Distributors is the largest provider of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) and Cold/Compression/DVT Therapy services in Southern Nevada Contact your doctor about the benefits of CPM
JAS systems comfortably stretch your limbs with pain free, patient directed therapy.
Now the exclusive distributor of Cayenne Medical, a leading provider of sports medicine soft tissue repair products for the knee and shoulder
Call Today: 702-489-2288 or visit Gabeldistributors.com
NOW RECRUITING
GRAND JUNCTION VA MEDICAL CENTER, LOCATED IN WESTERN COLORADO IS RECRUITING FOR CHIEF OF SURGERY, 2 HOSPITALISTS, 1 PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER (PACT), A GERIATRICIAN, AND UROLOGIST. Grand Junction is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Both summer and winter activities are within easy reach. Skiing, hiking, bicycling, camping, and white water rafting on the Colorado River are just some of the activities that are available.
You often see new trends in drugs before they hit the national news. What trends are you currently seeing? Currently, we are seeing a large increase in the abuse and dependence on prescription medication and pills. Many teens and young adults think that because they come from a pill bottle, they are safe. A majority of pills taken recreationally are from friends, family or taken from the household, not bought on the streets or from doctors. These pills are really powerful, the speed at which they can take control of your life is really scary.
How has mainstream stories of drug overdose and misuse, like that of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, helped or hindered the war on drugs? The death of a household name like Phillip Seymour Hoffman strikes close to home for a lot of people. His death really highlighted the risk of relapse. He was sober for 20-plus years, and lost it all in a flash. A death like that also affects people who know deep down that they have problem. They think to themselves, “Wow, this can happen to anyone.” Right after Hoffman’s death, Russell Brand was quoted as saying that, by dying, Hoffman probably saved 10 lives. We will never know for sure, but the idea is there.
Rehabilitation centers are normally clinical/physician-driven treatment environments. At a treatment center like Solutions, the program is focused on getting clean and sober and starting to find the root of the addiction in each person. Once a level of stability is found, our clients move on to a new environment. Sober living or “half-way houses” support the transitional period just after treatment in order to help acclimate the newly recovered into a healthy and sober lifestyle.
The Hospital is a 30 bed facility providing 24/7 acute inpatient care with a 5 bed ICU. There is a 30 bed Community Living Center (CLC) and a Hospice Unit within the facility. An award winning large outpatient practice based on the Primary Aligned Care Team (PACT) is also present. Denver VA and Salt Lake City VA serve as tertiary care referral centers.
What repercussions do you expect as a result of the recent legalization of marijuana?
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE U.S. CITIZENS AND BOARD CERTIFIED OR ELIGIBLE IN INTERNAL MEDICINE OR FAMILY PRACTICE. Geriatricians should preferably also be boarded in Palliative Care.
Submit CVs to Human Resources (970) 242-0731 Ext. 2076
Timothy Blakney (303) 639-7015 or Bonnie Stiner (970) 263-2800 ext. 2491
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
— David Marlon
What’s the difference between sober living and rehab?
Colorado Mesa University is within the city limits and a thriving viticulture is located in the immediate suburbs. The Colorado Rockies’ minor league team is based in Grand Junction. Downtown is the site of many festivals and cultural activities.
94
know for sure, but the idea is there.
SPRING 2014
I think one of the first things we will see is more young people using marijuana, which will lead to other forms of substance abuse. And not necessarily in “gate-way” terms, but in more of a social behavioral way. We are also already seeing crime go up in neighborhoods within close proximity of marijuana dispensaries across the country. I think there are many hidden or unknown impacts that will begin to surface in the coming months.
H E A LT H T I P S
STATE’S INDOOR TANNING BAN FOR MINORS AIMS TO PREVENT UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE By Dr. Victoria Guerra Farley
L
ast summer, Nevada became the fourth state in the U.S. to ban indoor tanning for minors. This might seem inconvenient for teenagers who enjoy a bronze hue from ultra violet (UV) lights, but the law could make a significant difference in preventing cancer among state residents. Although tanning has become engrained in American culture, especially among youth, many people are unaware that hours spent in tanning beds or under direct sunlight without protective sunscreen can dramatically heighten the risk of skin cancer. Nevada’s new law only outlaws indoor tanning for individuals under 18, but dermatologists emphasize that no one of any age should tan. The purpose of the law prohibiting indoor tanning among teenagers is to prevent minors from adopting a habit early in life that is detrimental to their health, not unlike laws preventing children from smoking and drinking. Tanning poses a serious health risk because UV radiation from tanning bed lamps and from the sun directly causes damage to the DNA in skin cells. When cells can’t repair this damage, DNA can undergo cancerous mutations. This is a prevalent health issue. The incidence of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – has increased significantly among middle-aged adults over the last four decades, according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic. Researchers largely attribute this increase to the use of tanning beds. Skin cancer rates for men increased 4.5 fold, while skin cancer rates for women increased 24-fold. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous-cell skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. In 2013, there were more than 76,600 cases of melanoma. In particular, those who use tanning beds before the age of 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma by 75 percent, according to a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a working group of the World Health Organization. Tanning beds are considered more dangerous than sunbathing outdoors. Although UV radiation also emanates from the sun, tanning beds offer the option of increasing the lamps’ intensity, escalating the amount of radiation an individual receives. In addition, people can utilize indoor tanning yearround, resulting in regular exposure to UV rays. Even in constantly sunny regions like Southern Nevada, most people will take a break from outdoor
tanning during chilly winter temperatures and intense summer heat, reducing their exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. Routine exposure to the sun is still harmful to the skin, and it is important to take precautions before spending time outdoors. Preventing the skin from sunburns and tans is a simple matter of putting on sunscreen on any skin that isn’t covered by clothing. Health experts recommend using the highest SPF sunscreen available, as most people don’t put on enough sunscreen to achieve its full protective effect. People should apply one ounce of sunscreen before any prolonged exposure to the sun, including sitting in the car for a long commute while sunshine streams through the windshield. For those who have already dedicated time to basking on beaches or inside tanning beds, there are simple ways to monitor for signs of skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends everyone practice monthly headto-toe self-examinations to identify any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous. Basic warning signs of skin cancer include a skin growth that increases in size, and that might appear pearly, black, brown or multicolored. People should also be on the lookout for a mole, birthmark, beauty mark or brown spot that alters in any way, including changing color, increasing in size or thickness, changing texture, becoming irregular in outline, growing larger than 6 millimeters, or appearing after age 21. Other signs can include a spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, scab and bleed, or an open sore that doesn’t heal within three weeks. When an individual recognizes these symptoms, it is important to see a dermatologist. There are many reasons for people to reconsider tanning as a regular or even occasional practice. On top of the significant health risks, tanning has additional negative impacts. While some feel exposure to UV lights provides a healthy looking glow, the habit can also deteriorate an individual’s appearance over the long-term. Tanning accelerates the skin’s aging process, causing wrinkles, uneven skin tones and a rough texture much earlier in life. As a HealthCare Partners’ dermatologist, I welcome any questions from patients about tanning and skin cancer, and I am always happy to discuss steps Nevadans can take to maintain and improve their skin health. Our skin is an important asset, and it is important to make efforts to protect it.
Dr. Victoria Guerra Farley is a dermatologist with HealthCare Partners Nevada. For more information about HealthCare Partners Nevada, visit www.hcpnv.com.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
95
H E A LT H T I P S
CHILDREN’S SUMMERTIME INJURIES — WHEN TO VISIT THE ER VS. URGENT CARE By Dr. Lisa Miller
S
ummertime represents a wide range of opportunities for children to play and exercise outdoors during their months off from school, but parents should be aware that there are many injuries and additional health issues children can experience throughout the season. Children are vulnerable to common and even critical health issues during the summer, especially in Southern Nevada, where temperatures regularly hover around the three-digit range. Some of these issues can be prevented with a balance of preparation and caution. When unexpected injuries or illnesses arise, however, it’s important to recognize when a child’s situation warrants a trip to an urgent care facility or the emergency room. High temperatures and increased sun exposure are obviously the primary concerns during the summer. In many areas of the country, the rising level of thermometers is just uncomfortable, but the temperatures in Southern Nevada can be dangerous and even deadly, especially for children. Children and adolescents adjust more slowly than adults to changes in environmental heat, and they also produce more heat when they are active, making them more vulnerable to issues like heat-related illness. Parents should be on the lookout for warning signs of their children experiencing heat exhaustion, which occurs after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and dehydration. Common symptoms include dizziness, fainting, muscle cramps and nausea, at which point children should drink plenty of fluids and take a cool shower or bath. Without proper intervention, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a very serious form of heat injury and a medical emergency. Heat stroke occurs when the core body temperature exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which can damage the brain and other vital organs and even lead to death. Signs of heat stroke include seizures, unconsciousness, nausea and vomiting. If children experience these symptoms, parents should transport them to the ER or call 9-1-1 immediately. Intense outdoor temperatures also have a dangerous effect on surfaces where children play. When outdoor thermometers reach levels above 100 degrees, children who walk barefoot or fall on asphalt can potentially experience second-degree burns. Asphalt absorbs heat, and the material can reach up to 200 degrees during a Las Vegas summer. This same danger exists on the surfaces of outdoor playground equipment. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the weather doesn’t even have to be significantly hot to heat up playground equipment to a harmful level. If a piece of outdoor equipment is simply in direct sunlight for an extended period of time, there is a risk of children sustaining a thermal burn injury when coming in contact with it. Parents should remain aware of the sun and weather conditions, and during hot and sunny days they should guide their children to avoid un-
96
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
coated metal equipment and dark-colored plastics and rubbers like swings. Children 2 and younger are more at risk to be burned by a hot surface, according to the CPSC, because a young child’s skin is thinner and they have not yet learned to react by removing themselves from a hot surface. Parents concerned about children’s minor burns that are no larger than 3 inches can visit an urgent care clinic. Children with severe burns, which include burns larger than 3 inches or any burn on sensitive areas such as the hands, feet, face or over a major joint, should receive immediate medical treatment at the ER. Swimming can also lead to summertime emergencies for children. Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death among children 1 to 4 years old and children 10 to 14 years old, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Home swimming pools are the most common sites for drowning incidents involving young children. There are several safety measures families can pursue to prevent pool drownings, such as installing a fence around the perimeter of a pool to protect toddlers from falling in. Parents must also take care to keep children within arm’s reach at all times when they are near water, and further designate a specific adult to supervise the children at all times. Families should teach children 2 and older to tread water and also guide children to never approach water without an adult present. Families should also be aware of other swimming-related dangers, such as recreational water illnesses, (RWIs), which are caused by germs and chemicals found in swimming pools, lakes and water play areas. Chlorine does not kill all germs instantly, and RWIs result from swallowing or coming in contact with certain germs. RWIs include a wide variety of infections, such as skin, ear, respiratory and eye infections. Although anyone can contract RWIs, children are more likely than adults to suffer severe illness if infected. To prevent RWIs, parents should teach their children to shower before and after swimming and to keep their mouths closed while swimming. Families should visit an urgent care clinic if their kids experience symptoms of RWIs, including rashes, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Dr. Lisa Miller is a physician at Good Night Pediatrics. Good Night Pediatrics, an all-night urgent care clinic in Henderson for children and teenagers, is open from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. , providing an accessible health care alternative for families when their children’s nighttime health issues don’t require a trip to the ER. For more information, visit www.goodnightpeds.com, or call (702) 9396800 during the clinic’s operating hours.
MAKING THE ROUNDS To include your photos in the next issue, contact Rob Langrell at rob.langrell@gmgvegas.com
Top: Last month, a group from Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals’ San Martin campus participated in National Rebuilding Day with Rebuilding Together of Southern Nevada. RTSNV is a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners. Since its inception in Las Vegas in 1994, RTSNV has been working with the community to preserve affordable homeownership by bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. RTSNV and its 1,200 community partners and volunteers have renovated and rehabilitated more than 6,500 homes, impacting the live of more than 14,000 of Southern Nevada’s most vulnerable homeowners and families. Above: Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals held an Open Forum event at UNLV’s Ham Hall to talk about its Hello humankindness campaign and other Dignity Health-specific initiatives. Dignity Health’s CEO Lloyd Dean spoke to the crowd of about 750 employees. Right: The Foothill High School marching band was outside when employees were leaving.
Open Forum photos courtesy of Exceed Photography
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
97
MAKING THE ROUNDS
DIGNITY HEALTH - ST. ROSE DOMINICAN SAN MARTIN CAMPUS NAMED SOUTHERN NEVADA’S FIRST BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL
Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals announces its San Martín campus received international recognition as an official Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility, the first in Southern Nevada. The designation is conferred by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, and implemented in the United States by Baby-Friendly USA. This initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. “We are extremely proud of being named the first Baby-Friendly hospital in Southern Nevada,” said
98
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Vicky VanMeetren, president and CEO of the San Martín campus. “The practice of breastfeeding has always been an important part of what we do here at San Martín and this designation is significant to the community.” There are more than 20,000 designated BabyFriendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 175 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States.The BabyFriendly designation is given after a completion of a rigorous on-site survey. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the ten steps as demonstrated by quality processes.
PATRICK S. MCNULTY, M.D. TOP DOC 2014
American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons American Board of Spine Surgery SURGERY OF THE SPINE AND SPINAL DISORDERS
Dr. Patrick S. McNulty, M.D. is an accomplished, welltrained; double board-certified, experienced Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Surgery of the Spine affiliated with Nevada Orthopedic and Spine Center. He has been in practice since 1993 specializing in Spinal Disorders. He has been in Las Vegas for 16 years. His expertise includes the entire spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and the sacroiliac regions. Dr. McNulty focuses his practice on Spinal Disorders in both adults and pediatrics, specializing in Complex Spinal Reconstruction, especially for deformity, such as scoliosis and loss of upright posture. He prides himself on keeping up on new, innovative techniques, but maintaining the perspective of well-established, successful time-proven methods. He is well-versed on minimally invasive techniques, using them appropriately so to not compromise ultimate structural success of the procedure. He is always willing to discuss and consider other approaches and let the patient make the informed decision. Dr. McNulty graduated first in his class with his M.D. from the University of Miami. In addition, he also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering with majors in electrical engineering, chemistry, and computers, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami. He completed his Orthopedic Surgical Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, affiliated with Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, in Dallas, Texas. Dr. McNulty then completed his Spine Fellowship at the Scoliosis and Spine Center, affiliated with Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Towson, Maryland. After his Fellowship, Dr. McNulty was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia for three and one half years. He was co-director of the Division of Spine Surgery and was involved full-time with orthopedic residency training. Dr. McNulty’s dedication to the field of Orthopedics is reflected by his role as a valued member of many prestigious professional organizations. He is a Fellow
of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and a member of the North American Spine Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society for Engineers, and the Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society for Electrical Engineers. Dr. McNulty is also a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, which is a very prestigious society which requires 5 years of provisional membership before becoming a full active member. This society focuses on more complex issues of spine deformity, including spondylolithesis, scoliosis, and loss of upright posture. There are only three members of the Scoliosis Research Society in Nevada, and Dr. McNulty is the only one who treats both pediatric and adult patients. Dr. McNulty is always committed to reasonable conservative methods prior to embarking upon surgical options. The goal is always to effectively move towards less pain, more function, and better health, with or without surgery. The goal is to start feeling better within 3 to 6 months. No matter who you are, significant pain that persists for longer than 3 to 6 months becomes much tougher to treat and succeed. For many patients, they may need to address very important health issues before surgery. Dr. McNulty is committed to this because it will improve the patient’s outcome. He would much rather have you wait for surgery to be healthier. This means that important issues, such as smoking, obesity, chronic medication use, and deconditioning will be discussed in direct fashion because it is important to you, the patient. For some patients, addressing these very important health issues may eliminate the need for surgery all together. For others, it significantly improves the chance of getting the most out of your surgery and avoiding more surgery in the future. Smokers especially can have technically successful surgery from a structural perspective, but not do well simply because they continue to smoke. Chronic narcotics are seldom an acceptable solution for pain and should be avoided if other options are available due to issues of tolerance and loss of effective pain relief over time.
702.258.3773 2560 N. TENAYA WAY, STE. 301 LAS VEGAS NV 89128 1505 WIGWAM PKWY., STE. 330 HENDERSON NV 89074
PRE-OP
Dr. McNulty has several recent awards and recognitions: America’s Top Orthopedists 2009 Presidential Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers, 2011 Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2011 Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2012 Continental Who’s Who Pinnacle Professional of the Year 2012 Continental Who’s Who Lifetime Member Leading Physicians of the World 2013 Castle Connolly Recognized Top Doctors 2013 Dr. McNulty is Board-Certified by both the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and the American Board of Spine Surgery. He achieved the top percentile scores in the country on his board certification exams and maintains his current board certifications.
For more information about Dr. McNulty, please visit www.nevadaorthopedic.com
POST-OP
cale n d ar To include your calendar items in the next issue, contact Rob Langrell at rob.langrell@gmgvegas.com
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health All educational programs are offered free of charge and are held at 888 W. Bonneville Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106. For additional information, contact Susan Solorzano at 483.6055 or solorzs@ccf.org. Visit the patient and family services program calendar at www.keepmemoryalive.org/social services. JUST WALK WITH A DOC PROGRAM First and third Saturdays of each month. June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19 and Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m. Join Cleveland Clinic doctors for a talk and a walk through downtown Las Vegas. This community event combines a brief, informative talk by a Cleveland Clinic Nevada doctor followed by a casual 45-minute walk during which the participants can walk alongside the doctor and ask questions. Reservations not required. CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART SERIES Dynamic conversations about art through videoconferencing. All art education programs are held at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Event is open to the public and free. Contact Susan, 483-6055, solorzs@ccf.org for additional information. LUNCH AND LEARN EDUCATIONAL SERIES Wednesdays, noon-1 p.m. Bring your lunch, drinks and dessert provided. For more information, call Susan, 702-483-6055. May 28: Explanations & Examples for Different Kinds of Brain Images – Dylan Wint, MD, Director, Fellowship in Cognitive Disorders; Director, Education in Neurodegeneration, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health What do different neuroimaging techniques, such as MRI, PET, CT, angiograms show doctors? See examples of brain imaging and discover what doctors use them for.
100
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS COUNSELING SERVICES Individual, couples and family therapy is available to address a range of issues related to mood, adjustment to diagnosis, relationships and care giving. Open to the community, free. Contact Joanne, 483-6006, fairchj@ccf.org for additional information. HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUPS 4th Tuesday of every month from noon-1 p.m. The group is held for gene positive individuals (asymptomatic and early stage) and adult family members. Interested individuals can contact Donna, 702-4836035 or municd@ccf.org. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP 1st Thursday of every month from noon-1 p.m. Group for adult family members of individuals with MS. Open to the community, free of charge. Contact Joanne, 483-6006, fairchj@ccf.org for additional information. MEMORY LOSS CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Wednesdays from 1:15-2:45 p.m. This weekly group is held for adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with memory loss. Facilitated by Donna Munic-Miller, PhD at CCLRCBH, 888 W. Bonneville Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106. For additional information, email municd@ccf.org or call 702-483-6035. PARKINSON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP 2nd Tuesday of every month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This group is held for early stage individuals and adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with Parkinson’s disease. Separate groups meet at the same time. Phone screening for new early stage participants is required. For additional information contact Jenna 702-483-6054 or cliffoj@ccf.org.
SPRING 2014
MOUNTAINVIEW HOSPITAL All programs are subject to change. MountainView Hospital is located at 3100 N. Tenaya Way, Las Vegas. For more information, visit SunriseHealthInfo.com and click Community Info/H2U. Call 233.5300 to register at least 48 hours in advance. Registration is required for all events. FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. H2U MountainView Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114, Las Vegas MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN-BALANCE EXERCISE CLASS Thursdays, 2-3 p.m. H2U MountainView Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114, Las Vegas The class provides circulation to the body while keeping all muscles working. All aspects of the exercises are planned and provide the work to keep the body strong. Class is FREE for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis or $5 for others. FREE MATERNITY UNIT TOUR Wednesday, May 28, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mark Howard Classroom, 3100 N. Tenaya Way, Las Vegas The Maternity Unit Tour gives expectant parents and family an opportunity to view the private birthing suites, nurseries and post-partum rooms. A brief explanation of MountainView’s delivery procedures, visitor rules, and items to bring are included. LUNCH AND LEARN STROKE SERIES: STROKE AND YOU Wednesday, May 28, noon-1:30 p.m. H2U MountainView Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114, Las Vegas Join Dr. Azin Azma, Neurologist for MountainView Hospital for an informational lecture on signs and symptoms of stroke. Free.
“Thank you Southern Nevada for 15 amazing years!� ~ Dr. Michael J. Crovetti, Jr.
CrovettiOrtho.com 2779 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., #200 Henderson, Nevada
cale n d ar
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals For information, visit www.strosehospitals.org, or call 616-4900 for class reservations and to learn about other programs. Location Abbreviations FTF Family to Family Connection, Henderson HEND WomensCare Center, Henderson MAC Siena Campus - MacDonald Room, Henderson RAN Rose de Lima Campus - Annex, Henderson SAN San Martín Campus, Las Vegas WEST WomensCare Center, Las Vegas DINNER WITH A DOC Wednesday, June 4, 6-7 p.m. SAN. Seating limited New concepts in treating neuropathy pain with Peter Bregman, DPM, licensed podiatrist. Tuesday, June 17, 6-7 p.m. SAN. Seating limited Alternatives to surgery for the treatment of knee arthritis with Jeff Grondel, M.D., licensed orthopedic surgeon. Wednesday, July 16, 6-7 p.m. SAN. Seating limited Women’s Cancers - reducing the risks with Camille Falkner, M.D., licensed OB/GYN. STANFORD DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Thursdays, June 5 through July 10, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 S. Racetrack Road. Fridays, July 11 through Aug. 15, 9:30 a.m.-noon. HEND Regain control of your life with this 6-week program, which offers support plus healthy eating, medication management and communication skills. Designed to complement your current medical treatment. Call 267-2950. MEDICARE ABCD’S Tuesday, June 10 or July 8, 9-10 a.m. HEND, free. Learn to decipher the Medicare maze and maximize Medicare benefits.
102
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
BECOMING MEDICINE WISE Wednesday, June 11, 9 a.m.-noon HEND. free, appointment needed Wednesday, July 23, 9 a.m.-noon WEST. free, appointment needed Meet individually with licensed pharmacist, Dr. Krystal Riccio, to learn how to take your prescription and over-the-counter medications so they work correctly with minimal side effects. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT CLUB Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. 4th Wednesdays – May 28, June 25 & July 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. HEND, free. Weekly weight management group with St. Rose Dominican registered dietitians STROLLER STRIDES Weds, 4-5 p.m. HEND, 10 classes for $110 Get a total body workout while engaging baby through songs and activities. Register at lasvegas.fit4mom.com. COMMUNICATION THROUGH SIGN LANGUAGE Fridays, June 6, 20, 27, 3:30-5 p.m. HEND, free. Fridays. July 11, 18, 25, 3:30-5 p.m. WEST, free. Learn basic signs to increase communication in this 3-week workshop for adults.
SUNRISE HOSPITAL AND SUNRISE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL All programs are subject to change. Sunrise Hospital is located at 3186 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas. For more information, visit SunriseHealthInfo.com. Call 233.5300 to register at least 48 hours in advance. Registration is required for all events. FREE MATERNITY UNIT TOUR Sundays, 2 -3 p.m. Get to know the team and tour the Labor and Delivery suites and Level III NICU. Tours meet in the Sunrise Children’s Hospital Lobby. Park in the south parking lot and follow the signs to Sunrise Children’s Hospital.
SPRING 2014
University Medical Center / Children’s Hospital of Nevada Classes held in the Family Resource Center, 1120 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas. Call 702.383.2229 for more information. Walk With a Doc Thursdays, June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21, 7 a.m. Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave. Meet in front of tennis courts. This monthly event focuses on getting people moving, interested and engaged in their health. Each 30- to 45-minute walk opens with a 3- to 5-minute health talk and is facilitated by volunteer physicians who answer questions throughout the walk. Walks occur the 3rd Thursday of each month at Lorenzi Park. Free and open to the public. Infant and Child CPR Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m-noon This course is ideal for schools and students, new parents, grandparents, babysitters and others interested in learning how to save a life. Requires a $10 deposit, refunded when you attend the class. Childbirth Class Thursdays, June 12, 19 and 26, 6-9 p.m. This is a three-part class designed to teach parents about the birth process, including breathing techniques, comfort measures and relaxation. You should complete your Childbirth class in your 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. If you are delivering at another hospital there is $35 fee. Breastfeeding Preparation Tuesday, June 17, 6-8:30 p.m. One of our certified lactation specialist leads this discussion on the benefits of breastfeeding and provides expectant and new mothers with the skills they may need to successfully breastfeed. Birth partners and other family members are welcome to attend. Class should be completed prior to delivery. Adults only. Free.
Corporate Center Phase III - Now Pre-Leasing! • Class A medical office space • Excellent location with easy accessibility • Phase I and II over 95% occupied
Seven Hills Plaza - Several Spaces Remaining! • Multiple well-known medical tenants • High visibility on St. Rose Parkway • Strategic medical corridor location
Shared Equity - Building ownership the easy way 8880 West Sunset Road, Third Floor Las Vegas, NV, 89148 Call Jennifer Dittebrandt at (702) 735-5532 for leasing opportunities
Photo Credit
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
105
T he l i s t
Skilled Nursing Facilities Ranked by number of certified beds as of January 31, 2014
Rank
Center
1
Lake Mead Health & Rehabilitation Ctr.
2
TLC Care Center
3
Delmar Gardens of Green Valley
4
Mission Pines Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Certified beds
Medicare Five-star rating
Program Participation
Councils
Year est. locally
266
1
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
2014
Donald Abdouch administrator
255
2
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1999
David Campbell administrator
242
3
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1988
Michelle Stenslie administrator
240
4
Medicaid
resident
1999
Troy Maldoven administrator
239
2
Medicare, Medicaid
resident, family
1993
Clarissa Dewese administrator
225
4
Medicare, Medicaid
resident, family
1999
Joe Ann Cole administrator
190
3
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
2005
Tracy Brantley administrator
188
1
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1999
Matthew Pool administrator
182
1
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1980
Michael Fleming administrator
180
4
Medicare, Medicaid
resident, family
2002
Frank Bellinger administrator
151
5
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1998
Kerry Laviolette CEO
148
3
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1999
Joshua Roberts administrator
144
3
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1969
James Toomey president
1180 E. Lake Mead Parkway Henderson 89015 565-8555 1500 W. Warm Springs Road Henderson 89014 547-6700 • TLCCareCenter.com 100 Delmar Gardens Drive Henderson 89074 361-6111 • DelMarGardens.com
Top executive
2860 E. Cheyenne Ave. North Las Vegas 89030 644-7777 • MissionPines.com
5
Life Care Center of Las Vegas
6
Royal Springs Healthcare and Rehab
7
The Heights of Summerlin
8
Marquis Care Plaza Regency
9
North Las Vegas Care Center
10
Nevada State Veterans HomeBoulder City
6151 Vegas Drive Las Vegas 89108 648-4900 • LCCA.com 8501 Del Webb Blvd. Las Vegas 89134 804-3000 10550 Park Run Drive Las Vegas 89144 515-6200 • TheHeightsLV.com 6021 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas 89108 396-1401 • MarquisCompanies.com 3215 E. Cheyenne Ave. North Las Vegas 89030 649-7800
100 Veterans Memorial Drive Boulder City 89005 332-6864 • Veterans.NV.gov
11
Silver Hills Health Care Center
12
Silver Ridge Health Care Center
13
El Jen Convalescent Hospital & Retirement Home
3450 N. Buffalo Drive Las Vegas 89129 952-2273 • SilverHillsHealthCareCenter.com 1151 Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas 89146 938-8333 • SilverRidgeHealthCareCenter.com
5538 W. Duncan Drive Las Vegas 89130 645-2606 • ElJenHealthCare.com
106
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Rank
14
Center
Horizon Health and Rehabilitation Center
Certified beds
Medicare Five-star rating
Program Participation
Councils
Year est. locally
138
1
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1970
Herald McBride administrator
120
4
Medicare, Medicaid
resident, family
2000
Bina Hribik-Portello administrator
120
4
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
2010
Jordan Costanzo administrator
108
3
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
2009
Esteban Duran-Ballen administrator
100
3
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1973
Edmond Morache administrator
100
4
Medicare, Medicaid
resident
1988
Deana Schoenbein administrator
Top executive
660 Desert Lane Las Vegas 89106 382-5580 • HorizonHealthAndRehab.com
15a
Life Care Center of Paradise Valley
15b
Marquis Care at Centennial Hills
2325 E. Harmon Ave. Las Vegas 89119 798-7990 • LCCA.com 6351 N. Fort Apache Road. Las Vegas 89149 515-3000 • MarquisCompanies.com
17
Kindred Hospital Flamingo
18a
Southern Nevada Medical & Rehabilitation Center
2250 E. Flamingo Road Las Vegas 89119 784-4369 • KindredHealthCare.com
2945 Casa Vegas St. Las Vegas 89109 735-7179
18b
St. Joseph Transitional Rehab Center 2035 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas 89102 386-7980 • SkilledHealthCare.com
Sources: Nevada Health Division Bureau of Licensure and Certification, Medicare gov and VEGAS INC research.
2014-2015 Giving Guide
is a comprehensive resource guide to non-profit corporate giving opportunities and events in Southern Nevada. Participate in the 2014-2015 Giving Guide. Organizations have the opportunity to sponsor a non-profit and receive a four-color, two-page spread at a special charitable rate. One page goes to the sponsoring organization for its full-page ad, and the facing page is devoted to the non -profit of its choice.
Publication Date: August 24, 2014 Space Reservation: July 14, 2014 Materials Deadline: July 28, 2014
For more information regarding advertising and sponsorship opportunities contact a Greenspun Media Group account executive at 702.990.2443 | Visit GMGVegas.com for all Greenspun Media Group products.
SPRING 2014
H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY
107
b y the n u m b er s
33.9
Number of primary care physicians in Nevada per 100,000 members of the population in 2012. The Silver State’s average is significantly lower than the national average of 46.1, according the Centers for Disease Control.
14.1 percent
YOU PAY
52” BLADES W/LIGHT
$
99
95
RETAIL: $199.90 | BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
129
52” HUNTER
$
95
RETAIL: $259.90 | BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
52” CASABLANCA
149
$
95
RETAIL: $299.90 | BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
169
52” PATIO FAN
$
95
RETAIL: $339.90 | BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
60” GREAT ROOM FAN
49995
$
RETAIL: $999.90 | BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
NORTHWEST
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHEAST
(702) 645.2833
(702) 565.3267
(702) 898.8522
W. of 95 on Craig @ Tenaya 4545 S. Ft. Apache 7161 S. Eastern Between Tropicana & Flamingo Warm Springs @ Eastern Behind McDonalds
FREE INSTALL BUY ONE INSTALL GET ONE FREE BY: LIGHTING AND FAN INSTALLERS, INC LIC 0078593
www.fancofans.com
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
294,000
Estimated number of children under 18 who suffer some form of arthritis or rheumatic condition, which amounts to one in every 250 U.S. children.
67 million
Number of U.S. adults who have high blood pressure. According to data gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, of those individuals, only 47 percent have the condition under control.
3.1 percent
Percentage of adult population in Nevada that has suffered a stroke.
$10,709
Average annual medical costs as of 2005 for Medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorder.
5.8
Number of deaths per 100,000 members of the Nevada population attributed to stomach cancer in 2010.
44 percent
Percentage of adults with disabilities who received a physical activity recommendation while visiting their doctor in the last year.
1.1 million
Number of people in the United States living with the HIV infection. Of these individuals, about one in six are unaware of their affliction.
HOURS: Mon-Fri 10-7 Sat 10-6 | Sun 11-5
108
Percentage of U.S. routine prenatal care visits in 2009-’10 during which women saw a health care provider whose specialty was not obstetrics and gynecology.
SPRING 2014
597,689
Number of U.S. deaths attributed to heart disease in 2010. The No. 1 cause of death among Americans, heart disease killed 193.6 people per 100,000 members of the population.
I hold water to a higher standard. The Superstar Standard. My name is Matt, and my job at the Southern Nevada Water Authority is to make sure water delivered to your home meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking-water standards. At home, my job is to make sure my family drinks plenty of clean, healthy water. At the SNWA, we keep a very close eye on water quality, conducting hundreds of thousands of analyses every year to verify the quality of our drinking water. And that makes both of my jobs a lot easier. We know that some customers use additional home water treatment devices and want to help you make informed decisions. If you have questions or would like objective information about supplemental water treatment systems, visit snwa.com or call 702-258-3930.
The SNWA is a not-for-profit public agency.
LOOKING BACK
VALLEY HOSPITAL PAVED WAY FOR GROWTH OF VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM By Rebecca Clifford-Cruz Dedicated on Jan. 30, 1972, Valley Hospital opened as Southern Nevada’s third-largest hospital with 269 beds. In the mid-1970s, it was the first hospital in the state to implement the IV Additive Program, a process for the preparation of intravenous medication that resulted in greater safety for patients. On July 31, 1979, the hospital was purchased by Universal Health Services, the health care parent company that now operates five hospitals under the Valley Health System umbrella. Those facilities include Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center and Valley Hospital Medical Center. With growth and expansion during the past four decades, the hospital’s patient capacity nearly doubled with 409 beds at its peak. Since the closure of the Women’s Center earlier this year, the facility is licensed for 301 beds. Above: The Valley Hospital marquee and emergency services sign shown on Dec. 28, 1981. Right top: Valley Hospital’s new graduate program shown on June 7, 1981. Bottom: Youngsters line up at the Valley X-ray clinic to have their Halloween candy tested for foreign objects on Nov. 1, 1981.
110
H E A LT H C A R E Q UA R T E R LY
SPRING 2014
Photos courtesy of The Las Vegas Sun archives
Get Well SOONER with miVIP Surgery
· miVip Surgery Centers are the first free-standing outpatient surgical facilities in the world equipped with the da Vinci Si System · The only robotic outpatient surgery center in Las Vegas · Medical Staff includes world class leading robotic surgeons · No need for hospital stay · Single port technology · Practically scarless · Faster recovery · Patient advocacy, including free insurance benefits checking and pre-authorization · Patient support, including free seminars, webinars, aftercare and homecare nursing
Call Today (855) 92-MIVIP (926-4847) | www.miVIPSurgery.com | 3560 E. Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89121
Paul Heeren, MD, FACC – Cardiology
WE’RE ALL HEALTHCARE PARTNERS. – Top Doctors
Lara Wenner, MD – Family Practice
Blair Duddy, MD – Pediatrics
Congratulations to the HealthCare Partners doctors who were honored as 2014 HealthCare Quarterly Top Doctors. We are proud to have you on our team and applaud you for delivering quality care to our patients each and every day.
TOTAL CARE MODEL Pamela Ivey, MD, FACC – Cardiology
David Pomerantz, MD – Oncology/ Hematology
hcpnv.com
The physicians at Innovative Pain Care Center are proud to provide quality care to chronic pain patients in the Las Vegas area. With offices in Summerlin, Las Vegas and Henderson, as well as a state-of-the-art, freestanding Ambulatory Surgical Center, our team has succeeded in making the overall experience in our clinic as pleasant, safe, and convenient as possible. Innovative Pain Care Center is pleased to be awarded as one of the Top Docs for Pain Management in Vegas Inc, the original and most authoritative list for top physicians in Nevada. In addition to this prestigious award, the doctors at IPCC have also won the Patient Choice Award for over four years running.
Daniel L. Burkhead, M.D.
Ho V. Dzung, M.D.
Edward M. Outlaw, M.D.
Willis Y. Wu, M.D.
Dr. Daniel L. Burkhead, M.D. founded
Dr. Ho V. Dzung, M.D. joined
Dr. Edward M. Outlaw earned his
Dr. Willis Wu received his
with the vision of offering high-tech,
2011. He attended Georgetown
Biology from Central State University
engineering from Duke University
the Innovative Pain Care Center in 2001 affordable, and compassionate care with a patient-centered approach.
Following his undergraduate training at The University of Michigan, Dr.
Burkhead received his Medical Degree in 1994 from Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan. He then moved to Seattle, WA to undergo residency
training in anesthesia at the prestigious Virginia Mason Medical Center, after which he completed his fellowship in Pain Management at the University
of Washington, known for having the nation’s first Pain Clinic. He now has
over 13 years’ experience in providing
pain care to the Las Vegas community. He also has a focus on education as an
Adjunct Professor at Touro University. Dr. Burkhead has given lectures to
local law enforcement and the DEA, regarding physicians’ perspective of prescription drug abuse.
Innovative Pain Care Center in
University as an undergraduate and later graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 2004. His
studies took him to New York where
he immersed himself in anesthesiology at SUNY Downstate. Dr. Dzung then continued his education in
interventional pain management at the University of Buffalo. He also spent
time learning advanced interventional pain management at Roswell Cancer
Institute. Dr. Dzung believes in IPCC’s philosophy of providing honest, quality and advanced care to patients who
Bachelor of Science degree cum laude in in Wilberforce, OH. He earned his
medical degree from Drew/UCLA in
Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Outlaw then did
an internship, first in surgery at HarborUCLA in Torrance, CA and then, in Internal Medicine at Tulane
School of Medicine in New Orleans,
LA. He attended a Physical medicine and Rehabilitation residency at UT
Southwestern and went on to a post
graduate fellowship in Musculoskeletal
Medicine/ Pain at LSU Medical Center in New Orleans.
are suffering from chronic pain. He
Board Certified in Pain Medicine
lives by treating their pain symptoms
and Rehabilitation. Dr. Outlaw has
enjoys returning patients back to their and reducing the need for pain medications.
undergraduate degree of biomedical with a minor in chemistry. He went to
Drexel University College of Medicine for his medical degree after a year of working in medical research at
University of California at Irvine.
After completing one year of internal medicine internship, he pursued his
residency training in anesthesiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Subsequently and finally, he completed his fellowship training as an interventional pain specialist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
(ABA board) and Physical Medicine
He is specialized in the interventional
been a physician in Las Vegas since
including ultrasound-guided
September 2003.
approach of pain management
injections. He is a firm believer of a multi-modal approach to pain
management combining injection
therapy with conventional medication/ physical therapy treatment.
Innovative Pain Care Center specializes in numerous high-tech, state of-the-art pain management techniques including Fluoroscopic Guided Injections, Radiofrequency Rhizotomy and Spinal Cord Stimulation. We are pleased to announce the addition of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy to our clinic. Utilizing our new fully accredited Medicare-certified Ambulatory Surgery Center, we can provide cutting edge treatments in the safest, most comfortable manner.
Summerlin: 9920 W Cheyenne Ave., Ste. 110 | Las Vegas, NV 89129 Henderson: 8955 S Pecos Rd., Ste. 1B | Henderson, NV 89074 Las Vegas: 501 S Rancho, Ste. G-44 | Las Vegas, NV 89106 702.684.PAIN (7246) • www.PainFreeNevada.com
SPECIALIZED BANKING FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
DEAN COLLINS
PATRICK MILBANK
JAMES RENSVOLD
Medical Specialist / 866.980.9585
Medical Specialist / 866.950.7512
Medical Specialist / 866.530.9982
We understand your industry and the unique ways in which a practice operates. Let us take care of your finances*, so you can take care of your patients. OUR TEAM CAN HELP YOU: ¡ Stay current with new technology ¡ Expand operations ¡ Find cash flow solutions for delayed reimbursements ¡ And more
BRING YOUR BANKING HOME.
CASH FLOW SOLUTIONS | IMPROVE YOUR BUILDING/FIRM/PRACTICE | FINANCE EQUIPMENT CUSTOM HOME FINANCING | FINANCIAL STRATEGIES | WEALTH MANAGEMENT**
54 years in Nevada I 50 branches statewide I nsbank.com
*Loans subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.
MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER
**Wealth management services are offered through Contango Capital Advisors, Inc. (Contango), which operates as Nevada State Investment Services in Nevada. Contango is a registered investment adviser, a non-bank affiliate of Nevada State Bank and a non-bank subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation. Some investment services are offered through Zions Trust, National Association (Zions Trust), also a subsidiary of Zions Bank and an affiliate of Contango. Investment products and services: Not FDIC Insured - No Guarantee – May Lose Value
From left to right: Michael A. Trainor, D.O.; Thommam Kuruvilla, D.P.M.; Randall E. Yee, D.O.; Timothy James Trainor, M.D; Xin Nick Liu, D.O.; Matthew H.C. Otten, D.O.; Sep Bady, M.D.
The doctors of Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine have been cited by US News & World Report, Las Vegas Life, Desert Companion, Seven Magazine and Castle Connelly as “Top Doctors.” Members of the practice have also earned “Patient’s Choice” awards in Vitals and Avvo, as well as the VEGAS INC Healthcare Headliner award.
OUR PRACTICE SPECIALITIES INCLUDE: KNEE & SHOULDER SURGERIES • SPINE SURGERY PODIATRY • PRP THERAPY
3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 8420 W. Warm Springs Road, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89113 2451 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 130, Henderson, NV 89052 6850 N. Durango Drive, Suite 218, Las Vegas, NV 89149
CALL (702) 740-5327 TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION | WWW.ADVORTHOPEDICS.COM PHOTO CREDIT: WWW.CHEZARGY.COM