2020-08-20 - Health Care Quarterly (Vol. 29) - Summer 2020 by Greenspun Media Group

Going above and beyond puts them at the top. The OptumCare family congratulates all of this year’s Top Docs, while recognizing our own. In an especially challenging time for health care, these providers exemplified the expertise, values, and commitment that create a healthier community for all. We—and our patients—are thankful for their care.

Congratulations to our 2020 Top Docs Michael Daubs, M.D.

Mark Day, D.O.

Robert Lampert, M.D.

Sarah Ryan, M.D.

Dean Shi-Keh Tsai, M.D.

Jason Zommick, M.D.

OptumCare Orthopaedics and Spine OptumCare Lung and Allergy Care Southwest Medical, part of OptumCare

James Christensen, M.D.

OptumCare Lung and Allergy Care

optumcare.com/nevada

OptumCare Primary Care Urology Specialists of Nevada, part of OptumCare Urology Specialists of Nevada, part of OptumCare

Your New Partner in Good Health 8 locations in Las Vegas opening soon:

Partners in Primary Care offers a unique approach to

North Rainbow | South Eastern

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mental health, as well as our deep commitment to

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care designed to proactively address both physical and personal safety at every location.

Call 702-867-2603 to schedule your first appointment or visit SeniorFocusedLasVegas.com for a virtual tour or to learn more. Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

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Providing access to the entire community is important to us. We accept Humana Medicare Advantage and are finalizing participation with many other plans.

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Spring Valley Mobile Experience – 9/28-10/2 Virtual Opening – 9/29 4001 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103

2020 Mobile Discovery Experience & Virtual Grand Openings

Fremont Street Mobile Experience – 10/5-10/9 Virtual Opening – 10/6 1766 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104

For information or to register call 702-867-2603

Visit a Mobile Discovery Experience

Stop by our on-the-go traveling experience visiting a location near you in Las Vegas. Step in out of the heat and learn more about why we are your new partner in good health!

South Nellis Mobile Experience – 10/14-10/16 Virtual Opening – 10/15 2875 S. Nellis Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89121 North Rainbow Mobile Experience – 10/28-10/30 Virtual Opening – 10/29 3129 N. Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89108

• Meet our Care Team

• See one of our specially designed exam rooms • Hear stories from real patients

• Learn about virtual events and activities

Attend a Virtual Grand Opening

To register, visit SeniorFocusedLasVegas.com

• Hear from our executive team and local community leaders • Learn more about our high-quality patient experience • Virtually tour one of our primary care centers

• Participate in a Q&A session with our Care team

South Rainbow Mobile Experience – 10/26-10/27 Virtual Opening – 10/27 915 S. Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89145 South Eastern Mobile Experience – 11/30-12/4 Virtual Opening – 12/1 4813 Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119

Events with Your Insurance Agency New Location in the Meadows Mall!

Health Talks by Partners in Primary Care

Join Your Insurance Agency and Partners in Primary Care every

week for informative health and wellness events:

Wednesdays, 12 – 1 p.m.

Meadows Mall (Food Court Entrance) 4300 Meadows Ln #2240 Las Vegas, NV 89107

Aug. 26

Living Healthy to 100

Sept. 2

Arthritis and Anti-inflammatory Foods

Sept. 9

Positive Thinking – When Life Gives you Lemons!

Sept. 16

Disease Fighting Foods

Sept. 23

Healthy Sleep

Sept. 30

Strategies to Fight Depression

Oct. 7

Understanding Medicare

Oct. 14

Brain Health

Oct. 21

Stroke Awareness

Oct. 28

How To: Protect Yourself From Scams

Nov. 4

Fall Asleep – Stay Asleep

Nov. 11

Diabetes – Tools for a Healthy Life

Call 702-425-5500 or visit yialv.com/events for more information or to register.

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From the editor

e have thousands of doctors here in Southern Nevada. So how do you choose one in your time of need? We hope your first stop will be this publication. This is our 10th annual Top Doctors issue, where we share some of the best doctors across the valley — as nominated by their peers. In a time when our medical community has been working tirelessly to care for our residents, we are honored to shine a light on many of the devoted doctors we are fortunate to have here. Doctors are often the ones we turn to in times of crisis or uncertainty, and they are also typically the first stop when we need a referral to another physician or specialty. For our Top Doctors list, we surveyed thousands of Clark County doctors on who they would recommend in several medical specialties. These are the doctors that doctors go to.  But when seeking health care, Health Care Quarterly recognizes that we also value the recommendations from our personal and social circles. For the first time ever, we opened up a Reader’s Choice category so the public could honor the doctors who have made an impact on their lives and in our community. The result is our most comprehensive and well-rounded listing yet — a resource for you as you maneuver what can be an overwhelming task to find the care you need. Not only will this issue introduce you to more than 200 of the valley’s Top Doctors, but it is also full of the informative health content you’ve come to expect — direct from health care industry experts. There is a reminder that you can always do more to better prepare your body to take on disease by building your immune system with Cenegenics, as well as the importance of keeping up with routine care to treat ongoing illness and catch any issues early from Southwest Medical. Never forget the importance of children’s care,

even in times of crisis. Our special pediatric section with UNLV School of Medicine, Nevada Eye Physicians and Sunrise Children’s Hospital teaches us all about the importance of vaccines, new approaches to eye exams and how you can be better informed about concussion risk. We also hear from University Medical Center on the measures its taking to ensure that patients receive safe care during these challenging times. And Nathan Adelson’s Hospice explains how it is carefully navigating end-of-life care as we face this global health pandemic. As we continue to establish our new normal and ease back into a routine, many of us are excited to get outdoors, breathe in some fresh air and explore! Health Care Quarterly shares why our more sedentary lifestyles during quarantine mean we should take some extra precautions before venturing outside, to prevent unnecessary injury. In addition, we reinforce the value and importance of proper water intake. After all, water is vital to your heath and is the key to optimizing the performance of your entire body system and function. We are proud to share this special Top Doctors issue with you in partnership with our generous sponsor, Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Their support has allowed us to provide this valuable list of doctors and important health information to you. We hope you come back to it each time you need care, knowing we’ve compiled a list of providers you can trust and stories to pique your interest about health care in our community.

Jennifer Inaba Special Publications Manager & Editor jennifer.inaba@gmgvegas.com

AUGUST 2020 H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

From the sponsor

omprehensive Cancer Centers would like to congratulate the 2020 Top Doctors honorees. This has been a year like no other within the medical profession and certainly well beyond. Amid the most challenging of times for our community and country, we’ve all witnessed true heroes on the front lines selflessly putting themselves at risk to protect others — many of whom are honored within these pages. To these heroes: Thank you for all you do. Thank you for your continued dedication to our profession and to our entire community. We are proud to support the health care community and recognize outstanding medical professionals by sponsoring this program for eight years strong. And we are certainly proud of our very own physicians honored in categories spanning oncology, surgery and pulmonology. For more than 40 years, the physicians at Comprehensive have been dedicated to providing the best care possible through medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery, pulmonary services, cancer genetic counseling and clinical research. Over the years, we have grown with the community, and we take pride in being able to offer our patients the latest in cancer treatment and clinical research. Through our extensive research program, we participate in more than 170 clinical research

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studies each year and have played a role in developing more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. We partner with prestigious institutions such as UCLA TRIO-US, The US Oncology Network, USC, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and leading pharmaceutical companies to bring groundbreaking treatments close to home — some of which are not available anywhere else in the world. We are always looking for new ways to enhance patients’ experience and provide them with the best possible outcomes. We do so by recruiting the best providers, investing in the latest technologies and offering the best in cancer treatments and research, so there is no reason to leave the state for care. We are excited to see the strength of our medical community through the recognition of these Top Doctors, who also share in our mission of putting the patient first. To all the Top Doctors, congratulations on your remarkable contributions.

Sincerely,

Jon Bilstein Chief Executive Officer Comprehensive Cancer Centers

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Medical MOUNTAINVIEW HOSPITAL OFFERS NEW HEART PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS

MountainView Hospital is now offering bioprosthetic aortic scallop intentional laceration for high-risk patients in which traditional valve replacement procedures may be too risky or not an option. BASILICA is a new technique that involves a cardiologist utilizing an electrified wire the size of a sewing thread through a catheter to split the original leaflet in two so that it cannot block the coronary artery once it has been pushed aside by the new transcatheter heart valve. The procedure presLevisman ents some advantages such as its efficiency and simplicity, it does not leave behind a stent implant, it is attractive for patients who are at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement and it can be performed using moderate sedation and next day discharge. “The BASILICA procedure is exciting news for the medical community,” said Dr. Jeffrey Levisman, chief of cardiology at MountainView Hospital and interventional cardiologist at MountainView’s Las Vegas Heart Associates. “BASILICA allows more patients, who may not have been candidates before, to consider a transcatheter valve replacement.”

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP LAUNCHES PROTECTWELL PLATFORM TO ENABLE EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK SAFELY UnitedHealth Group and Microsoft Corp. have joined forces to launch ProtectWell, an innovative return-to-workplace protocol that enables employers to bring employees back to work in a safer environment. ProtectWell helps employees determine they are safe to go to work, co-workers know their colleagues have been screened and employers feel confident that their workplace is ready to do business. The platform incorporates Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and the latest clinical research to limit the spread of COVID-19 by screening employees for symptoms and establishing guidelines to support the health and safety of the workforce and workplace.

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AUGUST 2020 Courtesy

DESERT RADIOLOGY ACQUIRES VALLEY’S FIRST UNITED IMAGING MRI

Desert Radiology recently acquired and installed Southern Nevada’s first United Imaging magnetic resonance imaging at their South Rainbow facility. The uMR 570 MRI offers advanced image quality, efficient workflow and a high-performance design for reliability that will help identify a variety of patient conditions. It also includes a robust clinical application with advanced imaging sequences for a diverse group of specialties, including but not limited to, cardiology, pediatrics, neurology, orthopedics and body imaging. “This acquisition is a testament to our commitment to offer the latest state-ofthe-art tools available in our industry,” said Matt Grimes, vice president of operations at Desert Radiology.

News

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Vegas Inc’s 2020 Top Doctors as chosen by their peers and readers

Pediatric points on vaccines, eye exams and concussions with Dr. Johan Bester, Dr. Naomie Warner and Dr. Taryn McFadden Bragg

46 48 52 56 62

University Medical Center implements comprehensive safety measures by Scott Kerbs Build a strong immune system to improve overall health by Rudy Inaba

Mental health in Southern Nevada during COVID-19 and beyond by Katie Waechter

Navigating end-of-life care during a pandemic with Karen Rubel

Understanding the importance of water consumption and hydration

Set a healthy foundation for safe outdoor exploration this fall

Notes from the health care community AUGUST 2020

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Job losses causing increased need for free or low-cost health care

BY ANGELA QUINN

Angela Quinn is the CEO of FirstMed Health and Wellness Center.

n ability to pay should never be a requirement to receive quality health care. As a federally qualified health center providing free and low-cost medical and mental health care services to low-income and under-served populations, FirstMed Health and Wellness Centers are driven by its mantra — never turn anyone away. Today, our “typical” patient is no longer “typical.” The widespread job losses — more than 200,000 in Las Vegas — associated with COVID-19 are creating a separate health crisis as the ranks of the medically uninsured grows, and we are preparing for a storm that could last years. Many newly unemployed and uninsured persons have never been in this position before. As benefits run out, people are choosing between food, mortgage or health care, including prescription refills. No one should have to make those choices. With our city’s staggering unemployment rates, FirstMed expects our patient numbers and the profiles of those patients to expand. Free and low-cost health care is no longer just for chronically low-income persons. It’s for everyone who finds themselves without a job or health care coverage. Community-focused clinics such as FirstMed are a port in the storm to help people get through and stay healthy during these tough times. Thanks to strong federal funding, we have three locations throughout central Las Vegas and a dedicated staff. We are ready. At the onset of the pandemic, people were afraid to seek medical help for anything other than the virus. But recently, the Las Vegas medical community came together to encourage Southern Nevadans to return to their health care providers. We can no longer afford to put our personal health on the back burner. Untreated conditions can lead to dire consequences. Ignoring personal health is one more significant impact of the virus that can lead to a degradation of overall public health. To encourage health care visits, FirstMed ex-

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panded its telehealth services to provide patients with an opportunity to receive professional health care without leaving home — including virtual visits for physical conditions as well as with counselors and therapists. While the number of in-person visits are slowly increasing, we are maintaining our telehealth services for those who prefer them. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, 56% of Americans reported that stress related to the outbreak has led to at least one negative mental health effect. A Well Being Trust report said the pandemic could lead to an increase in “deaths of despair” from drug and alcohol misuse or suicide. Those startling statistics are driving our increased focus on mental health counseling services. We anticipate a tsunami of mental health crises, and with a staff of 30 licensed mental health professionals, therapists and psychiatrists, we are working hard to ensure we are equipped to help Southern Nevadans navigate the uncharted waters created by the virus. While options exist for the uninsured to obtain health care coverage, they come with a high price. For example, COBRA, which enables people to stay on a former employer’s insurance, can exceed $1,500 monthly for family coverage. Who can afford that when they’re unemployed? The global impact of a pandemic goes on, changing the face of those who need free and low-cost health care. Community providers like FirstMed stand ready to provide primary care on a discounted-fee basis for the uninsured, undocumented or those covered by Medicaid. If you don’t have insurance, our trained navigators can help you examine your eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare or other subsidized plans, and then help you enroll in a plan that meets your needs and financial situation. Just as the virus can affect anyone, we are all feeling its impact in some form or another. We are in this together, and we are committed to helping Southern Nevadans get access to the health care they need and deserve to ensure they are positioned to continue to weather the storm.

Roseman Medical Group’s dedicated team of family physicians offer a wide range of primary care services to treat people of all ages, to maintain health, treat illness or manage chronic diseases. • Preventative/Well Visits • Immunizations/Annual Flu Shots • Same day urgent appointments/Sick Visits • General/Sports Physicals • Women’s Health, including annual breast exams and pap smears

• Pediatric Nephrology and Neurology including treatment of ALS, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s • Behavioral Healthcare, including ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Medication Management • Procedures (ingrown toenail removal, laceration repair, biopsies, abscess incision and drainage, joint injections, trigger point injection, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) • Onsite Lab

In-person and telemedicine appointments available. Call 702-463-4040 or visit rosemanmedicalgroup.com

roseman medical group 5380 S. Rainbow Blvd. Suite 120 | Las Vegas, NV 89118

COVID-19’s effect on the ever-evolving field of nursing BY JUNE EASTRIDGE, EDD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI

T June Eastridge, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI, is the dean at the Nevada State College School of Nursing.

his year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, and it seems fitting that nursing has received increased attention as part of the combined response to current crises. Since the time of Nightingale, whose greatest impact was fueled by the Crimean War, nursing shines during times of crisis. Nurses respond to human need, without consideration for circumstance, background, race, politics or any other influence that drives many people today. This aptitude for caring and compassion makes them a highly valued part of the full health care team. Nurses continue to apply the best of science, combined with authentic presence and the creation of an environment that inspires comfort and hope. It can be daunting to educate nursing students and prepare them to step into the arena of a complex health care system to work with patients facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. One issue that has emerged during the COVID-19 crisis has been the increased recognition of the emotional toll experienced by nurses as they are providing care to others. Many nurses go to work fearing they will contract a virus that we are still learning about, or that they will carry infection home to their loved ones. Nurse educators are challenged to prepare new nurses with foundational knowledge related to infection transmission and disease control that will give them the confidence to meet this type of challenge. Nursing curriculums have become living documents that are being adjusted and adapted to meet change, attempting to fully equip nurses to practice with confidence. This includes an increased focus on emergency preparedness, the use of personal protective equipment and increasing resilience. Nursing students are being educated to apply cur-

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rent evidence to practice, through focused learning about research, finding current information and accepting accountability for staying informed through the use of reliable sources. There is now increased emphasis placed on addressing social determinants of health as we try to improve the health of individuals, families and communities. Nurses are part of a move toward creating a culture of health, acting as change agents to bridge health care delivery and social needs, and to find ways to eliminate disparities and gaps in care. The practice of nursing is evolving and developing, and continues to grow and expand. Nurses are more often seeking to advance their practice through graduate education and by practicing to the full extent of their education and training. Nurses are becoming politically active, are taking seats on regulatory and advisory boards, and are becoming local leaders in health care delivery. Nurses truly are lifelong learners, leaders in accompanying others through the best and worst of the human experience, game-changers and inspiring motivators. This is a significant contribution and just a glimpse into the current state of nursing. In a time characterized by turmoil and uncertainty, nursing has retained the public’s confidence and has been voted as having the highest level of honesty and ethics for 18 years in a row, according to a 2020 Gallup Poll. Nurses received 85% of America’s vote, and do not take it lightly. For this reason, nurses are stepping forward to help solve long-standing issues with health care finance and delivery systems, engaging in public policy development and giving voice to individuals, families and communities regarding health care reform. We are in the midst of a tremendous amount of work as a society, and nurses are among those getting their hands dirty in order to create a better future for all.

Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging opens 9th location in Southern Nevada

teinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI) opens its newest out-patient radiology facility in North Las Vegas with a socially distanced ribbon cutting ceremony on August 31st. As a locally owned and operated business, SDMI has grown in Southern Nevada for over 31 years. This location will provide increased access to world class imaging as well as add a more convenient location for North Las Vegas residents and new job opportunities.

This new location pays tribute to Southern Nevada with artwork showcasing some of the area’s most recognizable destinations. Patient comfort is at the forefront of the design, patients can expect calming colors, natural light and a streamlined flow. Another way SDMI delivers on its mission to provide an exceptional patient experience. SDMI’s ninth facility is located at 1650 W Craig Rd, patients can now schedule at this location for appointments beginning August 31st.

You are invited to virtually attend SDMI’s ribbon cutting ceremony by watching on Facebook Live @sdmilv on August 31st at 8:00am or you can take a virtual tour of the new facility at sdmi-lv.com. Connect @SDMILV

SDMI Grand

Opening of 9th Facility

grand opening

Less than one year ago SDMI celebrated the ground breaking of this location and with the help of SR Construction and Intuit Architecture that once piece of vacant land is now home to a brand new medical facility. Patients can be assured that everything inside is as new as the building including state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Services offered at the new location are: MRI, CT, 3D Mammography, Ultrasound, Dexascan and X-Ray.

Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging is expanding to North Las Vegas. Join us as we celebrate the opening of our 9th location in Southern Nevada. 1650 W Craig Rd North Las Vegas, NV 89032

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

Don’t forget to schedule your 2020 prostate check-up BY NICHOLAS J. VOGELZANG, MD, FASCO, FACP

P Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD, FASCO, FACP is a renowned medical oncologist and cancer researcher at Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

rostate cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer in American men, right behind skin cancer. This year, the American Cancer Society projects that 1,780 Nevadans will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 400 will die from complications related to the disease. As you age, your probability of developing prostate cancer increases. From birth to age 49, American men have a one in 441 chance of developing the disease, whereas men ages 70 to 79 have a 1 in 12 chance. Like so many cancers, family history and diet can increase the risk as well. Especially during a global pandemic, proactive screening and maintaining a treatment regimen remain vital. Prostate cancer can be very treatable — and potentially curable — if detected early. One of the biggest questions that so many continue to have is, “When should I be screened for prostate cancer?” Before we dive in, a quick history lesson: Eight years ago, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended against prostate-specific antigen testing for a significant portion of our older population. These tests are vital in screening and ultimately addressing the earliest stages of prostate cancer. A New England Journal of Medicine piece titled “Reconsidering the Trade-offs of Prostate Cancer Screening,” among other critical pieces, summarized how the task force guidance has been flawed. It essentially reduced testing rates, which equated to a “drop” in the number of cases but an increase in the number of prostate cancer deaths in recent years. This USPTF guidance has been widely considered a step back. HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD? A PSA test is a simple blood test. In the late 1980s,

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the American Cancer Society established guidelines that served us well and can certainly apply today: Talk to your physician about an annual PSA test. If a PSA test comes back at 4.0 ng/mL or lower, levels and risk are considered low and testing may not be needed for another three to five years. If a PSA level comes back at greater than 4.0 ng/mL, additional testing and/or later screening may be necessary. It can be as simple as that, but these are the conversations that need to take place with your physician. Throughout the years, the tools we have to diagnose and treat prostate cancer have gotten better and better. Among these improvements, we have enhanced tools for diagnosing, including new types of scans (for example, Blue Earth Diagnostics’ imaging agent as well as prostate membrane antigen diagnostics), helping us pinpoint cancer like never before. Research and treatment options are becoming more targeted and effective as well. Comprehensive Cancer Centers participates in more than 170 Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical research studies each year and has played a role in developing more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. An example among them, for patients with mCRPC (a form of advanced prostate cancer) who have already progressed through many therapies, the practice is participating in the firstin-human dose escalation study of the drug ARV110. The response, thus far, has been durable and well-tolerated among a number of local patients. Other drugs, like Lynparza, that have been effective for treating ovarian and breast cancer patients with the BRCA gene, have also been found to be effective in prostate cancer patients. And there are many other treatment options available and on the horizon as a result of research. A prostate cancer diagnosis does not need to be a terminal sentence. Similar to other medical conditions, even severe cases can be controlled longterm with the right screening and treatment.

We’ve Got Top Doctors.

John Bedotto, MD

Dr. Chard Bubb

Dr. Prashant Dani

Dr. Stephen Portz

Interventional Cardiology

Pediatrics

Endocrinology

Interventional Cardiology

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE RECOGNITION OF YOUR PEERS FOR A JOB WELL DONE. Congratulations to these outstanding physicians and the affiliate honorees in our Nevada network.

formerly HealthCare Partners Nevada

Pharmacists: Unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic BY CHIKE OKOLO, PHARMD, BCPS

C Chike Okolo, PharmD, BCPS, is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Roseman University College of Pharmacy.

OVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by a novel coronavirus. In a majority of patients stricken with COVID-19, the disease causes mild to moderate respiratory illness without a need for hospitalization or specialized treatment. However, COVID-19 can cause severe respiratory symptoms, hospitalization and even death for the elderly or patients with underlying medical conditions. An escalated government response to this global health emergency has prioritized a reduction in the rate of virus transmission in order to ensure that health services are not overburdened. As the pandemic continues, the reliance on health care professionals across the country has increased. Our country has utilized numerous means to acknowledge the herculean efforts of these health care workers on the front line in the fight against COVID-19. From neighborhood parades to social media salutes and even fighter jet flyovers, a grateful nation has expressed its unwavering appreciation. When most people think of “health services” and “health care workers” in this context, the care given by doctors and nurses in hospitals readily comes to mind. However, there is another vital, yet often unsung, health care worker involved in combating COVID-19 — pharmacists. Pharmacists play a unique role in this fight due to their expertise in medication management, disease prevention and health education. At the beginning of this pandemic, when most businesses were forced to close, community pharmacies were deemed essential and remained open to cater to the needs of the community. During stay-at-home orders, there was and still remains a great dependence on community pharmacists as the initial point of contact to fulfill the health care needs of the community. Community pharmacists were inundated with

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questions about canceled elective surgeries and health screenings, consultations on medical conditions typically dealt with by medical doctors, and concerns about medication shortages. Months ago, people rushed to pharmacies to mass-purchase hand sanitizers, face masks and disinfecting wipes. Some pharmacies actually compounded hand sanitizers for the public. In some states, pharmacists have limited authority to order and administer coronavirus tests. This has been a boon for testing since pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care providers. At this time, there is no specific vaccine for COVID-19, but if a coronavirus vaccine becomes available, pharmacists will play a major role in administering this vaccine and educating the public on the benefits. In the hospital setting, critical care pharmacists have played a key role in intensive care units to ensure that medical decisions are based on rational, evidence-based medicine. These clinical pharmacists have come up with resourceful ways to deal with the unique challenges related to large sedative doses for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Pharmacists have also been heavily involved in the extensive education of health care teams and the general public. Some of these pharmacists serve on hospital multidisciplinary committees to develop best practices for managing COVID-19. Some drug information pharmacists respond to physician queries in clinics/hospitals, while others have made the rounds on television and social media to relay accurate information about COVID-19. The role of pharmacists in health care has expanded over the years, and they are no longer just behind the counter at your community pharmacy. Pharmacists are an essential part of a patient’s medical team in the hospital and other health care settings in order to optimize patient safety and the best therapeutic outcome.

When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in good health, we all win. Top doctors and humankindness at Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada. Dedicated to quality, patient care, the medical providers at Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada are here to be a partner in your health care needs. In person or online, we are here to support you at every step of your health care journey. When you are healthy, we all win. Visit dignityhealth.org/las-vegas/medical-group/nevada for more information, or call 702.616.5801 for more information.

Congratulations to our 2020 Health Care Quarterly Top Docs

Raji Venkat, MD

Robert Wiencek Jr., MD

Dodji Modjinou, MD

Elham Taherian, MD

Internal Medicine Dignity Health Medical Group Henderson Primary Care

Cardiovascular Surgery Dignity Health Medical Group Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery

Rheumatology Dignity Health Medical Group Multi-Specialty Clinic

702.616.5801

702.675.3240

702.616.5870

Exploring the osteopathic medicine approach to health BY PAUL R. RENNIE, DO, FAAO

T Paul R. Rennie, DO, FAAO, is a professor and the chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also the president of the American Academy of Osteopathy.

ouro University Nevada offers a unique program that educates future physicians in the art and science of osteopathic medicine. This fouryear educational program reflects a truly patient-centered approach that focuses not only on disease but also the health of the patient. This philosophy began in 1892 with Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, who found that many of the available treatments of his time resulted in suboptimal outcomes. He also found that addressing the body’s structure and function relationship to the disease process enhanced the health of the patient. Recognizing the relationship of mechanical obstructions through strains and impingements in the fascia, ligaments, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and other tissues, and the effects that result in edema, ischemia, alteration in nerve function and alteration in tissue chemistries, provides the opportunity to reduce these effects on the body and lessen the effects of the disease. To address these dysfunctions, the osteopathic philosophy applies extra attention to the palpatory evaluation (using the hands to expertly evaluate and examine through skillful touch) for diagnostic clues in the body that signal variation from normal health and point to potential disease patterns. This developed psychomotor skill, coupled with the knowledge of the anatomy and physiology that may be affected by the disease, gives the osteopathic physician the opportunity to use hands-on approaches that may reduce part of the underlying problem. This gives additional and useful feedback about the patient often not noticeable on imaging methods such as X-rays, CT scans or MRIs, for instance. Students in the DO medicine program receive education in addition to what one receives in the traditional MD curriculum and includes

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more than 240 additional hours of hands-on and knowledge instruction in these diagnostic and treatment approaches. Various manual methodologies can be employed given the patterns found in the patient’s tissues. “Muscle energy technique,” for instance, uses physician-guided patient effort to address the dysfunction in the tissues. “Counterstrain” techniques recognize areas of increased tenderness to guide gentle passive positioning of the patient to relieve pain and altered movement patterns. Myofascial release treatments engage restrictions in the fascia to restore normal tissue movement. Many other methods that are used for a variety of medical disorders are also included in the training. The benefits of osteopathic manipulation include treatment of back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee and other joint pain, mechanical respiratory conditions, pre and post-surgical recovery, augmentation of the immune response, ear and sinus disorders, menstrual pain and many other dysfunctions. Since the principle of osteopathic medicine is to enhance the health of the patient, there are numerous indications for the use of osteopathic manipulative medicine. It is important to note that because osteopathic medicine is a complete form of medical practice. A doctor of osteopathic medicine educated in the United States utilizes all forms of modern medicine, from medications to surgery to exercise prescription in conjunction with the osteopathic hands-on treatment. Osteopathic medicine thus practices as complete a form of medicine as possible and is guided by the latest and most up-to-date standards of medicine and scientific knowledge. It is guided by evidence-based medicine and aims to treat the entire patient on the entire spectrum of the bio-psycho-social continuum to achieve lasting health for the individual patient.

The importance of background checks in health care BY MONICA PAPPAS

hose working in health care are entrusted with the health and well-being of their patients and the public as a whole. While they are expected to abide by oaths and codes, it is also expected that these professionals do not have a background with felony charges, particularly those that are violent in nature. To ensure that our health care professionals are entering the field with clean records and can provide the highest quality of care to patients, fingerprint background checks are essential. WHY SCREEN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS? While one might expect that those working in health care have clean backgrounds, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Implementing a standard background check can help rule out any workplace violations, demonstrate that the individual is compliant with all industry standards, and is being truthful regarding their employment history and competency for the job. Patients want peace of mind when taking their child to a pediatrician or leaving their elderly family members in an assisted-living facility. Taking extra steps to ensure patients are properly cared for is not only morally sound, but a smart business practice. Furthermore, HIPAA compliance laws are very strict when it comes to patient records and how those records are shared, so performing standard compliance searches and a work history check protects patients from undo harm, insufficient care and privacy violations. Without sufficient screenings in place, medical practices could unwittingly open their doors to individuals with histories of substance abuse, criminal offenses and negligence. Studies in the U.S. have shown that up to 15% of health care professionals have admitted to substance misuse or

abuse in their lifetime, while a report conducted in 2011 indicated that over 90% of nursing facilities employed at least one individual with a criminal conviction. Subsequent lawsuits cannot only be financially crippling but leave a lasting negative impact on the health care facility involved. By utilizing background checks, hospitals and medical practices can mitigate the risk of hiring individuals with criminal offenses and substance abuse in their past. Prior to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implemented in 2010, only 36 states required background checks to be performed on those looking to work in health care. Included in the passing of the ACA, section 6201 federally required all 50 states to perform standard FBI fingerprinting background checks.

Monica Pappas is the CEO and owner of Fingerprinting Express.

COMMON SCREENINGS TO IMPLEMENT In order to mitigate the risk of hiring individuals who are unfit to work safely and ethically in the health care industry, comprehensive background checks are critical. Some of the most common screenings to implement are: n National Criminal Search, ensuring that a potential hire does not have a criminal history n National Sex Offender Search, ensuring that a potential hire is not a registered sex offender n Identity Verification Check, ensuring that potential hires are not misrepresenting themselves to secure employment in health care when their history would prohibit it n Drug Screenings, ensuring that a potential hire has no history of substance abuse n Past Employment and Education Verification, ensuring that potential hires have the work history and education they claim to n Federal Exclusion Search, ensuring that a potential hire does not have a criminal history which would effectively bar your practice from participating in federally funded programs, like Medicare.

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Local medical professionals share advice to stay on top of children’s health during the pandemic because health care, especially during important developmental milestones, should never wait.

WHY WE NEED TO CONTINUE VACCINATING CHILDREN DURING COVID-19

tion rates. Because measles is highly infectious, we need to vaccinate 93-95% of children with two doses of vaccine to maintain herd immunity. Even a small drop in vaccination rates can be disastrous. Now, COVID-19 is upon us. As a society, we are rightly focused on combating this pandemic and its serious consequences. One unfortunate effect is BY DR. JOHAN BESTER a decrease in childhood vaccinations. The medical bout 60 years ago, diseases like system is stretched, and people are not taking chilmeasles, diphtheria and polio dren for well-child visits as often. The result is that spread freely in the United States. many children miss crucial vaccinations. We are These diseases wreaked havoc on slowly increasing the number of susceptible people the health of children and on the nain our society that could allow measles tion. Every year they killed tens of and other diseases to spread rapidly. thousands of children and sent many Measles spreads from person to more to the hospital. person like COVID does. The same Childhood vaccines turned the measures that limit COVID spread tide. Vaccines against these diseaswill also keep measles from spreades are highly effective and very safe. ing. During the pandemic, social Those who receive vaccination are distancing will keep measles at bay protected against disease directly, despite the missed vaccinations. But and if we vaccinate enough children, at some point, we’ll put the pandemic those who cannot receive vaccination behind us and return to normal life. Dr. Johan Bester, receive indirect protection through MBChB, PhD, is the diAnd then, if we continue to undervacthe herd effect. This happens when rector of bioethics at the cinate during the pandemic, circumthere are enough people in society UNLV School of Medicine. stances will be ideal for large measles who are immune so that the infection He also practiced family outbreaks. and emergency medicine cannot spread. It is imperative that we find ways to for 12 years. Because of misinformation and continue vaccinating children at high confusion about vaccines, we’ve seen a trend of rates. We cannot just ignore the problem, lest we parents outright refusing them. To keep these exchange a devastating COVID pandemic for a sediseases at bay, we need to maintain high vaccinaries of devastating measles epidemics.

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CONCUSSIONS, KIDS AND COVID TELEHEALTH, THE NEW OLD FRIEND OF PEDIATRIC MEDICINE BY DR. NAOMIE WARNER

hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit Nevada, panic and confusion took over many businesses. Professionals and business owners questioned themselves about how to operate under these unprecedented challenges. But for doctors like myself, this problem came with the opportunity to broaden an underutilized tool in ophthalmology—telehealth. Back in April, our practice, Nevada Eye Physicians, started to use a telehealth capability called NextGen Virtual Visits. This software platform enabled our eye care practice to provide services to patients while maintaining social distancing guidelines. More specifically, the tool helped us to connect with families and their children. We were able to provide them with non-urgent ophthalmologic and optometry services, such Dr. Naomie Warner is a pediatric ophthalmoloas wellness visits, or address vision congist and adult strabismus cerns for patients remotely. surgeon for Nevada Eye Over the past several months, we Physicians. have seen significant breakthroughs in pediatric eye exams using telehealth. Our practice discovered it is easier for children to acclimate to virtual appointments since they are more comfortable using technology and screens. I have yet to experience any crying patients during a virtual pediatric eye exam. It’s been helpful that children focus their attention on my model eyeball or toys that I hold up instead of me. They are comfortable looking at a screen, whether or not they want to talk to me or look at what I’m holding. It’s a different experience for them. Our team has also noticed that children with special needs, such as autism, have experienced less anxiety with virtual visits than office visits. They feel more at ease because they don’t typically like to make eye contact. During our telehealth consultations, they look at a screen, unintentionally making more eye contact than when they’re in the office, ultimately feeling less intimidated. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, telemedicine’s greatest strength lies in its ability to overcome the barriers of distance and time to reach medically underserved populations. But in the times of COVID-19, telehealth may become the new normal for ours and many other medical practices.

BY DR. TARYN MCFADDEN BRAGG

OVID-19 significantly altered the rhythm of daily life for many families, including the abrupt end of many organized sports’ seasons in March. Upon return to play, young athletes may no longer be in top form, putting them at increased risk for injuries such as concussion. Nearly four million sports-related concussions occur annually in the United States, most in ages 7-18. The symptoms of concussion include: headache, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound, change in vision, difficulty with balance and confusion, inability to focus or altered consciousness that may last minutes to hours. Following a concussion, many symptoms persist and may also result in irritability, fatigue, difficulty Dr. Taryn McFadden falling or stayBragg, MD, MS, is a ing asleep, and board-certified pediatric difficulty concenneurosurgeon with certitrating. fications from AANS and Proper diagAAPNS, practicing locally nosis, evaluation at Sunrise Children’s and management Hospital and with Intercan help recovery mountain Healthcare’s and minimize the risk of long-term Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt complications. Treatment inLake City. volves reduction of physical activity, visual and cognitive activities – limiting screen time and academic load. Most kids’ symptoms following mild concussions will resolve within six weeks; however, recovery and return to play following moderate to severe concussion may take up to a year. If your child has remained inactive during COVID-19, be aware. Should a play-related concussion occur, remove your child from play and follow the guidelines for physical/cognitive rest before returning to play. If you suspect your child has suffered a concussion, don’t wait to take them to the ER. Finally, empower your children to report symptoms of concussion and understand why it is critical to fully recover prior to returning to play.

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Intermountain Healthcare aims to raise the bar for community care BY DR. AMA BROBBEY AND MARK PRICE

Mark Price is the president — Nevada and Dr. Ama Brobbey is the chief medical officer — Nevada, both with Intermountain Healthcare.

ealthCare Partners Nevada has a 25-year history of serving the Southern Nevada community with high-quality, compassionate care. This has been a particularly memorable time for our organization as we formally changed our name to Intermountain Healthcare. Over the past year, we’ve been working behind the scenes to align and integrate prior to unveiling our name change. Many people in Nevada have already heard of Intermountain Healthcare. It is a not-for-profit health system headquartered in Utah that has more than 45 years of experience in making health care accessible and affordable, and is consistently ranked among the top five health systems in the United States for quality and innovation. Intermountain’s mission is “Helping People Live the Healthiest Lives Possible,” and its vision is to be a model health system by providing extraordinary care and superior service at an affordable cost, which is similar to those we have long held at HealthCare Partners. Being part of Intermountain Healthcare will enable us to continue working to raise the bar for health care. We currently serve approximately 400,000 patients throughout Southern Nevada and provide primary care and specialty care coverage across all areas of the valley, as well as in rural communities such as Pahrump and Mesquite. As Intermountain, we expect to grow the number of patients we care for and also continue to expand and enhance the services we provide for those patients. Our organization and our patients have already benefited from our partnership with Intermountain. Most recently with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to leverage the expertise of the Intermountain infectious disease experts in Utah, some of whom even traveled to care for COVID-19 patients in New York City this spring. Additionally, we have begun collaborating on other clinical, operational and technological areas with the many caregiv-

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ers that are part of Intermountain Healthcare. One of the things Intermountain is very focused on is improving health equity. Health inequality is a major issue throughout the U.S., often affecting minority communities hardest. Intermountain has historically worked to address this in several important ways, including making investments to expand health care services in underserved communities, conducting research on population health, and making investments in “social determinants of health,” which are the non-medical factors that play a major role in the health of individuals and communities. Southern Nevada has unique issues that it faces because of the structure of our region’s economy, historically focused on hospitality and entertainment, and this has created challenges for the health care system here. Intermountain Healthcare’s population health approach allows for optimal care based on evidence for better medical outcomes; engaging patients in their health and well-being through education, tools and care management; and designing care to keep people well and to return them to optimal health. The goals are to enable better health, better care and more affordable costs, with a focus on health trends found in specific populations. Intermountain brings with it a commitment to bettering both individuals’ and communities’ health at sustainable costs. Some of our recent developments to improve health care in Southern Nevada include a mental health integration program, developed for the myGeneration Senior Clinic patients, as well as a comprehensive virtual care/ telehealth service across all clinics, which allows people to meet with their providers from the safety and comfort of their home. We are confident that this partnership will help us continue to improve the health and health care of Southern Nevada. We look forward to continuing to work with the many other great organizations here that share our commitment to raising the bar for health care and serving this amazing community.

M E DICAL OF F IC E SPA CE AVA I LA B L E F O R L E A S E

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BY HEALTH CARE QUARTERLY STAFF  utting together your personal health care team can be overwhelming. You ask your doctors, friends, family and colleagues for suggestions and carefully research your options. Health Care Quarterly has done the work for you with our 10th annual Top Doctors. We surveyed thousands of local physicians for their recommendations of doctors by specialty, selecting only those who received multiple nominations. We also opened the survey to the public for the first time ever with our Reader’s Choice category. These honorees were reviewed by a panel of medical professionals. The result is our most comprehensive listing of some of the top doctors you can find in the valley — each one checked against records with state medical boards to ensure that they are in good standing. This is the list you’ll want any time you need to find a provider.

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ALLERGY/ IMMUNOLOGY Dr. Jim Christensen, MD OptumCare Lung and Allergy Care 702-724-8844 optumcare.com

Dr. Buddhadeb Dawn, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-5060 unlvmedicine.org

Dr. Joel Katz, MD Allergy & Asthma Center 702-360-6100 katzallergy.com

Dr. Patrick Hsu, MD Nevada Cardiology Associates 702-233-1000 nevadacardiology.com

Dr. Andrew Sean McKnight, MD Allergy Partners of Nevada 702-212-5889 allergypartners.com

Dr. Cres Miranda Jr., MD Nevada Heart & Vascular Center 702-227-3422 nevadaheart.com

Dr. Bob Miyake, MD Allergy Partners of Nevada 702-212-5889 allergypartners.com

Dr. Stephen Portz, MD Intermountain Healthcare 702-534-5464 hcpnv.com

Dr. David Tottori, MD Tottori Allergy & Asthma Associates 702-240-4233 tottoriallergy.com

Dr. Kenneth Jayendra Shah, MD Vascular Institute of Southern Nevada 702-616-0500 drkenshah.com

BARIATRICS  Dr. James Atkinson, MD Surgical Weight Control Center 702-313-8446 surgicalweightcontrolcenter.com Dr. Bernadine Hanna, MD Las Vegas Bariatrics 702-384-1160 lasvegasbariatrics.com Dr. Francis Teng, MD Surgical Weight Loss Center at MountainView Hospital 702-838-5888 fwtengbariatrics.com

Dr. Keshav Chander, MD Smart Heart Care & Smart Medical Care 702-473-5333 4smartcare.com

CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY  Dr. Arnold Chung, MD MountainView Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Associates 702-962-5920 heartandlungnv.com Dr. Neel Dhudshia, MD Cardiovascular Surgery of Southern Nevada 702-737-3808 cvsurgnv.com

Dr. Thomas Umbach, MD Blossom Bariatrics 855-256-7766 blossombariatrics.com

Dr. Quynh Feikes, MD Cardiovascular Surgery of Southern Nevada 702-737-3808 cvsurgnv.com

CARDIOLOGY

Dr. Nauman Jahangir, MD Las Vegas Cardiovascular Surgery Specialists 725-333-8465

Dr. John Bedotto, MD Intermountain Healthcare 702-534-5464 hcpnv.com

Dr. Robert Wiencek Jr., MD Dignity Health Medical Group 702-675-3240 dignityhealth.org

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DENTISTRY  Dr. Babak Ershaghi, DDS Northwest Dental 702-656-3910 Dr. Glen Gallimore, DDS 702Dentist 702-839-0500 702-dentist.com Dr. George Harouni, DDS George Harouni, DDS 702-434-9464 georgeharoundidds.com Dr. M. Dan Ripplinger, DDS M. Dan Ripplinger Family Dentistry 702-735-4470 ripplingerfamilydentistry.com Dr. Patrick Simone, DDS Patrick Simone, DDS 702-735-2755 patricksimonedds.com Dr. Karen Tran, DDS Lakeview Dental 702-869-0001 karentrandds.com

DERMATOLOGY Dr. Douglas Fife, MD Vivida Dermatology 702-255-6647 vivida.com Dr. Robert Lieberman, MD Thomas Dermatology 702-430-5333 thomasderm.com Dr. Candace Spann, MD Couture Dermatology & Plastic Surgery 702-919-6115 couturemedical.com Dr. Alison Tam, DO Plastic Surgery Vegas 702-718-7374 plasticsurgeryvegas.com Dr. Douglas Thomas, MD Thomas Dermatology 702-430-5333 thomasderm.com

You helped us prepare for COVID-19 before it even reached us. For that, we honor you—and thank you.

Congratulations to Dr. Shadaba Asad on earning a place among the valley’s Top Docs. As an infectious disease expert, Dr. Asad was instrumental in forming our state’s pandemic response—long before the virus reached Nevada. She helped lead our eﬀorts in screening, PPE, and treatment, and she co-led work to disseminate the response plan to other hospitals and emergency responders. Our congratulations—and gratitude—to Dr. Asad, and to all health care workers on the front lines.

Highest Level of Care in Nevada

umcsn.com

EAR, NOSE, THROAT

Dr. Claudia Vogel, MD Claudia Vogel, MD 702-990-4530

Dr. Frederick Goll III, MD Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants of Nevada 702-792-6700 entc.com

Dr. Vishal Gandotra, MD Vegas Gastroenterology 702-750-0313 vgandotramd.com

FAMILY PRACTICE

Dr. Gregory Kwok, MD Gastroenterology Associates 702-796-0231 lasvegasgastro.com

Dr. Matthew Ng, MD UNLV Medicine 702-992-6828 unlvmedicine.org Dr. Sina Nasri, MD Lubritz & Nasri Physicians 702-732-4491 lubritzandnasri.com Dr. Robert Wang, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-6480 unlvmedicine.org Dr. Randall Weingarten, MD Southern Nevada ENT 702-617-9599 southernnevadaent.com Dr. Larry Yu, MD Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants of Nevada 702-792-6700 entc.com

ENDOCRINOLOGY  Dr. Brian Berelowitz, MD Brian Berelowitz, MD 702-804-9486 Dr. Chard Bubb, MD Intermountain Healthcare 702-862-8226 hcpnv.com Dr. Kenneth Izuora, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-6469 unlvmedicine.org Dr. William Reid Litchfield, MD Desert Endocrinology 702-434-8400 desertendo.com Dr. Samer Nakhle, MD Palm Medical Group 702-696-7256 palmmedicalgroup.com 30

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Dr. Clarissa Barrettoko, DO Nevada Family Care 702-213-4848 nevadafamilycare.com Dr. Mark Day, DO OptumCare Primary Care 702-724-8777 optumcare.com Dr. Travis Hailstone, DO Southern Nevada Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 702-253-5410 Dr. S. Steven Kim, MD Brighton Family Medicine 702-566-5445 brightonfamilymedicine.com Dr. Mark Perez, MD Mark Perez, MD 702-384-7669 Dr. Gautham Reddy, MD Anthem Hills Medical Center 702-385-7001 ahmcnv.com Dr. Jeffrey Wagner, MD P3 Health Partners 702-333-4700 p3hp.org

GASTROENTEROLOGY  Dr. Howard Baron, MD Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Associates 702-791-0477 pgnalv.com Dr. Gary Chen, MD Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada 702-483-4483 nevadagastro.com Dr. Gilberto De La Torre, MD Gilberto De La Torre, MD 702-369-9100

AUGUST 2020

Dr. Gordon Ohning, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-5070 unlvmedicine.org Dr. David Shih, MD Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada 702-483-4483 nevadagastro.com Dr. Arumugam Sivakumar, MD Arumugam Sivakumar, MD 702-567-8080

GENERAL SURGERY  Dr. Dennis Chong, MD General Surgical Consultants 702-617-1981 Dr. Sean Dort, MD Southern Nevada Surgery Specialists 702-914-2420 southernnvsurgery.com Dr. Souzan El-Eid, MD Comprehensive Cancer Centers 702-255-1133 cccnevada.com Dr. Daniel Kirgan, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-5150 unlvmedicine.org

GERIATRICS  Dr. Roopa Dani, MD P3 Health Partners 702-333-4700 p3hp.org Dr. Aurelio Muyot, MD Health Center at Touro University Nevada 702-777-4809 tourohealthcenter.com

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Total disc replacement (TDR) with the activL Artificial Disc may be an alternative to spinal fusion. If you are experiencing back pain and considering surgery, please contact Dr. Jason E. Garber at 702.826.2662 for an evaluation or visit www.lvnicsbs.com. Dr. Garber is one of Southern Nevada’s most experienced spinal surgeons and a leader in artificial disc replacement surgery.

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Dr. Julie Zacharias-Simpson, DO Health Center at Touro University Nevada 702-777-4809 tourohealthcenter.com

INFECTIOUS DISEASE  Dr. Shadaba Asad, MD University Medical Center 702-383-2000 umcsn.com Dr. Chukwudum Uche, MD Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine Clinic 702-389-3554 idassociateslv.com Dr. Fadi El-Salibi, MD Infectious Diseases of Southern Nevada 702-776-8300 Dr. Brian Lipman, MD Infectious Diseases of Southern Nevada 702-909-7170 Dr. Luis Medina-Garcia, MD University Medical Center 702-383-2000 umcsn.com Dr. Ronald Shockley, MD Infectious Disease Partners of Nevada 702-309-2311 Dr. Gary R. Skankey, MD Infectious Disease Consultants 702-737-0740 Dr. Eugene Speck, MD Infectious Disease Partners of Nevada 702-309-2311 Dr. Kathleen Wairimu, MD Infection Doctors 702-343-7610

INFERTILITY  Dr. Carrie Bedient, MD The Fertility Center of Las Vegas 702-254-1777 fertilitycenterlv.com 32

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Dr. Eva Littman, MD Red Rock Fertility 702-749-4676 redrockfertility.com Dr. Bruce Shapiro, MD The Fertility Center of Las Vegas 702-254-1777 fertilitycenterlv.com

INTERNAL MEDICINE  Dr. Shaukat Damji, MD Shaukat Damji, MD 702-803-5534 Dr. Robert Gong, MD Siena Hills Primary Care 702-614-0850 sienahillsprimarycare.com Dr. Lindsay T. Hansen MD Lindsay T. Hansen, MD 702-240-8111 lindsaythansenmd.com Dr. Renu Mahajan, MD Smart Heart Care & Smart Medical Care 702-473-5333 4smartcare.com Dr. Angela S. Miller, MD Parker Medical Concierge Medicine 702-778-2204 parkermedical.org Dr. Foluke Uche, MD Foluke A. Uche, MD 702-844-4842 Dr. Suresh Prabhu, MD Ascent Primary Care 702-545-0751 Dr. Jerrold Schwartz, MD Schwartz & Tung, MDs 702-737-8657 mymdinlv.com Dr. William Shoemaker, MD Valley Health Physician Alliance 725-333-8400 valleyhealthphysicians.com Dr. Aditi Singh, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-5060 unlvmedicine.org

AUGUST 2020

Dr. Justin Terry, MD Justin Terry, MD 702-990-0622 Dr. Raji Venkat, MD Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada 702-616-5870 dignityhealth.org Dr. Robert White, MD Executive Health and Wellness Center 702-304-0854 ehwc-lv.com

NEPHROLOGY  Dr. Dijana Jefic, MD Las Vegas Kidney and Hypertension Specialists 702-818-9246 lasvegaskidney.com Dr. Bindu Khanna, MD Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 702-877-1887 ksosn.com Dr. Lawrence Lehrner, MD Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 702-877-1887 ksosn.com Dr. William King, MD Nevada Kidney Disease and Hypertension Center 702-726-6344 nkdhc.net Dr. Chidi Okafor, MD Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 702-877-1887 ksosn.com Dr. Zvi Sela, MD Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 702-877-1887 ksosn.com Dr. Nauman Tahir, MD Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 702-877-1887 ksosn.com

Dr. Vincent Yang, MD Kidney Specialists of Southern Nevada 702-877-1887 ksosn.com

Dr. Abraham Nagy, MD Nevada Headache Institute 702-432-3224 nevadaheadache.com

NEUROLOGY

Dr. Jay Mahajan, DO Las Vegas Neurology Center 702-432-2233 lvneuro.com

Dr. Azin Azma, MD MountainView Hospital 702-962-9550 mountainview-hospital.com Dr. Omar Cabahug, MD Omar Cabahug, MD 702-914-6994 Dr. Bess Chang, DO Medical Neurology 702-851-1065 medicalneurologylv.com Dr. Luis Diaz, MD Luis L. Diaz, MD 702-233-0755 luisldiaz.com Dr. Leo Germin, MD Clinical Neurology Specialists 702-804-1212 cnsnevada.com

Dr. Scott Selco, MD Scott Selco, MD 800-975-2168 Dr. Venkatachalam Veerappan, MD Desert Neurology 702-732-2600

Dr. Gary Flangas, MD Las Vegas Neurosurgery & Spine Care 702-737-7753 lv-neuro.com Dr. Randal Peoples, MD Neurosurgery Clinic at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals 702-616-6580 stanfordhealthcare.org Dr. Michael Seiff, MD The Spine & Brain Institute 702-851-0792 thespinebrain.com

Dr. Dylan Wint, MD Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health 702-483-6000 clevelandclinic.org

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

NEUROSURGERY

Dr. Joseph Adashek, MD Desert Perinatal Associates 702-341-6610 desertperinatalassociates.com

Dr. Jason Garber, MD Las Vegas Neurogical Institute Center for Spine and Brain Surgery 702-835-0088 lvnicsbs.com

Dr. James Alexander, MD UNLV Medicine 702-944-2888 unlvmedicine.org

Congratulations Dr. Joseph Adashek for being recognized as one of Southern Nevada's Top Docs in OB/GYN.

Joseph A. Adashek, MD, FACOG Paul T. Wilkes, MD, FACOG Van R. Bohman, MD, FACOG Donald L. Roberts, MD, FACOG Sean M. Keeler, MD, FACOG Nikki Long, CNM, MBA DesertPerinatalAssociates.com

Providing exceptional medical care to families experiencing high-risk pregnancies for nearly two decades.

Dr. George Chambers Jr., MD Chambers & Associates OBGYN 702-463-0800 chambersobgynlv.com

Dr. Rupesh Parikh, MD  Comprehensive Cancer Centers  702-952-3444   cccnevada.com

Dr. Amy Falcone-Wharton, MD For Women OBGYN 725-777-0414

Dr. Wolfram Samlowski, MD  Comprehensive Cancer Centers  702-952-1251 cccnevada.com

Dr. Anita Gondy, MD The OBGYN Center 702-342-0208 lasvegasobgyncenter.com Dr. Michelle Lewis, DO Michelle M. Lewis, DO 702-566-3040 Dr. Saovaros Michaels, MD The OBGYN Center 702-342-0208 lasvegasobgyncenter.com Dr. Donna Miller, MD For Women OBGYN 725-777-0414 Dr. Kirsten Rojas, MD Women Health Associates of Southern Nevada 702-870-2229 whasn.com

ONCOLOGY  Dr. Stephani Christensen, MD  Comprehensive Cancer Centers  702-856-1400   cccnevada.com Dr. Marc Kahn, MD  UNLV Medicine  702-671-5150 unlvmedicine.org Dr. Edwin Kingsley, MD  Comprehensive Cancer Centers  702-952-3400 cccnevada.com Dr. Raja Mehdi, MD  Hope Cancer Care of Nevada  702-508-9128   hccnevada.com Dr. Anthony Nguyen, MD  Comprehensive Cancer Centers 702-856-1400  cccnevada.com

H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang, MD  Comprehensive Cancer Centers  702-952-3400 cccnevada.com Dr. Ann Wierman, MD  Ann Maura Wierman, MD 702-749-3700 annwiermanmd.com

OPHTHALMOLOGY  Dr. Mark Doubrava, MD Eye Care For Nevada 702-794-2020 eyecarefornevada.com Dr. Gregory Hsu, DO Sunset Eye Center 702-450-6000 Dr. George McMickle, MD Southwestern Eye Associates 702-215-6950 sweye.net Dr. Helga Pizio, MD New Eyes Las Vegas 702-485-5000 neweyeslasvegas.com Dr. Grace Shin, MD Ideal EyeCare 702-896-2020 idealeyecarelv.com Dr. Ksenia Stafeeva, MD New Eyes Las Vegas 702-485-5000 neweyeslasvegas.com

ORTHOPEDICS  Dr. Michael Crovetti, DO Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine 702-990-2290 crovettiortho.com

AUGUST 2020

Dr. Michael Daubs, MD OptumCare Orthopaedics and Spine 702-724-8877 optumcare.com Dr. Chad Hanson, MD Desert Orthopaedic Center 702-731-4088 doclv.com Dr. Parminder Kang, MD Desert Orthopaedic Center 702-731-4088 doclv.com Dr. James Manning, MD Bone & Joint Specialists 702-474-7200 lvboneandjoint.com Dr. Michael Miao, MD Desert Orthopaedic Center 702-731-4088 doclv.com Dr. Jason Nielson, MD Children’s Bone & Spine Surgery 702-434-6920 cbsortho.com Dr. Bernard Ong, MD Bernard Ong, MD 702-796-7979 ongortho.com

PAIN MANAGEMENT  Dr. Robert Bien, MD Robert Bien, MD 702-233-9911 Dr. Andrew Kim, DO Desert Orthopaedic Center 702-731-4088 doclv.com Dr. Tomas Kucera, MD Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine 702-990-2290 crovettiortho.com Dr. Raimundo Leon, MD Advanced Pain Consultants 702-731-2642 Dr. Hans-Jorg Rosler, MD Interventional Pain and Spine Institute 702-357-8004 painandspinelv.com

Dr. Rainer Vogel, MD Comprehensive and Interventional Pain Management 702-990-4530 cipmnv.com

Dr. Thomman Kuruvilla, DPM Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 702-740-5327 aosmlv.com

Dr. Tal Minuskin, MD Kiddies’ Pal Pediatrics 702-823-1333 kiddiespalpediatrics.com

PALLIATIVE CARE

Dr. Ryan Nishihara, MD Meadows Pediatrics 702-436-7337 meadowspediatrics.org

Dr. Diana Lee, MD Platinum Hospitalists 702-800-5393

Dr. Ineada Okafor, MD Anthem Hills Pediatrics 702-566-2400 anthemhillspediatrics.com

Dr. Gopalakrishna Leela, MD Gopalakrishna Leela, MD 702-341-6699 Dr. Dean Shi-Keh Tsai, MD Southwest Medical, part of OptumCare 702-671-1111 smalv.com

Dr. Michael Tenby, MD Centennial Pediatrics 702-897-6000 centennialpediatricslv.com

Dr. Kirk Larkin, DPM Larkin Foot and Ankle Institute 702-623-2212 larkinfootandankle.com Dr. Jodi Politz, DPM Mountain Podiatry 702-240-8038 mountainpodiatry.com

PSYCHIATRY

Dr. Laura Weidenfeld, MD Sunshine Valley Pediatrics 702-363-3000 lasvegaspediatricdoctors.com

Dr. Sean Duffy, MD Ventana Health Associates 702-360-2800

Dr. Carrie Wijesinghe, MD Siena Pediatrics 702-248-7337 sienapediatrics.com

Dr. Alison Netski, MD UNLV Medicine 702-253-0818 unlvmedicine.org

PEDIATRICS

PLASTIC SURGERY

Dr. Norton Roitman, MD Norton Roitman, MD 702-222-1812 nroitmanmd.com

Dr. James Bakerink, MD Wee Care Pediatrics 702-889-8444 weecarelv.com

Dr. George Alexander, MD Dr. Alexander & Co. 702-242-6776 alexandermd.com

Dr. Dodge Slagle, DO Green Valley Psychiatric Associates 702-454-0201

Dr. Prashant Dani, MD Intermountain Healthcare 702-435-5437 hcpnv.com

Dr. Goesel Anson, MD Plastic Surgery Vegas 702-822-2100 plasticsurgeryvegas.com

PULMONARY

Dr. Constantine George, MD Epitomedical 702-419-3482 epitomedical.com

Dr. Stephen M. Miller, MD Stephen M Miller, MD 702-710-5869 drstephenmiller.com

Dr. Nisarg Changawala, MD Comprehensive Cancer Centers— Lung Center of Nevada 702-737-5864 cccnevada.com

Dr. Atousa Ghaneian, MD Healthy Kids Care at Sunrise 702-444-7685 healthykidscarelv.org

Dr. Brandon Reynolds, MD Reynolds Plastic Surgery 702-410-9800 reynoldscosmetics.com

Dr. Angelica Honsberg, MD UNLV Medicine 702-671-5060 unlvmedicine.org

Dr. Heath Hodapp, MD St. Rose Pediatrics 702-564-8556 strosepeds.com

Dr. Jeffrey Roth, MD Las Vegas Plastic Surgery 702-450-0777 jjrothmd.com

Dr. Robert Lampert, MD OptumCare Lung and Allergy Care 702-724-8844 optumcare.com

PODIATRY

Dr. George Tu, MD Comprehensive Cancer Centers— Lung Center of Nevada 702-869-0855 cccnevada.com

Dr. Warren Wheeler, MD Nathan Adelson Hospice 702-733-0320 nah.org

Dr. Rosemary Hyun, MD St. Rose Pediatrics 702-564-8556 strosepeds.com Dr. John Lepore, DO Kidfixers 702-765-5437

Dr. Anthony Ricciardi Jr., DPM Foot and Ankle Specialists of Nevada 702-213-9093 nvfas.com

Dr. John Wojcik, MD Comprehensive Cancer Centers— Lung Center of Nevada 702-737-5864 cccnevada.com

AUGUST 2020 H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

VOLUNTEER Dr. Chanu Dasari, MD General Surgery Minimally Invasive Surgery 702-602-6600 dasarimd.com

RADIOLOGY  Dr. Rajneesh Agrawal, MD Desert Radiology 702-759-8600 desertrad.com Dr. Ashok Gupta, MD Desert Radiology 702-759-8600 desertrad.com Dr. John Oh, MD Pueblo Medical Imaging 702-228-0031 pmilv.com Dr. Steven Topham, MD Desert Radiology 702-759-8600 desertrad.com Dr. Peter Weidenfeld, MD Red Rock Radiology at MountainView Hospital 702-962-7770 mountainview-hospital.com Dr. Alan Weissman, MD Desert Radiology 702-759-8600 desertrad.com

RHEUMATOLOGY

Dr. Dana Trippi, DO Emergency Medicine/Obesity Medicine Premier Physicians Weight Loss and Wellness 702-822-7400 wellnesslasvegas.com

EDUCATION Dr. Jeffrey P. Leake, MD Age Management Medicine Cenegenics Las Vegas 702-240-4200 cenegenics.com

Dr. Elham Taherian, MD Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada Multispecialty Clinic 702-707-9953 dignityhealth.org

INNOVATOR Dr. Mustafa Rawaf, DO Psychiatry Seven Hills Hospital 702-646-5000 sevenhillsbi.com

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Dr. Joseph Fayad, MD Gastroenterology VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System 702-791-9162 lasvegas.va.gov

Dr. Steven Kurtz, MD Las Vegas Urology 702-316-1616 lasvegasurology.com Dr. O. Alex Lesani, MD Las Vegas Urology 702-316-1616 lasvegasurology.com

Dr. Mitchell Forman, DO UNLV Medicine 702-671-5070 unlvmedicine.org

Dr. Christianne Yung, MD Christianne Yung, MD 702-614-6868

Dr. Scott Harris, DO Health Center at Touro University Nevada 702-777-4809 tourohealthcenter.com

UROLOGY

Dr. Sarah Ryan, MD Urology Specialists of Nevada 702-877-0814 usonv.com

Dr. Joseph Candela, MD Las Vegas Urology 702-316-1616 lasvegasurology.com

Dr. Jason Zommick, MD Urology Specialists of Nevada 702-877-0814 usonv.com

Dr. Dodji Modjinou, MD Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada Multispecialty Clinic 702-707-9953 dignityhealth.org

COMMUNITY EXEMPLARY

H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

Dr. Jessica Casey, MD Children’s Urology Associates 702-369-4999 cualv.com

AUGUST 2020

A L L YO U R H E A LT H C A R E N E E D S , A L L I N O N E P L AC E .

Born out of a concern for patient health and safety.

NEW LOCATION OPENING SEPTEMB ER 2020 11201 S. Eastern Ave Ste 110 • Henderson, Nevada 89052 P: 702.344.0000 5300 W. Spring Mountain Rd Ste 112 • Las Vegas, Nevada 89146 P: 702.362.6373 • F: 702.362.6420

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KSENIA STAFEEVA, MD

HELGA F. PIZIO, MD

Congratulations to our Top Doctors of 2020

Helga F. Pizio, MD & Ksenia Stafeeva, MD N E W TO O U R P RACT I C E

P. Lloyd Hildebrand, MD Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

W E B S I T E W W W. N E W E Y E S L A S V E G A S . C O M CALL 7 0 2 . 4 8 5 . 5 0 0 0 OUR LOCATIONS Las Vegas • Centennial • Summerlin • Green Valley • Southwest

BY HEALTH CARE QUARTERLY STAFF Water is the fuel for life. Life wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist without it. Because the human body is primarily made up of water, it is important to understand how your body uses it and why you need to stay adequately hydrated to stay healthy.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Water encourages healthier, younger looking skin while warding off headaches and migraines, as dehydration is a major factor in their onset.

AUGUST 2020

HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED?

Each day you lose water through breathing, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. It’s important to replenish your body’s supply throughout the day. The well-known “8x8 rule” is to consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day; however, extensive research in the American Journal of Physiology found that no scientific studies support this recommendation. For some, fewer than eight glasses may be sufficient, while others may require more. There are many factors that influence what your water intake should be, including exercise, environment and overall health. If you are physically active, pregnant or nursing, you should increase your fluid intake. If you are traveling or live in a hot climate, you may need to drink more water. When you are running a fever, have diarrhea or are vomiting, your body also needs more water.

HOW MUCH WATER IS IN YOUR BODY?

The average human body is about 60% water, though that percentage can vary. When you are born, you have a higher percentage, and it decreases with age. In addition, fatty tissue contains less water than muscle, so your body type can also influence the amount of water in your body. Females tend to have a lower percentage of water than males because they often have a higher amount of body fat.

AUGUST 2020 H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

HOW CAN YOU CONSUME MORE WATER EACH DAY?

WHAT DOES WATER DO FOR YOUR BODY?

Water helps your body regulate temperature, lubricate and cushion joints, protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and rid the body of waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements. Water is also responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells and for dissolving minerals and nutrients so they are accessible to your body. Nearly all of the major biological systems depend on water.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE DEHYDRATED?

Dehydration can cause overheating, unclear thinking, mood changes, constipation and kidney stones. You may experience increased thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, confusion or fatigue if you are dehydrated or approaching dehydration. Your urine is a good way to determine your hydration level — pale yellow typically indicates proper hydration.

WHAT ABOUT WATER AND CHILDREN?

Water is also essential to children’s health. It helps aid digestion, prevent constipation and is vital for proper blood circulation. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, water can be introduced to children 6-12 months old, though the primary source should be breast milk or formula. At age 2 to 5 years, AAP encourages water throughout the day, letting children’s thirst drive their intake. Parents should offer water at and between meals, and always when the weather is hot. If a child is urinating every few hours, he or she is likely well-hydrated.

When you consume the minimum recommendation of water each day, you’re not only helping your body to perform, you’re also improving your overall health. Remember: You can find water in many of your usual beverages and foods, and this counts toward your overall water consumption. Foods with high water content include melons, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes and celery. Broth soups are also an excellent option. If you’re not fond of the taste of plain water, add fresh fruit such as lemons, limes and oranges. For savory flavors, consider cucumbers or herbs. Set yourself up for success by having a fresh pitcher of water in your fridge at all times. Carry a reusable water bottle with you. Fill the bottle before you leave home and bring it with you throughout your day. Refill at water fountains or restaurants to make sure fresh water is always accessible to you. Do you have trouble remembering to take a sip? Set an alarm or download one of the many water reminder applications to your mobile phone.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRINK TOO MUCH WATER?

While rare, water toxicity — ingesting more water than the kidneys can excrete in a given period of time — can occur and be harmful or even fatal. Proper hydration is not a perfect science. Listen to your body. If you are concerned or unsure about your water intake, talk to a medical professional. Medically reviewed by Ricardo Cruz, DO, the physician lead-SES of the department of on-demand medicine at Southwest Medical, part of OptumCare.

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Congratulations, Dr. Mustafa Rawaf Readers’ Choice — Innovator A pioneer in groundbreaking clinical trials for addiction treatment and behavioral healthcare.

We are honored to congratulate our medical director, Mustafa Rawaf, D.O., and all of Seven Hills Hospital's Top Doc nominees.

WE ARE ACADEMIC MEDICINE and we Congratulate our 2020 Top Doctors

Dr. James Alexander Dr. Buddhadeb Dawn Dr. Mitchell Forman Dr. Angelica Honsberg

Dr. Kenneth Izuora Dr. Marc J. Kahn Dr. Daniel Kirgan Dr. Alison Netski

Dr. Matthew Ng Dr. Gordon Ohning Dr. Aditi Singh Dr. Robert Wang

Caring for our community. Educating tomorrow’s top doctors. Providing the highest quality healthcare. Conducting leading-edge research. Actively engaging in service to our community.

Call

(702) 660-UNLV for an appointment unlvmedicine.org | unlv.edu/medicine

BY HEALTH CARE QUARTERLY STAFF After summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harsh heat, cooler temperatures call us outdoors for active explorations with friends and family. Before you embark on a walk, hike or bike trip, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to take precautions to ensure your safety and reduce your risk of injury. This starts with establishing a strong base by taking care of your feet, ankles and supporting muscles.

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BUILD FOOT AND ANKLE STRENGTH TO ESTABLISH AN ENDURING BODY FOUNDATION A strong foot foundation is the key to keeping your feet stable and strong while reducing injury risk to your legs, hips and back. Most foot exercises are simple and can be done at home or implemented as part of your regular exercise routine.

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Perform the ankle alphabet by tracing the letters in the air with your big toe using slow, exaggerated motions. Complete the alphabet on each foot twice to help gain mobility and encourage muscle activation in your ankles.

Do calf raises on a step stool, raised flooring or stair. Lift and lower your body using your toes. The balls of your feet should rise above and below the edge of the surface to fully stretch your calf. Do three rounds with 12 repetitions to encourage flexibility and mobility.

Splay your toes. Spread them as wide apart as you can and hold for five seconds. Repeat this 10 times to improve foot alignment and stability.

Roll out your feet each night with a tennis ball to keep them limber.

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Pick up marbles from one bowl and place in another using only your toes. Start with 20 marbles for each foot to increase strength in muscles on the underside of the feet and toes.

AUGUST 2020

Walk barefoot inside and outside of your home on varied surfaces to help activate your foot muscles and develop better stability in your feet.

EASE INTO OUTDOOR ACTIVITY WITH LOW-IMPACT OPTIONS

Footwear and lifestyle choices are important, too +

Working from home, limited or no access to fitness centers and restrictions on social activities have resulted in a more sedentary lifestyle for many in recent months. This has the potential to wreak havoc on foot and ankle health. Sedentary behavior can cause a decrease in bone mass and weakened muscles, particularly in the feet, ankles and lower legs, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is especially bad for older adults because it compounds already existing risks associated with thinning, aging bones. Add to it poor choices in footwear and the current state of affairs can be a recipe for lower extremity disaster. One study in Scientific Reports found that cushioned shoes aimed at easing impact on runners’ legs had actually altered the springlike mechanics of running and

amplified impact loading. Enter poor footfalls or foot placement that permit the wearer to stomp with tremendous force without any perceived consequences. That same cushioning can also create foot immobilization and prevent foot muscles from doing adequate work. Rather than becoming stronger, feet slowly deteriorate over time. Remember: A muscle that is not often activated will lose its tone and ability to generate sufficient forces, having a significant effect on the rest of the musculoskeletal system. Moral of the story: Don’t forget your foot exercises, make wise shoe choices and practice a balanced, active lifestyle. Medically reviewed by Anthony Bratton, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at OptumCare Orthopaedics and Spine.

As you plan your next venture outdoors, remember to ease into it. Hiking at Red Rock Canyon might sound like the perfect escape, but until you are prepared to tackle the uneven terrain safely, you may want to consider alternatives. There are many low-impact options that don’t cause significant stress to your joints but still offer exercise benefits. Some of them include: n Walks. Take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. As you progress, explore a hilly location and increase your pace or consider incorporating light hand weights. n Yoga. Practice yoga outdoors to clear your mind and reconnect with your environment while improving core strength and flexibility. n Cycling. A properly fitted bike is a low-impact way to explore beyond your neighborhood or complete nearby errands. n Golf. Golfing helps improve balance, strength and flexibility, and if you want to up your cardio, skip the golf cart and walk the course instead. n Swimming. For a full-body workout, complete laps at the local pool. Swimming is also a great, low-impact form of exercise for those struggling with arthritis. n Garden. Gardening increases endurance, flexibility and strength.

TAKE ON A HIKE LIKE A PRO Hiking provides the ultimate outdoor adventure with unlimited fresh air and unfiltered views, but those miles of scenic trails also come with potential hazards. Outdoor enthusiasts often injure ankles and feet while on the trails. With 28 delicate bones, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, the foot and ankle are prime candidates for injury in the form of twists, breaks and crushes. n Know the terrain before you arrive. Rocky slopes, uneven paths, steep hills and slippery surfaces can be dangerous territory for the ill-prepared. Research in advance using topographic maps and Google satellite images. Proper preparation can prevent injuries, as can well-fitted footwear with ankle protection and a sturdy walking stick or trekking pole. n Pack light to reduce the force you put on your knees. Take controlled, short, bouncing strides and focus on the precision of each step rather than the length and speed. Take advantage of momentum, but don’t lose control. n Stop and rest five to seven minutes every 30 to 60 minutes: Sit down, prop up your legs and let gravity help drain the metabolic waste products that have built up in your legs while hiking. n Be well-hydrated and fueled up to ensure sharp cognition, decreased cramping, and sustained strength and energy.

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UMC invokes  comprehensive safety measures in COVID-19 era BY SCOTT KERBS

T Scott Kerbs  is the public  relations manager for University Medical Center.

he COVID-19 pandemic has changed the health care landscape, presenting new challenges that require bold solutions to ensure the health and well-being of patients and health care workers. This tremendous shift is immediately apparent upon entering University Medical Center, where trained professionals utilize cutting-edge thermal imaging cameras to quickly and accurately screen every person who enters the hospital. While the high-tech equipment represents the most immediately visible change, UMC’s new patient safety measures go far beyond thermal imaging, masks and hand hygiene. Tasked with delivering the state’s highest level of care amid an unprecedented public health crisis, UMC’s clinical experts have worked together to introduce a wide range of safeguards to protect patients and staff while reducing the spread of COVID-19. From increased COVID-19 testing to strict social distancing and isolation protocols, UMC’s team members have spent months refining the hospital’s patient safety protocols, which also include valuable safeguards for patients at UMC Children’s Hospital and UMC’s Quick Care and Primary Care locations across the Las Vegas Valley. In May, UMC became the first and only hospital in Nevada to provide universal COVID-19 testing for all admitted patients, significantly improving the hospital’s ability to quickly identify and isolate patients with active COVID-19 infections. “When community members visit UMC for emergencies or routine procedures, they can rest assured that every patient admitted to our hospital has been tested for COVID-19,” said Dr. Shadaba Asad, UMC’s medical director of infec-

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tious disease. “This additional layer of safety not only provides our patients with valuable peace of mind, it plays a key role in UMC’s overall strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Southern Nevada.” This unique testing strategy was made possible as a result of UMC’s commitment to increasing Nevada’s COVID-19 testing capacity, Asad said. Before the virus reached Nevada, UMC’s laboratory team began developing a plan to build a second lab dedicated solely to COVID-19 testing. UMC has since grown to become Nevada’s leader in COVID-19 testing, offering a capacity of 10,000 tests per day. “UMC has served Southern Nevada for nearly 90 years, and we have a unique responsibility to provide valuable leadership and the state’s highest level of care during our community’s greatest times of need,” said UMC CEO Mason VanHouweling. “In a matter of weeks, our team developed the state’s highest-capacity COVID-19 testing lab, providing the resources needed to significantly expand access to testing in Nevada.” The expansion of COVID-19 testing at UMC also provides a safer environment for surgery patients, including community members who visit the hospital for elective procedures, said UMC Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Luis Medina-Garcia. UMC now provides COVID-19 testing to every patient prior to surgery, with testing performed in house at UMC the day prior to the scheduled procedure. “This important step ensures that every single patient who arrives for surgery at UMC has tested negative for COVID-19,” Medina-Garcia said. “After being tested, patients are instructed to return to their homes and avoid any contact with others until they visit UMC the following day.” UMC provides surgery patients with a separate entrance, where they receive health screenings, temperature checks and masks prior to entering a lobby area with strict social distancing measures in place. In addition to offering a robust COVID-19 testing program, VanHouweling said UMC’s medical experts have worked collaboratively to analyze every aspect of the hospital and introduce rigorous safeguards. This includes mandatory face coverings, dedicated isolation units, hundreds of additional hand hygiene stations and expanded cleaning schedules to promote the safest possible environment for patients. “Our team has truly gone above and beyond to protect the health of our patients and staff,” VanHouweling said.

“When community members visit UMC for emergencies or routine procedures, they can rest assured that every patient admitted to our hospital has been tested for COVID-19.” –Dr. Shadaba Asad UMC medical director of infectious disease

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our body’s ability to defend itself with small, reasonable daily actions.

Build a strong immune system to improve your overall health BY RUDY INABA

Rudy Inaba is the director of clinical relations and corporate development for Cenegenics.

our immune system is your body’s natural defense against illness, and it’s also responsible for initiating the recovery process related to injury. While we are wildly capable as “off the shelf” human beings, we can also strengthen our defense tactics against foreign invaders like germs, bacteria, viruses and fungi, through strategic lifestyle habits. The primary role of the immune system is to prevent against or control infections and differentiate healthy cells from dangerous ones that can lead to infection or other types of damage, such as cancer. Under normal circumstances, the immune system responds to injuries and illness through acute inflammation. Blood vessels purposely dilate or enlarge, causing redness or swelling, to increase the delivery of white blood cells to promote healing. The damaged tissue releases cytokines, or emergency signals, to recruit immune cells, hormones and nutrients to aid recovery. As the healing process runs its course, the acute inflammation subsides. An unhealthy inflammatory response is chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is also known as persistent, low-grade inflammation that can have long-term negative impacts on our bodies. This type of inflammation is commonly measured via a high sensitivity C-reactive protein blood test due to its ties to heart disease, stroke, and even some autoimmune conditions. While we can’t always predict what challenges our immune systems will face, we can build

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Exercise

Neglecting physical activity and being sedentary can impede your body’s ability to fight infections. Inactivity has been shown to impair the immune system and lead to inflammation and chronic illness. Moderate physical activity or exercise, performed regularly, can reduce your risk of viral infections. However, excessive high intensity exercise can exhaust the body — increasing our stress response — and increase infection risk. When considering an exercise program to support immunity, the intensity, frequency and volume (how much work is performed) is highly dependent on the individual and his or her existing health. While one program may be considered moderate to one individual, it could be excessive for another. In some cases, incorporating the guidance of a certified personal trainer or strength and conditioning professional may complement your provider’s health care strategies.

Sleep

Sleep is a time for our bodies to rest and recover. Physical stress (exercise) and emotional stress can take a toll and cause chronic elevations in our stress hormone, cortisol. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night, as lack of sleep interferes with the production of white blood cells to support strong immune function.

Stress

Researchers suspect that chronic stress, spurring from work, relationships and current events, can place additional burden on the immune system – similar to high amounts of physical stress from excessive exercise. Additionally, chronic stress may contribute to issues like heart disease and other comorbidities related to low-grade, systemic inflammation. It is not only important to regularly check on your health, but it also helps to understand it a little bit better. There are several common biomarkers that are beneficial to understand as it relates to immune function and preventable disease. Continued on page 50

Nutrition

We all know that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is good for our overall health, but they can also boost our immune system because of their nutrient density. Not only do they pack fiber for gut health â&#x20AC;&#x201D; where the majority of our immune system resides â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but consuming a wide variety can help address some underlying vitamin and mineral insufficiencies, or even deficiencies. Citrus fruits provide high amounts of vitamin C to help immune cell function, and support epithelial barriers in the body, which are the first lines of defense against infections. Additional sources of vitamin C are spinach, broccoli, kiwi and tomatoes. Mushrooms can boost the activity of natural killer cells to aid immune function and are a dietary source of vitamin D. Foods high in zinc and essential fatty acids impact immune function directly and indirectly by reducing inflammation. A variety of protein sources like meat, beans, seafood and nuts provide dietary zinc. Fish consumption offers zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamin A and selenium â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which aid in immunity and provide antioxidants.

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Vitamin D3

Healthy levels of vitamin D aid in calcium absorption, maintaining gut health and prolonging the onset of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. 25-OH is 25-hydroxyvitamin D and is the major circulating form of vitamin D. It is considered the best indicator of the vitamin D supply to the body from cutaneous synthesis and nutritional intake.

Continued from page 48

Hemoglobin A1C

Hemoglobin A1C is the percentage of your hemoglobin that has sugar bound to it. Hemoglobin delivers oxygen throughout the body, allowing for exchange of nutrients and waste. This is an important biomarker, as chronically elevated hemoglobin A1C can eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes and possibly cardiovascular disease. Maintaining a healthy A1C is essential to reducing inflammation throughout the body.

Fasting Insulin

Insulin is a hormone used to control the level of glucose in the blood. When glucose levels increase, insulin is released from the pancreas to help remove glucose from the blood and cells. It is stored in liver, muscle and fat cells. Fasting insulin levels are used to assess insulin sensitivity. High fasting insulin with normal to high glucose levels can be indicative of insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

C-reactive protein is produced when something in

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your body is beginning to experience inflammation. If the inflammation occurs in the arteries, you are at a greater risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. CRP levels predict the chance of a cardiovascular episode as well as that of cholesterol levels.

Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the main hormone involved in stress response. Abnormal levels of cortisol in the bloodstream can be a sign of adrenal or pituitary gland issues. It can also be indicative of chronic stress, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. Physical stress from overtraining can also increase cortisol. Our bodies evolve, adapt and are constantly fighting off foreign invaders without a real conscious effort by us. We are able to do extraordinary things; however, if we maximize our bodiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; resources through regular consumption of nutrient-dense foods, appropriate exercise, management of daily stressors and keeping ongoing records of what our health is telling us, our extraordinary capabilities can be even more remarkable.

Stay on top of your health

BY DR. JAMES JOSLIN, DO

Dr. James Joslin, DO, is a family practice physician at Southwest Medical, part of OptumCare.

et’s face it, even before the current pandemic, many of us had apprehensions about going to the doctor for check-ups and routine care. As a physician, I’ve certainly seen my share of patients who are nervous going to the doctor. Now, with health authorities and physicians asking people to practice social distancing and avoid crowded public spaces, the thought of going to a doctor’s office and sitting in the waiting room brings an added dimension of anxiety. That’s why physicians, like myself, have adapted new technology to provide care and make in-person visits safe. Routine care shouldn’t be put on the back burner. It’s vitally important for people, especially those with chronic conditions, to stay on top of their health. A recent survey of primary care physicians revealed a troubling reality: Delayed care due to COVID-19 could result in serious and sometimes fatal outcomes. This is especially true for the 6 out of 10 adults with chronic conditions. These patients face serious risks if their conditions aren’t managed appropriately. For example, diabetes affects nearly 34 million people in the U.S., and diabetic patients can take preventive measures to avoid severe complications such as nerve damage, heart disease and kidney disease. Simply keeping blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check, and having regular checkups with a doctor, can help reduce their risk. There’s also growing concern for children. The World Health Organization says

that over 80 million children under 1 year old are at increased risk of diseases such as polio, measles and diphtheria due to COVID-19 delays of vaccinations. A study by Optum also examined data from providers and health systems looking at over 117,000 children who received the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine in the first four months of both 2019 and 2020. It found a 43% drop this year. We can’t overstate the importance of parents keeping on top of their children’s vaccine schedules to help keep them protected against preventable diseases.

How do we stay on top of our health while keeping safe from COVID-19?

The most important thing you can do is call your doctor and ask for guidance. Your doctor may suggest a virtual visit. Many other medical practices have rolled out video chat and phone visit technology. While a physician can’t draw blood or listen to your heart and lungs remotely, sometimes he or she can diagnose a condition based solely on your description of symptoms. A physician can also help determine whether you should come in for an in-person visit or if your symptoms suggest you should be seen in an urgent care or emergency room. For those at higher risk during COVID-19, being able to see your primary care doctor from the comfort and safety of your own home can be extraordinarily helpful. When you do need to go to the office, many medical practices, including our own, have established effective safeguards and procedures for in-person visits. These include limiting the number of people in the clinic, screening visitors for symptoms and encouraging hand hygiene and the use of masks, among other steps. Patients should take comfort in knowing their doctors and clinical staff are taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus. Physicians want to remind our patients that we are here to be your partner in maintaining good health. So, take care of yourself and give us a call.

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Mental health in Southern Nevada during COVID-19 and beyond BY KATIE WAECHTER

I Katie Waechter is the CEO of Watch Media Group.

t’s no secret that Nevada has a mental health problem. Our 2020 mental health ranking, according to Mental Health America, is 51st in the country. This ranking includes adult and youth measures, and prevalence and access to care across the state. The number of mental health resources and funding available to serve the Southern Nevada population are limited. Now that COVID-19 is in the mix, hopes of an increase in funding anytime soon are dashed. Nevada is facing a historic $1.2 billion budget shortfall. It’s not just funding that’s become a bigger problem in an already tricky mental health landscape in Nevada. We’ve also seen an uptick in mental health crises. Kyle Dunlap, director of business development with Desert Parkway Behavioral Hospital, reports a 25% increase in walk-in patient traffic. Part of the reason for that increase is the closure of Monte Vista Hospital and the resulting loss of about 250 beds, which happened right as COVID-19 hit Southern Nevada. Given the pandemic and the loss of beds, Desert Parkway has been at capacity since March. Behavioral hospital settings are experiencing an increase in demand across the board.

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Some of the crises Dunlap sees more these days include those related to alcohol and drug consumption, and “an incredible increase in domestic violence.” Other crises happening as a direct result of COVID-19 include retail workers, health care professionals and other essential workers experiencing suicidality. High-functioning individuals are being overworked or losing their jobs, homes and any sense of stability — which can cause anxiety, depression and more. Andy DiPalma, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department crisis intervention coordinator, reports that Crisis Intervention Team calls for service were up by 700 calls in May and 500 calls in June. These numbers are just from Metro. However, the numbers aren’t all bad, even amid a global pandemic. The number of people placed on a mental health hold went down the past few months. DiPalma explained, “We believe that number is lower due to the resources that our patrol officers are utilizing more, that about 80% of our patrol officers are CIT-Certified, and the creation of the Crisis Response Team taking the majority of the Downtown area’s mental health crisis calls.” In other words, crisis calls have gone up, but the number of people placed on a mental health hold has gone down, and that’s good news.

Andy DiPalma, Metro crisis intervention coordinator, reports that Crisis Intervention Team calls for service were up by 700 calls in May and 500 calls in June.

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The COVID-19 Mental Health Response

Despite limited funding and limited resources in Nevada, many of our mental health services have adjusted to treatment since COVID-19. Mitigating the risk of exposure is essential, so behavioral health facilities launched virtual programming. Dunlap said, “crisis care is still available across the board,” but initial assessments and service that were traditionally outpatient are now available online. COVID-19 expedited the importance of these programs and allowed facilities like Desert Parkway the Continued on page 54

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Continued from page 52

“If we don’t incorporate technology into therapeutic practices, then we run the risk of alienating the next generation.” — Clint Banks, LCSW

chance to open up their services virtually and help a lot more people. The National Alliance of Mental Illness Southern Nevada now offers virtual peer support groups and family support groups. Trinh Dang, the executive director of NAMI Southern Nevada, said, “It’s great because we already planned to go virtual at some point, and this just sped up the process.” What’s even better is that when things open up, they will still offer virtual groups, so people have both options to choose from moving forward. Many behavioral health providers made the transition to virtual mental health services during COVID-19. Other providers offered teleservices pre-COVID-19 and were prepared when the pandemic hit. Clint Banks, LCSW, with Headway Insight, offered teletherapy pre-pandemic because, “if we don’t incorporate technology into therapeutic practices, then we run the risk of alienating the next generation.” When COVID-19 hit, he quickly shifted his practice to a virtual setting because he already had the systems to continue treating patients seamlessly. There is incredible value in telemental health services, but there are also some shortfalls. Banks said flat out that he’s “seen both an increase and a decrease in the level of participation in therapy from clients.” Being stuck at home makes teletherapy more accessible for some but less accessible for others, especially clients who live in problematic households. Dang found similar results with NAMI Southern Nevada’s virtual support groups. “There are definitely pros and cons” when it comes to telemental health services,” she said. On the one hand, people who could not attend physical support groups, due to transportation or social anxiety, can participate in virtual support groups. However, those who are not tech-savvy, or do not feel comfortable meeting online, won’t benefit from virtual support groups. As Dang explained, “We are reaching a whole other audience but also leaving an audience behind.”

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Mental Health Services After COVID-19

Telemental health services are here to stay. When it comes to the future of mental health in a COVID-19 world, Dang believes that we haven’t seen the worst of it yet. Once pandemic numbers go down, Dang said that “some people may not have a job to go back to.” The holidays will hit and an already stressful time of year will become even more stressful. “As a whole community, we are going through this grieving process,” Dang said. Some are stuck in the anger stage of grief, others are busy negotiating, and others have had an easier time accepting the current storm and making it work for them. Remember, we are all in the same storm, but most of us are sailing in different boats. What can we expect for the future of mental health? Trey Delap, the program coordinator of advocacy with NAMI Southern Nevada and a mental health policy advocate, said that “we are still in the same pickle that we were [in before COVID-19].” Funding and finding the right proposals that answer the question “now what?” were concerns before COVID-19. We can no longer take the same approach of asking for more funding in hopes of fixing the problem. It is simply not an option for the foreseeable future. Delap said, “let us focus on the critical services. There is some money, and that needs to be allocated. “ So what do we do with our limited resources and how do we grow from here? There are many factors at play, including the question of federal funding, the fallout from the recent special session of the Legislature, and the mental health needs of the community. COVID-19 hit hard, but Nevada’s behavioral health professionals can and have adapted with the times. Together, we can continue this momentum and change the mental health landscape in Southern Nevada.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MENTAL HEALTH BY MATTHEW COX

D Matthew Cox is coowner and founder of Never Give Up Behavioral Health Services.

uring the most widespread pandemic in our lifetime, it has become overwhelmingly important to prioritize mental health, particularly for our youth. Due to school closures, stay-at-home orders and social distancing, children are reporting increased feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, studies indicate that children who are facing adverse childhood experiences, such as those related to COVID-19, often display a higher risk for worsening chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, asthma, depression, anxiety and substance abuse long into adulthood. Some children demonstrate greater resilience than others. Regardless, with so much uncertainty in your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, prioritizing their mental health with these easy steps can provide them with the support necessary to manage emotionally.

Build Coping Skills

Stay Connected

Adjust Expectations

COVID-19 has forced us to live in an uncertain world. It is important for both you and your child to understand there is no right or wrong way to react to this situation. Encouraging and practicing various coping mechanisms will help your child deal with stress and anxiety during these unprecedented times.

In monitored settings, technology can serve as a source of support, communication, connection and comfort for your child when social distancing hinders faceto-face contact with friends and peers. Encourage your child to maintain communication with friends and family.

Be realistic but flexible. While it is important to help your child set realistic goals for the coming months, it is also important to realize not everything will go as planned. Helping your child learn to adjust to uncertainty will help reduce anxiety. Reassure your child that it is OK if things do not go as planned.

Teletherapy If your child continues to struggle with mental health issues, teletherapy is a comfortable and simple solution. It provides children the opportunity to call a therapist and discuss their feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. Never Give Up Behavioral Health Services offers teletherapy and myriad of other services including outpatient and residential treatment, were established to address the mental health needs of children and families in Nevada. We employ more than 25 licensed therapists who are trained in psychiatry, individual, family and couples counseling, medication management and biofeedback treatment. For more information on Never Give Up, call 702-951-9751 or visit nevergiveupbhs.com.

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s president and CEO of the state’s largest nonprofit hospice, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Karen Rubel has been navigating the world of hospice and palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many nonprofits and businesses in Nevada currently face challenges, Rubel has implemented new ways to meet the needs of patients during their endof-life journeys, as well as their loved ones.

HOW HAS NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE BEEN HANDLING THE COVID-19 CRISIS? In the beginning, we had to immediately pivot and change our entire model in the way we delivered hospice and palliative care. We have done a number of things to make sure our patients and families have a seamless transition to our new normal. We follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State Health Department guidelines in our inpatient units as well as for home care. Much of our non-clinical staff is working remotely. We use telehealth communication for a variety of purposes, including non-critical medical check-ins; social work and spiritual care visits are made via phone or secure means of telehealth whenever possible. While in patients’ homes, we make sure they are protected as well as our staff. We are conscious to follow as much social distancing as possible. And while grief never keeps its distance, our bereavement team works with families and groups via telehealth.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE? In 1978, Irwin Molasky and his colleague Merv Adelson founded the hospice in honor of their friend and mentor, Nathan Adelson. He had a painful battle with cancer. After Nate died, Irwin and several members of the community and Nate’s friends wanted to make sure no one else had to suffer as he did. They felt strongly in what became our vision: No one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.

HOW HAVE THESE CHANGES IMPACTED PATIENTS AND FAMILIES DURING THIS TIME? Social isolation is probably the most prevalent thing we see. That includes families unable to travel to visit loved ones before they die, limited visitation in some facilities and the number of in-person visits we are able to provide. It’s heartbreaking, and we use telehealth as much as possible, but we know there’s no substitution for in-person interaction.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING SOUTHERN NEVADA? The effects of the COVID-19 virus, as well as the economic effects on our community, have been challenging. We see it everywhere, up and down the spectrum of health care. This situation only added to an already-urgent issue — where people can access health care. This is a huge issue in Southern Nevada as well as the rest of the country. Getting the right care, at the right time and in the right place, will be something that we will all have to look at from a provider perspective and a community as a whole.

AS A NONPROFIT, FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO CONTINUE SEEKING DONATIONS DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES? We have an incredible support from the community. While we don’t know what our fundraising events will look like in the near future, our donors have been incredibly generous. We know this is a tough time for everyone, and we don’t take any donation for granted. We are so grateful for all those who continue to support the hospice and the other nonprofits in our community.

Navigating end-of-life care during a pandemic

BY HOLLY SILVESTRI

Karen Rubel is the president and CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice. Holly Silvestri is a partner at The Ferraro Group.

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HOW HAS THE HOSPICE CARE INDUSTRY EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS? The industry is experiencing changes, especially in the next few years, as Medicare redesigns how hospice is delivered and paid for. Over the years, we have seen increased interest in palliative care by primary providers and hospitals. There is research to suggest that those patients who have a palliative intervention prior to hospice will transition to hospice earlier and receive the full benefits of hospice. In addition, hospice has always provided care to people in their homes. As health care has looked to redesign care delivery to manage patients at home, hospice has been able to contribute in significant ways. EXPLAIN PALLIATIVE CARE AND WHY THIS IS A GROWING SERVICE. People often confuse hospice and palliative care. The simplest way to explain it is that palliative is sometimes called supportive care. Palliative care works holistically to manage pain and provide support, so while someone may still be actively seeking curative treatment for a long-term illness, they can augment that with palliative care. Once a patient transitions to hospice and is no longer attempting curative methods, palliative care is still used to make sure patients end their days in peace and dignity. WHERE DO YOU SEE NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE IN FIVE YEARS? Remaining as the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trusted partner for end-of-life care and a national leader in hospice and palliative care. It is such an honor to steward a legacy that has been part of the community over 40 years.

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BREAST SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

MEDICAL PROFILES MEDICAL ADVERTISING SECTION

M. Ferra Lin-Duffy, DO, FACOS

Ferra Lin-Duffy, DO, FACOS, is a breast surgeon at Comprehensive Cancer Centers with expertise in breast surgical oncology and the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Her interests include nipple-sparing mastectomies, ultrasound guided lumpectomies, oncoplastic breast surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsies, axillary node dissections, axillary reverse mapping to minimize lymphedema risk and management of benign breast disease. Dr. Lin-Duffy's research has been presented at several industry conferences, including the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery and the Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons. She speaks fluent Taiwanese and Mandarin. She believes that, “Communication is very important in a physician-and-patient relationship. I always take the time to discuss all options with my patients in order to find the most appropriate treatment plan for their diagnosis. I want to give them the tools they need to make an informed decision, but also help guide them through this journey.”

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS   1485 W. Warm Springs Road, Ste. 105 Henderson, NV 89014 702-990-6360 cccnevada.com

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS   3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89169 702-952-3400 cccnevada.com

Lloyd Hildebrand, MD, FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who treats functional and cosmetic conditions of the eyelid as well as the orbit and lacrimal system, emphasizing minimalistic techniques for pediatric and adult patients. He speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. Dr. Hildebrand is dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience. A primary care doctor for 10 years, Dr. Hildebrand completed an ophthalmology residency in Oklahoma and a fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at Oregon Health and Sciences University. He spent 25 years on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma’s Dean McGee Eye Institute. Dr. Hildebrand previously worked at Union Square Eye Care in New York City and consulted with the IBM Watson Health project, developing artificial intelligence tools for eye care. He has a lifelong interest in health IT, the commercialization of telemedicine tools, medical informatics, philanthropic work in global blindness prevention and population health (focused on eye care).

NEW EYES 8352 W. Warm Springs Road, Ste. 130 Las Vegas, NV 89113 702-485-5000 neweyeslasvegas.com

MEDICAL ADVERTISING

P. Lloyd Hildebrand, MD, FACS

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

amual R. Francis, MD, MS, is a radiation oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers with expertise in eternal beam treatment modalities, brachytherapy, advanced CT simulation, treatment planning and image-guided radiation therapy. He has a special interest in treating patients with breast, prostate, lung, central nervous system, skin, gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers and lymphoma. He is fluent in Spanish. Dr. Francis was previously chief resident in radiation oncology at the University of Utah Health Huntsman Cancer Institute. His research has appeared in several industry leading publications and, in 2018, he won the Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Research Award. In describing his is patient philosophy, he says, “My own father’s battle with cancer inspired me to become a radiation oncologist and helps me relate to what my patients and their families are going through. I believe in treating my patients with the same compassion, care and expertise that I would want for myself or my own family.”

OPHTHALMOLOGY

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Samual R. Francis, MD, MS

Ronald W. Hillock, MD

onald W. Hillock, MD, joined Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center in 2011, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and adult joint reconstruction surgery. Dr. Hillock received his medical degree from Loma Linda University, a transitional internship in orthopedic surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and his orthopedic surgery residency at Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Dr. Hillock completed his fellowship in orthopedic oncology at the UCLA, School of Medicine. He previously served as chief of surgery for the 67th Combat Support Hospital during Operation Iraqi Freedom and chief of orthopedic surgery rehabilitation service at the U.S. Army Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany. Dr. Hillock is an expert in osseointegration, a specialized surgery to give amputee patients a more comfortable option to prosthesis and a better quality of life. He is one of eight doctors worldwide performing this advanced technology surgery.

NEVADA ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE CENTER 7455 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 160 Las Vegas, NV 89128 702-258-5567 nevadaorthopedic.com

Also accepts appointments at other New Eyes locations.

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iawaty Ho, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, treating all cancer types with a special interest in breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and lymphoma. Dr. Ho was previously a medical oncologist and hematologist at OptumCare Cancer Care, HealthCare Partners and Nevada Cancer Center. She has served as a physician team member of Dhammacka Jaya Buddhist Temple and on the medical team of the Department of Health Republic of Indonesia. She is fluent in Malay and Indonesian. “I believe that cancer patients are in the most vulnerable situation," she said. "For me, it’s such an honor and privilege to get to know my patients and for them to open up to me. My goal is to compassionately provide my patients with the best medical recommendations and treatment plans tailored to their individual needs. I want to help guide them through their journey.”

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS   3730 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89169 702-952-3400  cccnevada.com

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Henry P. Igid, MD

enry P. Igid, MD, is an oncologist and hematologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, treating all cancers and serious blood disorders with a special interest in anemia, myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, lung cancer and gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Igid obtained his medical degree from the University of the Philippines, completed internal medicine training at the University of Connecticut and hematology, and oncology specialty training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. In his spare time, Dr. Igid volunteers and speaks to the community and health care providers about cancer and its treatment. As a doctor who treats cancer, he strives to understand how his patients’ lives are affected by their illness to better address their medical needs. “I am privileged to be in a position to help cancer patients understand their illness, know all their options, receive best treatment and still live full lives despite this life-changing diagnosis,” he said.

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS   653 N. Town Center Drive, Ste. 402  Las Vegas, NV 89144 702-243-7200  cccnevada.com

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ONCOLOGY

Liawaty Ho, MD

ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY

MEDICAL ADVERTISING

MEDICAL PROFILES Raja S. Mehdi, MD

oard-certified Medical Oncologist Dr. Raja Mehdi is founder of Hope Cancer Care of Nevada. He earned his medical degree from Aga Khan University Medical College and completed his internal medicine residency at Case Western Reserve University St. Vincent Hospital, where he was appointed chief resident. Dr. Mehdi received a fellowship in medical oncology from Providence Cancer Institute in partnership with the University of Michigan. Dr. Mehdi has dedicated his career to developing effective cancer treatment methods by focusing on the entire individual. His practice offers state-of-the-art infusion therapy, including immunotherapy, in-house laboratory and specialty pharmacy, nutrition guidance and financial counseling. Patients are assigned a care manager — an oncology certified registered nurse — who helps them navigate every phase of treatment. Dr. Mehdi is joined at Hope Cancer Care by Medical Oncologist/Hematologist and Stanford University graduate Dr. Gary Palmer. They have a combined experience of more than 55 years in oncology.

HOPE CANCER CARE OF NEVADA 6827 W. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89103 702-508-9128

HCCNevada.com

KIDDIES’ PAL PEDIATRICS 851 S. Rampart Blvd., Ste. 130 Las Vegas, NV 89145 702-823-1333 kiddiespalpediatrics.com

achel Shirley, DO, is a breast surgeon at Comprehensive Cancer Centers focusing in breast surgical oncology. Dr. Shirley is passionate about educating the community about breast health and early detection of breast cancer, as well as treatment and surgical options for those who’ve been diagnosed. She is fluent in Spanish. Dr. Shirley completed a fellowship in breast surgery at Grant Medical Center and is board certified in general surgery. She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from University of North Texas Health Science Center: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed a five-year residency in general surgery at Louisiana State University Health Science Center. “I aim to provide the highest standard of care to my patients," she said. "I believe it’s important for patients to understand the treatment process and to know their options regarding their breast cancer care. I strive to provide compassionate care while guiding them through this journey.”

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS   653 N. Town Center Drive, Ste. 402 Las Vegas, NV 89144  702-243-7200 cccnevada.com

MEDICAL ADVERTISING

Rachel Shirley, DO

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

r. Tal Minuskin created Kiddies' Pal Pediatrics to provide the highest quality health care using evidence-based medicine to children. As a board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Minuskin diligently follows all current recommendations, policies, protocols and management of children from all of the different American academies. Dr. Minuskin respects the human microbiome and will not contribute to dysbiosis due to excessive and unnecessary antibiotic use like many other licensed providers. He believes there is no such thing as "just in case" with respect to fever and infectious diseases and administration of antibiotics. There are many causes of fevers and Dr. Minuskin will always search for them. Dr. Minuskin is a certified mohel and can perform the act of Jewish ritual circumcisions. Kiddies' Pal Pediatrics is the first of its kind to specially design the office with the specific demands of accommodating many family members and guests in support of this joyous occasion.

BREAST SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

PEDIATRICS

Tal Minuskin, MD

W. Andrew Wang, MD

Andrew Wang, MD, is a radiation oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, bringing the most modern experience in technology and procedures to the practice. He treats all cancers with a special interest in radiosurgery and brachytherapy. Dr. Wang’s research and findings have appeared in a number of publications, including Journal Neurosurgery, Journal of Neuro-Oncology and Physics in Medicine and Biology. He is fluent in Mandarin and is a member of the American Medical Association and American Society for Radiation Oncology. “An open line of communication is an important aspect of a doctor-patient relationship," Dr. Wang said. "My role as a physician is to provide information on the most up-to-date treatment options and to help patients make an informed and personalized treatment decision. I strive to provide high-quality and compassionate care to patients and their loved ones, similar to how I would want my own family to be treated.”

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS 9280 W. Sunset Road Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89148 702-952-1251 655 N. Town Center Drive Las Vegas, NV 89144 702.233.2200 cccnevada.com

AUGUST 2020 H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

Joseph Ferreira, president and CEO at Nevada Donor Network, was named The Association of Organ Procurement Organization’s president, as part of the 2020-2021 exFerreira ecutive committee. Ferreira began his role at Nevada Donor Network in April 2012. Prior to this, he spent 14 years at Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency in Miami, Fl., where he served as the director of clinical operations.  Deepak Malhotra, MD, board certified in cardiothoracic surgery, joined MountainView Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates. Malhotra specializes in all Malhotra aspects of surgical management of the heart, lungs and vascular system. Niuton Koide, MD, joined Las Vegas Heart Associates on the campus of Southern Hills Hospital. Koide is board certified in cardiac electrophysiology and also serves Koide as the medical director of electrophysiology.

Graduate Medical Education Continuity Clinic. Manov is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is also the associate program director for the internal medicine residency program at MountainView Hospital. Roseman University of Health Sciences welcomed new leadership to spearhead the development of its College of Medicine. Pedro “Joe” Greer, Jr., MD, who will serve as the dean, was one of the first to recognize the importance of training physicians in the social determinants of health, and he developed a unique educational program to address a critical gap in medical education. He is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the MacArthur Genius Award, one of only three people in history to be honored with both. Joining Greer are four additional faculty: Karin Esposito, MD, PhD, will serve as senior executive dean for academic and student affairs; Marin Gillis, PhD, LPh, will serve as senior executive dean for faculty affairs and learning innovation; Luther Brewster, MS, PhD, will serve as senior executive dean for community health innovation; and Cheryl Brewster, EdD, will serve as senior executive dean for diversity, equity and inclusion. All five were instrumental in the founding and development of the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, Fl.

Andre Manov, MD, FACP, MSHM, joined MountainView Medical Associates, the

Silver State Pediatric, a skilled nursing facility for children with complex medical conditions, welcomed three key members to the health care team. Lynda Mathis, RN, who has worked in the health care industry for 56 years, will serve as interim director of nursing. Mathis previously served as the director of nursing at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport, La. Lucia Mathis, MT, OTR/L, is the new thera-

AUGUST 2020

H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

py director. Mathis spent the majority of her 25-year career with the Clark County School District as an occupational therapist. And Doug Springer, RT, a respiratory therapist who has more than 40 years of experience was hired as the director of respiratory. Springer’s career includes implementing a respiratory therapy department at a Kansas hospital where he also trained the pediatric and emergency room medical staff.  Desert Radiology hired interventional neuro radiologist, Dr. Julian Hardman. Most recently, Hardman worked as an associate radiologist performing complex neuHardman ro-interventional procedures and final interpretations on multifaceted neuroradiology imaging cases. Desert Radiology also announced a new partnership with Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center to provide on-call interventional radiology services for the medical center. Desert Radiology physicians will be on staff to perform a wide range of interventional procedures to diagnosis a variety of injury and diseases.

Chung

Arnold Chung, MD, board certified in cardiothoracic surgery and the thoracic program medical director for HCA Healthcare in Las Vegas opened a satellite office for MountainView

Southwest Medical used the Medicine on the Move mobile medical center rather than a conven-

tional health care center location used by other patients, in order to protect newborns from potential COVID-19 exposure during their early medical exams. In addition, Southwest Medical hosted a drive-through celebration to thank the ongoing efforts and sacrifices of their physicians and nurse practitioners treating COVID-19 patients at area hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. (Courtesy)

Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates on the campus of Southern Hills Hospital.   Dr. Marc Kahn, dean of the UNLV School of Medicine and a hematologist by training, coordinated with Vitalant, the blood collection nonprofit, and University MedKahn ical Center to collect blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients. The plasma contains antibodies that can be transfused into another patient infected with the virus and showing clinical deterioration. “If someone has a viral infection and gets better, they make neutraliz-

ing antibodies to the virus which are part of the immune system that help us fight infection,” Kahn said. Known as convalescent plasma transfusions, they’ve helped patients fight diseases for 100 years. Dr. Angelica Honsberg, the UNLV Medicine physician overseeing clinical care for COVID-19 patients in UMC’s ICU, said 30 patients have received convalescent plasma. Randomized trials designed to further elucidate the effect of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 are ongoing. Several small trials have been published with encouraging results. Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health welcomed Jiong Shi, MD, to its roster of cognitive disorder neurologists as the new director of the clinical trials program. A board-certified clinical dementia specialist, Shi will lead a team that is working on early detec-

tion, potential new treatments and prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and other dementias; Parkinson’s and Shi Huntington’s diseases and other movement disorders; and multiple sclerosis. Cleveland Clinic also introduced whole-body MRI scans to its imaging program. The head-tothigh scan provides an overall snapshot of one’s general health and may detect cancers in the earliest stages of formation, physical abnormalities, inflammation or obstructions.

Continued on page 64

AUGUST 2020 H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

We are proud to congratulate three of our wonderful physicians and faculty members who are honored to be included in the 2020 Top Doctors. Dr. Aurelio Muyot Geriatrics

Dr. Julie Zacharias-Simpson Geriatrics

Dr. Scott Harris Rheumatology

For more information about Touro University Nevada, visit

tun.touro.edu

874 American Pacific Drive, Henderson NV 89014 Touro University Nevada is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) as a branch campus of Touro University California and licensed in Nevada by the Commission on Post-Secondary Education. Touro University Nevada does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

H E A LT H C A R E Q U A R T E R LY

AUGUST 2020

Individuals do not need to be a Cleveland Clinic patient to get one, and images are backed by the full resources of Cleveland Clinicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Imaging Institute, which is staffed by board-certified subspecialty radiologists. Seven Hills Hospital appointed Naomi Jones as its chief executive officer. Jones joined the hospital as chief operating officer in Sept. 2019 with more than 18 years of experience working in health care administration and business development. In addition, Seven Hills added a series of high-volume providers to its network of accepted insurances, Jones including Health Plan of Nevada, HPN Medicaid, Behavioral Healthcare Options, BHO Medicaid, Sierra Health and Life, and Sierra HealthCare Options. Partners in Primary Care, one of the fastest growing senior-focused, value-based care providers in the country, hired Michael Holohan as their new Nevada market president and Tracy J. Wakefield, MD, as chief medical officer. Holohan is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of experience in diverse health care leadership roles, most recently as chief Holohan operating officer for InnovaCare Health. Wakefield is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and brings more than 27 years of experience in health care to the Partnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team. She most recently served as president for P3 Medical Group and was medical director at HealthCare Partners. Partners, an independent subsidiary of Humana Inc., has plans to open eight new medical centers in Las Wakefield Vegas over the next year, hiring 100 clinicians and employees to provide senior-focused medical services. The company delivers care to 35,000 Medicare Advantage patients from many different Medicare insurance plans across the country. A new six-story patient tower is under construction at Henderson Hospital. The project is valued at $150 million and will add 93 beds to the facility and is expected to open in late 2021, with an additional 84 beds shelled out for future growth needs. SR Construction was named the general contractor for the project. The tower is expected to open in late 2021.

CONGRATULATIONS Roopa Dani, M.D. & Jeffrey Wagner, M.D. for being recognized among Southern Nevadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

T OP DOCTORS.

P3mg.org

(702) 333-4700

Roopa Dani, M.D. Geriatrics

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Jeffrey Wagner, M.D. Family Medicine

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