В Неваде наградили лидеров здравоохранения за вклад в развитие системы медицинской помощи

For the past 20 years, Nevada Business Magazine has been recognizing Healthcare Heroes in the Silver State. The feature began as a way to recognize individuals in this important industry for their efforts and contributions. Each of the honorees on the following pages has had a tremendous impact on Nevada’s communities and are working to improve quality and access to care for all. Thank You! The success of Healthcare Heroes depends on the steadfast support of our sponsors. Together we’ve been able to honor dozens of community leaders in healthcare for their work. Nevada Business Magazine extends a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to all of this year’s sponsors and to everyone that helped make this program possible. Associate Sponsors: The Growing Demand for Healthcare Professionals (Optum Associate Sponsor Editorial) Nevada’s healthcare workforce continues to face a significant challenge: demand for physicians is growing faster than supply. While the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Roseman University College of Medicine are helping strengthen the pipeline of future physicians, Southern Nevada’s rapid growth requires continued investment in training and retaining doctors. To help meet this need, Valley Hospital, a member of The Valley Health System, partnered with Southwest Medical several years ago to establish the Family Medicine Continuity Clinic, now the largest family medicine residency program in Nevada. Under the supervision of attending physicians, resident physicians provide comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages. In addition to preventive care, well visits, and treatment for acute illnesses, residents manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. They also perform a variety of in-office procedures, including joint injections, osteopathic manipulative treatment, skin biopsies, wound care, and laceration repair. Since launching in 2019, the residency program has helped prepare physicians to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Southern Nevada through a pandemic, the expansion of virtual care, and continued population growth. The results are encouraging: 32 of the program’s 48 graduates have remained in Nevada to practice, including 10 who joined Southwest Medical/Optum Nevada. This year, seven of 10 graduating residents are staying in Nevada, with one joining Southwest Medical/Optum Nevada. Residents become deeply connected to the community, gaining firsthand experience with local patients, healthcare systems, and available resources while working as part of interdisciplinary care teams. The program also continues to innovate through initiatives such as telehealth, more efficient lab testing, and improved care pathways for chronic diseases. By training and retaining talented physicians, the Family Medicine Continuity Clinic is helping expand access to high-quality care and strengthen the health of Southern Nevada for years to come. Roseman University of Health Sciences (Roseman University Associate Sponsor Editorial) By Dr. Renee Coffman, President & Co-Founder, Roseman University of Health Sciences Healthcare is, in many ways, the most significant part of a thriving economy. It is a fundamental part of people’s lives, supporting their ability to thrive. Without quality healthcare, Nevada could not attract and grow businesses and the skilled workforce needed to create a strong and vibrant economic future. The backbone of the healthcare sector are the professionals—doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, administrators, technicians and support staff—that provide high-quality, empathic care in our hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, private practices, and community pharmacies. These people dedicate countless hours to ensure our loved ones and families have access to the best care possible in our communities. Each year, Nevada Business Magazine‘s Healthcare Heroes honors and celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional patient care, drive innovation, and promote a healthy Nevada. We congratulate all of this year’s Healthcare Heroes for their dedication to improving the quality of life of Nevadans. We also salute them for inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals through their extraordinary achievements. As an institution whose mission is to advance the health and wellness of the communities we serve by educating current and future generations of health professionals, conducting research, and providing patient care, Roseman University of Health Sciences has been a proud sponsor of this program since its inception. Roseman University continues to evolve by expanding our clinical footprint, adding new programs and degree offerings, and serving our community through programs that nurture, heal, and empower. We look forward to the development of Roseman’s College of Veterinary Medicine—the first in Nevada which will address critical provider shortages in our region, strengthen animal health systems in underserved and rural areas and support economic development through workforce expansion and professional collaboration. We also look forward to further development of our Summerlin Campus, home to partner Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, our College of Medicine, Roseman Dental, Roseman Bioventures, and soon, a $500 million expansion transforming this campus into a hub of interprofessional education. We are grateful to be a part of this community and to work alongside such compassionate and competent partners and colleagues. UMC Becomes Nevada’s First and Only Magnet Hospital (UMC Associate Sponsor Editorial) UMC’s commitment to advancing the nursing profession has garnered national recognition. In 2026, UMC completed a 10-year journey to become the first and only hospital in Nevada to achieve Magnet recognition, the gold standard for excellence in nursing. The American Nurses Credentialing Center‘s Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. Prior to this achievement, Nevada was one of only two states in the U.S. without a Magnet hospital. Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides a number of key benefits to healthcare organizations and their communities, including higher patient satisfaction, lower risk of 30-day mortality, lower failure-to-rescue rates and higher job satisfaction among nurses. UMC offers a robust shared governance structure that provides front-line nurses with a voice in shaping the future of healthcare in Southern Nevada. As a result, UMC has grown to become a trusted leader in nursing research, academic partnerships, clinical quality and nurse satisfaction. “Magnet recognition is a historic achievement for UMC and speaks to the quality of our patient care,” said UMC Chief Nursing Officer Debra Fox. “Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that has supported our community-focused care for nearly a century. This honor also serves as tangible evidence of our nurses’ unwavering commitment to providing Nevada’s highest level of care to our patients.” In addition to serving as the state’s only Magnet hospital, UMC is home to Nevada’s first and only Nonprofit Level I Trauma Center, Verified Burn Center and Multi-Organ Transplant Center. Serving the community since 1931, UMC offers an expansive flagship hospital campus in the heart of the Las Vegas Medical District, along with convenient Quick Care, Primary Care and specialty clinics across Southern Nevada. JUDGES Thank You! Nevada Business Magazine offers a heartfelt “thank you” to the distinguished panel of judges for their wisdom and discernment in selecting the 2025 Healthcare Heroes. - Gordon Absher, Dignity Health - Alycia Bolling, Optum - Connie Brennan, Nevada Business Magazine - Danita Cohen, UMC - Dawn Evans, Nevada Hospital Association - Jessica Hensler, Valley Health System - Paul Joncich, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV - Nicole Lorenzi-Abrott, Northern Nevada Health System - Katie Mitchell, Carson Tahoe Health - Stacey Pierce-Talsma, Touro University Nevada - Dana Reynolds, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine - Jason Roth, Roseman University of Health Sciences - Regina Vaccari, HCA Healthcare - Cristal Woodley, Renown Health Administrator This person has demonstrated an ability to manage several departments within a healthcare organization. They have a talent for leadership and excel at getting the job done. NORTH Thomas Talamante VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Thomas Talamante was appointed executive director of the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in July 2024, following his tenure as interim director that began in late 2023. A United States Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Talamante brings more than two decades of federal service and healthcare administration experience to the role. He oversees an annual operating budget of $553 million and directs more than 1,800 employees across six community-based outpatient clinics, delivering comprehensive care to roughly 100,000 veterans across 20 counties in Northern Nevada and northeastern California. Under his leadership, the health system implemented a hospital diversion policy that generated $5 million in cost avoidance and helped earn the National Center for Patient Safety‘s Program of Excellence designation. Talamante established 26 community coalitions focused on veteran suicide prevention, doubled the facility’s research investigators, and expanded academic partnerships. A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he holds master’s degrees in organizational leadership and business administration and applies data-driven strategy to operational health. SOUTH Brian Greenlee Southwest Medical Hospice Brian Greenlee serves as clinical executive director of operations for Southwest Medical Home Health, Southwest Medical Hospice and Optum Palliative Care, directing comprehensive home health, palliative and hospice programs throughout Southern Nevada. Leading interdisciplinary clinical teams, Greenlee oversees care delivery for more than 170 hospice patients and over 800 palliative care patients. He focuses on bridging gaps across the continuum of serious illness, modernizing clinical workflows and ensuring vulnerable patients receive timely, coordinated care aligned with their values. Under his administrative oversight, Southwest Medical Hospice achieved a 22% increase in patient census, secured a zero-deficiency clinical survey from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and earned a 5-Star CMS Quality Rating. Greenlee successfully guided the program through a major structural transition while maintaining family satisfaction scores in the top 20% nationally. A registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing leadership from Western Governors University, he regularly educates regional providers on palliative care coordination and high-reliability end-of-life care management. Care Provider This person has demonstrated genuine compassion and empathy for his/her patients. NORTH JoAnn Share JoAnn Share serves as nurse manager of the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sierra Medical Center, leading daily operations, staff development and family-centered clinical care. Share entered neonatal nursing in 2004 through an unexpected student apprenticeship, establishing a more than two-decade career devoted exclusively to premature and critically ill infants. Over two decades, she progressed from staff nurse and charge nurse to clinical supervisor and nurse manager, combining clinical expertise with operational leadership. Her leadership proved essential in securing Sierra Medical Center’s Level III NICU designation, a multi-year effort that expanded advanced neonatal capabilities in Northern Nevada and allowed families to stay within their local community during critical care. “The achievement of our Level III NICU designation is a testament to her years of hard work, resilience and commitment to the families in our community,” said Tori Vieira, director of maternal child services at Sierra Medical Center. Share holds an associate degree in nursing from Western Nevada College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. SOUTH Dr. Craig Nakamura Children’s Lung Specialists and The Cystic Fibrosis Center of Southern Nevada Dr. Craig Nakamura is a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist and lead physician at Children’s Lung Specialists, where he has treated children with acute and chronic respiratory disorders for over 25 years. As center director for the Cystic Fibrosis Center of Southern Nevada and director of pediatric pulmonology at UMC, Nakamura serves as one of only two pediatric pulmonologists in the Las Vegas Valley. He travels daily between outpatient clinics and regional hospitals, managing care for infants, children and adolescents. Nakamura completed his medical degree at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, served as chief pediatric resident at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children and completed a pediatric pulmonary fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Beyond his clinical rounds, Nakamura serves as medical director of the CareMeridian chronic care facility and holds clinical faculty appointments with the University of Nevada School of Medicine and Touro University Nevada. He also serves on the board of Red Rock Search and Rescue and the Make-A-Wish Nevada Medical Advisory Council, where his advocacy led to a 600% increase in patient wish referrals. Educator This person has been involved in teaching the future generation of healthcare professionals. They have demonstrated an ability to be a successful educator and are admired by his/her peers and students. NORTH Dr. Julie Ellsworth Baker Truckee Meadows Community College Dr. Julie Ellsworth Baker serves as dean of life sciences, allied health and public safety at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), where she has guided healthcare curriculum and workforce development for more than two decades. Holding a doctorate in ecology, evolution and conservation biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, Ellsworth Baker oversees diverse health disciplines encompassing nursing, radiologic technology, dental hygiene, paramedicine and public safety. Her academic leadership has built progressive educational ladders connecting entry-level certificates to full bachelor’s degree programs. Throughout her tenure, Ellsworth Baker has spearheaded dozens of workforce credentials, including skills certificates in sterile processing, dental assisting, CT and MRI imaging, and a collaborative surgical technology degree with the College of Southern Nevada. She also guided the development of four-year pathways such as the RN-to-BSN and Bachelor of Applied Science in dental hygiene. Securing more than $8 million in state and federal grant funding, she has modernized clinical simulation facilities, expanded laboratory infrastructure and sustained student scholarships to prepare healthcare graduates across Nevada. SOUTH Dr. Kimberly Bates St. Rose Dominican Graduate Medical Education Program Dr. Kimberly Bates is the chief medical officer for Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada, leading more than 100 clinical providers while serving as primary care track director and interim designated institutional official for the St. Rose Dominican Graduate Medical Education internal medicine residency program. A master of the American College of Physicians (MACP) and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Bates earned her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Throughout her career, Bates has built community-based graduate medical training pipelines, serving as St. Rose’s founding program director from 2021 to 2025 and securing grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) to establish its primary care track to address regional provider shortages. Her educational leadership at St. Rose culminated in the graduation of its inaugural resident class, retaining four new physicians in Southern Nevada. Bates also holds faculty appointments at Creighton University and Roseman University, serves on the national ACP Board of Regents and mentors resident physicians in communication frameworks like the Teach-Back and I-PASS models. Community Partner This is someone who has seen a healthcare need in Nevada’s communities and has taken steps to address that need. NORTH Jimmy Lao Renown Regional Medical Center Jimmy Lao is the senior director of emergency services at Renown Regional Medical Center, overseeing operations for Northern Nevada’s only Level II Trauma Center alongside regional emergency networks that treat more than 80,000 trauma and emergency patients annually. Lao leads clinical quality, workforce management and emergency throughout the hospital’s 88-bed emergency department. A registered nurse with more than a decade of experience spanning critical care, trauma and leadership roles, he also serves on the Renown Health Foundation Board and the American College of Healthcare Executives Board. Lao served as an integral partner in expanding mental health access across the region, directing the November 2025 reopening of the Renown Crisis Care Center to provide 24-7 short-term psychiatric stabilization for up to 25 patients. In addition to facility operations, he coordinated with regional first responders and public agencies to launch Code Phoenix, a confidential behavioral healthcare intake pathway designed to remove stigmas and treatment barriers for healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics facing acute stress and occupational trauma. SOUTH Dr. Lucille Carriere Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Dr. Lucille Carriere is a clinical health psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the inaugural holder of the Angie Ruvo Endowed Chair for Caregiving. Since joining the center in 2019, Carriere has focused on expanding support systems for the estimated 84,000 family caregivers in Nevada assisting individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. She completed her doctoral training at Auburn University, a clinical internship through Vanderbilt University and the Nashville VA Medical Center and a fellowship at Cleveland Clinic’s Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis. Carriere established Nevada’s first Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT) program in partnership with Mayo Clinic, providing evidence-based cognitive interventions for mild cognitive impairment. She helped launch the Living Well with Cognitive Changes shared medical appointments, connecting neurologists and psychologists directly with families. To address caregiver isolation and burnout, Carriere developed community educational initiatives, including Dealing with Dementia workshops and spearheaded the Caregiver Gift Guide, a free bilingual resource designed to provide practical relief and local support to Nevada families. Humanitarian This person has a concern for and works to improve the lives and welfare of those that are less fortunate and/or underserved. NORTH Dr. Jan Marson Carson City Rural Child Advocacy Center Dr. Jan Marson is an occupational therapist and community leader who has dedicated her career to building protective systems of care for underserved and vulnerable children. As founder of the Carson City Rural Child Advocacy Center, she directs a multidisciplinary team coordinating forensic interviews, victim advocacy, medical evaluations and mental health interventions for children and families affected by abuse, neglect and exploitation across eight rural Northern Nevada counties. Through the family foundation Serving Our Communities, Marson has helped launch and sustain essential regional safety nets, including Sierra Healing House for trauma-informed counseling and the Nevada Collective for Autism and Neurodevelopment to address critical statewide diagnostic and treatment gaps. Her collaborative operational model unites law enforcement, medical specialists, prosecutors, educators and child welfare agencies into a single, coordinated safety net that reduces secondary trauma during investigative processes. By aligning philanthropic resources with clinical practice, Marson ensures rural families gain direct access to essential developmental and protective healthcare services. SOUTH Amani Wilson EMPOWERED at Roseman University College of Medicine Amani Wilson serves as program coordinator for the EMPOWERED program at Roseman University College of Medicine, an initiative delivering comprehensive wraparound services to pregnant and postpartum women navigating opioid and stimulant use disorders. Having personal experience with addiction, homelessness and incarceration before achieving sustained recovery, Wilson acts as the initial point of contact for women entering clinical care. She combines administrative oversight with empathetic peer support, helping patients navigate treatment, secure stable housing and overcome barriers to maternal-infant care. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix and co-hosts the grant-supported podcast “Empowered Voices: From Recovery to Resiliency,” currently in its fourth season after earning a 2025 Pinnacle Award from the Public Relations Society of America‘s Las Vegas Valley Chapter. Through media appearances, community presentations and professional education forums, she advocates for people-first and the recognition of substance use disorder as a treatable chronic medical condition. Her outreach works to dismantle healthcare stigma, prevent maternal-infant health disparities and support recovery across Southern Nevada. Volunteer An individual who volunteers a significant number of hours to healthcare work. This could include a professional in healthcare or a hospital volunteer, for example. NORTH Dr. Nariman Rahimzadeh Dr. Nariman Rahimzadeh is vice president of medical affairs at Renown Health Systems and a practicing anesthesiologist with Anesthesiology | NV. Born in Iran during the Iranian Revolution, he was inspired by early exposure to wartime medical providers and developed a lifelong commitment to service. After moving to Nevada in 1991, Rahimzadeh worked as a research lab assistant, a hospital shuttle bus driver at Washoe Medical Center and a flight EMT-II with Care Flight before completing medical school at Ross University and dual residencies in internal medicine and anesthesiology at the University of Connecticut. Rahimzadeh devotes significant volunteer hours each month to civic initiatives and professional governance. He serves on the board of directors of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and is past president of the Nevada State Society of Anesthesiologists. In the community, he regularly coordinates volunteer outreach with his family to assemble Karma Boxes and essential food supplies for unhoused individuals in Northern Nevada, pairing clinical leadership with grassroots community aid. SOUTH Dr. Arlene Obremski St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation Dr. Arlene Obremski is a dedicated volunteer and Eucharistic lay minister at Dignity Health’s St. Rose Dominican, where she has devoted nearly 500 volunteer hours to bedside holy communion, patient comfort and spiritual care. Following a 29-year career in public and special education, during which she earned a doctorate in education at age 55, Obremski retired to Southern Nevada and channeled her life into hospital ministry and community bereavement support. After personal hospital stays, where she saw how simple personal care necessities provide dignity to patients, Obremski conceived and funded the Caring Cart in memory of her late husband, Dr. Robert J. Obremski. Staffed by volunteers, the program now operates across both the Siena and San Martin hospital campuses, offering complimentary toiletries, reading materials, puzzles and personal items directly to patient rooms. Obremski also facilitates grief support groups at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, assists with hospital bereavement initiatives and is completing pastoral care certification to expand emotional and spiritual support for hospitalized individuals. Innovator A pioneer in Nevada’s healthcare community. Whether through new technology or groundbreaking research, this person has found innovative ways to approach healthcare. NORTH Kitty McKay Kitty McKay serves as vice president of community and patient experience at Carson Tahoe Health, where she has led patient engagement, community health strategy and prevention initiatives since joining the system in 2009. McKay focuses on advancing a proactive healthcare delivery model, creating programs that address upstream health factors and expand emotional wellness resources beyond traditional clinical settings. To address regional youth behavioral health challenges, McKay designed Healing Our Kids & Community, a preventative initiative serving Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties that has connected with more than 30,000 young people. At the core of the project is Vehicles of Change, a fleet of four mobile units titled Play, Eat, Sound Ideas and Art. These mobile spaces deliver trauma-informed curricula, nutrition education and arts programming directly to parks, neighborhoods and schools. McKay also established the Dave Mason Legacy Fund and the Sound Ideas mobile studio, utilizing music and digital podcasting to foster adolescent resilience and emotional regulation. SOUTH Dr. Nadia Gomez Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Dr. Nadia Gomez is an associate professor of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and interim vice dean for clinical affairs at UNLV Health, overseeing more than 150 faculty physicians. A fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Gomez holds an executive MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno and completed her residency at Temple University Hospital, followed by advanced surgical fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery and chronic pelvic pain at Florida Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Florida. Gomez is a pioneer in surgical technology, serving as one of only five gynecologic surgeons nationally selected to lead FDA clinical trials for the MIRA single-incision miniature robotic system for hysterectomies. She introduced the Sonata System to Southern Nevada for incisionless radiofrequency treatment of uterine fibroids and serves as co-principal investigator for clinical trials evaluating novel technologies for overactive bladders. Committed to clinical equity, Gomez helped secure a $1.8 million Health Resources and Services Administration grant to launch a maternal care model addressing maternal mortality and social determinants of health in Southern Nevada. Nonprofit Someone who works with a nonprofit healthcare organization in Nevada. This person is compassionate and dedicated to improving the lives of others. NORTH Dr. Ivy Spadone University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Dr. Ivy Spadone is an assistant professor and associate program director in the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and an HIV specialist at Northern Nevada HOPES. She holds a doctor of medical science degree in PA education from the University of Lynchburg, a master’s degree from George Washington University and a microbiology degree from the University of Montana. Since 2000, Spadone has provided specialized care for underserved Nevadans, including patients living with HIV, unhoused individuals, refugees and those navigating substance use disorders. Spadone previously served as chief operations officer and clinic manager at Northern Nevada HOPES, where she helped guide clinic expansions and shaped healthcare access programs for marginalized communities. She co-created the Northern Nevada HIV/ID Coalition, serves on statewide advisory committees for hepatitis and congenital syphilis and volunteers with regional refugee and homeless outreach initiatives. Through her academic post, Spadone integrates community health and trauma-informed clinical practice into medical coursework, training future physician assistants to deliver equitable care. SOUTH Joe Ferreira Nevada Donor Network and Nevada Transplant Institute Joe Ferreira serves as president and chief executive officer of The Donor Network, a multistate nonprofit enterprise overseeing organ procurement organizations including the Nevada Donor Network and South Florida Donor Network. Since taking the helm of Nevada Donor Network in 2012, Ferreira has guided the organization from one of the lowest-performing organ procurement organizations in the country into a national leader in organ, eye and tissue recovery. He previously spent 14 years with the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency at the University of Miami, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and immunology and an MBA in healthcare administration. Ferreira founded the Nevada Transplant Institute in collaboration with Renown Regional Medical Center, establishing Northern Nevada’s first kidney transplant program, and initiated development of a Southern Nevada transplant clinic to reduce out-of-state travel for critical care. His initiatives include establishing Nevada’s first tissue processor, a dedicated donation infectious disease lab, and the state’s first specialized Donor Care Unit. In 2019, he launched the Nevada Donor Network Foundation’s $35 million “End the Wait” capital campaign, expanding organ recovery capabilities statewide. Physician A medical doctor who demonstrates dedication to his or her career through patient satisfaction and knowledge of industry trends. This person should be a recognized leader in healthcare who goes above and beyond for their patients. NORTH Dr. Amanda Magrini Dr. Amanda Magrini is a board-certified family physician and medical director at Northern Nevada Medical Group. A native Nevadan, Magrini earned her undergraduate degree in biochemistry and her medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine before completing her family medicine residency in Reno in 2013. Over 13 years of clinical practice, she has delivered comprehensive primary care to families throughout Northern Nevada, assuming medical directorship responsibilities to guide clinical quality and multi-clinic operational performance. A fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Magrini serves on the board and is a past president of the Nevada Academy of Family Physicians, advocating for primary care access and mentoring medical students into family practice. She has traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent regional primary care interests before federal lawmakers. Active in community service, Magrini serves as president of the Spanish Springs Elementary PTO, volunteers with school booster clubs and coaches for Girls on the Run of the Sierras. SOUTH Dr. Rupesh Parikh Dr. Rupesh Parikh is a medical oncologist, hematologist and practice president of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, where he has provided cancer care to Southern Nevada patients since 2005. Parikh oversees the clinical and strategic growth of the multidisciplinary practice, expanding specialized oncology services, advanced practice provider teams, genetic counseling programs and a new 13,000-square-foot flagship facility in the Las Vegas Medical District. He holds academic appointments at Touro University and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and previously served as chief of staff for Dignity Health’s St. Rose Dominican. An active clinical researcher, Parikh has served as principal investigator on numerous oncology clinical trials within a research program that manages over 130 trials annually and has contributed to more than 100 FDA-approved therapies. Parikh is also a prominent legislative advocate, leading successful efforts before the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy to modernize regulations and enable group oncology practices to maintain medically integrated dispensing of oral cancer therapies. In 2026, the American Cancer Society named him a Las Vegas Game Changer honoree for his contributions to oncology. Lifetime Achievement Someone who has dedicated their life to healthcare and has spent a significant amount of time in Nevada. They must have been practicing in healthcare for a minimum of 25 years. NORTH Dr. Gregory Highison University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Dr. Gregory Highison has dedicated more than 45 years to medical education as a professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. After earning his doctorate in medical sciences and human anatomy from the Medical College of Ohio and completing an National Institutes of Health (NIH) postdoctoral fellowship in electron microscopy at the University of North Dakota, Highison joined the UNR Med faculty in 1981. Over four and a half decades, he has taught gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology and histology to more than 2,600 future physicians. Highison served as vice chair of the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology from 1998 to 2024 and directed UNR’s electron microscopy facilities for over a decade. He co-founded the school’s annual donor memorial service and led the digital modernization of the histology curriculum, transitioning laboratories from traditional light microscopes to digital slide platforms on student computers. His teaching has garnered numerous student honors, including the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award, the inaugural E.W. Richardson Award and the Docere Perillustris Award. SOUTH Dr. Donald Mackay Dr. Donald Mackay has contributed nearly five decades of medical and governance leadership to Southern Nevada healthcare, capping his clinical career with 12 years of service on the UMC Governing Board from 2014 until his retirement in June 2026. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon who earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1970 and completed his residency in Phoenix, Mackay co-founded Orthopaedic Specialists of Nevada and practiced for nearly 30 years across almost every major hospital in the Las Vegas Valley. He also served on the advisory board of councilors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. During his 12-year tenure on UMC’s Governing Board, including service as vice chair, Mackay helped lead the public hospital system through a major financial turnaround, moving the institution toward positive operating income. Drawing on his surgical and business background, he guided strategic investments that established seven new ambulatory care facilities, expanded the UMC Cardiovascular Center and UMC Transplant Center and advanced UMC’s robotic surgery program, securing specialized clinical services for Southern Nevada.