Legacy
Healthcare Heroes began almost 20 years ago with the goal of honoring individuals that excel in healthcare while helping fund scholarships for Nevada’s future healthcare educators. The first and longest running program of its kind in Nevada, Healthcare Heroes was born in 2006 with 10 categories and a seemingly endless supply of nominees. Since the beginning, Healthcare Heroes has been a catalyst to help support healthcare in the Silver State and recognize outstanding leaders.
Taking the idea of contributing to healthcare a step further, the Healthcare Heroes scholarship fund was created. With scholarships set up at Nevada schools, funds are set aside for students seeking careers as healthcare educators.
With nearly 300 Healthcare Heroes honored and tens of thousands of dollars donated to Nevada schools, it’s safe to say that Healthcare Heroes is and continues to be a success.
The Healthcare Heroes team extends a huge “Thank You!” to everyone that has helped this event succeed, especially the corporate sponsor Optum, the associate sponsors and all of the Healthcare Hero participants and event attendees.
Judging Process
Making the Tough Decisions
Over the years, Healthcare Heroes has had several distinguished members of Nevada’s medical industry serve as judges for the event. This year’s judges had the same unenviable dilemma as judges of previous years: determining each class of Healthcare Heroes.
Judging starts with a nomination submitted on behalf of each potential honoree. As nominations begin to pour in, the editorial team at Nevada Business Magazine reviews and sorts each to determine eligibility.
Once nominations close, the real work begins. Additional information is gathered and nominee packets are submitted to the judges. Each judge has an opportunity to review the nominees and to submit their own before a formal meeting is held to determine the honorees.
At that meeting, the merits of each nominee are discussed as the judges work to identify the winners. Any categories that remains undecided go through an electronic balloting process. From this process, the winners are determined and are recognized as the Healthcare Heroes for the year. Honorees are recognized at a celebration dinner in early-September.
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 2024 Healthcare Heroes.
Gordon Absher, Dignity Health | Renee Aschoff, Touro University | Connie Brennan, Nevada Business Magazine | Danita Cohen,
University Medical Center | Dr. Russell Gollard, Optum | Paul Joncich, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV | Cassandra Jones, HCA Healthcare | Jason Roth, Roseman University
Corporate Sponsor
Southwest Medical and Optum Nevada: Local Care Backed by National Experts
Southwest Medical is home to some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated health care professionals in the nation, and with their 50-plus year history in the community, they’ve always looked for ways to continue to improve on their personalized, patient-centered care. It’s why they partnered with Optum back in 2013, to provide their patients even more options.
Optum Nevada is a robust collection of care specialists throughout the Las Vegas Valley, offering local care backed by national experts. Their patients receive a full range of primary care and specialty care services, along with access to all Southwest Medical’s offerings.
Helping You on Your Health Journey
From screenings and shots to ongoing health issues, they’re prepared to meet all your health care needs, and make each visit efficient and friendly, including your annual physical or well-care visit. This is a yearly checkup with your doctor. During this wellness exam, you’ll meet with your doctor to:
- Check past medical, social and family history
- Have a physical exam and check body systems
- Talk about medicines, lab tests and shots
- Go over ways to lower risk factors
- Look into suggested screenings
This visit gives you a chance to set health goals so you can be your healthiest you.
Optum Community Centers
As we age, being healthy means more than just regular visits to the doctor. It’s about friendships and creating new experiences and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Optum Community Centers help adults over 55 stay active and engaged with no-cost health presentations and classes, support groups, activities and games, along with arts, crafts, movies, and coffee and conversation in our living room space. You don’t even need to be an Optum member to enjoy all the activities they offer.
For more information about Southwest Medical and Optum – Nevada, as well as the senior-focused care, activities and services available at the Optum Community Centers, please visit: optum.com/nevada or call 702-877-5199.
Thank You!
The success of Healthcare Heroes depends on the steadfast support of our sponsors. Together we’ve been able to honor dozens of community leaders in healthcare for their work. The Nevada Business Magazine extends a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to all of this year’s sponsors and to everyone that helped make this program possible.
Associate Sponsors
- City National Bank
- Roseman University of Health Sciences
- Touro University Nevada
- University Medical Center
Barbara Abeytia
Administrator
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
Barbara Abeytia, director of clinical services and an oncology certified nurse for Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada has a big job. She oversees all clinical staff for the organization’s patients as well as the recruitment, hiring, training, coaching and education of all the nursing and clinical staff at Comprehensive. Fortunately, as the youngest of 10, Barbara has experience in directing large, close knit groups.
She joined the Comprehensive family in 2007 and has paired her management skills with her nursing experience to improve the lives of patients and those she works alongside. Among her many accomplishments is the implementation of a program to help all nurses at Comprehensive become an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) after two years and 2,000 hours on the job. This designation helps improve the level of care patients receive. She’s also added policies which conform to nationwide standards of care while staying up to date on the latest and greatest methodologies in her field. Recently, Barbara has been focused on recruiting Advanced Practice Providers (APP) to Comprehensive. An APP can serve as a physician extender and provide expedited and seamless attention to patients in need.
In addition to her work with Comprehensive, Barbara is active in the southern Nevada community. Each year she “adopts” families during the holidays to ensure those in need have food, and even presents for their festivities. She also volunteers weekly serving the homeless and helping at the Harmon Rehabilitation Hospital.
Brian Carr, MD
Care Provider
Las Vegas Concierge Orthopedics
Patient care is a top priority for Dr. Brian Carr, and one of the reasons he founded Las Vegas Concierge Orthopedics. He has taken a strong position that patient care is more important than policy. “[That position] has led to substantial leadership opportunities throughout my career,” he said.
Beginning his career in the military, Dr. Carr was deployed to Iraq with the 28th Combat Support Hospital in 2010. He was recognized for his service in treating injured service members. He later worked as an associate professor, general orthopedic surgeon and, eventually, orthopedic department chief in New York before moving to southern Nevada. In June of 2021, Dr. Carr began his own practice.
Dr. Carr has many accomplishments and one he is particularly proud of his being awarded the Esprit de Corps Award at his medical school graduation. The award is given, “in recognition of the graduating medical student who by thought, word, action and deed, demonstrates sensitive humanistic qualities for the well-being of all.” When asked why he believes he was selected for that recognition, Dr. Carr humbly references a study group he put together so he and his classmates could get through the trials of medical school together. While that may be part of the reason, it’s clear Dr. Carr truly cares for those around him and he’s translated that care into a thriving practice. He routinely goes above and beyond for patients and has been the facilitator of miraculous recoveries because of his persistence. In one case, Dr. Carr performed five surgeries on a patient over a 10-day period, and ended up saving, not only a life, but the career of one of Henderson’s police officers.
Beverly Neyland, MD
Educator
Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Las Vegas, Nevada
A good educator knows the subject matter so well he or she can explain it to a child. That description perfectly fits Dr. Beverly Neyland, a pediatrician and professor of pediatrics with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV).
Dr. Neyland has been practicing medicine in southern Nevada for 50 years and, since 1996, has been a professor in the department of pediatrics at the former Las Vegas campus of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, now the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. She started her career in southern Nevada as the state’s first black pediatrician and has paved the way for future doctors for decades.
In addition to her work as an educator, Dr. Neyland’s first love is treating patients. She is beloved by the children and families she helps and has had the distinct honor of serving multiple generations as her young patients grow and have children of their own. She’s even had the opportunity to educate former patients in her role as a professor. In fact, Dr. Neyland’s current supervisor at the school is a former patient.
After completing her pediatric residency at UCLA, Dr. Neyland moved to Las Vegas in 1974. She landed in a multi-specialty group as the only pediatrician and remained on call 24/7 for three months straight. That initial introduction into healthcare served as a jumping off point to a busy career. Dr. Neyland is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, was appointed to the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners and served as chairman of the National Medical Association Pediatric Academic Section.
Jeremy Kilburn, MD
Community Partner
United States Air force, UMC and University of Nevada, las Vegas
A Colonel in the United States Air Force, Dr. Jeremy Kilburn approaches medicine from a uniquely collaborative perspectives. He works as a director for the Office of Military Medicine and serves as a liaison between non-military hospitals and schools within southern Nevada. In this role, Dr. Kilburn oversees the clinical rotations of military medical personnel. In particular, he works in tandem with UMC and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV to facilitate growth of the Las Vegas medical military/civilian partnership, one of the largest and most complex in the nation.
A practicing pulmonary critical care physician, Dr. Kilburn also directs the Nellis Readiness Training (NeRT) program which places Nellis Air Force Base clinical rotators with civilian hospitals and is responsible for those rotators’ supervision. Approximately 100 Air Force medics are integrated into clinical practice at UMC at any given time. After finishing a pulmonary critical care fellowship in Missouri, Dr. Kilburn moved to southern Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base in 2011 and made the region his home. That long-experience in the southern Nevada community has proved to be crucial to the military’s partnerships in the region as he has helped facilitate important growth and healthcare in Nevada.
Dr. Kilburn also serves as an associate program director for the Pulmonary-Critical Care Fellowship with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, is deputy chief of medical staff for trauma and critical care at the Mike O’Callaghan Military Medicine Center and is a consultant to the United States Air Force Surgeon General.
Renee Eskierka
Humanitarian
Desert Radiology
Known as someone who works for the welfare and care of others, a humanitarian goes above and beyond in the course of their work. Renee Alesha Eskierka is a humanitarian by every definition. She is the imaging center facility manager, co-modality manager of MRI and modality manager of diagnostic x-ray at Desert Radiology. A full time job, Renee oversees MRI policies and procedures, while developing some of her own. She also manages staff, scheduling and equipment.
In addition to her work, Renee volunteers over 40 hours a month and became a trauma interventionist where she is on call for first responders and hospitals. In 2022, she joined the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit providing immediate on-scene support to victims of crisis. She previously worked as an Active Reservist in the U.S. Navy, from 1998 to 2006 as an HM3 Hospital Corpsman. She has served as a member of the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by the U.S. Marine Corps in 2001.
Last year, she went with a team of volunteers to Zanzibar in Tanzania, Africa to share knowledge of MRI best practices, workflow efficiency and safety tips.
A mentor and leader to those around her, Renee would remain comfortably in the background if she could. However, her heart shines through in her work and her care for others cannot be hidden. She feels called to care for others in her community, and beyond. Thankfully for those that are impacted by her, she answers that call daily.
Kathleen McGrail, OP
Volunteer
Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican
Las Vegas is not a place known for faith-based women, or “Sisters” as they are known. Although, considering their role in southern Nevada’s healthcare, it probably should be. In 1947, seven Adrian Dominican Sisters arrived in Las Vegas by train to take over the operation of a small hospital in what would become Henderson.
Since that time, over 80 different sisters have come to southern Nevada to further healthcare with St. Rose Dominican and Dignity Health and, one of them, Sister Kathleen McGrail, OP carries on their rich tradition of care today. She has served the southern Nevada community for nearly 25 years and arrived to take on the position of vice president of mission at Siena Hospital with no formal healthcare experience. She learned quickly and has overseen several significant hospital expansions and growth in the community. She also chaired the Dignity Health Community Grant Awards program for many years, which distributes over $300,000 annually to local nonprofits.
These days, Sister Katie, as she’s known, works as a health educator with the community health department for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. As the last of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, she has dedicated her life to service of God and service of others. As part of that, she goes above and beyond her official duties to make herself available to seniors in need of guidance or care. She is constantly looking to develop new programs for St. Rose’s wellness centers, mentors others and teaches with the UNLV Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).
Charles Bernick, MD, MPH
Innovator
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Rice University in Houston, Dr. Charles Bernick’s career has taken a dramatic turn into healthcare. While obtaining his Bachelor’s he focused on looking into a collective past. As a neurologist with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Dr. Bernick helps others recall their own histories.
He joined the Cleveland Clinic in 2009 and is the lead clinician in the organization’s specialized cognitive disorders clinic and specializes in Alzheimer’s, treating hundreds of individuals living with dementia. Dr. Bernick has also led studies looking for biomarkers of the disease and has conducted clinical trials of emerging treatments. His project, the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study has grown to include over 900 athlete participants and is leading to a better understanding of the long-term effects of repeated head impacts. The study is the first to look at retired ad active men and women professional athletes concurrently.
“He is the kind of doctor I want to be,” said Dylan Wint, MD, director of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “He is brilliant, kind, wise, humble, compassionate, efficient, energetic. He’s only in it for the patients; it’s all bout today’s and tomorrow’s patients for Dr. Bernick. And, today’s and tomorrow’s patients are so much better off because of his work.”
In addition to his role at the Lou Ruvo Center, Dr. Bernick helped build the Nevada Dementia Research Consortium. The consortium is working to grow and connect research in dementia throughout the state. He has also worked to help form the Hospital Dementia Care work group to develop standards of care for dementia patients who are hospitalized.
Erik Hill
Nonprofit
Vitalant
For Erik Hill, regional director of Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services), donating blood has had a profound impact on his life. His mother was diagnosed with cancer in his early-20s and when seeking a way to help, the treatment center suggested blood donation. The rest is history. Celebrating nearly 17 years with Vitalant, Erik Hill has found his calling. A nonprofit organization, Vitalant relies on the community it serves for donations to keep blood flowing throughout the Valley.
“When I think back to our roots here in Las Vegas and southern Nevada, it’s incredible we went from operating in the basement of UMC to now having three fixed donation sites, bloodmobiles and mobile drives out in the community. We’ve been at it for 70 years,” he said of Vitalant.
Erik’s pride in his organization and his community is evident in his passion for his work. His length of time in the industry hasn’t dimmed his excitement for helping others donate, while ensuring southern Nevada’s hospitals and healthcare facilities have what they need to serve patients. Born and raised in Las Vegas, this is Erik’s lifetime home and he has been committed to caring for it through Vitalant.
In particular, he is proud of the healthcare community’s response to the October 1 shooting and the work his organization provided in response. “[It] was an incredible undertaking,” he said. “In the days and weeks following the tragedy, our donation centers became places of hope and healing as people tried to make sense of it all.”
Carl Allen, M.D.
Physician
Southwest Medical
Hailing from Mississippi, Dr. Carl Allen’s journey to become a physician began when he was young. His grandparents, suffering from diabetes, weren’t provided with the care they needed in the rural south. His mother was a custodian at a medical office where Dr. Allen made a connection that charted the course of his life. Looking at the discarded medical textbooks from the medical office, having a desire to help heal others and encouraged by his grandfather to, “become somebody”, Dr. Allen put the pieces together and worked hard to become a physician.
Now serving as senior medical director, specialties for Southwest Medical, part of Optum, Dr. Allen did exactly what his grandfather told him to do. He’s been with the organization since October 1997 and has been instrumental in guiding the organization’s culture. In addition to his work as senior medical director, Dr. Allen is also a practicing OB/GYN.
In 2017, he became one of nearly a hundred Culture Facilitator leaders for UnitedHealth Group (UHG), a certification requiring hundreds of hours of training. He now leads culture training for the organizaiton across the country. More recently, in 2021, Dr. Allen was appointed to the Physician Executive Councel, a national clinical leadership and governing body within Optum which guides clinical oversight and sets standards of care for the healthcare group nationwide.
In his work, Dr. Allen remains committed to making a difference for patients every day. “When patients refer and entrust their friends and family members to me, I know I’ve made it,” he said.
Wolfgang Gilliar, D.O., FAAPMR
Lifetime Achievement
Touro University Nevada
Dean and chief academic officer with the College of Osteopathic Medicine for Touro University Nevada, Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar has an infectious joy for his career that translates easily to the people with whom he interacts.
Dr. Gilliar moved to Nevada, and joined Touro University in 2018. He has helped the College of Osteopathic Medicine receive the highest level of COCA Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome, a ten-year accreditation. When he arrived at the school his primary focus was to help make the region’s healthcare system better. At the same time, he sought to engage the Touro community to improve Nevada’s future medical conditions and address the challenges presented by an over-burdened system. He continues to work alongside his colleagues every day to achieve those goals.
In addition to being a skilled clinician and educator, Dr. Gilliar is an internationally recognized author and artist. He’s written philosophical non-fiction and has exhibited his paintings at shows in Washington, DC and the San Francisco Bay area. He has published over 20 medical textbooks and book chapters and over 50 scientific research papers and abstracts.
When asked to summarize his life, Dr. Gilliar said, “Not what I have accomplished or done with my life matters, but how I may have inspired and helped others to their own calling to reach measures of their own. May personal and societal compassion, competence and confidence be coupled with curiosity, creativity and community and together, may they reign to sustain.”
City National Bank
Associate Sponsor
Healthcare Heroes recognizes healthcare professionals who often go unnoticed for the work they do for our communities. City National Bank® is honored to support this year’s Healthcare Heroes with our friends at the Nevada Business Magazine.
Celebrating 70 years in business, City National® has long been committed to supporting its clients, colleagues and communities. The bank is deeply rooted in Nevada and dedicated to recognizing and upholding our heroes on the frontlines.
City National is also proud to be the Official Bank of Touro University. As a member of Touro’s Advisory Board, I believe in the importance of education and the deep commitment needed for our students to become medical professionals in our communities. Our leadership team at the bank makes community engagement a top priority and works to ensure communities thrive throughout Nevada.
Congratulations to all of the 2024 Healthcare Heroes honorees. You are changemakers in our lives, and it is a privilege to demonstrate our appreciation. Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Bruce Ford
Nevada Regional Executive
City National Bank
City National Bank Member FDIC. City National Bank is a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada.
©2024 City National Bank. All Rights Reserved.
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Associate Sponsor
Healthcare is, in many ways, the most significant part of a thriving economy. It is a fundamental part of people’s lives, supporting their 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 everything they have done to care for and improve the quality of life of the people of Nevada. 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 vital program nearly every year since its inception in 2006. 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 are grateful to be a part of this community and to work alongside such compassionate and competent partners and colleagues.
Dr. Renee Coffman
President & Co-Founder
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Martin-Harris Construction
Associate Sponsor
Martin-Harris Construction has been providing Preconstruction, Design-Assist, Design-Build and Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) services in Nevada since 1976. The company has successfully completed over 2,300 projects for clients in numerous industries and throughout the Southwest. Martin-Harris has superior knowledge of current markets and materials and resources, and their large estimating team works with local subcontractors on a variety of hard bids, budgeting and value engineering pricing. In addition, Martin-Harris’ self-performance capabilities has given them the expertise to provide their clients with first-hand trade knowledge for effective design constructability reviews, subcontractor management, and schedule coordination. From $10K emergency repairs to $100K tenant improvements, and $10M renovations to $100M+ new builds, the company has the resources and experience to consistently provide a certainty of delivery.
Martin-Harris is consistently recognized as a leading general contractor with recent awards like the Nevada Business Magazine Spirit of Nevada / Business of the Year, NAIOP Southern Nevada Chapter General Contracting Firm of the Year for the last 4 years, the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council’s Local Corporation of the Year, and numerous project awards from industry organizations. The combination of Martin-Harris’ financial strength, construction knowledge and subcontractor relations assure quality work at a competitive price. They have offices in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada.
University Medical Center (UMC)
Associate Sponsor
UMC Invests in a Healthier Future for Nevada
UMC continues to grow and evolve alongside Southern Nevada, introducing vital new services and expanding its team to meet the health care needs of the community it serves.
These investments produce life-changing results for patients at the UMC Heart & Stroke Center, located within UMC’s flagship hospital campus. Recognizing a growing need in Southern Nevada, UMC has focused on elevating the level of cardiovascular care available to community members. The UMC Heart & Stroke Center offers comprehensive care, including interventional cardiology, full-service electrophysiology, cardiovascular surgery, a structural heart program and many other valuable services.
“From Nevada’s most complex cases to routine procedures, the UMC Heart & Stroke Center stands ready to deliver the highly specialized care our community deserves,” said UMC CEO Mason Van Houweling.
UMC has also recruited a team of industry-leading surgeons to establish the UMC Orthopedic & Spine Institute, which now offers two outpatient clinic locations. Introduced in late 2022 to provide community members with improved access to orthopedic care, this practice offers a full range of sub-specialties, including orthopedic trauma, joint replacements, adult and pediatric spine, sports medicine and pediatric orthopedics.
“As a nonprofit hospital that has grown to become Nevada’s most sophisticated health care system, we look forward to building upon UMC’s success and further expanding our services to position Southern Nevada as a destination for world-class care,” Van Houweling said.
