At the time, the UNLV School of Medicine was working through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s (LCME’s) preliminary accreditation process with the hopes of starting the admissions process for our charter class in October of 2016.
Fast forward to today and this vision has become a reality. We now have 240 medical students and more than 300 residents and fellows in our graduate medical education programs. Our staff includes more than 150 faculty physicians, hundreds of volunteer/community faculty, and a team of academic, administrative, clinical, and research staff supporting both the School of Medicine and our affiliated clinical practice, UNLV Medicine.
MEDICINE BY THE NUMBERS
African American Health
The death rate for African Americans decreased 25% from 1999 to 2015 primarily for those 65 and over.
African Americans ages 18-49 are 2 times as likely to die from heart disease than whites.
African Americans ages 35-64 years are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than whites.
Since receiving LCME approval to begin recruiting our charter class, we worked hard to attract a diverse population of students with strong ties to Nevada. Our students continue to demonstrate community activism, leadership, and a dedication to exemplary patient care in addition to all of their academic achievements.
Today, in addition to looking back, we’re looking forward to the future and our school’s very first Match Day on March 19th, when our students learn where they will be completing their graduate medical education. While some of them will inevitably travel to other states to join residency programs that aren’t offered here, we fully expect that many will eventually return to Southern Nevada to practice, since most have families or extremely strong ties to this area.
And then, come summer, it will be time to welcome our fifth cohort of medical students, the Class of 2025!
Additionally, we will be welcoming in approximately 100 new residents and fellows to bolster the ranks of our graduate medical education program.
As you can see, the cycle of life for a medical school is a long process that requires us to keep “an eye on the prize,” which is transforming healthcare in Southern Nevada.
I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter from our early days, as it provides a sense of history about what goes into building a world-class medical school.
Marc J. Kahn, M.D.
Dean, UNLV School of Medicine
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
African American/Black History Month is an annual observance in February, recognizing the significant contributions of African Americans in medicine, education, arts, entertainment, law, politics, sciences, sports, and many other fields.
In recognition of Black History Month, the UNLV School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites African American faculty, staff, students, residents, and fellows to submit a photo that celebrates your heritage or culture.
Participant photos (like the example of Jennifer Young) will be included in a slideshow that will be displayed on the flat panels around the medical campus in February.
Please submit your photo by Friday, February 12, with your name, department, and title to Diversity@medicine.unlv.edu.
Jennifer Young, MPA
Director of Community Engagement
UNLV School of Medicine In The News
Health Experts Say Nevada Should Step Up Preventative Methods After UK Variant Strain of COVID-19 is Found in State
KLAS-TV
Interviewed: Dean Marc J. Kahn
Shot Selfies: Social Media Fills With Powerful COVID Vaccine Safety Message
KTNV-13
Interviewed: Dr. Johan Bester
Nursing, Medical Students Play Key Role in COVID Vaccination Drive
Las Vegas Review Journal
Interviewed: Mason Montano, medical student
UNLV Recommends Double Masking To Provide More Protection Against COVID-19
