I am thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of the UNLV School of Medicine leadership team -- Tracey Green, MD. As vice dean for clinical affairs and professor of family medicine Dr. Green will set up the medical school's clinical practices.

 

For the past seven years, Dr. Green has served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, where she led a statewide transformation of Nevada's mental health services, and implemented the required policies and directives of the "Affordable Care Act", such as expanding the state's Medicaid program.  

 

We are fortunate to have Dr. Green's expertise in Medicaid, Medicaid-managed care, and other state and federal payers as we shape our clinical practice. Our third-year students will complete their clerkships in this multidisciplinary practice and all the medical specialties will be taught. Our faculty, students, and residents will provide care to patients in a hospitality-like setting with an emphasis on access for Medicaid and underserved families.

 

Dr. Green's vision is to build a clinical practice where every patient will be valued and receive the best preventive medicine, counseling, and chronic disease management, as well as general medical care. She says the most important thing is to "teach our students to become the kind of doctors who care deeply about their patients, and value them as individuals. We want our students to take the time to talk to their patients, respect and understand the complexity of their daily lives. By doing so, students will develop an understanding of the complex human spirit, which can then be used by the physician to help guide a patient in making the right choices to ensure a healthy life".

 

Dr. Green's path into medicine is interesting. She grew up in Massachusetts and began college as a psychology major. She first came West to work as a data analyst in a project with the chimpanzee, Washoe, who was taught to speak using sign language. A mentor encouraged her to consider medical school and she switched her major to biology and attended the University of Nevada, Reno where she earned her medical degree. She completed her residency in family medicine at the Hershey Medical School in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

 

I met Dr. Green in October at a conference hosted by the UNLV School of Medicine -- the Partners' Conference on Expanded Medicaid. She also testified at several legislative committees I attended, and I was impressed by her commitment and oversight of the state's Medicaid programs and her passion to ensure all Nevadans have access to high quality care. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Tracey Green to our team.