Las Vegas HEALS News

UnitedHealthcare partnered with the Health Action Council to identify what’s driving health care costs in the United States today and what we discovered is surprising.

The bottom line… Americans are getting sick more often — and earlier in life. This new report, which included over 225,000 health plan members, finds that Gen Z and Millennials are experiencing chronic health issues like high cholesterol or diabetes much earlier in life and facing a rise in major health events like heart problems or cancer diagnoses.

Some important findings include:

• Average monthly claims for major health events such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer have increased nearly 40% since 2020.
• Younger generations — particularly Millennials and Gen Z — show the fastest spending growth, driven by earlier‑onset chronic conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol.

Full white paper report can be found here: 2026-hac-white-paper.pdf

We are excited to bring back in 2026 the Las Vegas HEALS Task Forces on March 18th. Click on Task Force links below to learn more and/or register to attend:

Legislative Task Force Meeting
Thursday, March 18, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Learn More/Sign Up

Workforce Task Force Meeting
Thursday, March 18, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Learn More/Sign Up

Physician Engagement Task Force Meeting
Thursday, March 18, 2026
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Learn More/Sign Up

All meetings on the 18th will be held at the Las Vegas HEALS offices. Address and map link:

Las Vegas HEALS
8400 W. Sunset Rd., Suite 222
Las Vegas, NV 89113
Map/Directions

SilverSummit Healthplan, a leading managed care plan that provides quality health insurance to Nevadans through the state, announced early results from “Project Accelerate,” an innovative program to treat women with breast cancer.

Project Accelerate streamlines the breast cancer care process by expediting diagnostic imaging, biopsy, and specialist referrals. The program facilitates ultrasounds or diagnostic mammograms within three days of detection, ensures rapid reporting of results, and coordinates timely appointments with surgeons and oncologists, often within days.

“Numerous studies show that a woman’s breast cancer survival rate decreases if she has delays in care,” said Dr. Steven Evans, Chief Medical Officer of SilverSummit Healthplan. “We are honored to partner on this program, which is essential in helping women members get the treatments they need as quickly as possible.”

Prior to the implementation of Project Accelerate, women diagnosed with breast cancer in Nevada could wait up to two months to begin treatment. On average, women across the state still face treatment delays of approximately 68 days, regardless of insurance type.

Since its launch, Project Accelerate has served 661 patients. To date, the program has supported 661 abnormal screening mammograms, facilitated 218 biopsies, 17 High Risk members and identified 35 patients with positive cancer diagnoses through biopsy.

As a result of the program’s coordinated approach, the time from a positive biopsy to treatment has been reduced from 66 days to just 17 days. For patients with highly suspicious lesions, the time to biopsy has been reduced from more than 100 days to just nine days. Additionally, the timeframe from an abnormal mammogram to biopsy has been shortened to 12 days, down from more than 100 days previously.

Based on existing clinical history, SilverSummit Healthplan estimates that Project Accelerate has already saved a handful of lives by significantly reducing delays in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Project Accelerate was developed in partnership in southern Nevada with Steinberg Diagnostics, Simon Med, local Southern Nevada breast surgeons, and Quest Diagnostics, using Xpedite, MD as the medical and software platform. It also has additional resources, such as Nurse Practitioners and Cancer Care Navigators. Project Accelerate expediates treatment for women once breast cancer has been detected.

“This is a remarkable partnership, and we are extremely proud to support women as they begin their treatment journey,” said Eric Schmacker, plan president and CEO of SilverSummit Healthplan. “Our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable coverage for Nevada residents, and by leveraging local, regional, and community-based resources, we are improving outcomes for the communities we serve.”

About SilverSummit Healthplan
SilverSummit Healthplan (SilverSummit) is a managed care plan that provides health insurance to the people of Nevada. Established in 2017, SilverSummit exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. SilverSummit is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, visit www.silversummithealthplan.com or visit silversummithealthplan.com/caringforNV.

I want to speak directly about Gears for Good and where we are headed.

This event was built with a clear purpose. Gears for Good supports the HEALS Foundation and the programs that are strengthening the future of healthcare in Southern Nevada. That includes the High School Medical Society, the Medical Career Expo connecting students with real career pathways, and our Resident Retention Program focused on keeping talented physicians in Nevada. These initiatives are workforce infrastructure, not symbolic efforts.

In recent weeks, I have spoken with sponsors and community partners. The interest is strong. Many want to support the Foundation’s work, but several have asked for more time to engage at the level the mission deserves.

After considering that feedback, we have decided to postpone the March 1st Track Day Event. HEALS Happy Hour is proceeding as planned, but with a reduced ticket price of $75. You can sign up for Happy Hour on February 28th, by clicking here or on the button below.

This decision allows us to expand sponsorship, deepen participation, and ensure the event generates meaningful support for the HEALS Foundation and its programs. If we are going to do this, it needs to reflect the full strength of our community.

We will share new details soon. Thank you for standing with us as we build this the right way.

Diego Trujillo
CEO

The theme for March’s Las Vegas HEALS Healthcare magazine is National Kidney Month. We invite anyone interested in having content featured to send materials to Adriana. Those interested in placing advertisements can also email Adriana to send in materials, or ask any questions you may have.

Advertising Specs

1/4 Page -3.5″ w x 4.5″
1/2 Page -7.5″ w x 5.5″
Full Page 8.5” x 11”

Advertising Options

Quarter page $100
Half-page – $150
Full page – $275
Advertorial – $550
Front Cover – $675
Back Cover – $375

Articles/human interest pieces – 500 – 600 words (please include pictures)

*All submissions must be received by the 10th of every month. If you need our assistance designing your ad, our designer can help (for an additional fee)

The Nevada Cancer Coalition (NCC) will convene its Elevating Lung Cancer Screening: A Lung Cancer Collaborative Forum on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Carpenters International Training Center in Las Vegas. The free, half-day event will run from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is designed to strengthen lung cancer screening programs, advance statewide collaboration and share best practices for improving early detection.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in Nevada. Early detection through systematic screening with low-dose CT has been shown to improve outcomes, yet statewide screening uptake remains a critical gap in care.

The forum will feature expert discussions on best practices in screening implementation, patient identification, referral pathways, shared decision-making, patient management and follow-up care — topics central to enhancing quality and outcomes. Continuing education credits will be available for participating health care professionals.

Agenda highlights include a breakfast and welcome session on Nevada’s lung cancer burden, expert presentations on screening practices by Dr. Vishisht Mehta of the Lung Center of Nevada and Dr. Kathleen Graham of Renown Health, a talk on community outreach strategies and insights on building sustainable lung cancer screening systems.

NCC expects the forum to foster multidisciplinary collaboration among radiologists, primary care physicians, oncologists, public health practitioners and other stakeholders invested in lung cancer early detection and control. Registration is free but required due to limited capacity.

This program is supported in part through contributions from Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Genentech, Amgen, Pfizer Oncology and Daiichi Sankyo.

Click here to learn more.

By Dr. Paul McConnell, National Dental Director, UnitedHealthcare Dental

Oral health is more than just a bright smile, it’s an important part of a child’s growth, development and overall well-being. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among kids in the U.S., affecting nearly half of children ages 2-19. About 1 in 10 children ages 2-5 experience untreated decay, a number that climbs to nearly 1 in 5 by ages 6-8.

Baby teeth play an important role in a child’s development, serving as the foundation for healthy permanent teeth and supporting speech and overall well-being. Moreover, emergency dental care causes children in the U.S. to miss approximately 34 million school hours annually. Good oral health habits and staying on top of dental checkups from an early age can help reduce the risk of developing cavities and other conditions that affect overall health.

Here are some tips for parents to help promote good childhood dental health:

Encourage healthy snacking and hydration. What children eat and drink plays a big role in their oral health. Sugary snacks and drinks feed bacteria that can erode enamel and lead to cavities. Limiting sugar and encouraging plenty of water helps rinse away food particles, dilute acids, and support healthy saliva flow. Adding nutrient‑rich foods like fruits, vegetables, cheese and yogurt provides calcium and vitamin D to help keep teeth and bones strong.

Make preventive dental care part of your routine. Regular preventive dental care may help to catch issues early on, helping reduce the risk of more serious — and costly — problems down the road. For kids, untreated cavities can result in poor nutrition and potentially stunt growth and development. Oral health can also be linked to health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, making it important to take advantage of preventive services from a young age. Many dental plans cover preventive services such as exams, cleanings, x-rays and sealants. Call the number on the back of your dental insurance card to find out what your specific plan covers.

A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled after their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. After that, kids should see the dentist every six months.

Promote a positive dental experience. Dental fear and anxiety is quite common — one third of young kids around the world experience it. Dental visits may include the use of instruments or services that can seem scary. Regular visits to the dentist may help kids get more comfortable and help make the experience more familiar. Parents can help ease nerves by explaining what to expect, answering questions or using books or videos to help kids feel prepared and confident.

Provide guidance for good dental hygiene. While parents may want to supervise brushing until at least age 8 to ensure proper technique, education around oral health can begin much earlier. Encourage brushing twice daily with an ADA-approved toothpaste. Introduce flossing when two teeth touch. This helps teach children that cleaning between teeth is just as important as brushing. Parents can make dental care fun by letting kids choose toothbrushes in their favorite colors, turning brushing time into a family activity, singing songs or setting timers to help them stay engaged.

Replace toothbrushes regularly. Change toothbrushes every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are frayed. During cold and flu season, replace toothbrushes after being sick to avoid reintroducing germs to the body.

Encouraging healthy dental habits and staying consistent with preventive care from a young age may help children grow up with strong smiles, fewer health complications and the confidence that comes with a lifetime of good oral health.

The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion will host the 3rd Annual Tobacco‑Free Living Summit through its Tobacco Control Program. The summit will address the detrimental effects of tobacco use within the Black community. To help reduce this burden, the Tobacco Control Program created Because We Matter LV, an African American-focused tobacco initiative, which guides the program’s efforts and serves as the foundation for this year’s event.

The summit will bring together community members, advocates and experts on Thursday, February 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dr. William Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave., North Las Vegas, NV 89032. This free, public event will spotlight urgent issues shaping public health today, including the youth vaping epidemic, flavored tobacco products, tobacco control policies, and proven cessation resources. Held during Black History Month, the summit will also explore the disproportionate impact of tobacco use on Black communities and highlight actionable strategies to promote healthier, tobacco-free lives.

Smoking is a leading risk factor for chronic and life-threatening conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, heart attack and lung cancer. In Clark County, Black adults experience a disproportionate burden of these smoking-related conditions.

In 2023, Black adults in Clark County had the second-highest smoking prevalence among racial and ethnic groups at 15.2%, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Only residents categorized as other race reported a higher prevalence, at 16.3%. That same year, 10.9% of Black adults in Clark County reported having COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis—the highest prevalence among all racial and ethnic groups in the county. Black adults also had the highest prevalence of stroke in 2023, at 4.4%.

The impact of smoking is also evident in mortality data. Between 2018 and 2022, Black adults in Clark County experienced one of the highest age-adjusted lung cancer death rates, at 33.4 deaths per 100,000 population, according to the National Cancer Institute. In 2022, Black adults also had the highest age-adjusted death rate from heart attack – 43.5 per 100,000 – based on data from the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network.

“The Tobacco-Free Living Summit is an important opportunity for our community to come together around one of the most preventable causes of disease and death,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “Smoking and tobacco use continue to have a profound impact on the health of individuals, families and our health care system. By sharing evidence-based strategies, amplifying local voices, and strengthening partnerships, this summit helps move us closer to a healthier, tobacco-free future for everyone.”

The summit features a variety of tobacco-related topics and speakers:

• Onjewel Smith, echo, LLC and American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation

Menthol tobacco and cultural exploitation

• Kayla Ramsey, Nevada Cancer Coalition

Lung cancer screening matters

• Dr. Karen Beard, Amplify! African American Statewide Coordinating Center

Moving beyond cessation

• DJ Yearwood, 2023 Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Youth Advocate of the Year

Protecting Black youth from vaping

• Tracy Truran, Health Plan of Nevada and Richard Davis, Dignity Health

Rapid-fire session: Nevada cessation programs and resources

Because We Matter LV is a smoking and vaping prevention initiative for African Americans in Clark County and is part of the Health District’s Tobacco Control Program. The initiative works to raise awareness, provide culturally relevant education, connect individuals to cessation resources and encourage healthier, smoke- and vape-free lives throughout the community.

Registration for the summit is now open; visit the 2026 Tobacco-Free Living Summit Registration page. Learn more about Because We Matter LV at becausewematterlv.org.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

MountainView Hospital is proud to announce a major medical milestone successfully performing the first spine surgery in Las Vegas using a new navigation system. This system delivers advanced image-guided navigation that can be used for both minimally invasive spine and cranial procedures. Similar to technology found in self-driving cars, this navigation system uses special cameras to create full-color, 3D images with nearly one million data points.

Traditional image-guided navigation systems can take up to 30 minutes to accurately align a patient’s anatomy with the system and can often require multiple set-ups. This new system can provide this 3D registration in less than 30 seconds. The machine’s vision technology is embedded directly overhead in the surgical light which helps optimize the workflow for surgeons and care teams and improves patient outcomes due to significantly faster operating times. It also eliminates the need for any radiation during the procedure, by utilizing visible light.

“By investing in this advanced navigation system, we’re redefining what’s possible in surgical care,  significantly improving operating times while enhancing precision for our surgeons,” said MountainView Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Alexis Mussi. “This innovation reflects our commitment to leading change and delivering the very best for our community and our exceptional surgical teams.”

About MountainView Hospital:

MountainView Hospital is a state-of-the-art, full-service medical facility located in the heart of northwest Las Vegas. With a dedicated and talented staff of employees and outstanding physicians, MountainView Hospital is recognized for high patient satisfaction and for providing quality and compassionate care to our community since 1996. MountainView features nationally recognized programs including a top cardiovascular and thoracic center and integrated cardiology clinic, and the renowned Las Vegas Institute for Robotic Surgery. MountainView is the only hospital in Nevada to offer bone marrow transplants. The Sunrise Health Medical Education Consortium, based at MountainView, trains the next generation of physicians and surgeons for our community.

MountainView is a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital and several surgery, diagnostic imaging, urgent care centers and three freestanding hospital based emergency rooms, offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services.