HEALS Healthcare Magazine June Theme is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

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The theme for May’s Las Vegas HEALS Healthcare magazine is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness 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)

Southern Nevada Health District Releases 2025 Community Health Assessment

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The Southern Nevada Health District, in collaboration with community partners, has released the 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA), a comprehensive evaluation of Clark County’s  health needs, strengths and available resources. The assessment is now available on the Healthy Southern Nevada website.

As part of the prioritization process, the Health District and community members met on April 30 to review key health indicators and collectively identify the most pressing public health issues in Clark County. Based on this collaborative assessment, the top three health priorities selected were:

1. Access to Care

2. Chronic Disease

3. Public Health Funding

Additional community meetings are planned this summer to continue the development of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) which will guide future public health strategies.

The CHA serves as a foundational element of public health by supporting its three core functions: assessment, policy development, and assurance. It serves as a vital tool for identifying health challenges and assets, informing policy and evaluating public health efforts. The overarching goal is to achieve health equity by identifying urgent health issues in the community and aligning resources to support healthier outcomes.

During the assessment process, common themes emerged from the feedback provided by the community participants, including:

  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Access to Care
  • Mental Health
  • Chronic Disease
  • Public Health Funding
  • Environmental Factors
  • Substance Use
  • Infectious Disease

The assessment process incorporates three key evaluations: the Community Partner Assessment, the Community Context Assessment and the Community Status Assessment. This work was conducted using the Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) framework developed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. MAPP is a community-driven strategic process that encourages collaboration and data-informed decision-making.

“This process emphasizes collaboration across organizations and active community engagement,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer of the Health District. “It recognizes that meaningful health outcomes result from collective efforts rather than the actions of any single entity.”

The 2025 CHA is designed to inform the public, stakeholders and organizations about the current health status of Clark County residents. Its findings will help to identify strategic priorities and the development of a CHIP, which will direct health initiatives and interventions for the next three to five years.

For more information on the CHA and CHIP process, go to Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) – NACCHO. Additional information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Community Planning for Health Assessment: CHA & CHIP | Public Health Gateway | CDC.

Living Strong: How Women May Maintain Bone Health and Prevent Falls

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by Lien Hoang, MD, Medicare & Retirement
UnitedHealthcare of Nevada

As we grow older, women and men begin losing bone density and mass, which may make us more susceptible to bone-related conditions and injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, often resulting in fractures and other serious health issues. With many older adults wanting to live independently as long as possible, good overall health is crucial. Maintaining strong bones and preventing falls may help.

Know Your Numbers – CMS recommends women 60 or older receive a bone density scan, also known as a DEXA bone scan, as bones change due to menopause and decreases in estrogen. The bone scan measures the mineral content, particularly calcium, to determine bones’ density. Based on the results, providers may recommend treatments. This test is generally covered under Medicare and other health plans.

Understand Your Risks – While bone density naturally decreases over time, the amount, speed, and impact of loss may be slowed so take stock of what you eat and drink, and how much you exercise and move. Also, review your family’s health history to help determine what health conditions may be hereditary. Be sure to share this with your physician.

Eat Right and Exercise – Consider including foods high in Vitamin D and calcium as part of a well-balanced diet. Discuss with your health care provider the possibility of incorporating weight-bearing exercises into your workout routine. Activities like walking, jogging, and exercises that improve balance and coordination might be beneficial. New to exercise? Start off slowly as any additional movement can have benefits as you gain strength.

Make Your Surroundings Fall-Proof – Look around your home – inside and outside. Can you safely pass by tables, chairs, and other furniture? Are all the rugs and floorboards secure? Are there grab bars and handrails? Are bare floors slippery, even when dry? What about outside your home? Are there holes, cracks, uneven spots? Address these obstacles and other worries to make your home safer inside and out.

Dress for Safety – In addition to ensuring clothes do not drag the floor – a potential trip hazard, be mindful of what you are wearing on your feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes or sneakers, or slip-proof socks or slippers. Specifically designate these as “inside wear only” if you do not want to track the outside dirt and grime into the home.

Stay Aware – Maintaining annual well visits may help address health issues and concerns early, including bone health. And if something seems not quite right, say something.

While we cannot prevent all injuries no matter how careful we are, maintaining strong bones, gaining strength, and improving balance may lessen the impact of a fall and speed recovery – even from other injuries. So, bone up on your health for a stronger future.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

Valley Health System

Valley Health System Celebrates Nurses Week Offers New Programs for Nurses

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May 6 marks the beginning of National Nurses Week, a week-long recognition of nurses throughout the United States and the compassion and care they provide in multiple health care settings.  The week concludes on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the pioneer of modern nursing.

The Valley Health System, which includes multiple southern Nevada hospitals, freestanding emergency departments and outpatient services, has almost 4,400 registered nurses among its ranks.

Often referred to as the backbone of the hospital, RNs can be found in dozens of settings, ranging from the Emergency departments to Education, Intensive Care Units to Infection Prevention, Maternity Services to Medical/Surgical care unit, Cardiology to Case Management, Surgical Services to Information Technology and many other areas of expertise.

Valley Health System nurses have also taken extra steps in their lifelong learning process to voluntarily earn and maintain the highest credentials within their specialty; these include 70 different professional certifications in areas ranging from the Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) to case management, obstetrics, nurse management, perioperative nursing, critical care, medical surgical and other areas of nursing expertise.

Nursing in a hospital setting offers many different career pathways. Nurses may choose to specialize in a particular field, including neonatal care, pediatrics, oncology, neurology, cardiology, labor and delivery, perioperative services and more. Some may choose to branch off into the fields of quality, risk management, employee health, education and information services.

“Nurses have been considered the most honest, ethical and trusted profession for more than 23 years [according to Gallup+] for a reason,” said Karla Perez, Regional Vice President, Acute Care Division of Universal Health Services, Inc, who operates through its subsidiary The Valley Health System in  Las Vegas, Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, and Northern Nevada Health System in Reno/Sparks. “They are patient advocates at the bedside and in the procedural rooms. They listen, they educate, they work tirelessly to secure resources for patients. They aren’t afraid to show their emotions during difficult situations and their capacity for empathy is unparalleled.

“I’ve worked with nurses for more than 40 years and every year, my appreciation increases for their incredible leadership throughout the entire hospital. They are fully dedicated to caring for their patients, utilizing teamwork for the best outcomes, and continually seeking opportunities to improve their professional knowledge and our health system,” said Perez.

Within The Valley Health System, there are multiple opportunities in place to join, learn and expand one’s nursing skill set.

Summerlin Hospital Birthplace Volunteer Program
This program is especially for nursing students who are interested in the field of Labor and Delivery. Through the volunteer program, this is a dedicated labor and delivery support team comprised of nursing students and compassionate doulas who volunteer their time to enhance the birthing experience for expectant mothers. This unique collaboration not only provides valuable hands-on training for nursing students, but also ensures mothers receive continuous emotional and physical support during labor, fostering a nurturing and empowering environment during one of life’s most significant moments.

Nurse Apprentice Program
The Nurse Apprentice Program (NAP) is designed for those who have been accepted into an accredited nursing program and have completed at least one semester of basic nursing courses. The NAP program supplements a student’s coursework the opportunity for a paid position on a nursing unit and additional on-the-job training. Currently, the NAP program is available at various VHS hospitals and opportunities are posted on the Careers page of the websites.

Fun Fact: Since the program’s inception in 2021, Summerlin Hospital has hired 62 Nurse Apprentices.

Career Growth
Within The Valley Health System are multiple opportunities for growth and development. A partial listing includes:

Remarkable RN Program – This is designed especially for new nursing graduates and includes a yearlong Residency program, a Self-Care course and an eight to 12-week Internship in the area where they will be working (i.e. Med/Surg, ICU/IMC, ED or Perioperative. Each Remarkable RN also has a preceptor nurse to provide guidance and assistance during the residency year.

Fun fact: The VHS RN Residency extends throughout the first year of nursing practice so the candidate can continually grow and apply learned paradigms during unit experiences.

Gap Program – a fast-track program that consists of one month of classes and preceptorship on a medical/surgical nursing unit, to bridge that training gap in order to promote success in the nurse’s new acute care setting. This program is for nurses who may have switched from a non-acute setting (i.e., home health or long-term care) to an acute setting (hospital).

Clinical Ladders – a structured program for nurses to advance in their career while remaining in their current clinical setting, providing direct patient care.

LEARN Preceptor Program – a program for nurses who are interested in helping new nurses gain skills, confidence and knowledge.

Specialty internship programs for nurses who want to specialize in Intermediate Medical Care, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine, Medical/Surgical, Periop 101, Labor & Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatrics.
Fun Fact: The 725 nurses at Valley Hospital represent over 7,100 years of nursing experience, benefiting patients in our community!

Additional classes for RNs
Following the completion of specialty programs, training internships are available for new IMC and ICU nurses. For all ICU and IMC nurses, a wide range of advanced classes are available, including:
– caring for open heart surgery patients
– caring for heart and cardiac cath lab patients after they leave the ICU
– targeted temperature management for the post-cardiac-arrest patient
– caring for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy
– caring for patients on an Impella device for the heart
– caring for patients with an intra-aortic balloon pump
– caring for patients with a neurological emergency, including stroke and neuro surgery
– caring for patients with an epidural for pain management
– deep dive to understand the 12-lead ECG

Recognition and Thanks
In addition to National Nurses Week, our nursing stars are also recognized via the DAISY award program, which is a national recognition program, and a variety of hospital-based and community nursing awards.

Has a nurse changed your life for the better? A thank you note, or a DAISY nomination is always appreciated!

To learn more about nursing careers, visit: valleyhealthsystemlv.com

+ Americans’ Ratings of U.S. Professions Stay Historically Low

About The Valley Health System
The Valley Health System is comprised of acute care and specialty hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, outpatient services and physician practices, caring for patients throughout Southern Nevada and surrounding communities. The Valley Health System offers a wide range of healthcare services including emergency care, surgical services, advanced cardiovascular and advanced neurological care, orthopedic care, women’s health, maternity and Level III neonatal intensive care units, and specialty programs in stroke, chest pain, orthopedics, pediatrics, weight loss surgery, acute rehabilitation, psychiatric services, wound care, and outpatient therapy.

Health District Investigating Illnesses Associated with Frozen Oysters

By | Featured, News

The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses linked to the consumption of certain frozen half-shell oysters from South Korea. To date, five Clark County residents have reported illness after consuming oysters associated with this investigation. Currently, no epidemiological link has been confirmed, and no hospitalizations have been reported.

The Health District is working with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and the Food and Drug Administration in connection with the investigation. Additionally, the California Department of Public Health has been notified, as the oysters were imported through California ports of entry.

People who were ill experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. Other symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

The oysters in question were not shipped to grocery stores. The product was available to restaurants and can be identified as follows:

Processor Name: JBR (KR-15-SP)
Harvest Location: Designated Area No. 1, Republic of Korea
Harvest Date: Jan. 6, 2025
Best Before: Jan. 6, 2027
Lot Code: B250106

People who ate oysters during April and experienced acute gastrointestinal illness can complete the foodborne illness complaint form at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/Health-Topics/foodborne-illness-complaint-form/ or call (702) 759-1300. Those who are currently ill are urged to contact their health care provider. To prevent spread to others, the Health District encourages thorough hand washing with soap and water, plus cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces using a bleach-based household cleaner.

A photo of Chance the mascot of the Golden Knights visiting cancer cancer patients.

Comprehensive Cancer Continues Free Sunscreen and Proactive Measures

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Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (Comprehensive) has launched its 12th year of skin safety community partnerships, featuring an extensive roster of local entities offering free SPF 30 sunscreen and proactive tips to its customers, visitors and employees. The announcement comes as Skin Safety Awareness Month (May) kicks off and ahead of the summer season – free sunscreen and educational elements will be available well through Southern Nevada’s most sizzling stretch of the year.

To-date, Comprehensive has purchased and delivered tens of thousands of sunscreen packets to partners as well as more than 100 free sunscreen kiosks and stations positioned throughout Southern Nevada. Once the supplies are delivered to partners, the partners provide the free sunscreen and position the awareness elements accordingly.

Skin safety and sunscreen partners joining Comprehensive in this mission include City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, Clark County Parks & Recreation, City of Henderson, RTC Southern Nevada, Downtown Container Park, Tivoli Village, The District at Green Valley Ranch, Las Vegas Aviators, UNLV Athletics, Las Vegas Lights FC, Vegas Golden Knights and Vegas Silver Knights, The PENTA Building Group, Friends at Red Rock Canyon and Cadence master-planned community. Comprehensive is also the official sun safety partner for the Southern Nevada affiliate of American Cancer Society.

“We’re in our 12th year now, and our skin safety partnerships are all about spreading awareness, making it easy to stay protected, and most of all, keeping our community healthy,” says Dr. Rupesh J. Parikh, medical oncologist and president at Comprehensive. “Over the years, we’ve teamed up with some great local spots where people love to soak up the sun. No matter where we are, the goal is simple—we want to help folks stay skin smart and hopefully avoid ever needing to come see us for something like skin cancer.”

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1,050 Nevadans will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in 2025 and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Amid rising rates of skin cancer and melanoma occurrences nationwide, awareness remains a powerful tool in mitigating the chance of a prospective skin-related diagnosis.

About Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada is an award-winning multi-specialty practice comprising medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery, pulmonary services, cancer genetic counseling clinical research and other infusion services, with treatment centers and offices throughout Southern Nevada. For more than 40 years, the practice has provided oncology services to patients in and out of state with a specialized physician and nursing staff. Comprehensive, an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, offers state-of-the-art technologies, latest advancements in cancer treatment and groundbreaking clinical research trials. The practice participates in more than 150 Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical research studies each year and has played a role in developing more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. For more information, visit the company’s website.

Task Force Meetings Return on May 15

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2025 Task Force Meetings continue on Thursday, May 15 at the Las Vegas HEALS offices.  Click on one below to get involved.

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

Legislative Task Force Meeting
Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Learn more + Register

Workforce Task Force Meeting
Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Learn more + Register

Physician Engagement Task Force Meeting
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Learn more + Register

Health District Promotes Childhood Vaccinations During National Infant Immunization Week

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Mama and Papa Bear Clinic highlights weeklong campaign to protect young children

The Southern Nevada Health District is launching its annual observance of National Infant Immunization Week (April 21-25) by urging parents and guardians to keep young children up to date on recommended and routine vaccinations. This year’s campaign comes at a critical time, as communities across the country experience a resurgence in measles.

Throughout the week, immunization services will be available at Health District clinics throughout the Valley. Children who receive vaccines will receive free giveaways, and parents and guardians will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

In Clark County, just 64% of children under age 3 are up to date on their recommended combined 7 series vaccination, representing a decrease of more than 2% from 2024. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children stay on schedule with well-child appointments and routine immunizations.

“With measles and other preventable diseases reemerging across the county, it’s more important than ever for parents to keep their children on schedule with routine vaccinations,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “Vaccines are safe, effective and essential to protecting, children, families and our entire community from serious illness. National Infant Immunization Week is an important reminder of the role we all play in keeping our youngest community members health and safe.”

In addition to offering free or low-cost immunizations at its clinics, and in addition to giveaways and raffle opportunities, the week’s featured event, the Mama and Papa Bear Clinic, will be held Wednesday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. The clinic will offer additional resources including a diaper bank and educational stations focused on safe sleep, car seat safety, dental health, newborn care, early development and nutrition.

Vaccines, giveaways and raffle entries will be available at the following Health District locations during regular clinic hours:

  • Main Public Health Center

280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107

Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)

 

  • East Las Vegas Public Health Center

2950 E. Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, NV  89101

Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)

 

  • Henderson Public Health Center

220 E. Horizon Dr., Suites A&C

Henderson, NV 89015

Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)

 

  • Mesquite Public Health Center

150 N. Yucca St., Suite 5

Mesquite, NV 89027

Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)

Appointments can be scheduled at www.snhd.info/immunizations or by calling (702) 759-0850. Same day appointments are available for ages 0–3.

The following community clinic is also available:

  • Anthem Community Wellness Center

2348 E. Bonanza Rd.

Las Vegas, NV 89101

Tuesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to noon (walk-in only)

More information about National Infant Immunization Week events is available at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/niiw.

Community Health Assessment Meeting to Set Public Health Priorities

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Registrations now open for April 30 public meeting

The Southern Nevada Health District is now accepting registrations for the Community Health Assessment (CHA) Prioritization Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Red Rock Conference Room at the Health District’s main facility, located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. Virtual attendance via Microsoft Teams is also available.

To register, go to tinyurl.com/2025CHAPriority.

The CHA provides an overview of the community’s current health status and highlights available resources to improve health, based on data collection and analysis.

The upcoming meeting will address key areas identified in the three core CHA assessments in Clark County:

  • Community Partner Assessment
  • Community Context Assessment
  • Community Status Assessment

The goal of the prioritization meeting is to identify the top health issues in Southern Nevada for the next five years. These priorities will help drive sustainable improvements in health and quality of life for all community members, as outlined in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Each health issue will be measured by:

  • Severity (how serious it is to the community)
  • Effective Interventions (what interventions are available to improve health)
  • Its importance (how important this issue is to Southern Nevada)

“Public health is built around three main goals: assessing needs, developing policies, and ensuring everyone’s well-being,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “Community Health Assessments play an essential role in gathering important information to identify challenges and strengths, while also guiding the creation, implementation and evaluation of health policies.”

For more information on the CHA and CHIP process, go to Phase 4: Identifying and prioritizing strategic issues – NACCHO. Additional information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Community Planning for Health Assessment: CHA & CHIP | Public Health Gateway | CDC.

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.

Tips to Support Health and Well-being This Spring

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Spring is the perfect time to get moving and refresh our health and wellness habits. While many Americans make health a primary focus of their New Year’s resolutions, 57% of recent survey respondents said they make healthier lifestyle choices only after having a medical concern.

Spring cleaning your habits can help prepare you for a healthier year. Below are some tips to help support your health and wellness this season from UnitedHealthcare of Nevada, including:

  1. Choosing a primary care provider, if you don’t have one already, and scheduling your preventive screenings. Be sure to schedule an annual wellness visit with a primary care provider – even if you feel healthy. The visit may help you better understand your overall health and navigate recommended preventive screenings to detect and address any concerns early.
  2. Walk for 15 to 30 minutes each day. Getting outside for a walk during the day and enjoying the sunshine may be an important source of Vitamin D, help boost your mood and help you sleep better. Staying active is also essential. A recent study found that walking more may help extend life expectancy by up to 11 years.
  3. Track and improve your sleep. Maintaining healthy sleeping habits can be beneficial from helping to reduce stress to lowering the risk for some chronic conditions. Unfortunately, more than one-third of adults in the U.S. report regularly not getting enough sleep. To help improve your sleep, consider avoiding alcohol, caffeine and too much screen time before going to bed, and try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.