Las Vegas HEALS News

Southwest Las Vegas Hospital Specializes in Hearts, Brains, Babies and Surgery

As Spring Valley Hospital employees celebrate two decades of caring for southern Nevada residents and tourists, a look back at the past 20 years highlights the hospital’s extensive growth in tandem with the explosive growth of Las Vegas.

Spring Valley Hospital was the first hospital to open in southwest Las Vegas, opening with 170 beds and almost 200 employees. Today, the hospital has doubled in size to 364 beds and has a freestanding emergency department, a specialty hospital for orthopedic surgery and acute inpatient rehabilitation, an ambulatory surgery center, and an outpatient wound care center under its acute care hospital license.

In addition to expanding its physical presence, the employees and leadership of Spring Valley Hospital continually focus on process improvement, technology investments and specialized treatments over the years.

“When we first opened, it was typical for patients with chest pain to be hospitalized for a day or two, just for testing,” said Claude Wise, who became the hospital’s CEO in October 2022. “Today, our standard is to diagnose and treat heart attacks within 90 minutes of arrival to our emergency department.

“We added open-heart surgery in 2008 and continue to offer specialized cardiovascular care. Our physicians performed their 500^th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in May 2023 – it’s a minimally invasive procedure to insert a new heart valve without removing the old, damaged valve. We also added electrophysiology services earlier this year, which means we can diagnose and ablate atrial fibrillation and potentially lethal arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), in addition to implanting defibrillators and pacemakers. Plus, we’ve saved lives with patients with pulmonary embolisms using an FDA-cleared mechanical thrombectomy device which eliminates the need for clot-busting drugs and time spent in the Intensive Care Unit,” said Wise.

Spring Valley Hospital also offers advanced neurosurgical services, including treatment for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, brain aneurysms, and neurosurgery. “We know time lost is brain function lost, so we have overhead pages to alert staff that a stroke patient is en route or in the hospital. We earned our first stroke accreditation in March 2009 and now work closely with the American Stroke Association to continually enhance patient’s stroke outcomes through the Get With the Guidelines program.

One of the community’s favorite areas of care is The Birthplace at Spring Valley Hospital, with comprehensive maternity services, from childbirth classes and antepartum care for high-risk moms to labor, delivery and recovery for moms and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit for Southern Nevada’s tiniest patients who require advanced medical care after birth. The Level III NICU, which opened in 2009, hosts an annual reunion to reconnect patients, families and their care team.

Spring Valley Hospital also specializes in surgical care, from weight loss, cardiac and neurosurgery to spine, orthopedics, oncology and general surgical procedures. The hospital recently earned certification by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program in February 2023.

Other Recent Honors:
High-performing facility by US News & World Report for 2023-2024 in the areas of Heart Failure, COPD, Heart Attack, Kidney Failure and Stroke in August 2023National Certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service Facility by the Gluten Intolerance Group in August 2023

Multiple awards from the American Heart/American Stroke Association in June 2023, highlighting the hospital’s expertise in processes and outcomes for cardiac and stroke patients, including:
*Mission: Lifeline® NSTEMI Bronze Award

*Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Gold Plus Award

*Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Award
   Target: Stroke Honor Roll
   Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
   Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll

About Spring Valley Hospital
Spring Valley Hospital is a member of The Valley Health System, a network of acute care and specialty hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, outpatient services and physician offices that provide care for patients throughout Southern Nevada and nearby communities. Located in southwest Las Vegas, the 364-bed hospital offers emergency care, advanced cardiovascular, orthopedic and neurological surgeries and procedures, surgical services, women’s health, comprehensive maternity services, a level III neonatal intensive care unit, and specialty programs in stroke, chest pain, advanced wound care and hyperbaric medicine. The ER at Blue Diamond, a freestanding emergency department, and Valley Health Specialty Hospital, a mixed-use medical facility, are both extensions of Spring Valley Hospital. The hospital opened in October 2003, and is celebrating 20 years of caring for the residents and tourists of Las Vegas and outlying communities.

The theme for October’s Las Vegas HEALS Healthcare magazine is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We invite anyone interested in having content featured to send materials to Adriana. For those interested in placing advertisements, the following details costs and specs. As with content, email Adriana to send in ads, or with any questions you may have.

Ad Specs
1/2 page ads – 7.5″ w x 5.5″
1/4 page ads – 3.5″ w x 4.5″
8 ½ x 11 Full pages

Member Ad Costs
Quarter page $75
Half-page – $125
Full page – $250
Advertorial – $525
Front Cover – $650
Back Cover – $350

Non-Member Costs
Quarter page $150
Half-page – $250
Full page – $500
Advertorial – $1,050
Front Cover – $1,300
Back Cover – $700

NOTE: Content must be received by the 10th of each month

The advent of the internet and emergence of the Digital Age created a concurrent demand for cybersecurity as we strive to manage the truly significant implications on all aspects of our daily lives, personally and professionally. Media headlines are featuring cyber attacks  and disruptions on a daily basis. This vital role defending our data has become essential on fundamental level of society and will continue to gain in importance as our dependence on technology accelerates. WGU’s College of IT has been offering an on-going series of educational resources to provide insights from academic and professional experts regarding these critical challenges and I wanted to especially bring these new events to your attention in recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global effort to help everyone stay safe and protected when using technology whenever and however you connect. WGU is a proud champion and supporter of this online safety and education initiative this October. We will be presenting events and activities throughout the month, starting with these two timely discussions hosted by Jake Wilson, WGU’s Security Awareness Evangelist based in our Information Security Office.

A Whole Lotta BS (Behavioral Science) about Cybersecurity
Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance
Wednesday October 4, 1:00 PM PT

New research from the National Cybersecurity Alliance reveals insights about the public’s attitudes and beliefs about security. With your audience participation, we’ll compare what you think to our research participants and cut through the confusion to give you easy, practical advice and tips on how to keep yourself, your family, and your organization safe and secure.

Register Here

Issues of Cyberbullying in Today’s Modern World                                                                                   

Tina Meier, Founder and Executive Director of the Megan Meier Foundation
Wednesday October 18, 10:00 a.m. PT

Tina Meier will share the story of her daughter, Megan, and describe the devastating effects of bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Megan’s story touches students, parents, and educators in a profound way that reminds us to think before we speak, click, or act.

Register Here

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• WGU Cybersecurity Series: Stay tuned for the next in an on-going series of programs focusing on trends in Cybersecurity, hosted by Paul Bingham,  Senior Vice President and Executive Dean, WGU College of IT.

WGU Studios and WGU’s Cybersecurity Department have teamed up to create a series of captivating, informative, upbeat, and energetic broadcasts to address current, trending topics and issues in the world of cybersecurity.

• WGU College of IT programs

Join us for an on-going series of IT virtual events sponsored by WGU College of IT, providing real-world knowledge and experience from industry and research experts across the spectrum of IT specialties and careers.  In addition to registering for upcoming programs, you will also have access to a library of previously-hosted events.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines available at Southern Nevada Health District clinics

The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is now offering the updated COVID-19 vaccine at its clinics. The rollout follows recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, amid an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations and concerns about the spread of new variants.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get at least one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The updated vaccines are expected to work well against currently circulating variants of COVID-19.

People can receive a flu vaccination at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Both are available at SNHD clinics as well as pharmacies and health care provider offices throughout Southern Nevada. To locate a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, visit www.SNHD.info/covid-vaccine. For information about flu vaccine clinics, visit www.snhd.info/flu.

According to the CDC, the virus that causes COVID-19 is always changing, and protection from COVID-19 vaccines declines over time. The updated COVID-19 vaccines are similar to previous vaccines that hundreds of millions of Americans received during the pandemic. For information about staying on track with vaccines, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html.

The vaccines are covered by most health plans, including private insurance, Medicare plans and Medicaid plans. Uninsured children and uninsured adults also have access through the Vaccines for Children Program and Bridge Access Program, respectively.

CareNow has launched Virtual Care, a telehealth urgent care service. Virtual urgent care visits allow patients to see and talk to a provider from a mobile device or computer. Patients can visit a trusted healthcare professional from the comfort of home or the office.

Patients start the process with a virtual web check-in® during urgent care clinic hours. The clinic staff then sends a link via text message or email that the patient uses to access the fully interactive virtual visit with a CareNow provider.

CareNow’s telehealth service offers patients access to one-on-one care from one of our exceptional physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants through a secure and HIPAA-compliant internet video connection. Through a virtual visit, providers can evaluate many minor conditions and even prescribe non-narcotic medications when indicated.

While many minor conditions can be treated with CareNow’s virtual care services, there may be times when a more thorough examination is required or tests need to be performed which is available at all 18 Las Vegas locations. When this is needed, we simply convert your visit to an in-clinic visit and we will be waiting for you when you arrive. More information regarding all CareNow services and locations can be found at CareNow/LasVegas.com.

“Virtual Care is an extension of our clinical urgent care services and fully supports our purpose to help people return to what they value in their lives, in an even more convenient way. We are proud to provide an easy solution for our patients’ healthcare needs at their fingertips,” says Lamont Tyler, DO Assistant Chief Medical Officer for CareNow, Western Region.

Patients experiencing a medical emergency should always call 911.

CareNow® Urgent Care

Founded in 1993 in Dallas-Fort Worth, CareNow® has grown to become one of the largest urgent care networks in the country with other 225 locations nationwide. CareNow® clinics are open seven days a week with extended evening hours and convenient Web Check-In®.

About HCA Healthcare in Las Vegas:          

Comprised of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, MountainView Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center and Sunrise Children’s Hospital, is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare. Committed to providing the finest quality healthcare in Las Vegas, the system includes more than 36 access points for the community, from hospitals, primary care and specialty care clinics, urgent care centers, outpatient diagnostic, imaging and surgery centers, as well as hospital-based emergency rooms. The system’s respected Sunrise Health Graduate Medical Education Consortium offers innovative approaches to residency training in an extraordinary, collaborative environment for more than 200 residents in our community.

Kyaw Zin Thein, MD is seeing patients at Comprehensive’s Central Valley treatment center, located at 3730 S. Eastern Ave. in Las Vegas, providing medical care for a wide range of cancer and severe blood disorders with a special interest in thrombosis, head and neck, thyroid, genitourinary and rare cancers. He also specializes in investigational cancer therapeutics including early phase clinical trials and phase 1 drug development. He is certified in hematology, internal medicine and medical oncology and is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Thein also serves as Clinical Assistant Professor for Touro University Nevada.

Prior to joining Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Dr. Thein was an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)/Knight Cancer Institute.

Dr. Thein completed his medical degree at the Institute of Medicine 1 in Yangon, Myanmar. He then spent three years as an internal medicine resident at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York where he served as a post-graduate year 3 chief resident. Following his residency, he completed two subspecialty fellowships; Oncologic Emergency Medicine and Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (phase 1) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas where he was elected to serve as a chief fellow in his third year.

Dr. Thein has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in various publications including CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Cancer Discovery, Trends in Cancer, Nature Communications, Annual Review, JCO Precision Oncology, Experimental Hematology & Oncology and Investigational New Drugs. He has also presented more than 150 oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences including American Society of Hematology, European Society for Medical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, British Society for Hematology, American Thoracic Society and National Comprehensive Cancer Network, among others.

Three companies plan to create 373 high-paying, high-quality jobs in the Greater Vegas region over the next two years after being approved for state tax incentives today during the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) quarterly board of directors meeting.

Arbitech, one of the world’s leading independent distributors of data center products, plans to establish its headquarters, distribution, and fulfillment facility in Henderson. Skillz, an online mobile video game competition platform, is relocating its corporate headquarters to Clark County, and Juanita’s Foods, a Mexican food manufacturer, is opening a facility in North Las Vegas.

“The Greater Vegas region continues to see interest from a wide variety of industries, helping diversify our economy along with bringing high paying jobs to the region,” said Tina Quigley, LVGEA president & CEO. “This economic growth is a testament to the region’s attractiveness as a place to do business, and as a great place for employees to live.”

During its quarterly meeting today, the GOED board approved tax incentives for a total of seven companies relocating or expanding throughout the state, including the three companies in Southern Nevada. These seven companies will make capital investments of more than $273 million and generate $115.3 million in net new state tax revenues over the next 10 years.

“Nevada’s incentives continue to attract capital investment and create jobs,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “Since January, we have assisted 17 companies that will create 4,477 jobs in their first five years of operation. They have invested $3.9 billion in capital investment and will generate $939 million in new tax revenues.”

Alongside its municipal partners in Clark County, City of North Las Vegas, and City of Henderson, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) provided support and guidance to these companies throughout the tax abatement approval process, which supports economic development and diversification efforts throughout the state.

Learn more about the companies approved for abatements today in Greater Vegas:

Arbitech, LLC — 54 jobs, $38.61 average wage

Arbitech is a leading independent distributor of data center products, and the company’s distribution centers stock and ship servers, storage, and networking products daily. The company offers complete server, blade, storage, and networking configuration services. The company is considering establishing a 50,275 square foot headquarters, distribution, and fulfillment facility in Henderson. The company selected the Greater Vegas region because of its proximity to major transportation hubs, a high influx of educated workers, major educational institutions in the region, competitive cost of living, and the positive tax environment.

“Home to some of the largest technology trade shows in the nation, Las Vegas has been an influential networking hub for Arbitech and our partners, for over 20 years,” said Jimmy Whalen, CEO of Arbitech. “We are excited to place our company at the center of it all, allowing for a finger on the pulse of the technology market. We look forward to bringing jobs to the community, along with a diverse, innovative, and competitive workplace. We are honored to contribute to Nevada’s economic development initiative to build upon its emerging growth.”

Juanita’s Foods — 144 jobs, $37.97 average wage

Juanita’s Foods is a Mexican food manufacturer of canned and frozen traditional foods and is the world’s largest manufacturer of canned Menudo and a product line including hominy, sauces, and stews. The company plans to establish a 300,000 square foot food manufacturing facility in North Las Vegas. The company also considered central and southern California, along with Phoenix, as possible locations for this project.

“As a Certified Minority Business that is creating new jobs for residents at a high average hourly wage, Juanita’s Foods is an ideal company for the City of North Las Vegas to work with and will create a positive economic impact in terms of capital investments,” said North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown. “We are excited that Juanita’s Foods, a company established 75 years ago, has selected our city to relocate to, and welcomes the opportunities and economic diversity the company will bring to the area.”

Skillz — 175 jobs, $54.83 average wage

Skillz is an online mobile multiplayer video game platform that became the first publicly traded mobile esports platform in 2020. The company hosts billions of causal esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide and collaborates with more than 14,000 game developers. Skillz plans to establish a 59,480 square foot corporate headquarters in southwest Clark County. The company also considered California and Washington as potential locations for this project.

“At Skillz, we are on a mission to bring out the best in everyone through competition,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO of Skillz. “Our decision to become a part of the Greater Vegas region enables us to further our mission and deliver on our goals. The thriving tech ecosystem, coupled with the city’s dynamic energy, provides the perfect platform for Skillz to flourish. We are confident that our presence will not only contribute to the region’s economic growth but will also empower us to make a lasting impact on the local community. We see a future where Vegas will become the next Silicon Valley and we are excited to contribute to that future.”

About Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) is a public-private partnership dedicated to growing the economy of the Greater Vegas region through intentional business attraction, expansion, and connectivity. LVGEA has been designated as one of eight Regional Development Authorities (RDA) in Nevada by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) for 2022-2023. To learn more, visit lvgea.org.

Dr. Taryn Bragg Honored for  Work Caring for Thousands of Patients and Recognizing Pattern of Clinical Symptoms Among Children Following Pandemic

Nevada Business Magazine’s 2023 Healthcare Hero ”Innovator” Award to be presented to Dr. Taryn Bragg, Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Intermountain Health and Associate Professor at the University of Utah. Dr. Bragg is the only full-time, board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon caring for patients in the entire state of Nevada.

“One of the greatest rewards of being a physician is the ability to make a difference in the lives of patients,” said Dr. Bragg. “I am grateful every day that I get to do what I love and am so incredibly honored to be recognized with such a meaningful award.”

Taryn Bragg, MD.

One of Dr. Bragg’s patients, 8-year-old Carter Hayes, became severely ill and paralyzed on the left side of his body. His life and that of his family changed dramatically when they found out that what they thought was a sinus infection was actually a brain abscess. Dr. Bragg saved Carter’s life — and restored his movement after paralysis — by completing a series of three complex surgeries.

Around that same time, in March of 2022, Dr. Bragg noticed that children with sinus infections were developing brain abscesses at an alarming rate following the removal of pandemic mask mandates. After conferring with colleagues, she theorized that the incidences could be linked. Her observations were evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reviewed by the Southern Nevada Health District. The findings may impact the future of how children with illnesses like Carter’s are treated.

Dr. Bragg was interviewed by numerous national and local news outlets, including CNN, Fox News, NBC News, and more, regarding these recent brain infection discoveries.

Carter is one of thousands of patients Dr. Bragg has treated over the course of her career. With more than 13 years in practice, she has performed over 2,600 successful surgeries.

“Dr. Bragg truly is a hero and is so deserving of this prestigious award,” said Dr. Diane Alonso, Region Associate Chief Medical Officer for Specialty Care at Intermountain Health. “Intermountain Health partners with Dr. Bragg in Nevada to expand pediatric healthcare in our state. Before her arrival, the families of children she has cared for very likely may have needed to travel great distances to get care. We are thankful for her dedication in helping patients live the healthiest lives possible.”

Dr. Bragg’s passion is caring for children with disabilities, including for the conditions of hydrocephalus, spina bifida, Chiari malformation, spine abnormalities, tumor, and other neurological congenital abnormalities. She offers a variety of surgical interventions to treat spasticity, dystonia, and other movement disorders.

Dr. Bragg joined Intermountain Primary Children’s Neurosurgery team in 2020 and cares for patients at  Sunrise Children’s Hospital. She is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. A member of numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Dr. Bragg continues to participate in academics, attending and speaking at national conferences, and teaching national board review courses.

Created in 2006, the Nevada Business Magazine Healthcare Hero Awards celebrate the work and actions of those that are often overlooked for recognition: Nevada’s healthcare workers. The 2023 Nevada Business Magazine Healthcare Heroes were announced in the September issue of the magazine. Healthcare Hero categories also include Community Partner, Humanitarian, and Lifetime Achievement. Nevada Business Magazine accepted nominations from the public and a panel comprised of healthcare executives and prominent members of the community reviewed and selected the winners.

Dr. Bragg will be recognized at the Southern Nevada Healthcare Heroes event taking place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Red Rock Resort.

For more information about Intermountain Health and pediatric primary care services offered by Intermountain Health in Nevada, please visit www.intermountainnv.org. Intermountain Health offers primary care at four pediatric clinic locations in the Las Vegas Valley.

About Intermountain Health
With locations in seven states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers, and a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is seeking restaurants, retailers and other businesses to participate in “Month of Memories,” a grassroots community fundraising campaign, inviting Las Vegans to shop and dine at businesses throughout November in support of local Alzheimer’s disease resources. 

Coinciding with National Alzheimer’s Disease and Family Caregiver Awareness Month, the campaign running Nov. 1 – 30 raises funds to provide no-cost educational, therapeutic and support programming for families in our community living with devastating neurological disorders.

“The current need in Nevada is huge. We estimate that about 45,000 residents have Alzheimer’s disease and another 15,000 have other dementias,” said Dylan Wint, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “Month of Memories supports the work that we do to help care for people living with neurodegenerative diseases and their caregivers.”  

Local businesses can participate by:

• Asking customers to make a $1 donation or round up their change at the point of sale
• Donating a designated percentage of sales
• Creating a special menu or item to benefit Month of Memories
• Hosting a unique promotion or event

Participating businesses will be recognized in a robust marketing campaign, which includes: 

• Press release distributed to local media outlets
• E-blasts to our loyal supporters 
• Point-of-sale signage explaining Month of Memories to patrons

Businesses are encouraged to sign up by Monday, Oct. 9. For more information and to sign up, visit keepmemoryalive.org/MoM.

Follow on Instagram @ccnevadakma, Twitter @ccnevadakma and facebook.com/ccnevadakma.

About the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health:

Since opening our doors in 2009, we’ve been providing expert diagnosis and treatment for individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body, frontotemporal and other dementias; Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, and other movement disorders; and multiple sclerosis. Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health offers a continuum of care with no-cost opportunities for Nevadans to participate in education and research, including disease prevention studies and clinical trials of promising new medications. Clevelandclinic.org/Nevada