Las Vegas HEALS News

Desert Radiology Add Experienced Neuroradiologist to Team of Expert Physicians

Desert Radiology, Southern Nevada’s premier diagnostic imaging practice since 1966, welcomes neuroradiologist Dr. Alan True, MD to the practice.

Dr. True completed his neuroradiology fellowship at Harvard University Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 2022. He is an alumnus of St. Georges University, School of Medicine, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine in 2016. Dr. True has served on the Graduate Medical Education Committee and Rutgers-RWJ-Barnabas Health Graduate Medical Education Committee.

Alan True, MD

As a neuroradiologist, Dr. True specializes in diagnosis and characterization of abnormalities of the central and peripheral nervous system, spine, and head and neck.

True devoted any extra time during his schooling to extracurricular activities that helped others including participating in a medical mission trip to Belize to assist physicians in delivering field and hospital-based clinical services to low-income and underserved populations. True also volunteered stateside for the Parks and Recreational Department in Caldwell, New Jersey to help pick-up litter in local parks and to fix or maintain any features such as kids play equipment and water fountains.

About Desert Radiology

Founded in 1966, Desert Radiology has grown to be the largest radiology practice in Nevada. With an emphasis on high-quality, prompt diagnostic care and innovative technology, the company’s specialized team of over 80 board-certified radiologists serves more than 40,000 patients every month through its 10 facilities across Las Vegas, Henderson, and Pahrump. Through 55 years of service, Desert Radiology maintains longstanding key relationships with 10 hospitals, a large cancer center, a group of multispecialty medical centers and many other facilities in Southern Nevada.  Designated as a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, Desert Radiology prides itself in being a valued community partner to its patients and many local nonprofit organizations.  The practice is the exclusive provider of radiology services to multiple Las Vegas professional sports teams including the Vegas Golden Knights, Henderson Silver Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Aviators, Las Vegas Aces, NBA G League Ignite, and Las Vegas Lights FC.  For more information, visit their website,, or connect on Facebook.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Las Vegas (RMHC®) and Smith’s Food & Drug Stores are holding their 22nd Annual Food Drive – RMHC volunteers will be at Smith’s stores throughout Las Vegas and Henderson, sharing wish lists with shoppers and collecting food, gift cards, and cash donations for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House®. Additional volunteers will be at the House sorting collected food and stocking the pantry.

Supporters can also help by buying a Smith’s Gift Card online, making an online donation, or utilizing RMHC’s online wish list to shop and deliver the items to the House. More information and links can be found on there website.

Those wanting to help are invited to buy a few items off the online wish list and have them delivered or drop them off at the House (2323 Potosi St., Las Vegas, NV 89146).

The food drive can be found at Smith’s Food & Drug Stores throughout the greater Las Vegas area.

RMHC® provides a “home-away-from-home” for families whose children are in the hospital receiving critical medical attention. The Annual Food Drive fills the pantry for the entire year, taking one less stressor off these parents’ minds.

R.E.A.C.H. to Host Three Health Fairs in January and February

Brought to you by R.E.A.C.H., the Mexican Consulate, the Consulate of El Salvador and additional organizations, there will be three health fairs to provide basic health services to those in need in January and February. Services are free and available to everyone regardless of their status or nationality. No appointment is needed.

Services provided at health fairs held at the Mexican Consulate will include vision screenings, flu, COVID-19 and general vaccines and HIV testing. Pap smear and mammography vouchers will also be available.

Services provided at health fairs held at the El Salvador Consulate will include vision screenings, COVID-19 vaccines and pap smear and mammography vouchers will also be available.

Ventanilla de Salud/Window of Health is a program that is operated inside the Consulate of Mexico and improves access to primary and preventive health services. Salvando Tu Salud/Saving Your Health is a new R.E.A.C.H. program that provides basic health services, education and referrals for different resources at the Consulate of El Salvador.

For more information about R.E.A.C.H., visit reachlv.org.

WHEN:                   Thursday, Jan. 26 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at El Salvador Consulate

                                 Tuesday, Feb. 14 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mexican Consulate Office

                                 Friday, Feb. 24 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at El Salvador Consulate

WHERE:                 Mexican Consulate located at 823 S. 6^th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101

El Salvador Consulate located at 765 N. Nellis Blvd Ste C5, Las Vegas, NV 89110

GOLO, the health and wellness solutions company with logistics facilities in Las Vegas, announces a $10,000 donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas. The donation will support the organization’s mission, daily operations, and nutritious meals programs.

“We’re pleased to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas and the critical role they play in offering a caring environment for families with seriously ill children,” says Jennifer Brooks, president and co-founder of GOLO. “Their commitment to the health and well-being of these families is truly inspirational, and we are honored to aid in their efforts.”

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas is to provide a supportive “home away from home” for families and children who are receiving inpatient or outpatient medical treatment at local hospitals. Through their programs, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas supports the family- centered care of children to ensure their family members can fully focus on the recovery of their child.

“Here at the Ronald McDonald House, we believe family is the best medicine any sick or injured child can receive,” said Alyson McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas.  “And this wonderful donation from GOLO is a testament to the company’s commitment to helping families in medical crisis be as healthy and strong as they can be to support their children when they need it most.”

Families are stronger when they are together, and their presence helps a sick child cope better. Research even proves that while we cannot make medicine taste better or take away painful treatment, we can help lessen the burden and ensure families have the stability and resources to support their child’s recovery. Since opening in July of 1998, the House has served more than 5,566 families for more than 68,659 nights. In 2021, the House served 278 adults and 93 children for more than 2,680 nights.

With logistics and distribution facilities in Las Vegas, NV, GOLO empowers individuals and communities by helping them take control of their health and wellness. Click here to learn more about our charitable giving initiatives.

About GOLO

GOLO® products provide safe solutions to weight-loss and wellness while helping individuals transition to a healthier and sustainable lifestyle. GOLO has reached over two million people worldwide who now have a chance at healthy, sustainable, and affordable weight loss. For more information about the GOLO® for Life plan, visit www.golo.com or call 800-730-4656.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Greater Las Vegas is a non-profit, 501c3 organization that provides temporary housing for families who travel to Las Vegas to receive medical treatment for their children. RMHC of Greater Las Vegas also creates and supports programs that directly benefit children and families in the greater Las Vegas area.  For more information, visit their website.

LEARN MORE.

Southwest Medical has added a new physician to help meet the growing need for health services in the Las Vegas community:

Mazia Shafi, MD joins Southwest Medical’s Oakey Healthcare Center location (4750 West Oakey Blvd.) and specializes in neurology.

Hospital adds advanced medical services, opens new patient tower, builds two freestanding emergency departments

Since opening its doors in January 2008, Centennial Hills Hospital has worked tirelessly to bring high-quality care to residents of northwest Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and surrounding communities by adding advanced cardiovascular, neurological and neonatology services, more private rooms and two additional freestanding emergency departments.

“In less than 15 years, we’ve doubled in size; this includes building out two additional floors in the original hospital tower building, expanding our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and opening another patient tower in 2020,” said Sajit Pullarkat, CEO/Managing Director, who has worked at Centennial Hills Hospital since its inception.

“Most recently, we opened our first freestanding emergency department, the ER at Valley Vista in January 2022 and broke ground on our second facility, the ER at West Craig Road in August 2022,” said Pullarkat.  “We’ve worked diligently to grow with our community, adding medical services that allow residents to received high-quality, advanced health care, close to home.”

Recent Hospital Highlights

New Technology

• Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview for enhanced detection of bladder cancer (2022)
• CloTriever and FlowTriever to remove DVTs and pulmonary embolisms (2022)
• Impella heart pump for heart failure procedures (2022)
• Added new robotic technology for spine surgery (2021)
• Added new imaging technology to reduce radiation and provide precise stent placement during heart procedures (2021)

New Medical Procedures

• Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes a novel “reversal of blood flow” approach to protect the brain during insertion of a stent to treat a narrowing in the carotid artery (carotid stenosis). This results in a decreased risk of perioperative and long-term stroke rates. (2022)
• Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, or HoLEP, procedure is the most effective and advanced option to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate (2022)
• Offering non-opioid approach to managing pain prior to knee surgery (2021)

New Construction:

• Opened final two floors of the original hospital tower (2016-2017)
• Opened ER at Valley Vista and broke ground on ER at West Craig (2022)
• Patient tower completed and opened in 2020
• Expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to 25 beds featuring nine private baby suites (2021)

Centennial Hills Hospital Calendar Years – By the Numbers

­­                                    2008                2022*
Employees                   359                  1,347
Nurses                         168                  597
Babies Delivered        435                  3,042
ER Visits                     29,332             60,500
Surgeries                     2152                5,702
Bed Count                   165                  339

*January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022

Recent Achievements/Certifications

• Nationally ranked as high-performing facility by US News & World Report in the areas of Maternity (2021-2022 and 2022-2023), heart failure and stroke (2022-2023)
• Earned Certified Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Certification from The Joint Commission for treating stroke (2022)
• Earned 2022 Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and the Mission: Lifeline- STEMI Receiving Center GOLD awards from the American Stroke Association (2022)
• Received Platinum Level recognition from The Nevada Donor Network for encouraging people to register as eye, organ and tissue donors (2022)

About Centennial Hills Hospital

Centennial Hills Hospital is a member of The Valley Health System, a system comprised of acute care and specialty hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, outpatient services and physician practices, cares for patients throughout Southern Nevada and surrounding communities. Located in northwest Las Vegas, the hospital offers a wide range of healthcare services including emergency care, surgical services, cardiovascular and advanced neurological care, women’s health, maternity and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and specialty programs in stroke, chest pain, orthopedics, advanced wound care and hyperbaric medicine, and outpatient therapy and two freestanding emergency facilities, the ER at Valley Vista in North Las Vegas, NV, and the ER at West Craig (opening late 2023) .

Updated information about The Valley Health System can be found on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheValleyHealthSystemLV
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/thevalleyhealthsystem

Whether it’s due to commitment or unrealistic goals, many of us give up on our New Year’s resolutions by February. Despite good intentions, very few stay the course for a whole year –especially when there isn’t a solid plan in place to achieve it. As we reach the end of January, UnitedHealthcare would like to offer the following tips to those who may be needing some extra motivation or guidance in keeping their resolutions on track:

• Focus on one goal at a time – Instead of being overambitious, try sticking to one priority until you feel confident adding another. If you’ve decided to record your diet and start a daily exercise routine, consider focusing on your food journal first. After you’ve developed a reliable tracking system for your meals, begin upping your exercise game
• Set realistic and measurable resolutions – In order to make sure each resolution is attainable, decide how you want to measure your success by using specific times and numbers instead of vague expectations. Instead of a resolution to “have a less stressful morning routine,” make it your goal to get out of bed by 6:45 a.m. each day. Instead of pledging to “move more,” add a brisk, 30-minute walk to your daily routine. Start small, knowing you can always increase your measurable goals
• Make your goals enjoyable – Set resolutions you want to accomplish, not ones you think you should reach. Try to come up with ways to enjoy the time you’ve committed to your goals. For example, if you want to make an effort to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, consider enrolling in a virtual cooking class that features interesting ways to add produce
• Plan for challenges and how you’ll overcome them – Brainstorm a list of things that could get in the way of accomplish your goals and come up with solutions ahead of time. Honesty is key when considering roadblocks and creative solutions. For instance, how can you add purposeful movement around your home or apartment when the weather is bad?
• Stay accountable and get support from friends and family – Strong social support may improve your motivation, mental health and behavior. A strong support system of positive people and advocates may help you reach your goal. Consider asking a family member or friend to work with you on a common goal that will keep both of you accountable.
• Don’t limit yourself to setting resolutions once a year – Revisit your goals throughout the year to help stay on track. Take the time to re-evaluate your efforts and make any adjustments to set yourself up for success—whether it’s to lose weight or just to live a healthier life.