Las Vegas HEALS News

Donation to Tour University Nevada’s School of Physical Therapy Made by Dr. Vikas Sayal of the Pulmonology Group, LLC and Facilitated by Las Vegas HEALS

Touro University Nevada PT Lab Donation

Touro University Nevada, Nevada’s largest school of medicine and the state’s only school of osteopathic medicine, has received a new breathing machine, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Vikas Sayal of the Pulmonology Group, LLC and Las Vegas HEALS, a nonprofit coalition of medical and wellness industry professionals, organizations and institutions, who helped facilitated the generous gift. The breathing machine will benefit the students in Touro’s School of Physical Therapy as they work their way to earning their degree in the high-demand healthcare field.

“I donated the breathing machine in hopes it will leave a long-lasting impact on the education and learning experience of Touro’s students, the next generation of medical professionals,” said Dr. Sayal. “I look forward to seeing how the addition to Touro’s School of Physical Therapy will enhance students’ clinical skills, creating a deeper understanding for those pursuing a degree in pulmonology.”

Dr. Vikas Sayal, MD, FCCP is the CEO of the Pulmonology Group, LLC. with locations in Henderson, Nev. and Bullhead City, Ariz. He did his pulmonary medicine training at Yale University in Connecticut and Critical Care Medicine training at Albert Einstein College of medicine in New York.

The breathing machine allows healthcare professionals to measure a person’s oxygen consumption and calculate their basal metabolic rate (BMR), the rate at which a body uses energy while at rest to keep vital functions going, such as breathing and keeping warm. It can also show the effectiveness of over-the-counter medications and their interactions with a person’s BMR, blood flow and tolerance to heat and cold.

“This machine allows us to look at someone’s lung volume, lung capacity, oxygen exchange rates as well as the effects of medications on metabolism,” said Dr. Michael Laymon, director of the Touro University Nevada School of Physical Therapy. “Not only will we be able to integrate the use of the machine into student curriculum, it will also open up several opportunities for research projects. This would have been a $45,000 purchase for Touro and we are grateful that Dr. Saval has provided this valuable resource for our students and the University.”

ABOUT TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA
Touro University Nevada (Touro) is Nevada’s largest school of medicine, the state’s only school of osteopathic medicine, fully accredited, and a private, non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution. Opened in 2004, Touro was established to help address critical needs in health care and education and as a resource for community service throughout the state. Touro is now home to nearly 1,500 students, in a wide variety of degree programs including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, education, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and medical health sciences. The university’s Henderson campus includes a multi-specialty health center and a multi-disciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. For more information on Touro, visit their website or call 702-777-8687.

Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Center Offering New Fast and Effective COVID-19 Testing Option Done Without Nasal Swabbing

Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers (NADHC) has partnered with LucidD-Labs to offer the new “Oral Rinse COVID-19 Testing” at NADHC’s Eastern Center Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.

The world changed with the pandemic and the most vulnerable population (NADHC’s clients) were affected. Testing options can be confusing and seem painful or scary enough that many seniors may be reluctant to get tested.

NADHC is offering this new testing option to help alleviate anxiety that can come from the uncertainty of being tested to determine if you are COVID-19 positive or negative.

Key points to know about this NEW Oral Rinse Test:

• NO wooden Q-Tip will be stuck up the nose
• Simply gargle and spit contents into a tube with this non-invasive test
• NO out of pocket costs
• Medicare or Insurance will cover the test costs
• For those not covered, come and get tested. NADHC will find a way to cover the costs

Some people may refused to test because the wooden Q-Tip up the nose can be an uncomfortable experience, and for those who want an alternative, this test is believed to be more accurate. Results of the test are shared within 24-48 hours via text or email. After receiving test results via text or email, those who wish to tested again may do so with no out-of-pocket costs.

NADHC strongly recommend anyone interested in being tested pre-register since the entire process –  IN & OUT –  should be fewer than 2 minutes. Registering manually will take longer.

Text COVID to 725-527-2577

Bring family and friends to get Tested comfortably. Stay SAFE and HEALTHY!

Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers at Eastern
8695 S. Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89123
215 Fwy-Eastern Exit
(Office Park beside Star Nursery)

Established Neurologist Now Accepting New Patients at Nevada Neurosciences Institute

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center Announces New Physician Providing Both Inpatient and Outpatient Care

Gabriela Gregory, MD, board-certified in neurology, is now providing in-clinic care at Nevada Neurosciences Institute, located on the campus of Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center at 3006 S. Maryland Pkwy, Suite 765, in Las Vegas, NV.

Gabriela Gregory, MD

Dr. Gregory diagnoses, treats and manages neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, headache, stroke, epilepsy and has extensive experience in botulinum injections for migraine and spasticity. Over her 28-year career in medicine, she has practiced in a variety of settings from outpatient and inpatient care to academic medical centers. Most recently, she cared for patients as a neuro-hospitalist with the Institute at Sunrise Hospital.

“Dr. Gregory has made significant contributions to our hospital,” said Todd P. Sklamberg, Chief Executive Officer at Sunrise Hospital. “She is focused on providing exceptional neurological care and improving access to more patients in our community. Her extensive background in research is impressive as well. Dr. Gregory is a valued physician partner and we look forward to her continued contributions toward improving the lives of Nevadans.”

Complimenting her training and seasoned background in patient care, Dr. Gregory has a strong history in research and trials and is a long-standing member of numerous medical organizations including the American Academy of Neurology, American Medical Association and the Royal Society of Medicine. As a leader and medical expert among her peers, she has held numerous leadership positions at Sunrise Hospital as the Chief of Staff, Chair of the Department of Medicine, and Chief of Division of Neurology.

“My goal is to serve the community by delivering the best, most compassionate care with the very best outcomes” said Dr. Gregory. “I look forward to continuing the tradition of great care offered at Nevada Neurosciences Institute.”

To learn more about the practice, please visit us at NevadaNeurosciences.com.

About Nevada Neurosciences Institute:

Nevada Neurosciences Institute (NNI) is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the most integrated healthcare networks with 32 access points to serve the Southern Nevada Community including hospitals, free-standing emergency rooms, urgent care clinics and physician practices. The team of healthcare professionals at NNI are committed to providing a patient-centered approach by incorporating expert neurological medical management while guiding and coordinating all aspects of patient care. The practice is conveniently located next to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center at 3006 S. Maryland Pkwy, Suite 765, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Appointments can be made by calling (702) 961-7310.

Set Up Healthcare Employees for Success By Maximizing Benefits Awareness and Use

Courtesy of Insperity.

From employer-sponsored health insurance to retirement savings plans, an attractive benefits package can help you hire the best employees for your healthcare practice and ensure you retain them for many years to come.

These perks at work can go a long way toward positioning your company to excel in the marketplace and securing your reputation as a stellar employer.

But as incredible as it may seem, many employees don’t take full advantage of all the perks at work.

So, what leads to this lack of participation? It’s likely a result of ineffective communication and education. Take these five steps to get everyone on board.

Make sure your new hires are fully informed

Leverage new-employee orientation and the hiring process to educate new team members about benefits. Be sure to provide each new hire with:

• A detailed, printed overview of available benefits and out-of-pocket costs, if any
• Detailed instructions on how and when to sign up, including online enrollment if available
• Easy-to-follow instructions for how to get questions answered, including contact information for:
  • Your internal benefits representatives
  • Outside vendors, such as the insurance provider and investment company

If your company is large enough to offer new-employee orientation, be sure to dedicate a section to benefits and include a question-and-answer session.

Communicate early and often about open enrollment

In most companies, employees can change some benefits, especially health insurance, only during an annual open enrollment period. Exceptions are made for qualifying life events, such as the birth or adoption of a child.

Open enrollment is your big chance to showcase your employer-sponsored health insurance. Give employees ample time to read and analyze information by communicating early in the game. Encourage them to discuss options with their families and ask questions.

Because people often forget about annual enrollment or it sneaks up on them, communicate frequently using every method possible:

• Post notices in community areas, such as breakrooms
• Email reminders beginning at least a month before and through the entire open enrollment period
• Send an annual printed brochure with detailed information about benefits, and a flyer with dates as the deadline approaches
• Mail postcards to employees’ home addresses
• Provide benefits overview sessions at different times and locations, if necessary
• Use your company’s intranet and interoffice newsletter, if available, to share information and reminders

In all communication, be sure to include open enrollment dates. Also provide contact information for a representative who can answer questions, as well as a web address for online enrollment, if available.

Hold a benefits fair

Open enrollment doesn’t have to be a drudge. If you have the resources, spice it up a bit – while still getting all the details out there. Host a benefits fair to showcase your perks at work. Schedule a conference room for a day and encourage employees to walk in at their leisure to learn more about their benefit options.

Consider offering lunch or snacks. You might also think about providing blood pressure screening (a local hospital may be able to provide this at little to no cost) or a raffle for fitness equipment or dinner at a nice restaurant. If you offer tuition assistance, invite a representative from the local community college to set up a booth.

Information tables can be staffed with subject matter experts, such as investment advisors, insurance professionals or health club representatives. Your HR personnel should be on hand to address any questions.

Help employees truly understand their out-of-pocket costs

Some workers may automatically assume they can’t afford benefits. Be sure they have the tools they need to make educated decisions.

In printed materials and other communication, explain the impact of benefits on your employees’ salary. For instance, what costs are the employees responsible for (partial premiums, deductibles, etc.)? When will premiums be deducted from employees’ paychecks? How does a flexible spending account work? What does their short-term disability insurance cover?

Provide links to online calculators, such as those for retirement savings, so that employees can better understand the value of their investments. Additionally, many health insurance providers offer online “cost of care” calculators, which allow your employees to get an estimate of their out-of-pocket costs for certain treatments and prescriptions.

Keep the info flowing throughout the year

Communicate constantly about all your perks at work benefits, both those that can be changed only once a year and those that are ongoing, such as tuition reimbursement, health club membership, employee assistance programs (EAP) and disability insurance.

Update employees quarterly through email, intranet and, if applicable, the employee newsletter. To make it fun, post on your intranet or in regular email communications trivia questions related to the benefits you offer. Then award a prize to the first person who submits the right answer. Or theme the communication around special events, such as heart month in February.

Need a little extra assistance making human resources decisions? Find out how a PEO can help. Download our free e-book, HR Outsourcing: A step-by-step guide to Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs).

Donation of $100,000 Will Support Northern Nevada HOPES’ Hope Spring Project to Help Stabilize Homeless Population

SilverSummit Healthplan announced today that it is donating $100,000 to support Northern Nevada HOPES’ Hope Springs project which, when complete, will work to provide homeless individuals in the Northern Nevada area with dedicated bridge housing and services such as medical and behavioral healthcare, housing placement, and case management.

“We are pleased to support Northern Nevada HOPES’ Hope Springs bridge housing,” said Eric Schmacker, SilverSummit Healthplan President and CEO. “While SilverSummit serves many homeless Nevadans, our commitment to the community reaches beyond our member base. This support will help some of the most at-risk populations in our state regain stability, and make positive long-term changes for their wellness.”

Since 1997, Northern Nevada HOPES has been working to serve Northern Nevada’s vulnerable and underserved communities by making access to comprehensive medical, behavioral, and wellness support services possible under one roof. When completed in 2021, Hope Springs will support 30 individual sleeping units, and a 3,200 square foot shared facility with restrooms, showers, laundry, a kitchen, and community space.

“This donation from SilverSummit Health Plan will make a substantial difference in the lives of Nevada’s homeless population,” said Sharon Chamberlin, Northern Nevada Hopes’ CEO.  “Without dedicated partners, like SilverSummit, Hope Springs could not exist.”

“In Nevada we’ve experienced a doubling in the homelessness population since 2009 and 1 out of 7 Northern Nevadans live below the poverty line,” said Dr. Jeff Murawsky, Chief Medical Director for SilverSummit Healthplan. “Places like Hope Springs give chronically homeless individuals a place to be connected with the care and services that they need to get back on the path to a permanent home.”

About SilverSummit Healthplan 
SilverSummit Healthplan is a managed care plan that delivers quality health insurance to the people of Nevada. Established in 2017, SilverSummit is committed to improving the health of its members through focused, compassionate, and coordinated care. SilverSummit’s active community evolvement reaches beyond physical and mental health. We are dedicated to improve the quality of life, one person at a time. SilverSummit Healthplan is a diversified healthcare organization that offers healthcare services through Nevada Medicaid, Medicare, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information on SilverSummit, you may visit www.silversummithealthplan.com.