Las Vegas HEALS News

CommonSpirit Health™ Chosen as Name for New System Being Created by the Alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives® and Dignity Health®

Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health Team Up.

Two leading U.S. health systems – Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health – who announced a Definitive Agreement to combine their health ministries in December 2017, have chosen “CommonSpirit Health” as the name of their new organization. The two systems expect to complete the transaction by the end of 2018.

CommonSpirit Health was chosen because of its strong association with the two systems’ missions of service and positive resonance with the diversity of people served. It evokes the strategic vision and aspiration of the new ministry to advance health for all and make a positive change for the people and communities served; a belief that all people deserve access to high quality health and health care; and a passion to serve those who are sick and injured, including those who are most vulnerable.

The new name was selected after a comprehensive review of more than 1,200 names, which were evaluated for their association with faith-based health care, legal considerations, and consumer research.

Lloyd H. Dean, President/Chief Executive Officer of Dignity Health, stated, “It was important that our name could provide a connection between all people: our employees, physicians, patients, families, and neighbors alike. CommonSpirit does just that.”

Kevin E. Lofton, Chief Executive Officer of CHI, said, “We appreciate how the manifestation of the Spirit is woven into so many messages—God’s gift of compassion, the calling to heal others, and serving the common good. Each comes together and is reflected in just one powerful word, CommonSpirit.”

Among the many reasons for selecting CommonSpirit Health, it was embraced for the following attributes:

• As support for the mission of the new organization to contribute to the “common good” as a core tenet of Catholic social teaching;
• In recognition of the power of a faith-based ministry as a healing force to serve all people in an inclusive and welcoming way;
• As an expression of gratitude for the courage of the women religious who established their health ministries in the face of significant obstacles to meet the most pressing health needs of people and communities; and
• In acknowledgement of providers and employees who hold a shared purpose and unyielding commitment to advance the health of the people and communities served.

With the selection of a new name, the organization will develop a visual identity to convey the story and strength of the new $28.4 billion health care system. Dignity Health and CHI previously announced that the new ministry will follow a “house of brands” strategy, retaining the names of local facilities and services in the communities where they are located.

CHI and Dignity Health signed a definitive agreement to join their ministries on Dec. 7, 2017. Since then, the organizations have been planning integration efforts for the new system. On Oct. 16, the Board of Stewardship Trustees for CommonSpirit Health was selected and announced.

Further information is available at: AdvancingHealthCareTogether.org.

About Catholic Health Initiatives
Catholic Health Initiatives, a nonprofit, faith-based health system formed in 1996 through the consolidation of four Catholic health systems, expresses its mission each day by creating and nurturing healthy communities in the hundreds of sites across the nation where we provide care. One of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, Englewood, Colo.-based CHI operates in 18 states and comprises 100 hospitals, including two academic health centers; major teaching hospitals and 30 critical-access facilities; community health-services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home-health agencies; living communities; and other facilities and services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. In fiscal year 2018, CHI provided more than $1.14 billion in financial assistance and community benefit for programs and services for the poor, free clinics, education and research. Financial assistance and community benefit totaled approximately $2.1 billion with the inclusion of the unpaid costs of Medicare. The health system, which generated operating revenues of $15 billion in fiscal year 2018, has total assets of approximately $20.5 billion.

About Dignity Health
Dignity Health, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, is a multi-state network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 40 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care centers including neighborhood hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Headquartered in San Francisco, Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. In FY 2018, Dignity Health provided $2.1 billion in charitable care and services. For more information, please visit our website at DignityHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) and Metabolic Medical Institute (MMI) announce agenda for their largest annual event, welcoming thousands of clinicians and exhibitors to the 26th World Congress in Las Vegas

Agenda for the 26th Annual World Congress in Las Vegas at the Venetian/Palazzo Resort, marks 26 years of redefining modern medicine through advanced education surrounding anti-aging and regenerative medicine.

World Congress: December 13-15

Thousands of participants will gather to further their knowledge and understanding of preventive, personalized medicine at the three-day conference, taking place from December 13-15 at the Venetian/Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas. The World Congress will provide up to 24 continuing education credits in anti-aging and integrative medicine through educational sessions and interactive lectures. The conference boasts an Exhibit Hall that hosts hundreds of companies, with products ranging from aesthetic devices and equipment to high-tech medical products. Vendors include all facets of Integrative Medicine, including compounding labs and testing, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals, companies that specialize in CBD services, and high-grade supplements. The event additionally hosts advanced educational opportunities through the Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Metabolic and Functional Medicine modules: recently accredited for the second year through the Royal College of General Practitioners. Oral and Written exams will also be conducted for healthcare professionals pursuing their Anti-Aging board and diplomate certifications.

In addition to four keynote presentations, the Congress will feature 70 speakers and lectures, 16 learning tracks, sponsored workshops, and product theater presentations. Pre-conference workshops on December 12th offer delegates the opportunity for further advanced education, surrounding some of the most pertinent and relevant topics in modern healthcare: “Achieving Longevity with Restorative Hormone Therapy,” “Breakthroughs in Peptide Therapy,” “Cannabis in Medicine,” and “A Branding Facelift: How to Market Your Aesthetics Practice.”

Prominent, influential, notable leaders will deliver keynote presentations that are not to be missed. Business executive, entrepreneur, and thought-leader Naveen Jain will focus on the most recent innovations in the landscape of modern healthcare, highlighting his transformative business & technological breakthroughs that are improving healthcare delivery across the globe. Pamela Wible, MD, known as ‘Physicians’ Guardian Angel,’ will deliver a lecture titled “Finding Your Bliss: Beating Physician Burnout,” coupled with a panel session and Q&A surrounding the imminent complications of mental health, and the rapidly growing trend of burnout among physicians. Biogerontologist and cell biologist Valter Longo, PhD will deliver an address on the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD): an increasingly popular scientific breakthrough based on research that restriction of protein, calories, and sugar may reduce genetic markers associated with cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Renowned clinician and expert in the applied science of longevity Peter Attia, MD will focus on an approach to longevity rooted in reverse engineering. Dr. Attia’s keynote will include the latest clinical research surrounding strategies to increase lifespan, including the elusive mTor signaling pathway, coupled with tactics to enhance health span rooted in data from centenarian populations. These keynotes represent the continual effort to redefine and reshape the realm of medicine, and will inspire attendees to commit and contribute towards a new century of wellness and longevity.

Back by popular demand, returning to this year’s World Congress is Dave Asprey: Silicon Valley investor, notable entrepreneur, author of New York Times bestseller “The Bulletproof Diet,” and biohacker. As an inventor not only in the burgeoning field of technology but also the landscape of biohacking, Asprey was one of the first innovators to apply experimental biohacking techniques designed to enhance human performance—and has helped spearhead an entirely new movement of personal wellness. Joining the World Congress faculty for the first time are world-renowned speakers Terry Wahls, MD and Ben Greenfield. Academic, clinician, researcher, and multiple sclerosis patient Dr. Wahls will deliver a powerful story of personal recovery and triumph in the effective application of diet & therapeutic lifestyle changes, and illuminate the impact of nutritional interventions in treating progressive health problems & chronic disease. Human performance consultant, biohacker, and immersive journalist Greenfield will review key biomarkers for achieving peak male health, coupled with the most effective practices for optimizing biological variables for men’s fertility & longevity.

Overall, the conference offers an exciting and unique opportunity to be at the forefront of the constantly evolving industry of healthcare: the optimal platform for its delegates to establish new business and networking contacts, receive extensive education specifically engineered to enhance practices and patient care, and socialize with medical professionals from a wide array of disciplines and fields. The 2018 World Congress is rooted in a cutting-edge agenda engineered to push boundaries, while focusing on entrepreneurial opportunities in integrative medicine, the application of technology in healthcare, the critical trend of physician burnout and its impact on mental health, and the most cutting-edge clinical breakthroughs in longevity.

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About the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine & Metabolic Medical Institute:Established in 1992, A4M is the leading nonprofit medical society dedicated to the detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases associated with aging. The organization is comprised of over 26,000 members from 120 nations across the globe, and is dedicated to educating medical and public health professionals and practitioners on the most progressive and innovative clinical research, in addition to cutting-edge scientific technologies. Metabolic Medical Institute is the entity that houses and contains all advanced medical education, available to healthcare practitioners and allied health professionals.

Professional Sports Brain Health Coalition Announces Mission Statement during Second Meeting at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

On Monday, Nov. 5, the Professional Sports Brain Health Coalition, an organization of like-minded leaders in professional sports in southern Nevada dedicated to advancing brain health safety, reconvened for a second meeting at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health to announce its mission statement and next steps.

Professional Sports Brain Health Coalition

Following remarks from Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Governor Brian Sandoval, and retired Oakland Raider Linden King, Associate director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and Primary Investigator of the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study Dr. Charles Bernick unveiled the coalition’s mission statement, which is: “To advance brain safety for those exposed to head impacts in sports and across society.” The resources and expertise of the member organizations will be leveraged to pursue the group’s specific goals of promoting research, education, and advocacy on issues regarding brain health in sports.

This  first-of-its-kind coalition melds the recent expansion of professional sports in Las Vegas and the ongoing work of the Cleveland Clinic with brain health in sports. Now, various professional sports are collaborating to increase our knowledge, translate that knowledge into policies and practices and help empower younger generations to make informed decisions about the sports they play and the impact that may have on brain health.

Dr. Sabbagh concluded his remarks, saying: “It is our hope that with this coalition, we will play a hand in transforming Las Vegas from a gambling city to a brain health city.”

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health:

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health provides expert diagnosis and treatment for individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases; multiple sclerosis; frontotemporal dementia and related disorders; and multiple system atrophy. The center offers a continuum of care with no-cost opportunities for the community to participate in education and research, including disease prevention studies and clinical trials of promising new medications. An integrated entity, Keep Memory Alive, raises funds exclusively in support of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit http://www.clevelandclinic.org/brainhealth and http://www.keepmemoryalive.org.

Photo credit: Denise Truscello for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

I Quit For’ Campaign Returns to Raise Awareness Amid Projected Rise in Nevada Lung Cancer Diagnoses and Growing Vape Usage

Comprehensive Cancer Centers (Comprehensive) and UNLV are bringing back its popular “I Quit For” initiative for a third consecutive year, designed to encourage people who smoke tobacco products to kick the habit and addiction.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 2,090 Nevadans will be diagnosed with a form of lung cancer this year, marking a nearly 24 percent increase over the 1,680 new cases projected statewide in 2017. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, accounting for more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancer deaths combined.

Comprehensive Cancer Centers I Quit For campaign in partnership with UNLV.

Additionally, vaping figures continue to be substantial with young people. Approximately 2.1 million middle and high school students said they used e-cigarettes in 2017, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Beginning on November 1 – the first day of Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Comprehensive will place eight tobacco drop-off bins on three UNLV campuses. One bin will be placed at the Paradise Campus (851 E. Tropicana Ave., 89119), one at the Shadow Lane Campus (1001 Shadow Lane, 89106), two at the Student Union on the Maryland Campus (4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 89154) and the remaining four will be stationed at Thomas & Mack Center or Sam Boyd Stadium during events.

“The mission of this meaningful community partnership, now three years strong, remains the same – keeping Southern Nevadans healthy and from ever having to visit one of our clinics for cancer treatment,” said Jon Bilstein, executive director of Comprehensive. “With a projected rise in new lung cancer diagnoses in Nevada and a growing number of young people vaping, there has never been a better time to kick the addiction. Quitting smoking not only reduces your chance of lung cancer, but all cancers.”

Those wanting to quit may deposit any unused tobacco products in the bins and make a simple and meaningful “I Quit For” pledge. The pledge encourages attendees to write the name of a child, parent, friend or loved one to whom they are promising to quit smoking, taking the pledge to a symbolic level. They can then snap a photo of themselves with their pledge form and send it to their friends and family members, or post on social media with the hashtag #IQuitFor.

Pledge forms are attached to each drop-off bin. Additional components of the I Quit For campaign include health-focused messaging shared via on-campus video monitors, university publications and social media. Information about the campaign, tools, and resources to help individuals quit smoking and additional pledge forms are available at www.IQuitFor.com.

Comprehensive recognizes that dropping off tobacco products is only the first step in what can be a difficult process to quit smoking. Those making the “I Quit For” pledge are encouraged to take advantage of the Nevada Tobacco Quitline’s resources by visiting www.nevadatobaccoquitline.com or calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).

About Comprehensive Cancer Centers

Comprehensive Cancer Centers is an award-winning multidisciplinary practice comprising medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery, pulmonary services and clinical research, with treatment centers and offices throughout Southern Nevada. For more than 35 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 trails. The practice participates in more than 170 Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical research studies each year and has played a role in developing more than 60 FDA-approved cancer therapies. For more information, visit the company’s website, and follow the practice on Facebook and on Twitter.

About UNLV

UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of more than 30,000 students and 3,000 faculty and staff that is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university with high research activity. UNLV offers a broad range of respected academic programs and is on a path to join the top tier of national public research universities. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region’s diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada. Learn more at UNLV’s website.

Roseman University and the American Cancer Society Host Cancer Research Symposium in Summerlin

Roseman University of Health Sciences and the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer chapter for Southern Nevada will host a first-ever cancer research symposium at Roseman’s Summerlin campus on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

The symposium features presentations by Michael Melner, PhD, the American Cancer Society’s Director of Molecular Genetics and Thomas Graeber, PhD, the Director of UCLA’s Metabolomics Center. Melner will be presenting an overview of American Cancer Society funding opportunities, processes, and best practices in securing funding. Dr. Graeber will speak about his work as a cancer researcher and share his perspectives on the methods and infrastructure required to execute top quality research, as well as how to build Nevada’s cancer research community.

Melner is responsible for three Peer Review Committees in the Extramural Grant department of the American Cancer Society. Graeber was the 2017 recipient of the Society’s prestigious Giants of Science Passion Award. He is also faculty at UCLA Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology.

The Nevada Chapter of CEOs Against Cancer is reaching out to institutions and companies to advance medical research within the Silver State, and Roseman has stepped forward to partner with them.

About the American Cancer Society:
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 25 percent decline in the cancer death rate in the U.S. since 1991, driven by less smoking, better treatments, and earlier detection. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About Roseman University of Health Sciences:

Founded in Henderson, Nevada in 1999, Roseman University of Health Sciences is a non-profit, private institution of higher learning training the next generation of undergraduate and graduate level healthcare professionals that serve, collaborate and set new standards in their communities and within their professions. With campuses in Henderson and Summerlin (Las Vegas), Nevada and South Jordan, Utah, the University is comprised of a College of Dental Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and a healthcare-focused MBA program. The University will also offer a Doctor of Medicine through its College of Medicine once it becomes accredited. More than 5,000 Roseman graduates are caring for patients, conducting research, and engaged in public health and policy in Nevada, Utah and across the country. Roseman University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals Becomes Encompass Health on October 1

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson and HealthSouth Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital will unveil their new names and brand as part of their Company’s name change and rebranding initiative. Beginning Oct. 1, the inpatient rehabilitation hospitals will be known respectively as Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Desert Canyon. They will continue to provide the same high-quality, post-acute care for patients overcoming a variety of major illnesses and injuries.

“Our new Encompass Health brand reflects more than the change of our name. It reinforces our commitment to working together to continuously improve the care we provide our patients,” said Michael Ward, CEO of Encompass Health Las Vegas. “With a focus on clinical collaboration and strengthening relationships, we will continue to play an important role in making a difference in the lives of our patients.”

“I’m incredibly proud of how dedicated our staff is in serving our community, and we’ve built a reputation for delivering high-quality care and exceptional patient experiences,” said Sam Billig, CEO of Encompass Health Henderson. “We have consistently exceeded all benchmarks in patient satisfaction and have been highly effective in clinical outcomes. This rebrand is simply a way to emphasize our commitment to our patients and community.”

“We could not be more excited for this rebrand, and the opportunities it provides us in highlighting the successes of our hospital and the bright future ahead of us,” said Peggy Nelson, CEO of Encompass Health Desert Canyon. “The Encompass Health brand represents everything that we love about our hospital, and we are honing in on our mission of helping patients by providing the best possible care.”

Birmingham, Alabama-based HealthSouth Corporation launched its new name and brand on Jan. 1, 2018 and will be transitioning its 129 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and 272 home health and hospice locations serving 36 states and Puerto Rico through 2019. All of the Company’s post-acute care service locations in Nevada will migrate to the Encompass Health name and branding on Oct. 1 to follow suit with the Company’s name change.

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas is a 79-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation. Serving patients throughout the Las Vegas Valley, the hospital is located at 1250 S. Valley View Blvd. and on the Web at www.healthsouthlasvegas.com.

About HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson is a 90-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Serving patients throughout Henderson and Las Vegas, the hospital is located at 10301 Jeffreys St, Henderson, Nevada 89052 and on the Web at www.hendersonrehabhospital.com.

About HealthSouth Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital
HealthSouth Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital is a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Serving patients throughout greater Las Vegas, the hospital is located at 9175 West Oquendo Road and on the Web at www.healthsouthdesertcanyon.com.

About Encompass Health
As a national leader in post-acute care, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that spans 129 hospitals and 272 home health & hospice locations in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the Company is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective care across the post-acute continuum. Driven by a set of shared values, Encompass Health is the result of the union between HealthSouth Corporation and Encompass Home Health & Hospice, and is ranked as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, as well as Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.