Las Vegas HEALS News

SilverSummit Healthplan Community Health Fair – Vegas

Saturday, October 8, 2022
3 pm – 6 pm
East Las Vegas Community Center
250 N Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101

SilverSummit Healthplan is hosting a free Community Health Resource Fair.  There will be free health screenings, immunizations, hundreds of giveaways, food, and fun activities for the whole family. 

https://fb.me/e/1LD2tN38K

SilverSummit Healthplan Community Health Fair – Vegas 

Saturday, October 15, 2022
3 pm – 6 pm
Silver Mesa Recreation Center
4025 Allen Lane, North Las Vegas, NV 89032

Free fruits and vegetables will be given out until supplies last. SilverSummit Healthplan and The Just One Project’s Free Pop-Up Farmers Market is an immersive, no-cost shopping experience that will travel to underserved areas across southern Nevada, providing free fruits and vegetables to families.  In addition, the free Community Health Fair event will also feature The Just One Project’s “The Sweet Spot” mobile nutrition van, several raffle prizes and giveaways, including bicycles, gas cards, baby cribs and more, while supplies last. Attendees will also enjoy entertainment, lunch, activities, and games for children. Several health agencies and nonprofit organizations will be on hand to provide immunizations and COVID-19 vaccinations; health and wellness screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks; and general health information booths – all free of charge. 

https://fb.me/e/3Chzsk01l 

SilverSummit Healthplan Community Halloween & Health Fair 

Thursday, October 27, 2022
6 pm – 9 pm
Walnut Recreation Center
3075 N. Walnut Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89115

Free fruits and vegetables will be given out until supplies last. SilverSummit Healthplan and The Just One Project’s Free Pop-Up Farmers Market is an immersive, no-cost shopping experience that will travel to underserved areas across southern Nevada, providing free fruits and vegetables to families.  In addition, the free Community Health Fair event will also feature The Just One Project’s “The Sweet Spot” mobile nutrition van, several raffle prizes and giveaways, including bicycles, gas cards, baby cribs and more, while supplies last. Attendees will also enjoy entertainment, lunch, activities, and games for children. Several health agencies and nonprofit organizations will be on hand to provide immunizations and COVID-19 vaccinations; health and wellness screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks; and general health information booths – all free of charge. 

https://fb.me/e/2O8mbpnV8 

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

Katherine “Kaytee” Ashwell, APRN joins Southwest Medical’s Rancho Urgent Care location (888 S. Rancho Dr.) and specializes in urgent care.

Las Vegas Heart Associates is pleased to announce Melissa Plies, APRN has joined the practice on the campus of Mountain View Hospital to offer elevated care for cardiovascular patients across the valley.

“With the addition of Melissa, we are able to continue offering exceptional patient-centered care to more of Southern Nevada and the surrounding communities,” said Anthony Dota, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at Las Vegas Heart Associates.

Melissa joins six established physicians at the practice who specialize in specific areas of cardiovascular care. “My goal is to serve the community by delivering the most advanced, most compassionate care with the very best outcomes,” said Melissa. “I look forward to uniting my training and knowledge to work collaboratively with the physicians and staff to provide the best possible care to our community,” said Melissa.

Melissa’s medical career began over 12 years ago when she worked in emergency medicine as a registered nurse. After eight years as a registered nurse, Melissa wanted to further her skill set and competencies with an advanced degree earning her Master’s Degree in Nursing in 2017. She also holds two national board certifications including; the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as a family nurse practitioner and the American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) as an acute care nurse practitioner.

Las Vegas Heart Associates is located on the south end of MountainView Hospital’s campus at 2880 N. Tenaya Way., Suite 100 and has been providing caring for the Las Vegas community since January 1, 2020. Since the practice opening, the providers and staff offer complete cardiovascular services in general cardiology, sports cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, interventional cardiology, heart failure and electrophysiology. The physicians are experts in advanced heart valve repair, replacement and complex stent procedures among many other conditions and treatments of the cardiovascular system. The practice is a leading expert in the treatment of aortic and mitral valve disease offering both Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and transcatheter mitral valve repair, both options that provide minimally-invasive, non-operative approaches to valve disease. The practice is currently accepting new patients.

About Las Vegas Heart Associates
Las Vegas Heart Associates is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the most integrated healthcare networks with 36 access points to serve the Southern Nevada community. The practice offers the full spectrum of cardiovascular care with a convenient location in the Northwest part of the valley. The specialists at Las Vegas Heart Associates are highly trained in General, Interventional, Structural, Vascular, Nuclear and Sports Cardiology as well as Echocardiography and Electrophysiology. For more information visit them on the web.

 By Derek Price, CEO of Desert Hope Treatment Center

There is ample evidence that traumatic brain injury (TBI) and substance use disorders (SUDs) are linked: The rate of substance use disorders among those who have experienced a TBI is estimated to be up to 6 times that of the general population. However, astonishingly little about the science surrounding this connection is well understood.

With TBI affecting nearly 1.5 million Americans each year and 40.3 million suffering from past-year SUD in 2020, the connection between TBI and addiction is not one we can afford to ignore.

A traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone, for any number of reasons: the leading causes of TBI in the United States are falls, motor vehicle accidents, firearm-related injuries, and assaults.

That said, certain demographics are at greater risk, including:

• Military service members and veterans. Between 2000 and 2019, around 414,000 service members experienced a TBI. More than 185,000 veterans that rely on Veteran’s Affairs (VA) benefits have had one or more TBI in their lifetime.
• Athletes. Sports-related injuries account for approximately 10% of all TBIs in the United States.
• People experiencing homelessness. A 2020 review published in The Lancet found that the lifetime prevalence of TBI among unsheltered individuals was 53%, which is between 2.5 and 4 times higher than the general population.
• People that drink alcohol. People that drink are 4 times more likely to experience a TBI in their lifetime than teetotalers. Approximately 30-50% of people that suffered a TBI were intoxicated at the time of injury.

Nearly 75% of people seeking treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders have been impacted by brain injury. Despite the staggering prevalence of substance use and traumatic brain injuries, experts are only beginning to understand the complex connection between the two.

However, we do know that substance use and TBIs share a two-way relationship. In other words, drug and alcohol use increases the likelihood of experiencing a TBI, and people who experience a TBI are at greater risk of developing a substance use disorder.

Biological and psychological factors are believed to play a role in the development or worsening of an addiction following a TBI. For one, there is evidence that injury-related disruptions to the brain’s dopamine pathways and orbitofrontal cortical processing could help explain TBI survivors’ vulnerability to addiction. Additionally, the emotional trauma or chronic pain that results from sustaining a TBI could lead to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, which could increase the risk of addiction development.

On the other hand, drug and alcohol use impairs a person’s judgment, which may lead to putting oneself in situations that could increase the chances of experiencing a TBI, such as driving under the influence.

TBIs can also occur during a drug overdose. Opioid overdoses often deprive the brain of oxygen. If a person survives an overdose, they may continue to struggle with persistent issues related to anoxic brain injury. Overdose survivors who have brain injuries are at higher risk for future overdoses.

Unfortunately, treating addiction among people who have experienced a TBI poses challenges. For one, TBIs often go undiagnosed. Without a diagnosis of a TBI, many patients and health providers may be unaware of how the injury affects them and of necessary special treatment considerations. Many addiction treatment programs fail to screen for TBIs, even though evidence-based screening tools are available.

TBIs are also linked to co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD, which are associated with poorer adherence to treatment programs and higher dropout rates. Research shows that treating comorbid conditions together is more effective than treating any condition alone. Treatment for substance use disorders among people who have experienced TBI should therefore address their addiction, brain injury, and any mental health issues simultaneously.

As a state, Nevadans can work together to do more to support people who have been impacted by TBI and substance use disorders. We can fund research on TBI and substance use disorders to better understand this relationship and determine the most effective treatments. Legislators in our state can pass laws that support treatment, rather than punishment, for those with addictions.

Treatment facilities and providers can incorporate screening for TBI into their admissions process and provide comprehensive, individualized treatment. Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, for example, offers a range of addiction treatment services that are tailored to the individual, including a specialized program that addresses the unique needs of veterans and first responders, a population at risk of experiencing traumatic brain injury.

As a society, we can work to end the stigma surrounding addiction by learning about it and encouraging our loved ones to get the help that they need. We can be careful to avoid judgmental or stigmatizing language when we talk about addiction, understanding that substance use disorder is a disease, not a choice. Taking steps to reduce stigma can encourage more people to seek help with less fear of judgment.

All of us must work together to help evoke change. Whether you are a treatment provider, legislator, or citizen, we can all do our part to help understand and support those suffering from TBI and substance use disorders.

Unless otherwise noted, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s educational, therapeutic and support programs remain online. Free and open to the community, these online programs address topics of interest to individuals and care partners navigating Alzheimer’s and other dementias; Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and other movement disorders; and multiple sclerosis. The goal is to help our community learn to manage different stressors and maximize quality of life in the face of the new challenges and opportunities brain disorders present.

By leveraging technology, participants will be able to join classes through their computer, tablet, or smartphone. Participants can simply reach out to the contact for each program of interest and to receive customized instructions on how to join the group session.

For additional information, please contact Verla Niebuhr at 702.271.9563 or niebuhv@ccf.org You can also view the patient and family services day-by-day program calendar and register at clevelandclinic.org/nevadaevents

Lynne Ruffin-Smith e-Library for Remote Access

The Lynne Ruffin-Smith Library is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. PT The Lynne Ruffin-Smith Library also offers an e-Library selection of resources. People in rural and remote areas of Nevada, as well as those who can’t visit the library at the Clinic, can now access e-books from a computer, phone, tablet or iPad®. To check out materials from the e-Library, register as a library patron and obtain a patron number (library card number) by visiting the library Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or call 702.271.9563. Remote access can be gained by visiting keepmemoryalive.org/library. Contact the Library at louruvolibrary@ccf.org, for additional information.

• Book of the Month (Available on-site and in the e-library): A Caregiver’s Guide to Lewy Body Dementia by Helen Buell Whitworth & James Whitworth

Special Events:

• A Parkinson’s Education Evening: The Pandemic & Me – What has the COVID-19 Pandemic Taught Us?

Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 – 7:20 p.m. PST

Registration is required by emailing http://gcmd.co/Pandemic

• Adjustment to Memory Loss Group

Thursdays, Oct. 13 – Nov. 3 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. PST

Registration is required by emailing lrcbhhealthpsych@ccf.org

Lunch & Learn Educational Series – In Honor of Barbara “Spicy Lady” Edmonds

Wednesdays, from Noon – 1 p.m. PST

Guests are encouraged to join the conversation using the Q & A box during this free online educational session. For more information about the Lunch & Learn program or to obtain the link to join live, please visit here. Missed a session? Past recordings can be viewed at clevelandcliniceducationnv.org.

• Oct. 5: What is Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia – Jennifer Pauldurai, MD Cleveland Clinic

Behavioral Variant FTD is a rare type of dementia that can cause progressive changes in thinking and behavior. Learn more about this disease and how it is different from other types of dementia. We will also review the common symptoms and how we can help a loved one who has Behavioral Variant FTD.

• Oct. 12: Responsive Dementia Care in Lewy Body Disease, Part I – Helen Whitworth, MS, BSN & Jim Whitworth, Co-Founder Lewy Body Dementia Association

In this session we’ll gain a greater awareness of Lewy Body Dementia, learn about its treatments and how to choose a supportive attitude in managing care for a person living with the disease.

• Oct. 19: Responsive Dementia Care in Lewy Body Disease, Part II – Helen Whitworth, MS, BSN & Jim Whitworth, Co-Founder Lewy Body Dementia Association

A close look at choosing actions and ways to deal with dementia-related behaviors that will make everyone’s life more pleasant.

• Oct. 26: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Motor Learning in Parkinson’s Disease – Brach Poston, PhD University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Hear about Dr. Poston’s research focusing on non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation) to improve motor skill learning and motor function in Parkinson’s disease, and aging adults.

Campus & Community Events:

• Dementia Conversations

Mondays, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. PST with Chuck and Jennifer

Fridays, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. PST with Kat and Nancy

Whether you have recently received a diagnosis of dementia, are embarking on the journey of supporting with a loved one, or are just interested in learning more about the experience of living with dementia, join us in a friendly space where no expertise is necessary and where there are no bad questions. To register visit: http://dementiafriendlynevada.org/Dementia-Conversations/

Therapeutic Services:

• Rhythmic Reminiscence

Thursdays, from 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. PST (NO SESSION OCT. 20)
Pre-approval is required

Rhythmic Reminiscence is a music and movement program specially designed for individuals with memory loss. Led by physical and music therapists from the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, participants will have the opportunity to exercise, engage socially, and have some fun. Pre-approval is required for this program. Contact Becky Wellman for online access and information at wellmar@ccf.org or 702.701.7895.

• Group Music Therapy for Individuals with Memory Loss

Monday – Friday, from 3 – 4:30 p.m. PST daily (NO SESSIONS OCT. 17-21)

Music therapy is a place for friends to connect through music and song. Offered to patients and caregivers, this class combines music and therapeutic techniques to help those impacted by memory or movement disorders. These classes help to decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, increase language and communication skills, aid in regulating movement coordination and provide opportunities for memory recall. They can also improve social interactions and emotional connections with family and caregivers. Contact Dr. Becky Wellman for online access and information at wellmar@ccf.org or 702.701.7895.

• Yoga for Parkinson’s

Saturdays, from 1 – 2 p.m. PST

Yoga helps patients be intuitive with their body and understand the challenges and changes they are going through. Through this program, Cleveland Clinic’s goal is to provide a safe space for patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and their loved ones, to participate in physical activity and experience the many benefits that come from practicing yoga. For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org

• Yoga for MS

Wednesdays & Fridays, from 1 – 2 p.m. PST

Yoga helps patients be intuitive with their body and understand the challenges and changes they are going through. Through this program, Cleveland Clinic’s goal is to provide a safe space for patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones, to participate in physical activity and experience the many benefits that come from practicing yoga. For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org

Support Group Schedule:

FOR CARE PARTNERS ONLY

• Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD) and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)

Wednesday, Oct. 5 & 19, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. PST

Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD) & Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is an ongoing support group for family members of individuals who have been diagnosed with FTD or PPA. For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org.

• Dementia with Lewy Body (DLB)

Wednesday, Oct. 5 & 19, from 1:15 – 2:45 p.m. PST

This is an ongoing support group for family members of individuals who have been diagnosed with DLB. For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org.

• Caring for Persons with Memory Loss – A Peer-Led Group

Wednesday, Oct. 12 & 26, from 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. PST

This is a peer-led caregiver support group for family members and/or individuals caring for loved ones with all levels of memory impairment, regardless of diagnosis. The goal of this support group is to provide educational, emotional, and social support to caregivers in a safe and non-judgmental environment. This group is facilitated by Cleveland Clinic volunteers, and those in attendance are asked to honor the privacy of all group participants and information disclosed during the meeting. For additional information or to register, email LouRuvoPeerSupGrp@ccf.org.

FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CARE PARTNERS

• Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST

For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org.

• Huntington’s Disease (HD)

Thursday, Oct. 20 from Noon – 1 p.m. PST

For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Mondays, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. PST

For additional information or to register, email louruvoswgroup@ccf.org.

Engagement Arts:

• Conversations to Remember

Monday, Oct. 10 & 24, from 11 a.m. – 12:15 PST

Telling stories through art is fun and can foster creative thinking and thought-provoking exchanges. It can also stimulate distant memories. Ideal for individuals with memory loss or cognitive decline and their care partners, this class helps drive conversations that lead to new discovery, reveal personal history and introduce us to our fellow companions, all through art. For online access, contact LouRuvoSocialServ@ccf.org.

• The Learning Arts

This program offers eclectic excursions, via videoconferencing, with museums, showcasing remarkable places across the country. For online access, contact louruvosocialserv@ccf.org.

• • Tuesday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. – Noon PST: Korean Culture – Learn Around the World
  • Tuesday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. – Noon PT: Mummies Unwrapped – Transcended Educational Collaborations

• Mind in Design – An ONLINE Art Making Class for Everyone

Monday, Oct. 31, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. OR  1 – 3 p.m. PST

Patients, families, and caregivers are invited to come together virtually, tap into their creativity, unwind, and de-stress in a fun, friendly and interactive art session. Art kits with necessary materials are mailed in advance to all registered participants. Advance registration is required by Oct. 14. Those interested in attending can register at louruvosocialserv@ccf.org

Nevada Donor Network Awarded $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds from City of Las Vegas in Support of ‘End the Wait’ Campaign

Nevada Donor Network (NDN) is pleased to announce it was awarded $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the City of Las Vegas.  The funding will support its Foundation’s “End the Wait” capital campaign, which is aimed at raising $35 million to launch the Nevada transplant initiative to expand transplantation programs and services in Nevada.

“We are extremely grateful for this $500,000 award from City of Las Vegas,” said Nevada Donor Network President and CEO Joe Ferreria. “Right now, Nevada has a single kidney transplant center at University Medical Center, however with this funding, we are a one step closer to expanding transplantation services through the development of a full-scale transplant initiative to meet the Nevada waiting list demand. I want to personally thank Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Ward 5 City Councilman Cedric Crear for their passionate support of this groundbreaking initiative and those awaiting the gift of life.”

The ‘End the Wait’ campaign is raising the funds necessary to expand the current kidney transplant program and create a new liver transplant program. Nevada Donor Network Foundation, in partnership with NDN, will recruit qualified physicians, nurses and support staff to Nevada to expand transplant services for the state. It is estimated that within 12 months, this program would be fully operational and self-sustaining by month 25. Nevada’s liver waiting recipients will no longer have to seek life-saving care in surrounding states, which increases the financial, physical and emotional burden for critically ill patients and their families.

“The transplant initiative will combine our partner hospitals, transplant centers and community healthcare providers in a singular, dedicated network,” said Nevada Donor Network Foundation President Steven Peralta. “We will better serve heroic organ donors, their courageous families and the potential recipients who wait for the gift of life and health. This will elevate all healthcare in Nevada and serve to correct health disparities in access within the diverse populations in desperate need of these services.”

The American Rescue Plan was instituted by the federal government to change the course of the pandemic and deliver immediate and direct relief to families and workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis through no fault of their own. The city of Las Vegas received $131 million in funding to support causes, issues and groups who have been most impacted by the pandemic.

“To be a world-class city, it’s essential that Las Vegas provide vital services such as those offered by the Nevada Donor Network,” said Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear. “I’m confident the money the city has allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act to the network will mean life and renewed health for many waiting for a vital organ transplant.”

For more information on the Nevada Transplant Institute and the “End the Wait” campaign, please visit https://www.nvdonor.org/end-the-wait.

About Nevada Donor Network Foundation

Nevada Donor Network Foundation is a federally designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the goal of developing a full-scale transplant institute to expand organ transplant capabilities in the state of Nevada. Founded in 2019, Nevada Donor Network Foundation was born from a dream to “End the Wait” for hundreds of Nevadans and thousands of Americans on the national organ transplant list by expanding Nevada’s current kidney transplant program and creating a new liver transplant program. Through Nevada Donor Network Foundation’s $35 million capital campaign to “End the Wait,” Nevada residents will no longer have to seek life-saving care in surrounding states; they will have the ability to be evaluated locally, transplanted locally and cared for locally. Nevada Donor Network Foundation works alongside Nevada Donor Network, whose state-wide efforts encourage Nevadans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. For more information, please visit www.nvdonor.org/foundation.

About Nevada Donor Network 

Nevada Donor Network is a federally designated 501©(3) not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) committed to maximizing the gift of life and health through organ and tissue donation. Established in 1987, Nevada Donor Network is one of only 57 OPOs in the U.S. serving more than 3 million people in the state of Nevada and over 100,000 potential transplant recipients across the country. We work collaboratively with hospital staff and community partners to promote research and provide a strong support network to courageous donor families who’ve turned loss into hope.  At Nevada Donor Network, we encourage Nevadans to help individuals in need of life-saving transplants through education, research and action. Nevada Donor Network is a member of Donate Life Nevada, an affiliate of Donate Life America, whose state-wide efforts encourage Nevadans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. For more information, please visit www.nvdonor.org.

Aimed at combating food insecurity in identified food deserts, the Farmers Market will provide free fruits, vegetables, and resource information

The Just One Project, southern Nevada’s largest mobile food pantry serving more than 20,000 people monthly, has launched a free farmers market in partnership with SilverSummit Healthplan. The nonprofit organization celebrated the grand opening with a “vegetable cutting” ceremony at SilverSummit’s recent community health fair at Paradise Park Recreation Center.

The farmers market is an immersive, no-cost shopping experience that will travel to underserved areas across southern Nevada, providing free fruits and vegetables to families.  Residents will be greeted with recipe cards and then invited to shop for those ingredients at the stands. Community Health representatives will be onsite to meet with participants to assess additional services needed, and SilverSummit will provide follow-up to their members ensuring medical and social needs are met.

“As an organization that is committed to building a stronger, healthier and connected community, the value of the support from SilverSummit Healthplan cannot be overstated,” said Brooke Neubauer, founder and CEO of The Just One Project. “This partnership not only provides fresh groceries, recipes, and nutritional information, it also gives our team of resource navigators the opportunity to help remove barriers to services for southern Nevada community members directly in neighborhoods where they live.”

The Just One Project’s farmers market is powered by SilverSummit Healthplan, a managed care plan that delivers quality health insurance to the people of Nevada. SilverSummit is committed to improving the health of its members through collaboration with community-based organizations, like the Just One Project. Earlier this year, SilverSummit and The Just One Project also partnered on the launch of “The Sweet Spot,” a mobile nutrition-focused program designed to educate children and their families on nutritious foods and healthy habits needed to live an overall healthy life.

“Our partnership with The Just One Project helps to connect our members that live in identified food deserts with access to culturally appropriate fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Nicole King, vice president of community solutions at SilverSummit Healthplan. “At SilverSummit Healthplan we empower our members to be active participants in their health and wellbeing which supports our mission transforming the health of the community, one person at a time.”

The Farmers Market is a part of The Just One Project’s Food for All Project, which aims to remove barriers and create access to fresh groceries and vital resources. In 2021, these programs served 249,293 clients and delivered over 6 million pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables, and pantry essentials. For more information on The Just One Project’s farmers market and a schedule of events, please visit www.TheJustOneProject.org.

About The Just One Project

The Just One Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is Southern Nevada’s largest mobile food pantry, serving more than 20,000 people monthly through the Food For All Project that focuses on bringing nutrition directly to food-insecure populations via its community market, mobile food pantry, valley-wide pop ups and deliveries. The organization’s operational model is designed for flexibility and scalability, allowing The Just One Project to nimbly meet the needs of the community as demand grows and shifts. To learn more, visit www.TheJustOneProject.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter.

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. The plan is dedicated to transforming the health of the community, 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 Healthplan, visit www.silversummithealthplan.com.

Monkeypox vaccine available at more locations, service hours and access expanded

The Southern Nevada Health District and Southern Nevada Community Health Center are continuing their efforts to make services more accessible to the community. To this end, the Health District has expanded hours at its main public health center and is transitioning to a Monday through Thursday schedule for clinical and many customer-based services, effective October 3, 2022. The new Fremont Public Health Center is open Tuesday through Friday and offers clinical services and Food Handler Safety Training Cards, and the East Las Vegas Public Health Center provides an Immunization Clinic location that is also open Tuesday through Friday to ensure the public has access to services five days a week.

Monkeypox Clinics — New Clinic Locations:

CSN North Las Vegas

3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Monday through Thursday; 8 – 11 a.m.

Friday; 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Closed 11 a.m. – noon)

CSN Charleston

6375 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146

Monday through Thursday; 8 – 11 a.m.

Friday; 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Closed 11 a.m. – noon)

Fremont Public Health Center

2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104

Tuesday through Friday

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monkeypox and COVID-19 vaccines will be offered at the Fremont Public Health Center beginning Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

Main Public Health Center — CLINIC LOCATION MOVING

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

Monday through Thursday

8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

On Friday, September 30, the Health District’s vaccination clinic located in the white structure on the south side of its main building will close. Both monkeypox and COVID-19 vaccinations will resume by appointment inside the main facility beginning October 3.

Appointments are available at https://vax4nv.nv.gov/s/.

Southern Nevada Health District Public Health Centers

Main Public Health Center

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

Immunization Clinic

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By Appointment only

Sexual Health Clinic

Monday through Thursday

8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Appointments and walk-ins

Closed first Thursday of every month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Food Handler Card Services

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By appointment only

Birth and Death Certificates

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

U.S. Passport Services

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

East Las Vegas Public Health Center

2950 E. Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89101

Immunization Clinic

Tuesday through Friday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By appointment only

Fremont Public Health Center

2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104

Food Handler Safety Training Cards (Opening Tuesday, October 4)

Tuesday through Friday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By appointment only

Henderson Public Health Center

220 E. Horizon, Dr., Suites A&C

Immunization Clinic

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By appointment only

Food Handler Safety Training Cards

Monday through Thursday

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By appointment only

All Saints Sexual Health Clinic

at All Saints Episcopal Church; 4201 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89107

Monday through Thursday

8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) By appointment only

Services and hours at the Mesquite and Laughlin Public Health Centers have not changed. For a complete listing of Health District Public Health Center locations, including programs and services, go to https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/about-us/maps/.

Southern Nevada Community Health Center

Main Public Health Center

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

Monday through Thursday

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fremont Public Health Center

2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104

Tuesday through Friday

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Visit the Southern Nevada Community Health Center website for more information about the Community Health Centers and services available at www.snchc.org.

B4 Women in Tech—a WGU initiative to help more women of color earn IT degrees.

With Black, Latina, and Native American women still woefully underrepresented in the ever-expanding tech and computing fields, WGU and WGU Academy have partnered with Reboot Representation Tech Coalition to do something about it.

The aim of the newly created B4 Women in Tech is to support these women in earning IT degrees and breaking into the competitive IT field. WGU hopes to remove barriers to entry for women of color by offering a clear path to an IT degree while easing the burden of cost. The funding allotted to B4 Women in Tech can help close the gap between the cost of a degree and awarded grants or scholarships for your employees. This is the perfect opportunity to bring new skills and diversity to your workforce.

B4 WOMEN IN TECH

Learn More

What makes WGU the best option for women of color looking into an IT degree?

• Flexible—Online coursework accessible 24/7. No set log-in or test times.
• Affordable—With this new initiative and other scholarships and grants, eligible students could earn their degrees at little to no out-of-pocket cost.
• Accredited—WGU is nationally recognized and accredited at the same level as most public or state universities.
• Accelerated—Course progress is measured by concept mastery, not time spent in class.
• Supportive—Dedicated mentors work one-on-one with students, supporting them from enrollment to graduation.

Other WGU benefits include:

• WGU Academy—A three-month College Readiness Program that helps build the skills new students need to succeed in higher education and their future careers.
• WGU Ambassadors—Women who have already graduated from WGU’s College of IT who guide new students, provide personalized insights, and answer questions.
• Transcript Concierge Service—Students can elect to have WGU request transcripts from their previous college or university when they apply, further simplifying the transfer process.

Let your eligible employees know how they can earn a career-changing IT degree with WGU and B4 Women in Tech. Visit wgu.edu/b4women to learn more.