Dear Colleagues,
I am proud to announce the completion of the Academic Health Center Affiliation Agreement between University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC) and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, an important milestone that strengthens our shared commitment to advancing medical education, research, innovation, and patient care for Southern Nevada. This week, the affiliation agreement received approval from both the Clark County Board of County Commissioners and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents, marking a significant step forward for our institutions and our community. This landmark achievement establishes the foundation for a premier academic health center that unites the strengths of UMC and ÐÔÊӽ紫ý to enhance healthcare, education, and discovery across our region.
UMC has always been our primary teaching hospital partner. Through this negotiation, there are some changes including, but not limited to, funding strategies, sponsoring institution for certain GME programs, and changes with resident time tracking.
This long-term collaboration reflects a bold vision for the future. Through an initial five-year structure, UMC and ÐÔÊӽ紫ý are building an environment where education, clinical excellence, and scientific discovery converge to improve health outcomes while preparing the next generation of physicians and healthcare leaders.
Beyond education and clinical training, this collaboration opens new opportunities to advance research initiatives, expand community engagement efforts, enhance shared services, and develop coordinated approaches that improve efficiency and increase access to care. Through joint leadership councils and collaborative planning, both organizations are well positioned to build a stronger and more connected academic health ecosystem.
This affiliation represents more than a contract – it reflects a shared commitment to the future. Together, UMC and ÐÔÊӽ紫ý are building an academic health center that will serve as a model for improving healthcare for generations of Southern Nevadans.
There is work to do to set up the specified leadership councils for our partnership areas and to actualize all of the opportunity areas in the agreement and both teams will be working on this in the coming months.
I would like to thank the many individuals whose input, dedication, and partnership made this achievement possible. The future of healthcare education and patient care in our region has never been brighter.
Best regards,
Alison Netski, MD
Interim Dean, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
Interim Vice President for Health Affairs, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý