Just as the Las Vegas Medical District is growing and evolving, so is its Advisory Council, an important group of stakeholders charged with the responsibility of reviewing and making recommendations that advance the District and its impact on the community. This includes planning of the area, land use, new medical businesses, expansions and safety. The committee also sets the vision for the District and provides a guide for membership.

Just last month, this 26-member group grew by three new members that each bring a unique perspective to the ongoing evolution and development of the area. New members include Angela Quinn, CEO and President, FirstMed Health and Wellness Center; Jon Bilstein, Executive Director, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada; and Dr. Robert McBeath, CEO, Southwest Medical Associates.

Quinn, a 20-year veteran community developer with expertise in community and economic development and highly experienced in nonprofit “turnarounds,” has developed, along with her team, more than $100 million in capital projects over the past two decades. In February 2016, she took over a failing but committed federally qualified health center (FQHC), FirstMed Health and Wellness Center. Today, FirstMed boasts three locations throughout the valley and a multi-lingual staff that includes more than 20 licensed therapists, five medical doctors, seven case managers and a psychiatrist. FirstMed provides comprehensive primary care and preventive care, including health, oral and mental health services to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay or health insurance status. FirstMed annually serves more than 9,000 patients via 18,000-plus visits.

Bilstein, who serves as the executive director of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), previously oversaw all operations of the organization as its practice director from 2007 through 2014. Today, under Bilstein’s leadership, CCCN has grown to 14 treatment centers and offices throughout Southern Nevada with more than 500 employees. Among Bilstein’s proudest accomplishments at CCCN is the breast surgery division he on-boarded in 2010 to elevate the quality of oncology care and build upon CCCN’s dedication to research and the introduction of breakthrough treatments. Prior to rejoining CCCN as executive director in 2017, Bilstein served as chief executive officer of Nevada Orthopedic and Spine Center. Bilstein is a member of CEOs Against Cancer, Nevada Chapter for the American Cancer Society and serves on the Advisory Council for the Las Vegas Medical District. He formerly served as secretary of the Board of Directors for HealtHIE Nevada.

Dr. McBeath, who serves as President, Optum Health Collaborative Care Nevada and CEO of Southwest Medical Associates, oversees all of Optum’s Nevada clinical operations, including the state’s largest multispecialty medical group practice – Southwest Medical Associates that employs more than 300 physicians and mid-level providers throughout its affiliated companies. Prior to joining Optum Health, Dr. McBeath founded Urology Specialists of Nevada in 1996 and created a vertically integrated urologic cancer treatment center which includes state of the art robotically assisted cancer surgery program combined with a full service radiation oncology division. Dr. McBeath has served in multiple leadership positions including Chief of Urology for both Mountain View and Summerlin Hospitals and Chief of Surgery for Summerlin Hospital. He is a member of American Urologic Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee and is a past member of UHC National Physician Advisory Committee. Currently, he holds a teaching appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery & Gynecology, University of Nevada School of Medicine and is a member of the Community Advisory Board for the new UNLV School of Medicine.

Established by the Las Vegas City Council in 1997 to physically bring together a variety of medical services and providers near and around UMC (University Medical Center), the Las Vegas Medical District (LVMD) was created with the goal to expand and improve medical care in Southern Nevada. But due to market conditions and economic challenges, the District sat stagnant for years. In 2015, the city completed a Las Vegas Medical District master plan to guide its development, and today, the area is rapidly evolving and on track to become the true center of medicine in our valley.

It will help attract new, high-paying employers to the region as well as advance a higher quality of life. And further development of the LVMD will provide jobs, bolster the health of Southern Nevadans and stimulate development near the city of Las Vegas’ vital assets downtown like Fremont East, Symphony Park and the 18B Arts District.

Rendering: LVMD rendering showing planned entry into the district.