On June 21, the Clark County Commission formally transferred more than nine acres to UNLV for its new medical school, taking the final step in a historic move to transform the Las Vegas health care landscape.

The commission unanimously approved a resolution transferring the site at 625 Shadow Lane to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and UNLV. The medical education building, which will be located near the university’s Shadow Lane Campus and University Medical Center (UMC), will be the primary academic home for the school and its teaching, research and clinical programs.

“This partnership is indicative of the overwhelming collaboration and commitment in southern Nevada and statewide to make the UNLV School of Medicine truly world class,” said UNLV President Len Jessup. “Its impact stretches beyond the physical development of a medical school and academic health center. It represents a true community benefit.”

The UNLV School of Medicine, on track to welcome its charter class next summer, is creating a center of excellence and innovation for medical education, patient care, and research to serve the health care needs of southern Nevada’s diverse multi-cultural community.

When classes for the UNLV School of Medicine tentatively begin next July, medical students will temporarily occupy newly renovated space at the UNLV Dental School on the Shadow Lane Campus. The 20,000-squre-foot space consists of classrooms and labs, study spaces and a health sciences library. Its location in the Las Vegas Medical District – and just down the street from the future building – will encourage immediate collaboration and provide a seamless transition when the new building is constructed.

Architect Tate, Snyder, Kimsey (TSK) of Henderson will complete a site plan for the new land and work with CO Architects of Los Angeles, a specialty firm specializing in health education, to design the planned 100,000 to 150,000-square-foot medical education building.

“We’re thrilled about the progress made to date — thanks to everyone in this amazing community. It’s wonderful to know our future students and residents will have the opportunity to learn their profession working alongside excellent physicians and health care professionals in the Las Vegas Medical District to improve access to high-quality care for generations,” said Founding Dean Barbara Atkinson, MD.

Photo: A ceremonial deed-signing event was held on the future site of UNLV School of Medicine