In 1988, Dr. Leon Steinberg, Dr. David Steinberg and Dr. Mark Winkler watched as the construction was finalized on the very first Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI) building.  As SDMI remembers the life of Dr. Leon Steinberg, it looks back at what has grown from his dreams. SDMI may have opened its doors 30 years ago, but Dr. Leon saw the potential of a dedicated outpatient radiology practice long before that.

“My father often reminded us that it takes hard work and dedication, but he knew what SDMI could become and gave us the vision to build on,” said Dr. David Steinberg.

In 1958, Dr. Leon Steinberg came to Las Vegas to help Sunrise Hospital build the first radiology center in Southern Nevada. Through his experience in the hospital setting, he saw a need for more patient-friendly options for medical imaging and aimed to build such a   practice. Dr. David Haas was the first radiologist hired at SDMI and when asked to look back over the last 30 years he had this to say: “The first time I met Leon Steinberg he said to me ‘If the patient comes first, everything else will fall in to place’. It was that vision that made me so pleased to choose to work with SDMI. Today, SDMI is the patriarchal radiology practice in Southern Nevada where staff and doctors embody the highest morals and ethical standards. SDMI provides an environment where everyone has an opportunity to succeed.”

The dreams of one man are now a city-wide legacy stretching from the heart of the Las Vegas Medical District on the corner of Shadow Lane and the newly renamed Wellness Way to the Henderson Health Corridor.  In total, more than 450 staff members and 30 radiologists care for more than 1,000 patients every day at SDMI’s eight locations.

SDMI’s patient-centric focus is evident throughout its facilities, from design conception to installed equipment and to the employees who are chosen to work there and represent the brand. “SDMI is consistently the first to introduce new technology to Southern Nevada because every patient deserves the best imaging available. We work tirelessly to ensure they receive it,” said Dr. Winkler.

SDMI’s 30th anniversary includes expansion of its executive staff. Recently promoted are Michelle Nicholl, Chief Human Resources Officer; Devon Evanski, Chief Financial Officer; and Rachel Papka, Chief Health Informatics Officer. They join reigning chiefs: Jerry Hartman, Operating Officer; Don Shackley, Information Officer; and Stacey Webb, Administrative Officer. Together, these six individuals continue to direct SDMI’s strategic growth, keeping patient care at the center.

“At SDMI, we continually analyze workflow, educate staff and work to increase our patient experience efforts to ensure we are growing in a way that honors the foundation on which we were built,” said Webb.

With Dr. David Steinberg at the helm and a leadership team so deeply rooted in Southern Nevada, it is no wonder that putting community first has been easy for SDMI.

This year continues its support of notable events like, Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure, American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink and CEO’s Against Cancer initiatives and most recently SDMI joined the American Lung Association as it celebrated 10 years of Scale the Strat with a team of 10 dedicated employees.

SDMI has no plans of slowing down in the years to come: You can continue to expect the same exceptional standards of patient care, top-notch equipment and community involvement from now until their next milestone anniversary and beyond.

Photo: Courtesy of SDMI; From left to right: Dr. David Steinberg, Dr. Mark Winkler and Dr. Leon Steinberg