Southwest Medical Associates Donates $145,000 to Enhance Training of Touro University Nevada Physician Assistant Students
Southwest Medical Associates, part of OptumCare, donated $145,000 to the Touro University Nevada Physician Assistant Studies Program to fund the purchase of new equipment and training materials.
The donation enabled the Touro Physician Assistant Program to purchase three ultrasound machines and models. Students will use these tools to learn about and practice performing joint injections, and will allow the institution to enhance the curriculum to include joint injections and bedside procedures like venous access and FAST scans. The added advanced-care training will enhance graduates’ ability to perform at the top of their licensure in any clinical setting, including acute care medicine.
“Our School of Physician Assistant Studies is committed to producing high-quality health care providers,” said Shelley Berkley, CEO and Senior Provost of Touro University. “We are thrilled to receive this generous gift from Southwest Medical, which is vital to our PA Program and will provide our students with additional skills.”
In addition to the ultrasound machines, the funding from Southwest Medical will help the PA program improve the EKG and pulmonary function test interpretation required of students. This training is imperative, as every student must possess these critical skills in both acute and primary care practice.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support Touro University’s efforts to provide its students with innovative technology that will enhance their training and their skills. Supporting the healthcare education system in Nevada leads to greater access to quality care for patients and improves the health care system,” said Dr. Robert McBeath, M.D., President and CEO of Southwest Medical.
“The benefit of this gift to our Physician Assistant Program is immeasurable,” said Dr. Phil Tobin, Director of Touro’s Physician Assistant Program. “This partnership with Southwest Medical will truly expand the students’ educational experience at Touro, and will better prepare them for their clinical education phase and, ultimately, their practice career.”
About Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada (TUN) is a private, non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution established to help address critical needs in health care and education and as a resource for community service in the state of Nevada. TUN opened its doors in 2004 and is now home to nearly 1,400 students, in a wide variety of degree programs including osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, education, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The university’s Henderson campus includes a multi-specialty health center and a multi-disciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. For more information on TUN, please visit www.tun.touro.edu or call 702- 777-8687.
About Southwest Medical Associates
Southwest Medical, part of OptumCareTM, was founded in Las Vegas in 1972 and is one of Nevada’s largest multispecialty medical groups with over 350 local health care providers in 30 health care centers, including six urgent care centers, five convenient cares, two outpatient surgery centers and two lifestyle centers catering to older adults, plus access to a network of 630 providers throughout southern Nevada. Our full spectrum of healthcare services includes Southwest Medical Associates Hospice, improving the quality of life for people experiencing a terminal illness. We bring care and comfort home to our patients through Home Health Services, Home Care Plus and Total Home Care and Palliative Care, part of the continuum of care for all stages of a person’s life. For more than four decades we have provided this experienced, compassionate, innovative and high-quality care to patients throughout Southern Nevada. From our 24-hour urgent care center to industry-leading technology such as convenient e-visits and online options like the NowClinic® telemedicine platform, Southwest Medical’s goal is to bring patients the health care they want, the way they want it. For more information: SMALV.COM.
For media information, please contact:
Mandi McCary
Touro University
702-277-7107
mandi@mmgnv.com
