Presenting Vegas Inc’s 2022 Health Care Headliners

Vegas Inc’s Health Care Headliners has honored some of the most dedicated medical professionals in the Valley for 16 years. This year, we are proud to showcase the phenomenal talent of 10 individuals leading the way. From doctors and nurses, to EMTs and administrators, these health care leaders are innovating, educating and transforming the health care landscape for Southern Nevada. Their collective commitment to making positive change in the industry, and in the health of our community, is sure to inspire you.  

The 2022 Health Care Headliners originally appeared in a special issue of Vegas Inc’s Health Care Quarterly. Sign up to get each of Vegas Inc’s special publications delivered to your inbox on the day of their release.

Jeffrey Castillo, MSN

Emergency Services

Clinical Director, UMC Adult Emergency Department and UMC Trauma Center | University Medical Center of Southern Nevada | Years in Health Care: 20

Jeffrey Castillo guided UMC’s Adult Emergency Department through the most challenging public health crisis in the hospital’s 90-year history. As a result of his efforts, UMC’s front-line emergency medicine team had the necessary supplies, personal protective equipment and clinical space to care for an influx of critically ill patients during the community’s time of need.

Why did you choose this career?

I enjoy working in a dynamic environment that promotes teamwork to support the best possible outcomes for our patients.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Every day is different, and the challenges I face are unique, requiring a thoughtful approach in decision-making to meet the needs of patients, staff and our community as a whole.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Truthfully, I’m most proud of my ohana (family). My wife and four children enrich my life and inspire me every day.

What is your personal motto when it comes to advocating healthy living?

We are gifted with one life. Fight for your better life every day.

What excites you the most about the advancements in health care?

Clinical technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, with groundbreaking devices and procedures that support improved medical outcomes. I remember speaking with the inventor of the first pacemaker and founder of Medtronic, Mr. Earl Bakken. He told us, “It’s only a matter of time before cardiology is on your phone.” Fast forward to the present day, and you can now monitor an EKG on your phone. Technology is improving the way health care operates and is delivered to patients.

Evelyn Montalvo Stanton, MD

Physician

Chair of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology | Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV | Years in Health Care: 34

Both clinically and through education, Dr. Evelyn Montalvo Stanton has helped lead the pediatric medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Nevada. She has worked to ensure children received proper vaccines and testing, and she has educated the public on the proper protocol responses to COVID-19 for school-age children and their parents.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Creating partnerships in improving health care with UNLV, community pediatricians and other hospitals in the area. I also enjoy teaching our medical students and pediatric residents, as they are future physicians for our Vegas community.

Why is it important to you to be a part of making Las Vegas a healthier community?

I am a member of the American Lung Association of Nevada. It is important for me as a pediatric pulmonologist to educate our community on lung diseases, in particular asthma and climate change and environmental pollution affecting our health and the health of our children.

What is one piece of advice you can share about the importance of health?

My advice is to be proactive, ask questions and be advocates for your children. Seek your pediatrician’s advice in addressing the well-being and health of your child. We are the voices for your children.

What are you working on for the future?

I have submitted two proposals to the state of Nevada, Clark County and city of Las Vegas on developing a wellness center for children where we can address nutrition, exercise and well-being for inner-city youths. The other is a proposal for an inner-city school-based clinic that will not only provide medical and psychological care for children but also foster educational opportunities for families as well as school nurses and teachers.

Donald Giancursio

Lifetime Achievement

CEO Nevada Market | United HealthCare | Years in Health Care: 39

Donald Giancursio has dedicated decades to working to strengthen health care in Nevada, developing and providing a diverse array of solutions for employee health care coverage. He is a servant leader—his competency and wisdom matched by his compassion and sincerity.

Tell us a little about your current role.

I have been responsible for overseeing the Nevada commercial and Medicaid insurance businesses for United HealthCare since 2009. I began my career in the industry right out of college. It was an interesting opportunity at the time. I grew fond of it and never looked back.

What is a professional accomplishment you are most proud of?

Our Nevada market is continually ranked as one of the top-performing markets for United HealthCare nationally. The rankings cover a broad spectrum of metrics, but the one that is consistently at the top is customer retention. We have retained the highest percentage of our customers each year since I have been in this role. It speaks to the value we deliver to the market and the solutions we provide our customers.

What are some of the most important health care priorities for Southern Nevada?

Finding ways to increase our provider population; recruiting more physicians and health care personnel so that access to care becomes more readily available to our residents; and continuing to educate the community on the importance of health screenings, routine care and healthy living.

What is one piece of advice you can share about the importance of health?

Life is unpredictable in many ways. We can’t take our health for granted. We must practice healthy habits—taking care of your body as best as possible. Be mindful of the preventive and routine health care visits and services we all should practice.

Nicole Mackie, DDS, MS, FACP

Dentistry

Prosthodontist, Doctor Owner | Dr. Nicole Mackie Dental Implant Specialty Center | Years in Health Care: 12

Dr. Nicole Mackie is usually the last resort for patients who are left feeling defeated from severe dental loss and pain. Performing over 8,000 dental implants in her career, she provides these patients a permanent smile—helping people at their lowest regain confidence and quality of life.

Why did you choose this career?

It is a specialty of dentistry that is dedicated to the reconstruction of health, function and beauty with a long-lasting approach. My first patient in dental school had ectodermal dysplasia and was born with many missing teeth. My attendings told me to take him to the post graduate prosthodontic clinic to be treated. They were transforming lives, not just teeth and smiles. It was life changing and creative all in one.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The reveals—the transformations I see at the end of the surgery when patients feel like their lives just began. They are joyous, happy and grateful. It is a constant reminder to me why I love what I do.

What is your personal motto when it comes to living a healthy life?

To have balance. Everything in the body—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual—are all connected. With balance, we can aim to achieve health and happiness in all facets.

Why is it important to you to be a part of making Las Vegas a healthier community?

If I can be a contributing factor for people to be their happiest and healthiest, they will be contributing in their own way back and the trickle effect will happen. The city will thrive, people will have positive interactions with each other, and the net effective growth can be good for all aspects of the community.

Wolfgang Gilliar, DO

Education

Dean and Chief Academic Officer | Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine | Years in Health Care: 35

Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar has dedicated his professional life to innovating and transforming medical education to advance the practice of health care to a truly patient-centered, population-based approach, supported by illuminating research.

Tell us about your current role.

As dean and chief academic officer of the largest medical school in Nevada, we have the opportunity to prepare our graduates as sought-after medical practitioners who want to serve in the Southern Nevada region. Today’s challenges help formulate solutions for the future and thus I enjoy the ability to be creative in the medical education and research domain.

What is a professional accomplishment that you are proud of?

When I see that our students are successful. We have had three years in a row where our students performed among the top medical schools in the medical licensure/board examinations among all osteopathic medical schools. It is wonderful to see how successful our students are and how they contribute to the greater good.

What are some of the most important health care priorities for Southern Nevada?

We need more physicians and health care professionals in the region. Another priority is to attract physicians to move here. We need to make the overall “medical domain” one that people are interested in joining and wanting to move to the Southern Nevada region.

What are you working on for the future?

Touro received a $2.6 million grant from the United Health Foundation to build and provide mobile prenatal health services to underserved women and to bring a maternal-health curriculum to the current educational agenda. We also have had the extraordinarily good fortune to provide hand-held ultrasound devices to our students, which will revolutionize the way the students and future doctors will be able to use cutting-edge technology to diagnose new conditions.

Sam Schmidt

Innovation

Founder/Chairman | Conquer Paralysis Now | Years in Health Care: 21

Sam Schmidt is an innovator in pursuing cutting-edge technology to assist those with paralysis in gaining greater independence and mobility. He has raised millions of dollars to fund research to find a cure for paralysis, as well as to assist those with spinal cord injuries.

Tell us a little about your current role.

Unfortunately, it chose me when I sustained a spinal cord injury 22 years ago. Soon after, our community of family and friends decided we would start a foundation to find a cure and assist others with neurological disorders.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Discovering breakthroughs to improve quality of life for those with disabilities, as well as continuing the fight to cure paralysis. Also, playing a small part in assisting others to pursue their passions in life despite disability.

What is a professional accomplishment you are most proud of?

Opening the DRIVEN Neuro Recovery Center. We take anyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. We have found the people that need the services we offer are usually the ones that do not have insurance that covers their needs.

What is something you are dedicated to changing about the health care industry?

We are committed to influencing the rehabilitation process. If insurance companies would fund more comprehensive rehabilitation on the front side, it would greatly improve the outcomes and independence of the client, not to mention provide a substantial cost savings over the long term.

What is one piece of advice you can share about the importance of health?

Rehabilitation is not only physical, but it is about mental well-being as well. You’ll never recover to your maximum capability without strong mental health and a positive attitude.

Linda Hawley, PMHNP

Nursing

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | Access Psychiatric Associates | Years in Health Care: 12

The mentally ill in our community have not been well taken care of and Linda Hawley has devoted her life to helping those with mental health issues find a better way to live. She is a genuinely compassionate and caring individual who is sought out for her expertise in psychiatry.

Why did you choose this career?

I became a nurse after my husband died from prostate cancer. I wanted to leave the world a better place and it seemed nursing was a good path. Then, my son committed suicide three months before graduation. I became deeply angry at how little help seemed to be available for psychiatric patients, so I worked in both medical and psychiatric hospitals–medical for a better medical grounding and psychiatry because I felt that if I could help at least one other mother not have to bury her son, I would have made a difference.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My patients. I love to help people improve their experience in life by improving mood, sleep, anxiety, and achieving and maintaining sobriety. I am honored to be able to help others find hope and happiness again.

What excites you most about the advancements in health care?

I am excited about new modalities and new medications for depression, anxiety and psychosis. NMDA shows big promise for treatment of PTSD. Psilocybin is showing promise for depression. I opened a clinic so I could be prepared to offer any modality that shows efficacy based on rigorous scientific research.

What is something you’d like others to understand about your job?

The brain is the most complex organ we have. It is also the organ we understand the least about. Organs can and do malfunction. Let’s all be a bit more understanding that brain malfunctions can be a big problem for some people. Also, if your medication isn’t working, please don’t give up! It is likely the wrong medication or the wrong dose. Seek help until we get it right. Insist on it.

K. Alexander Malone, MD

Community Outreach

Medical Director | Nevada National Security Site | Years in Health Care: 30

Dr. K. Alexander Malone is constantly searching for ways to do good for the people who need it most—working for years as an emergency physician in several understaffed or underserved areas. Raised in Nevada, he is always on the lookout for ways to use his role as a leader, mentor and champion to find new ways to “pay it forward” in our community.

Tell us a little about your current role.

I currently oversee the medical operations in support of the personnel and programmatic activity at the Nevada National Security Site. Though emergency medicine and emergency medical services are part of this role, it is more aligned with occupational medicine than any other specialty.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Hands down, it’s the people. It’s been incredibly humbling to lead a team of skilled professionals throughout this pandemic. Educating and protecting our workforce from COVID-19 has been our priority for over two years.

What are some of the most important health care priorities for Southern Nevada?

I’m a huge advocate for public health and the first responder community. Ongoing support for the Southern Nevada Health District will only help all of Southern Nevada. For many of our less fortunate and underserved community members, this is their only source of health care. For our first responders, I would like to see continued emphasis on injury and illness prevention, and ongoing development of occupational health and wellness programs for them.

What is next for you?

I am currently completing my master’s in public health at Johns Hopkins University and pursuing my second board certification in occupational medicine.

What is one piece of advice you can share about the importance of health?

If there’s just one thing, it’s that there are usually several opportunities to avoid a bad outcome before it occurs. Eat well, exercise regularly, get adequate rest and visit your doctor as recommended.

Nicole Stephens, Ph.D.

Research/Science

Regulatory Compliance and Site Selection Coordinator | Optum Care Cancer Care | Years in Health Care: 24

Dr. Nicole Stephens is an independent thinker who is knowledgeable and up to date on the latest ideas, processes and trends as well as the necessary requirements to excel in the regulatory sphere and site selection field.

Why did you choose this career?

I initially chose health care research in the laboratory setting, as biology was my first fascination. While working on a human papillomavirus and cervical cancer research team, I was invited to become part of a related team conducting HPV vaccine trials. From that experience, I became inspired by the clinical trials process, as it was a true “bench to bedside” experience.

What is the thing you enjoy most about your job?

I thrive on being part of our inspired, hardworking and passionate team with an ultimate focus on the treatment and well-being of cancer patients.

Are you involved with any organizations in the community?

I volunteer in support of the American Cancer Society and Nevada Cancer Coalition. The ACS offers grants through programs, including the ResearcHERs effort to support female researchers studying cancers that affect women, and the NCC works with the Legislature and providers statewide to expand access to screening.

What are the most important health care priorities for Southern Nevada?

Cancer screening and HPV vaccination rates are below national averages here in Southern Nevada. Since screening reduces mortality and severity of cancer, it is crucial for us to expand access and stress the importance of prevention.

What are you working on for the future?

We are expanding our “menu” of clinical trials to ensure that patients with different types of cancer can have more options for care. We are also dedicated to educating the next generation of oncologists and have developed a new training program.

Jennifer Riggs, Ph.D.

Manager/Administrator

Executive Director | AccentCare | Years in Health Care: 12

Dr. Jennifer Riggs has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and customer service skills that drive facility growth and safeguards quality patient care—holding steadfast to the patient and family focus of end-of-life care.

Why did you choose this career?

After working in assisted living and skilled nursing, I was looking for a place in which I felt I could truly serve patients who were needing end-of-life care, and work for an organization that was reimagining what care means to patients. That is what led me to AccentCare.

What are some of the most important health care priorities for Southern Nevada?

It is my passion—especially as a veteran—to raise awareness of health inequality and improve health equity for all.

Providing health care services for those in our community who have been underserved, and even economically or socially marginalized—that includes our veterans— is a health care urgency.

What excites you most about the advancements in health care?

Individuals spending less time in the hospitals and being able to spend more time at home surrounded by family and friends. In hospice, we always try to understand what a “good” death is. I believe that being able to die a peaceful death is one of the most important things for an individual.

What are you working on for the future?

My team and I are working on becoming a Level 5 We Honor Veterans community partner, which is the highest level to obtain. The goal of the program is to care for and honor those who have served our country when they reach the end of life.