The HSS has been created to address Nevada’s community health issues. By definition, the HSS is: A statewide collaboration of higher education health science programs and educators, health care professionals and practitioners, business partners and community stakeholders to meet the health and wellness needs of Nevada’s adults, children and families. If successful, it will be the catalyst for health system change in our state by increasing and retaining the number of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.

The need for the HSS is critical. Currently, Nevada is one of the least healthy states in the nation, with high rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental illnesses. It also ranks one of the lowest in preventive care including pre-natal and dental care, flu vaccinations and blood cholesterol monitoring. Given the state’s ranking in health professionals to population, Nevadans have one of the lowest rates of access to care: 45th in physicians, 49th in nurses and similar low rates in other health professions.

As we expand the purpose and goals of the HSS during these early stages of development, the mission statement of the HSS is:

To promote the advancement of health education, health research, health care and community outreach, through maximizing and enhancing resources efficiently and effectively.

If we accomplish our mission, the HSS will create much needed access to health care; increased funding for research; enhanced economic development and diversification; more opportunities for students to stay in Nevada; a pool of expert health care professionals; and, a better health care system in our state overall.

Reporting to the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), the initial goals of the HSS are:

1.   to foster collaboration among the eight Nevada higher education institutions, and link and integrate the university health science schools and

2.   programs, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health.

We recently conducted an inventory of health science programs within the eight institutions (inventory chart attached) and found that there are more than 200 programs representing approximately $400 million of the overall $1.2 billion annual NSHE budget. Our next step is to conduct a complete health science programmatic assessment that will help us better understand how each of the 200 programs on the chart can collaborate to enhance our students’ learning experiences and outcomes, and help us achieve our mission and goals for the benefit of all Nevadans.

The HSS Foundation currently holds more than $1.3 million in total assets with an additional $300,000 in outstanding commitments. The foundation trustees are led by Thom Reilly, foundation president and Harvey Whittemore, foundation vice president who provide the strategic direction of the foundation and advance its philanthropic enterprise.

UNHSS staff also engages in key outreach activities with stakeholders and the community to encourage participation in the development of the UNHSS:

·   Board of Regents Health Sciences System Advisory Committee
Committee formed May 2006
·   Interdisciplinary NSHE Health Sciences Deans and Program Directors
A working group focused on research initiative development, program planning and development, and collaboration
·   Graduate Medical Education collaborative development planning committee
Collaboration with five hospitals and Touro to plan GME expansion
·   Development of new and existing partnerships
Lou Ruvo Brain Institute; Nevada Cancer Institute; City of Las Vegas
·   Governmental Relations
Local, State, Federal
·   Community Outreach
Speakers bureau, stakeholder outreach
 
To learn more about with HSS, please call (702) 889-8426 or write:
Health Sciences System of the Nevada System of Higher Education
Nevada System of Higher Education
5550 W. Flamingo Road, Ste. C-1
Las Vegas, NV 89103