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Home , Fellowship (medicine), Touro University Nevada

CONNECTING YOU WITH THE TOURO COMMUNITY TO SERVE. TO LEAD. TO TEACH.

ISSUE 4 JUNE 2019 WELCOME I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in helping to make Touro University one of the most prestigious universities in the nation.

Although I wasn’t born in Nevada, I have been fortunate to call Nevada my home for most of my life and I am proud to be a Nevadan. My family came to this small desert town in the 1960s, and it has been a privilege to see how much Southern Nevada has blossomed.

With nearly 3 million people living in the state, we are growing at a very fast rate. With more and more people deciding to move their families here, having strong healthcare and education systems are imperative to our future growth and success. At , we are doing a remarkable job training the next generation of professionals in healthcare and education to meet the needs of SP R I N G CO M M EN C EM EN T our ever-growing population. More than 250 Touro University Nevada graduates received Keeping our graduates in Nevada is key. As our population continues to grow, their degrees during Spring Commencement on May 13. it is more important than ever that we have enough doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, assistants, and teachers to meet the needs of the state.

It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of this fine state for more than 30 years. From my beginnings as a state legislator until the day I left Congress, I have cherished every opportunity to help improve the lives of my fellow Nevadans. Now in my capacity as CEO and Senior Provost of Touro, I am honored to continue my life-long commitment to our wonderful state.

In this issue of Touro YOU, our “Home Means Nevada” edition, I invite you to read and learn about the impact we are having in the state we call home.

Shelley Berkley CEO and Senior Provost Touro University Western Division

2 | TOURO YOU | 3 CONNECTING CADD families had a blast riding The High Roller and celebrated with a party that included face WITH painting, balloon animals, healthy snacks, and more. Shortly before 8 p.m. that night, families and Touro staff, students, and administrators gathered outside for a group photo in front of The High Roller as it turned blue in celebration of Autism Awareness Month.

“Our ‘Building Blocks’ carnival and ‘Light It Up Blue’ party were wonderful events for our very Touro University Nevada Connects with ‘Differently- Abled’ special populations,” said , CEO Communities During “Building Blocks” Party and “Light It Up Blue” and Senior Provost of Touro University Western Division. “At Touro University Nevada, we will always do our best to help improve the lives of all Nevadans.”

Although Touro University Nevada has Additional partners included the soon- games and food court, others gave only been in town for 15 years, it has to-be Raiders, the Las Vegas tours of the university’s three mobile always been honored to have been a Lights, and others. healthcare clinics. part of the . Students from the Colleges of “I wanted to participate in the Building Touro already provides free healthcare Osteopathic Medicine and Health and Blocks Party because I love interacting services to some of the community’s Human Services also worked together with children,” said first-year medical most vulnerable populations, but the to create unique low/limited/full student Yesenia Vasquez. “It also gave university wanted to engage with a sensory carnival games specifically me the opportunity to put my bilingual different population. for the party. skills to good use in the community.”

Complete with bounce houses, police “We wanted to bring our daughter Touro has also been proud to work cruisers, cotton candy, carnival games, Azlynn to the Building Blocks party so with children and families in the Sharon a mini-Raiders football camp, and more, she could experience a carnival with Sigesmund Pierce and Stephen Pierce the university hosted its first “Building other children like her,” said Kimberlie Center for Autism and Developmental Blocks” Party for ‘differently-abled’ Opipari, whose two-year-old daughter Disabilities (CADD). children and adolescents on April 7. Azlynn has Down Syndrome. “She had a great time playing games and we’re so On April 1, Touro celebrated the The university partnered with glad that Touro had this type of carnival beginning of Autism Awareness Month Henderson Police Department and for kids like her.” with the annual “Light It Up Blue” party, Special Olympics Nevada for the special hosted by Caesars Entertainment, event. Touro also worked with several The Building Blocks Party was also inside . sponsors to offset the costs, including attended by families who brought their Healthcare Partners, Henderson neuro-typical children to engage with Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the ‘differently-abled’ community. Emerald Island Casino, Siegel Cares, Current Events, Latin Chamber of More than 75 students across Touro’s Commerce, Got Turf, Balloons with a programs volunteered during the event. Twist, and Zippy Shell. While some worked near the carnival

4 | CONNECTING wITh OUR COMMUNITY TOURO YOU | 5 TOURO DAY AT THE

Touro University Nevada Students Met with State Legislators to Learn About the Legislative Process

Justin Madriaga School of Physician Assistant Studies “My first time visiting Carson City was an awesome experience. We highlighted how Touro actively plays a role in addressing Nevada’s healthcare demands by training medical professionals who will eventually practice in our state.”

For those who attended, the eye- After leaving the state legislative Nicole Clifton opening experience helped them learn building, the Touro group hosted College of Osteopathic Medicine why it’s important to be informed a reception at a neighboring “Legislative Day was a great experience about the legislation that affects event venue. because it helped me realize how going their professions. to Touro helps me give back to the state “It was great to have an opportunity where I grew up. It taught me how many “The best part of this experience was to witness this in action,” said Paula medical decisions are made through the watching the process of how bills get Cook, Assistant Professor in the legislature, as well as the impact I can have on my state. Nevada offers many passed,” said Elizabeth Kennelly, a School of Occupational Therapy. connections and a sense of belonging to student in the Medical Health Sciences “It was also a great reminder on me, so I am eager for when I can practice (MHS) program. “I also loved seeing our why it’s so important to join your as a DO and give back to Nevada.” CEO & Senior Provost Shelley Berkley professional association when speak about the future of medicine and you’re finished with your studies.” Touro University Nevada was well- their way through the doors of the discuss how Touro was working how we are going to improve upon it in represented in the state capitol as Nevada State Legislative Building to address the state’s critical the future.” students, faculty, and others met on a rainy Wednesday morning. healthcare shortages. with numerous Nevada lawmakers during Touro Day at the Legislature Throughout the day, students “I wanted to speak with them about Touro University Nevada is saddened on March 27. had one-on-one meetings with the importance of funding more by the passing of assemblyman alyssa adams legislators, participated in Senate and graduate ,” said first- Tyrone Thompson. School of Occupational Therapy Donned in their white coats and Assembly floor sessions, and sat in year medical student and Southern Assemblyman Thompson was a fierce advocate “It was very rewarding to be able flanked by one of the university’s on committee meetings to learn more Nevada native, Matthew Shoemaker. for education and took the time to sit down with to learn and immerse myself in the mobile healthcare clinics at the front about the legislative process. These “I was born and raised here and would Nevada legislative process. I now our students and faculty to learn more about of the building, students, faculty, interactions gave students, faculty, love to stay here and make a difference have a better understanding of how Touro University Nevada during March’s Touro Day and Touro Board Members made and administrators the opportunity to when I graduate from Touro.” to make a difference within my at the Legislature. Our thoughts and prayers are community from speaking to my with his family during this difficult time. Nevada legislative representatives.”

6 | TOURO DaY aT ThE LEGISLaTURE TOURO YOU | 7 HONORING HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS “I always felt like I was missing something in my life because IMPROVING OUR I never had the opportunity to further my education.” - henry Kronberg

Daniel Szafran grew up in a small Polish town with two institution, it is fitting that we honor these men and loving parents, five brothers, and two sisters. At the age women with a degree of Honorary Doctorate of Letters. of 11, his world was turned upside down when the Nazis These remarkable individuals had dreams of pursuing HOME invaded his native Poland in 1939. Like millions of other careers, college, , and more. Those dreams Europeans Jews, Szafran was forced to go on a “death ended because of prejudice, racism, and anti- Semitism.” Touro Programs Work Together to Bring march” as he did the best he could to survive in Auschwitz. By the time WWII ended in 1945, only he and one of his Henry Kronberg, a 99-year- old survivor from Germany Healthcare to Las Vegas’s Tunnel Populations brothers had survived. who came to Las Vegas in 1962, was never afforded the opportunity to extend his education past grade school. Szafran was one of 17 Holocaust survivors to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Touro University Nevada during “If you wanted to go to high school, you needed to fill out Under Las Vegas is a labyrinth of tunnels where some of what’s in it. After we run these tests, it will help our faculty Spring Commencement on May 13. The idea for the special an application, and the first question it asked was your Southern Nevada’s most vulnerable populations live, and students be better prepared for when they treat ceremony was proposed to Touro University Nevada CEO religion,” he said. as well as bacteria that can make that life painful. these patients.” and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley by Esther Finder, President of the Holocaust Survivors Group of Southern Self- proclaimed as “99 years young,” Kronberg spoke The populations living in these tunnels have been well- In 2017, Duford was the recipient of a five-year $1 million Nevada. The daughter of Polish Holocaust survivors, softly as he delivered the Commencement address to his documented throughout the last decade. Touro University federal grant to help improve healthcare for disadvantaged Finder remembers her father putting on her cap after she fellow survivors, as well as the nearly 4,000 graduates Nevada is working to make life easier for those living in populations. Although this particular project was paid through graduated from college. and guests in attendance. the tunnels by learning more about the bacteria living in the university’s strategic planning fund, Duford said it aligns their soil and water. perfectly with the basis of her federal grant’s purpose. “My father was 16 when the war started and 22 when “I always felt like I was missing something in my life it ended,” Finder recalled. “Prime time for an education.” because I never had the opportunity to further my Assistant Professor Amie Duford, PA-C and Dr. Oksana “Community outreach is the basis of our PA program,” Finder’s father passed away two years ago, but her dream education. I was always jealous of the people who were Matvienko from the Touro School of Physician Assistant she said. “Conducting these tests will eventually lead of honoring Holocaust survivors with a college degree able to get their education,” he said. “Now, I have a Studies began this initiative by asking the Basic Sciences to us providing much-needed healthcare for was born. diploma. That piece of paper…I’m going to frame it and Department for their help collecting samples of soil and those living in the tunnels.” hang it on my wall. I’ll look at it every single day. I’m not water near the tunnels. Medical students Benjamin Savanh “I immediately said yes to Esther when she called me jealous anymore.” and Jacob Brucker were later recruited to assist with the Touro also partnered with HELP of Southern Nevada’s with the idea,” said Berkley. “As a Jewish - sponsored project as well. Crisis Intervention Team and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team during the “We are hoping to identify which tunnel locations have sample collecting. human pathogens so when we go out to provide healthcare for these populations, our students will be able to look at a Stone and Dr. Terry Else collected water and soil samples from wound and identify a certain bacterium so they can properly five different locations across the Las Vegas Valley, including treat it,” said Dr. Amy Stone, Assistant Professor in Touro’s in North Las Vegas and near Flamingo and Interstate 15. Basic Sciences Department. Dr. Karen Duus, Associate Professor in the Basic Sciences Department, has also been assisting with the project. “We want to find out how to properly treat these wounds,” Duford said. “The people living in these tunnels use that The Touro team should have the test results completed water for drinking and hygiene purposes, so we want to know this summer.

8 | IMPROvING OUR hOME TOURO YOU | 9 ALUMNI Profile Nevada Is

Dr. Ori DeVera College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2015 For This Alum

quite a few academic scholarship modalities of healthcare and the I became my first-year class what are your plans offers and chose to try something connection to the mind, body, and spirit. representative to help bridge the for the future? new. It wasn’t a good fit for me, so I He told me he thought I would flourish gap between students and faculty.

transferred to USC after my freshman as a D.O. I eventually became Student My ultimate goals are not involved in year. I went to USC for two years before Government President-Elect and then what I’m actually doing right now. I want taking a two-year leave of absence to At the same time, Touro was right here President. I did three years of student to keep working as an urgent care doctor

work here in town as an administrator, in my hometown. I knew I could become government to help cultivate the and learning as much as I can about program director, and teacher at a a doctor, train, and do rotations with relationship between the faculty and healthcare. I work with a lot of students health education school. I eventually doctors in my community. I only applied students. right now, including many from Touro, so I want to eventually get into the clinical “ Dr. Ori DeVera, a 2015 went back to finish at USC before to Touro. applying to Touro. education realm of medicine. Whether graduate of Touro that involves being part of a University Nevada’s program or just training students, that’s

my ultimate goal.

College of Osteopathic Anytime I needed a faculty Can you explain your journey Medicine, is an Urgent Your fiancée just matched at and why you wanted to member to talk to, I always

Care Doctor at Southwest Mountain view hospital. how become a doctor? I always wanted had one at Touro. does it feel to know that you’ll Medical Associates in My parents were always involved in the to help people both have started your careers medical sciences and promoted the fact “ in the place you call home? Las Vegas. Born in Los that I could become a doctor ever since and the only “ I was a kid. When I was 3, I remember The nicest part about all of this, for Angeles, Dr. DeVera moved “ what was your Touro why is it so important for way I thought me, has been watching someone who telling them that I wanted to be a experience like? you to stay connected with to Southern Nevada with doctor, and everything I’ve done in my isn’t from Las Vegas fall in love with my I could was the university? his family in 1997. life has been to fulfill that dream. What I can say for certain is that any community; the place where I grew up, Everything was about becoming a by becoming time I needed a faculty member to I remember how hard applying to where I went to school, where I played talk to, I always had one at Touro. medical school was, and I remember sports and volunteered. It’s so nice to Dr. DeVera is board- doctor: the people I surrounded myself with, the classes I took, the clubs I a doctor. I remember that I didn’t do as well as I how hard it was being in medical share that with somebody else. To have certified in joined, the ways I volunteered within thought I did on my first biochemistry school. In some ways, medical school my girlfriend be a Touro graduate and get was even harder than my residency, the community…I always wanted to test, and Dr. Sadik went over the entire her OB/GYN residency locally, the same so I understand that it’s a difficult and returns to campus help people and the only way I thought test with me afterward. Just to have way I did, I just feel like it strengthens experience. I know there are students to give lectures to Touro I could was by becoming a doctor. why did you decide to attend someone take an hour of their day and our bond. do that with me made me feel much who need a safe space to ask their Touro University Nevada? questions free of judgement, and I University Nevada less intimidated by medical school. We are building a future in the place want to help provide that space what was your educational It was always my goal to stay in Dr. Krishna and Dr. Guadagnoli did students and faculty. for them. that I love. She’s going to be a huge experience like before Las Vegas. One of my mentors, a the same exact thing for me. Touro just part of this community. She’s going to coming to Touro? chiropractor, told me that if he could go has very supportive people who know be bringing life into the world. I’m very After graduating high school from The back to school again he would become how hard medical school is and are proud of her. Meadows in 2004, I went to Bucknell a D.O. He told me I had a diverse willing to help. University in Lewisburg, Penn. I had background and openness to different

10 | aLUMNI PROfILE TOURO YOU | 11 the corporate track. The Atomic Energy immeasurably to our being a better as a member of Touro’s advisory ADVISORY BOARD Profile Commission built the Nevada Test Site medically-covered state and an Board, what do you hear about and it made Vegas thrive—scientists all-around healthier community. the university throughout and engineers gave Vegas a whole new the community? vibe—and the magnitude of influence of why are you so personally the Hughes Corporation is incalculable. invested in Touro? For those who know about Touro, Monterey its reputation is fabulous. My husband I recognized my whole life that Las Vegas In regards to the medical school, I believe works with doctors who constantly in the value of osteopathic medicine, Brookman And Raised was a strange town. No matter where compliment the Touro students on their you went, when you told someone that its philosophy, its education model, levels of expertise, caring, and depth. In Las Vegas you were from Las Vegas, people looked and the foundation that Andrew All we hear is, “Wow, those Touro at you...differently. It’s still an odd place to Taylor Still, M.D., laid out. After being a students are the best!” be from because we are known in even battlefield surgeon during the Civil War, the most remote corners of the world. then seeing families decimated by If you know about Touro, we’re parting That hasn’t changed. infectious diseases, he decided medicine the Red Sea here. If you don’t know had to offer more than pills and about us, then you don’t know about how long have you been surgery—he conceptualized holistic, all of the great work we are doing, the involved with Touro total person medicine. I believe it’s the quality of education, the growth and You were born in Nevada, what was it like growing up success of all our graduates in every University Nevada? best medicine that’s practiced anywhere. but have you experienced in Las vegas before it held the discipline. When somebody discovers My husband and I are very proud to what we have going on within these life outside of the state? prestige that it does today? Also, I am a devout believer of Torah; have helped Touro get here. In the walls, they understand how important Except for my college years at Vegas was a small, very provincial town. early 2000s, when Mayor Oscar I think God has set before us the we are to the community, and how Pepperdine University and then my Its growth really exploded when the test Goodman asked us to be on a pathways to both healthy and unhealthy dynamic this university is. husband’s time in medical school and site opened. In the 1960s, it was a rather committee to talk with the Touro living. The history of Touro is beautiful: Monterey Brookman training when we lived in Missouri, nice, simple life in Las Vegas. The Strip New York delegation about bringing a Steeped in the tradition of giving to Las Vegas has been home. I really never what do you think the was a place ‘over there.’ medical school to Southern Nevada, do good in the world, Isaac Touro and is a founding expected to come back to Las Vegas university can improve we were ecstatic. We absolutely his son Judah came to America in after leaving for college, but Jeff and I don’t agree with the people who say that begged the people from New York to on in the future? member of Touro I met at Pepperdine, fell in love, and colonial times to escape anti-Semitism. the mob built Las Vegas. The Mormons establish a medical school here because We may not be perfect...yet! But we are when I brought him home to meet my They built synagogues and hospitals— University Nevada’s were the initial visionaries, and then we knew it would be a huge success. really, really good. Not to take anything family, he immediately fell in love with Jewish doctors often were not always Howard Hughes put Vegas on away from the other medical schools in the wide-open spaces and big sky of given full privileges, so something Advisory Board. We told them Las Vegas had a very the state, but we are hands-down the Vegas. Las Vegas was also wide open needed to be done—they gave and gave. dedicated Jewish population, that best. I think our history is glorious and with opportunity for doctors here in Our university’s founders decided that Las Vegas was diverse—we knew the our future more so. There will always be

She and her husband, 1980, so we came back to open his medical school, Jewish and Osteopathic, a medical school named to honor the room for improvements, but everyone practice and have made it our home Touro has would be a hit with the pioneer spirit Touro tradition was perfectly befitting. at Touro is doing a tremendous job— Dr. Jeffrey Brookman, ever since.

contributed here. I think Touro has contributed Great choice. I love this foundation I see every school getting stronger have been pillars of how did your family arrive and legacy. and better each year. Every graduation in Southern Nevada? immeasurably signals a brighter, healthier world full of the Southern Nevada accomplishments and achievement. During the post-war years, my dad was “ to our being community for more fresh out of the service and my parents“ were actually moving to Los Angeles a better than three decades. from Grand Junction, Colorado. As they drove through Las Vegas, they noticed medically- DR. KESSLER RETIREMENT so many job openings. Along with the Dr. Robert Kessler, Associate Professor in the Touro University Nevada College Baby Boom, the Nevada Test Site was covered of Osteopathic Medicine and one of Touro’s original faculty members from 2004, booming and Vegas was booming. So, is retiring after a wonderful career in medicine and education. they decided to stay—my mom went to state. work at First National Bank and my dad Congratulations on an incredible career, Dr. Kessler. went to work as a Clark County fireman. We wish you the best in retirement!

12 | aDvISORY BOaRD MEMBER PROfILE TOURO YOU | 13 BRINGING NATIONAL CERTIFICATION TO NEVADA CLASS Stephen J. Cloobeck Regional Center for NOTES Disaster Life Support Receives National Certification OSTEOPaThIC MEDICINE GRaDUaTES JavaID KhaN, DO08 Did you receive a NEW The Stephen J. Cloobeck Regional Center for Disaster Life The Cloobeck Center offers a Basic Disaster Life Support and Dr. Javaid Khan works at Kaiser Permanente in Marin Support was recently named a certified training center by Advanced Disaster Life Support training for students, faculty and Sonoma Counties in the field of Allergy and Clinical the National Disaster Life Support Foundation. and staff at Touro, healthcare providers, first responders, . He is dually board-certified in Internal PROMOTION? and other interested community members. Upon completion, Medicine as well as Adult and Pediatric Allergy and With this recognition, Touro University Nevada is home to the attendees will be well-prepared to assist in a disaster or mass Clinical Immunology. He lives in the Mission Bay only active certified disaster life support center in Nevada. casualty scenarios. neighborhood of San Francisco. Get MARRIED? JESSICa ZaRNDT, DO08 The National Disaster Life Support Foundation, Inc. (NDLSF) “Natural disasters and mass casualty scenarios can happen In October of 2018, Dr. Jessica Zarndt left her position as oversees the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) courses, anywhere, and a better prepared community will help the Associate Team Physician for the University of Texas PhYSICIaN aSSISTaNT GRaDUaTES a series of educational programs to better prepare health save lives,” said David Clegg, Administrative Director of Longhorns and started as an Assistant Team Physician for DENNIS DEY, Pa12 care professionals and emergency response personnel for the Cloobeck Center. the UCLA Bruins, as well as an Assistant Clinical Professor Dennis Dey works in the Ear, Nose and Throat Outpatient mass casualty events. The NDLS courses are comprehensive, in the Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Department at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. all-hazards, competency-based, standardized, and multi- Surgery at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. disciplinary. These courses assist health professionals Dr. Zarndt is also proud to have matched her first D.O. MOUSUMI DEY, Pa13 Mousumi Dey works as a gastroenterologist PA respond to mass casualty events regardless the cause. into the UCLA , former Touro at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. University Nevada student, Dr. Sabrina Sawlani. Dr. Zarndt taught Dr. Sawlani at Touro as a faculty member during the 2012-13 school year. She is very proud to be her teacher again. Do you have MaLLORY NOvaCK, DO12 Dr. Mallory Novack completed her OB/GYN residency at the University of California San Francisco, Fresno (UCSF). NEWS She currently works in private practice in Montana and works as a faculty for the UCSF Fresno OB/GYN residency. TO SHARE? BaRBaRa KIERSZ, DO14 Dr. Barbara Kiersz works in a group family practice doing osteopathic manipulative treatment in Austin, TX. GRaDUaTES LINDSaY CaSCI (NEE SMITh), BSN11 Lindsay Casci works in the PICU and Acute Care Move to units at Renown Children’s Hospital in Reno. She is dual a New certified as an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a CITY? Family Nurse Practitioner. She is married with a 2-year-old daughter and has another one due in July. EDUCaTION GRaDUaTES JOaNNE faLSETTa, DNP17 JESICa KUDISCh, EDU07 Joanne Falsetta teaches critical care/cardio-pulmonary Jesica Kudisch, who graduated with a Master’s degree at Grossmont Community College and recently in Special Education, is the Assistant Principal at Western started as a course instructor with Western High School in Las Vegas. Governors University.

Learn more about classes at We’d love to hear from you and your fellow alumni! tun.touro.edu/ndlsf Please send your class notes to Steven Slivka, Communications Coordinator at [email protected].

14 | RECOGNITIONS TOURO YOU | 15 Touro University Nevada 874 American Pacific Drive Henderson, NV 89014

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 6/21 7/1-5 7/3 7/24 DPT ChhS & MhS ChhS & MhS DO Pre-Orientation Commencement New Student Day of Service Touro University Congregation Orientation Nevada Ner Tamid Touro University Nevada

7/25 7/26, 29-30 9/13-16 9/16 DO Day of Service DO Orientation alumni Reunion white Coat Touro University Ceremony Nevada Rio All Suites Hotel SavE ThE DaTE and Casino

Touro YOU Stories by: Design and layout by Virgen Digital Brand Marketing

Schyler Richards Steven Slivka For more information on Touro YOU stories Vice President of Advancement Communications Coordinator or how you can join our mailing list, contact: Melody J. Crickman Photos by Mona Shield-Payne [email protected] Director of Marketing & Public Relations 702-777-3100

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