The efforts of local attorneys were honored Dec. 11 at the 15th annual Pro Bono awards luncheon, held at the Rio. Lied Awards are given in recognition to the Lied Foundation, which gave Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada a Challenge Grant in 2000 to pay off its building mortgage. The grant was based on how many pro bono hours lawyers donated on a yearly basis.
The Lied Award for Most Hours for Law Firm was awarded to Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP;
The Lied Award for Most Cases for Law Firm went to Kunin & Carman;
The Lied Award for Most Hours for Attorney went to Airene Williamson, the founding shareholder of Williamson Law Office PLLC;
The Lied Award for Most Cases for Attorney was awarded to Ishi Kunin of Kunin & Carman.
The Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award went to Ogonna Brown, a bankruptcy shareholder at Holley Driggs Walch Fine Wray Puzey & Thompson.
The Law Firm of the Year award went to Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP.
The William S. Boyd Award of Excellence went to Christina Hixson, Trustee and the Lied Foundation Trust.
Commercial Alliance leader earns national commercial award
Christopher McGarey, long-time board member and leader of the Commercial Alliance Las Vegas, has earned a commercial real estate industry award from the National Association of Realtors. McGarey, who was honored at the group’s recent annual meeting, is the only honoree to hail from Nevada, and one of over 50 commercial real estate professionals from around the country to earn this annual award from NAR. McGarey serves as a director on CALV’s board for 2015 and works for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services – Nevada Properties, where he leads the firm’s top commercial real estate team and handles commercial and residential investment property management and leasing.
March of Dimes honors nurses, raises more than $200,000
A dozen nurses from the Valley Health System were among the honorees at the annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awards dinner, held Nov. 21. The awards honor nursing while raising money for the March of Dimes in Nevada. States across the country hold Nurse of the Year events, with Nevada leading the nation in having one of the largest awards dinners. More than 50 healthcare organizations in Southern Nevada participated. This year’s event raised in excess of $200,000 for the March of Dimes and was attended by nearly 800 nurses, administrators, nursing assistants, doctors, and their family and friends.
Honorees include: Advanced Practice – Krystal Coffman, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center
Ambulatory Care/Behavioral Health & Public Health – Kayla Moos, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
Case Management – Michelle Zang, HealthCare Partners of Nevada
Charge Nurse: General Medical & Surgical – Maybelle Chevez, University Medical Center
Charge Nurse: Specialty – Erin Bradbury, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center
Critical Care – Marisa Hester, U. S. Air Force
Education – Jessica Doolen, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Emergency – Denise Horvath, University Medical Center
General Medical & Surgical – Diane Faye Patterson, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
Home Health Nursing – Carol Pankin, Preferred Homecare
Hospice Nursing – Angela Ricker, Altus Hospice
Infection Control – Tracy Guzman, Complex Care Hospital
LTAC-Long Term Care-Rehab – Amy Callan, MountainView Hospital
Nursing Administration – Bobette Ready, Southwest Medical Associates
Nursing Management – Joyce Malaskovitz, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center
Oncology Nursing – Vida Mia Golembeski, Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Pediatric Critical Care – Maria Valentin, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
Pediatric Nursing – Megan Pierrott, Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Rising Star – Jenny Nguyen, University Medical Center
Specialty Practice – Cathy Downey, University Medical Center
Surgical Services – Franciene Zimmer, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
Women’s Health – Marie Silva, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center and Courtney King, University Medical Center
Nurses’ Choice: Administration – Dr. Nakeisha Curry, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center
Nurses’ Choice: CNA’s – Roberto Esquivel, HealthSouth Desert Canyon
Nurses’ Choice: Support Staff – Joan Sylvester, MountainView Hospital;
Distinguished Nurse of the Year – Diane Smith, Optum-UnitedHealthcare Group
ALS Association board adds gaming exec Arcana
Steve Arcana, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Golden Entertainment Inc., has been appointed to the board of directors of ALS Association Nevada chapter. ALS, which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects neurons in the brain and the spinal cord. There is no cure and no life-prolonging treatments for the disease. Arcana will lead local fundraising efforts for the organization, specifically reaching out to the hospitality industry to increase awareness of the local chapter. Arcana has been with Golden Entertainment Inc. for 12 years, having previously held several executive positions with Station Casinos LLC. He also serves on the board of the Las Vegas Business Academy.
Public Education Foundation elects lawyer to its board
The Public Education Foundation’s board of directors haselected Kimberly Maxson-Rushton to its board. Maxson-Rushton is a partner in Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law and has been active in a wide range of community and professional organizations. She is also a member of the gaming law section of the Nevada State Bar and a member and trustee of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys. Three other new board members were elected in September, including Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison, Nevada Senate Democratic Leader Aaron D. Ford and real estate executive Tera R. Anderson.
