Dr. Tony Alamo is chief physician executive and chief medical officer for Nevada Heart & Vascular Center. A Las Vegas native, he graduated from Chaparral High School, UNLV and the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He recently received the 2025 University of Southern California Alumni Service Award. In addition to a distinguished 30-year career in health care, he has served as chair of two of the most important commissions for Nevada: Gaming and Athletic commissions. For 20 years, he volunteered as a tactical physician with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s SWAT team, which presented him with its Medal of Unit Valor for his role in a 2006 hostage rescue operation.
Q: What are you reading?
A: I’m currently reading a book about former President Biden called “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper. Before that, I was reading “Califailure: Reversing the Ruin of America’s Worst-Run State,” by Steve Hilton. It’s about policies that have been crippling California — in some cases to the benefit of Nevada. Before that, I read “Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life,” by Patrick Van Horne.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant or place to take clients?
A: I love Hank’s, the steakhouse in the Green Valley Ranch Resort. If fact, I’ll be there again soon. I also like T-Bones in the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa.
Q: How do you decompress after a long week?
A: I have a couple of favorite hobbies. First, I’m a licensed commercial multi-engine pilot. I’ve been flying since the age of 19. I currently own and operate a King Air turboprop airplane. I’m an avid aviator and love to fly. My second hobby is competitive shooting. I compete in pistol and rifle competitions locally and regionally. I do that almost every other weekend.
Q: What do you do to work out?
A: When I work out, I do high reps with low weight, as well as elliptical exercises. I like to work out in my home gym.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing Southern Nevada?
A: Having spent more than three decades working in the health care industry here, I’d have to say it’s the ongoing shortage of health care professionals at every level, from physicians to nurses to specialists and technicians. Even with our continued efforts to address this issue, we still have a lack of available medical talent here. We’re working on this, but we just can’t move fast enough. I’d say the main reason why it’s not just chaos here in Southern Nevada is because the medical professionals who are here are so passionate and dedicated about caring for the people who live here. People in our industry really do work very hard and deserve our appreciation.
