Dr. Barbara Atkinson was officially named founding dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine on Nov. 10.
Atkinson was appointed planning dean for the UNLV School of Medicine in May 2014. She has created an education program for the school over the past 18 months as well as garnered strong regional and legislative support, hired a core team of academic faculty and staff, and assembled a Community Advisory Board to align regional needs with the school’s mission.
“Barbara has worked tirelessly with academic and health care leaders across the state to craft a vision for the school that I truly believe will help shape the future of health care in Southern Nevada,” UNLV president Len Jessup said in a statement. “Barbara’s passion for this community combined with her experience at all levels of health care and keen sense for what it takes to build a successful medical school is crucial to our continued momentum.”
James Dean Leavitt, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) regent and chair of the Health Sciences System Committee, said the school’s momentum furthers a statewide collaboration to expand public medical education.
“One of our goals was to ensure Southern Nevada had its own public allopathic medical school,” Leavitt said in a statement. “Barbara’s tremendous experience in medical education, administration, research, and philanthropy is now helping to convert our vision into reality.”
The appointment was made by UNLV’s Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
Atkinson brings nearly 40 years of experience as a pathologist, researcher, educator and medical school administrator. Most of her career has been spent in medical school leadership, creating innovative learning environments for future doctors.
Under her leadership, the school remains on track to submit a detailed program and operations plan to its accrediting body by Dec. 1. Earlier this year, the university also raised $13.5 million in 60 days to fund 135 scholarships for future medical school students — including the entire charter class expected to begin classes in 2017.
“I couldn’t wait to work with UNLV to develop the best medical school possible and provide physicians with the solid foundation they need to care for patients for the next 50 years,” Atkinson said in a statement.
The medical school was officially established Aug. 22, 2014, when the NSHE Regents approved a two-year startup budget for the school and submitted it to the governor and Nevada legislature for approval during the 2015 legislative session.
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Barclaycard to add 300 jobs
Barclaycard US held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 12 at its 35,000-square-foot building on Corporate Circle in Henderson.
The company, headquartered in Wilmington, Del., creates customized, co-branded credit card programs for various travel, entertainment, retail, affinity and financial institutions.
It has hired 1,000 employees since opening at the former Zappos building 18 months ago and has plans to add 300 positions.
Barclaycard US was recognized as Economic Development Project of the Year in Henderson by The City of Henderson and the Henderson Chamber of Commerce during Henderson’s 15th annual Economic Development and Small Business Awards.
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Arizona lottery deal
Scientific Games’s wholly owned subsidiary Scientific Games International Inc. was awarded a new contract to provide an integrated lottery gaming system to the Arizona Lottery.
Under the contract, the Las Vegas company will provide facilities management services for the Arizona Lottery’s central computer systems, software, data center operations, retailer telecommunications network, retail point-of-sale and player self-service technology and peripherals, in-store digital advertising content system, mobile applications and marketing services as well as technical and marketing staff support.
The effective date of the agreement is Aug. 31 and it will remain in effect for five years after the date on which the company completes installation and obtains the Lottery’s acceptance of the gaming system.
The Arizona Lottery’s contract with Scientific Games, which was awarded after a competitive procurement process, will replace a competitor’s system and is expected to begin on or about Aug. 31, 2016, and may be extended by the Lottery for up to an additional five years. The Lottery’s total retail sales were $750 million in fiscal year 2015.
“The Arizona Lottery has aggressive growth goals. Scientific Games, as an industry leader in innovation, gives us the best opportunity for significant retail sales growth in an ever-changing environment,” Tony V. Bouie, Arizona Lottery executive director, said in a statement.
Scientific Games began providing instant games to the Arizona Lottery at the Lottery’s inception in 1981 and has provided instant games and licensed properties to the Lottery throughout the years. The company proposed a suite of products and services that focus on supporting the Arizona Lottery’s strategic plans to meet evolving consumer needs and maximize total lottery sales and profits in the coming years.
Scientific Games provides products, technology and services to more than 150 lotteries worldwide, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
