HEALTH CARE
• Comprehensive Cancer Centers (Comprehensive) announced the appointment of Lisa Santwer as executive director, continuing the practice’s tradition of leadership grounded in patient care, innovation and proven community advocacy.
A longtime Las Vegan, Santwer has worked with Comprehensive since 2010 and most recently served as director of support services. In her new role, she will provide leadership, consultation and professional-level support to physicians across the practice while overseeing organizational operations that impact patients, employees and the Southern Nevada community.
“Lisa has been at the core of building Comprehensive’s reputation as a leader in cancer care, research and community outreach,” said Dr. Rupesh J. Parikh, practice president of Comprehensive. “Her passion for patient-centered innovation, combined with her deep roots in the Las Vegas community, makes her the perfect choice for guiding our practice into its next, incredible chapter.”
Through her 15 years at Comprehensive, Santwer has overseen business development, advertising, public relations, government relations, strategic partnerships, community outreach and referring physician marketing. She also has provided leadership related to research, pharmacy, medically integrated dispensing and managed care. Her efforts have supported physician recruitment, including the addition of recruiting oncologists and clinical research experts, pulmonologists and breast surgeons and helped drive investments of more than $25 million in advanced treatment technologies.
Santwer has created some of the practice’s most successful marketing campaigns, including a high-profile partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights and a Southern Nevada-wide skin safety community outreach initiative that provides free sunscreen at public parks and events that has been recognized nationally and now in its 12th year. She also established the practice’s signature Comprehensive Cares program to formalize its community giving and outreach strategy.
Beyond the practice, Santwer is a well-known civic leader. She has served on leadership committees of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, and has served on the boards of Las Vegas HEALS, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and the UNLV College of Sciences Advisory Board.
A graduate of UNLV with a bachelor’s degree in communications, she earned her Master of Business Administration from LSU Shreveport. She started her career working in public relations at Purdue Marion & Associates, serving clients throughout the state. Santwer lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Rob, and their two sons, Luca and Lachlan.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers is an award-winning multi-specialty practice comprising medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery, pulmonary services, cancer genetic counseling clinical research and other infusion services, with treatment centers and offices throughout Southern Nevada. For more than 40 years, the practice has provided oncology services to patients in and out of state with a specialized physician and nursing staff. Comprehensive, an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, offers state-of-the-art technologies, latest advancements in cancer treatment and groundbreaking clinical research trials. The practice participates in more than 150 Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical research studies each year and has played a role in developing more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies.
• Dr. Farhan Ayubi has joined the medical team at Nevada Heart & Vascular Center, adding extensive vascular surgery experience to Nevada’s largest cardiology practice.
“Dr. Ayubi is an amazing surgeon who deepens our knowledge and expertise in vascular surgery,” said Dr. Tony Alamo, Nevada Heart & Vascular’s chief physician executive and chief medical officer. “He has an incredible background including serving at the esteemed Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that treats our nation’s military.”
Dr. Ayubi graduated cum laude from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, before attending Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. He also completed the Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and the General Surgery Residency Program at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Ft. Gordon, Georgia.
A fellow of the Society of Vascular Surgery and the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Ayubi is board-certified in both surgery and vascular surgery. While serving in the U.S. Army, he was staff vascular surgeon and chief of vascular lab at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and chief of vascular surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. Dr. Ayubi achieved the rank of colonel before retiring after 20 years of service.
Nevada Heart & Vascular Center, founded in Las Vegas in 1998, is Nevada’s largest cardiology practice. The group provides patients with comprehensive cardiac and vascular services, a complete range of the latest technology and treatment options, and its own state-of-the-art vascular imaging center.
• Six individuals and one organization were honored Aug. 27 by the Nevada Cancer Coalition for their dedication to reducing the burden of cancer for Nevadans. The individuals received Summit Awards during an awards luncheon as part of the annual Nevada Cancer Control Summit, a statewide conference for health care and public health professionals held at the Carpenter International Training Center.
All of this year’s awardees are from the Las Vegas region and have had a significant impact across the region and the state. They are:
— Luz Castro, Equity Impact Champion. As a program manager at Dignity Health’s Englestad Foundation R.E.D. Rose Program, Castro is a bright light in the often-dark world of breast cancer. She brings hope, compassion and critical resources to those who need them most — community members who are uninsured or underinsured and seeking screening and treatment for breast cancer.
— Dr. Alice Chen, Prevention and Early Detection Champion. Dr. Chen is an associate professor and pediatric dentist at Roseman University of Health Sciences and has used her expertise to advocate for HPV vaccination among adolescents to prevent oral cancers. Dr. Chen played a pivotal role in recent regulatory changes by helping ensure that dentists in Nevada who can now vaccinate their patients for influenza can also administer the HPV vaccine.
— Dr. Vishisht Mehta, Healthcare Partner of the Year. Beyond his “day job” as director of interventional pulmonology at the Lung Center of Nevada, part of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, and department chair of pulmonology at Mountain View Hospital, he serves on multiple boards, founded a nonprofit to promote lung cancer screening, collaborates with Nevada Caner Coalition on all things lung cancer, and still finds time to share his expertise at conferences, on podcasts, and — most importantly — all while caring for his patients. Dr. Mehta is dedicated to helping find solutions to Nevada’s lung cancer screening challenges to help Nevadans stay healthier and find cancers earlier.
— UNLV Health, Healthcare Partner of the Year. Nevada’s public health and medical schools are vital to reducing the burden of cancer in the state, not only because they educate the next generation of health professionals, but because they channel the energy and enthusiasm of their students and educators into the community. Nevada Cancer Coalition — and other organizations — has been fortunate to partner with faculty, staff and students from UNLV to educate people in Southern Nevada about skin cancer and sun safety, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and more.
— Annette Logan-Parker, Advocacy Award. Though trained as a nurse, Logan-Parker was born to be an advocate. As the founder of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation she has never settled for what is, but strived for what could be. Thanks to her efforts and diligent advocacy, Nevada’s Cancer Plan now includes a dedicated section on pediatric and adolescent and young adult cancers. She also helped establish and now chairs the Nevada Rare Disease Advisory Council, ensuring access to care for Nevadans with rare diseases and building the data needed to shape meaningful policy. Logan-Parker’s impact is felt here in Nevada, but extends beyond our borders thanks to her national advocacy efforts, all intended to help create healthier, brighter futures for thousands of families.
• Emily Ames and Maggie Sanders, Rising Star Award. UNLV medical students Ames and Sanders both share an interest in skin cancer prevention and early detection. Last year, the pair organized a campus-wide sunscreen drive to gather donations of sunscreen which they donated to Nevada Cancer Coalition for distribution to elementary school students in underserved communities through its Sun Smart Schools program. This year, the pair organized a free skin cancer screening event at YMCA Durango Hills connecting people without insurance to dermatologists and giving medical students a chance to learn alongside physicians while giving back to the community.
MARKETING
• Longtime local public relations executive Tony Timmons has joined B&P, a full-service advertising, media and public relations agency based in Las Vegas.
“Tony is a key addition to our PR team,” B&P President Chuck Johnston said. “We look forward to utilizing his vast experience and expertise in all forms of public relations to benefit our clients here in Nevada and throughout the region.”
Timmons brings decades of high-level public relations and marketing communications experience in and beyond Nevada. He was previously the vice president of communications at Wells Fargo Bank, where he led communications in Nevada, Colorado, Utah and Washington.
Before that, he worked as a public relations and communications executive in Las Vegas for CenturyLink, Cox Communications and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. He also has experience working as a local journalist.
His clients at B&P include Optum and Nevada Heart & Vascular Centers, among others.
In his free time, Timmons is a part-time marketing and international business instructor at UNLV and is the current chair of the State of Nevada Board of Museums and History. He earned a degree in marketing from UNLV and has a master’s degree in business with a marketing certificate from Missouri State University. Timmons lives in Henderson with his wife of nearly 30 years, a shih tzu and two desert tortoises.
B&P is a full-service advertising, media and public relations agency serving a broad range of local, regional and national clients in such categories as hospitality, gaming, technology, health care and real estate. The agency’s scope of services includes consulting, strategic planning, advertising, design, public relations, community outreach, special events, and media planning and buying.
• Kirvin Doak Communications (KDC), one of Las Vegas’ leading marketing and communications agencies, has named Nicole Hart as its new senior vice president of marketing. A respected leader with more than two decades of experience in hospitality, lifestyle and entertainment marketing, Hart brings deep industry expertise and a proven track record of strategic innovation.
Hart has held senior marketing roles at major brands including MGM Resorts International, where she led initiatives at both the property and corporate levels, as well as Hilton and Credit One Bank, where she most recently served as vice president of marketing.
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Hart is also committed to giving back to the community. She is the former co-chair of the Southern Nevada Leadership Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society.
“Nicole has the perfect blend of brand, corporate and agency-side experience to elevate our work and drive value for our clients,” said Dave Kirvin, partner at Kirvin Doak Communications. “She brings smart strategy, creative energy and a deep understanding of today’s consumer. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the KDC leadership team.”
Based in Las Vegas, Kirvin Doak Communications is a full-service marketing communications agency representing some of the most recognized names in hospitality, gaming, tourism and entertainment.
PROFESSIONAL GROUP
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Las Vegas announced its 2025–26 board of directors. This diverse new board brings together a wide range of expertise united by a commitment to helping local founders and business owners grow through connection, collaboration and continuous learning.
“EO Las Vegas is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration,” said Curt Fignar, president of the chapter and founder of TFSource and West Plate LLC. “Our goal is to create a community where every entrepreneur feels supported by a network that challenges them, celebrates their wins and helps them navigate growth with confidence.”
EO Las Vegas’ 2025–26 board of directors includes:
— Curt Fignar, president
— Sean Clancy, president-elect
— Ulyanna Chung, immediate past president
— Dr. Carolyn Matzinger, governance chair
— Jaime Gomez, forum chair
— Cinthia Petersen, forum chair
— Christina Lim, learning chair
— Shanna Kehoe, member engagement chair
— Nevada Stupak, social chair
— Vandana Bhalla, membership chair
— Mercedes Torres, membership co-chair
— Eileen Szymanski Chen, finance chair
— Allan Jocson, accelerator chair
— Jacob Peterson, accelerator co-chair
— Ryan Mueller, marketing chair
— Sarah Thornton, Marketing Committee
— Sergio Chavez, Marketing Committee
— Dr. Deborah Staten, strategic alliance partners
EO Las Vegas is one of 220 global chapters of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a peer-to-peer network with nearly 20,000 members worldwide. The Las Vegas chapter expands its impact by offering impactful events, business education and a supportive entrepreneurial network.
EO Las Vegas hosts a robust calendar of curated learning and social events that fuel both personal and professional growth. Signature EO experiences include exclusive speakers such as Robert Richman, former Zappos Insights leader and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, bestselling author and organizational psychologist. The organization also offers Learning Days, expert–led lunch and learns, forum sessions, executive retreats and unique gatherings.
Two current board members are active participants in the EO Accelerator program, which supports entrepreneurs with businesses generating between $250,000 and $1 million in annual revenue. The program offers tools, mentorship and accountability to help founders scale beyond the $1 million mark and qualify for full EO membership. Entrepreneurs eligible for EO membership must be active owners, founders or majority stakeholders of a business generating at least $1 million in revenue in the most recent fiscal year.
