Nevada Donor Network’s second annual awards gala was held Oct. 24 in honor of those who have helped advance the mission of Nevada Donor Network over the past year, as well as to highlight the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. The keynote speaker was U.S. Navy Seal Lt. Justin Legg (Ret.), who shared his experience of receiving double lung and bone marrow transplants during a life-threatening battle with a severe form of leukemia. Individuals who won awards include Arlett Valencia as volunteer champion and Dr. Andrew Shay, registered nurse Jill Goodman and Air Force Capt. Kelly Peterson as donation champions. Alex Carabajal was honored for his efforts to ensure collaboration between the hospital staff and the network; Trudy Larson was named governing board member of the year and Leslie Hunter-Johnson was named advisory board member of the year. Organizations honored include 8 News Now as media champion, Infinity Hospice Care of Reno as community champion and Palm Mortuary as funeral home champion. Valley Hospital was voted as most improved hospital. The Infinity award, a special recognition for an individual or organization identified as going above and beyond to promote organ, eye and tissue donation outside of the daily responsibilities, went to Dr. M. Gabriela Gregory.
Salvation Army coordinator honored
The Salvation Army’s Major Kelly Pontsler, Clark County coordinator, received the nonprofit administrator of the year award recently at the American Society for Public Administration conference. Pontsler assumed her position in Southern Nevada in 2014 and oversees Salvation Army locations in Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite and Pahrump. She led a $2 million renovation at the West Owens site of Social Services and has been engaged in community nonprofit CEO leadership. The award was presented during the Professional Development Conference at Palace Station by the ASPA Southern Nevada Chapter’s board of directors.
Law firm honors Las Vegas partner
The Duane Morris Women’s Impact Network for Success has honored Dominica C. Anderson, managing partner of Duane Morris’ Las Vegas office, with the Cheryl Bryson Leadership Award or her efforts to advance women in the legal profession. The award is named for a Duane Morris partner who died in 2012 after a battle with cancer.
Snell & Wilmer attorney honored
Kelly Dove, an attorney in the Las Vegas office of Snell & Wilmer, has received the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law Distinguished Service Alumni Award, which is given to a graduate who has gone on to exceptional professional achievement through their service to the legal profession, the legal community and the law school. Dean Dan Hamilton presented the award to Dove at the school’s annual ceremony, Oct. 17 at the Aria. Snell & Wilmer also announced Cynthia Alexander, a partner in the firm’s Las Vegas office, was named to UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law’s new Public Interest Law Advisory Board. The 23-member board comprises professionals from the judiciary, private firms, academia, nonprofit organizations and government, and assists in identifying and developing productive collaborations and advises on fundraising to enhance the school’s public interest initiatives. Alexander’s practice at Snell & Wilmer is concentrated in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on representation of financial institutions, business entities and their corporate officers and directors.
Fitness group gets national award
Jessica Peralta of Las Vegas has been honored as franchise of the year for all Fit4Mom franchises nationwide. The award was announced at the national Fit4Mom conference in San Diego. Peralta, a former critical care RN and clinical professor, launched Fit4Mom Las Vegas in 2012 to help create a community of women who will support, empower and encourage each other using a holistic approach to health and wellness.
Firefighters win media awards
The Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada was recently awarded two International Association of Fire Fighters Media Awards. The PFFN’s Flipboard Newsletter was awarded second place in the best online initiative or campaign category, and the Coats for Kids Campaign received an honorable mention in the best affiliate public relations or political campaign or project category. More than 250 entries were evaluated across all categories.
