The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV was officially established on August 22, 2014, when the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents approved funding for the medical school's start-up costs. The budget was submitted to Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature where it was approved. On June 11, 2015, Gov. Sandoval signed Senate Bill 514 into law at the UNLV Student Union. The bill, along with other measures, provides start-up funding for the medical school.

The medical school is Nevada’s response to the need for more quality health care in Nevada. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), in 2010, Nevada ranked 45th in the country in the number of physicians per 100,000 population. A Brookings-SRI report indicated not having a medical school is one of the largest threats to Southern Nevada's economic prosperity.

Tripp Umbach, a national consulting firm involved in the development of numerous medical schools, indicated having a medical school in Las Vegas could have a $1.2 billion annual economic impact and could add 8,000 jobs to the Southern Nevada economy by 2030.

Timeline

September 2021 Dr. David Di John, associate professor in the department of pediatrics and director of the maternal child wellness program, was recognized as one of the Las Vegas Healthcare Heroes by Nevada Business Magazine.
August 2021 UNLV Medicine, the medical school's group practice, renamed to UNLV Health to better reflect the scope of its work.
August 2021 29 Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV faculty physicians were recognized as Las Vegas Top Doctors by Desert Companion Magazine and Vegas Inc.'s Health Care Quarterly.
May 2021 The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV celebrates the Commencement and Academic Hooding Ceremony of its Charter Class.
April 2021 UNLV School of Medicine renamed to Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV in honor of Las Vegas icon Kirk Kerkorian.
March 2021 UNLV School of Medicine celebrates Match Day of the Charter Class.
February 2021 UNLV School of Medicine receives full accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
January 2021 UNLV Medicine with support from the UNLV School of Medicine, UNLV School of Nursing, and nursing programs at CSN and Nevada State College begins administering COVID-19 vaccines.
October 2020 Groundbreaking on the UNLV School of Medicine's first permanent building, the Medical Education Building (MEB).
October 2020 UNLV School of Medicine has a virtual site visit from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
September 2020 3 UNLV School of Medicine faculty physicians were recognized as Las Vegas Healthcare Heroes by Nevada Business Magazine.
August 2020 27 UNLV School of Medicine faculty physicians were recognized as Las Vegas Top Doctors by Desert Companion Magazine and Vegas Inc.'s Health Care Quarterly.
July 2020 UNLV Medicine concludes its curbside COVID-19 testing after serving more than 18,000 Nevadans since March 23, 2020, with significant support from the Nevada National Guard.
April 2020 Dr. Marc J. Kahn begins a Dean of the UNLV School of Medicine.
March 2020 UNLV Medicine responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by opening a testing program.
November 2019 Governor Steve Sisolak announces a group of private donors has agreed to pay for the construction of a medical education complex that will serve as the UNLV School of Medicine permanent campus.
October 2019 The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), grants the UNLV School of Medicine provisional accreditation.
September 2019 Internationally known trauma surgeon Dr. John Fildes becomes UNLV School of Medicine Interim Dean.
July 2019

Founding Dean Barbara Atkinson announces her intention to step down step down from the day to day operations of the medical school.

UNLV School of Medicine admits its 3rd cohort of medical students.
July 2018 UNLV School of Medicine admits its 2nd cohort of medical education students.
July 2017 The charter class of 60 medical students arrive at the campus on Shadow Lane in Las Vegas to begin their education. UNLV Medicine, the School of Medicine’s faculty practice plan, begins operations.
June 2017

2017 Nevada Legislature approves additional base operating funding to the School by $13 million.

An anonymous donor contributes funding $25 million gift to the Medical Education Building project with a matching legislative appropriation of $25 million.
November 2016 Renovation and improvements to the UNLV Shadow Lane Campus Building B are completed. The space encompasses 20,000 square feet, and includes classrooms for microscopy and demonstrations, virtual anatomy laboratory, a medical library, small group study rooms, a student lounge, recreational gym, and student locker space.
October 2016

The UNLV School of Medicine launches its medical student admissions process on October 29. The School was granted preliminary accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) on Oct. 18, 2016.

The UNLV School of Medicine opens its first clinical practice on Oct. 13, 2016 in partnership with the Grant A Gift Autism Foundation. The new Center provides families a full complement of autism and neurodevelopmental care including diagnostics, treatment, behavioral support, and transition planning all in one place.
August 2016 The School of Medicine is granted accreditation from ACGME as an institutional sponsor of graduate medical education (GME).
June 2016 The Clark County Commission approves transferring 9.11 acres at 625 Shadow Lane to UNLV School of Medicine for its first academic building.
April 2016 The School of Medicine Receives a $3 million grant from the United Health Foundation to develop innovative programs in bioethics, hospitality in health care, and population health.
March 2016 Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents approve framework for the medical school's faculty practice plan.
February 2016 The UNLV School of Medicine is one step closer to accepting its first class of students. The national accrediting body for allopathic medical education confirmed that documents submitted December 2015 by UNLV School of Medicine have earned it a site visit in July.
December 2015 The NSHE Board of Regents approved UNLV School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree.
November 2015 Dr. Barbara Atkinson is officially named founding dean of the UNLV School of Medicine on November 10.
October 2015 The Nevada Legislature Interim Finance Committee (IFC) approves releasing the medical school’s remaining $18.4 million over the biennium Oct. 24, 2015.
September 2015

The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation make a $2 million gift to help fund faculty for a new department of orthopedic surgery at the UNLV School of Medicine.

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents approves the UNLV School of Medicine organizational structure establishing 24 teaching departments.

Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects from Henderson, Nev., and CO Architects based in Los Angeles are selected to design the new medical school building. Both firms have extensive experience in large and complex institutions. CO Architects has specific expertise in medical education and health sciences facilities.
June 2015 The Nevada Legislature approved full funding — nearly $27 million — for the UNLV School of Medicine. Gov. Brian Sandoval signs Senate Bill 514 — the state’s appropriations bill into law at UNLV on June 11. The Founding Scholarship campaign wraps up in less than 60 days with $13.5 million to secure 135, four-year student scholarships.
April 2015 The UNLV School of Medicine announces its Founding Scholarship Leader program for the inaugural class of 60 students. Scholarships are $100,000 each and represent the approximate cost of tuition of four years. Within 30 days, community leaders make commitments to fund 52 scholarships.
September 2014 The UNLV School of Medicine begins the 18-month accreditation process by submitting its application to the LCME.
August 2014 The UNLV School of Medicine is officially established Aug. 22, 2014 when the NSHE Board of Regents approve a two-year budget and submit it to the governor and Nevada Legislature.
May 2014 UNLV hires Barbara Atkinson, MD as the planning dean for the UNLV School of Medicine. The Nevada System of Higher Education, University of Nevada (Reno) School of Medicine and UNLV sign a memorandum of understanding to authorize the creation of an independent UNLV School of Medicine.
October 2013 The Lincy Institute commissions nationally recognized consultant Tripp Umbach to prepare an economic impact report on the effects of developing a four-year allopathic medical school in Las Vegas. The report details how a new UNLV School of Medicine will generate $1.2 billion in economic impact and create 8,000 jobs by 2030.