Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year: Dr. Eric McClintock 

Dr. Eric R. McClintock is evidence that establishing Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine was exactly what Southern Nevada needed to address extraordinary needs in healthcare. The school’s opening drew the Reno native back to his home state after launching his career in the biotechnology industry in California. He graduated with the schools’ charter class and stayed in Las Vegas after graduation to complete his internal medicine residency at UNLV. After serving on the university’s faculty, teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians, he transitioned to practicing as a hospital physician.

What does being selected as the 2026 Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine Honoree mean to you?

I actually missed the call from the Alumni Association because I was doing rounds in the hospital. When I finally sat down at the end of a long shift, hearing that voicemail was a welcome, peaceful moment in the middle of the controlled chaos that usually fills my days.

I spent the majority of my adult life in Las Vegas — going through medical school, training during my residency, and eventually returning to teach as faculty. I truly owe my entire career to UNLV, from the classmates who walked beside me and the mentors who guided me, to the patients who allowed me to learn from them. To be recognized by the place that gave me the life and purpose I once only dreamed of is something I will hold onto for the rest of my career.

What inspired you to take the leap of joining UNLV's charter class?

Growing up with parents who were both physicians gave me an early appreciation for science, but after getting my bachelor's degree, I wasn't quite ready for the massive commitment medical school demands. I spent five years working in biotechnology first. While I loved the science, I realized I was missing the human connection — the chance to sit across from a person, listen to their story, and make a direct difference in their life. When UNLV announced it was opening its medical school, the innovative curriculum and the opportunity to help build a culture from the ground up felt like the calling I’d been waiting for.

Joining the charter class wasn't without risk, of course. There were no guarantees of accreditation yet, and everything was completely new. But I had a strong gut feeling that, if we put in the work, we would build something truly special together. 

Before I started, my mom shared a piece of wisdom with me that defined my entire approach: "Success as a physician is knowing your patients trust you to make competent, well-informed decisions in their best interest." UNLV gave me the exact tools, confidence, and heart to earn that trust every single day.

You specialize in hospital medicine. What draws you to this field? 

I was naturally drawn to internal medicine because I love the cerebral side of healthcare — working through complex diagnostic puzzles where patients arrive with uncertainties, and you have to carefully piece together the clues until everything fits. As a hospitalist, you are stepping into people's lives during some of their most vulnerable, high-stakes moments. Being able to intervene quickly, calm their fears, and see them heal day by day is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

What I cherish is the human connections made at the bedside. Patients will often tell you exactly what is wrong with them if you just slow down, ask the right questions, and truly listen to what they have to say. Not long ago, in the middle of an extraordinarily busy shift, I had a quiet moment where I felt completely calm and grounded. Despite the pressure, I knew exactly what steps to take for my patients. And it hit me: this is precisely where I was meant to be.

How do you see the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine impacting the future of healthcare across Southern Nevada?

For a long time, healthcare in Southern Nevada was fragmented, and our community faced a critical shortage of physicians. Building an academic medical center at UNLV created the anchor our region desperately needed. The school is attracting bright, passionate students from all over, providing them with a top-tier education and showing them firsthand what makes this community so vibrant and worthy of investment.

The real magic happens when those students complete their residency and decide to lay down roots right here in Nevada. I’m already seeing my fellow charter class graduates return as attending physicians, specialists, and faculty leaders at UNLV. It takes time to build that kind of sustainable infrastructure, but the School of Medicine is actively closing the gap doctors, raising the standard of local care, and leaving a lasting legacy for generations of Nevada families.