Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has pledged $2 million to establish a permanent endowment for UNLV’s rheumatology fellowship. According to reporting from KNPR’s Anne Davis, this is expected to improve Southern Nevada’s physician shortage.

A $2 million gift from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada will help UNLV train more rheumatologists as the state struggles to meet demand for specialized care.

A major healthcare provider is giving $2 million to the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV to help address Southern Nevada’s shortage of physicians.

Funding will support one rheumatology fellow each year at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine.

About 40% of UNLV medical students have remained in Nevada for residency, while 60% leave because the state lacks programs in certain specialties, said Dr. Alison Netski, interim dean of UNLV’s Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. Among graduates who complete residencies or fellowships in Nevada, 65% stay to practice in the state.

The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV has received LEED Platinum Certification for the operations and maintenance of its Medical Education Building, the highest tier in the world’s most widely used green building rating system, university officials said in a news release.

Healthcare Nevada, 2026. The bad news? The state ranks at or near the bottom of healthcare rankings in terms of the number of physicians and primary care providers per 100,000 population.

The UNLV School of Medicine, which opened in 2017, is a foundational partner in the Las Vegas Medical District. Dean Allison Netski said a centralized medical hub is key to retaining graduates in the state.