Megumi Akiyama, MD
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Dr. Megumi Akiyama, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, completed a fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at the University of Hawaii.
A former staff perinatologist at Desert Perinatal Associates, Dr. Akiyama did her ob-gyn residency training at the University of Nevada, Reno. There, she won the Phillip H. Goodman Resident Competition in Critical Appraisal.
Rabea Alhosh, MD
Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition
Pediatric gastroenterology – it is the specialty practiced by Dr. Rabea Alhosh, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Pediatrics.
Because parents are often concerned and anxious when they bring their child to see a gastroenterologist, a physician specializing on the digestive system, Dr. Alhosh says he spends a lot of time helping parents understand their child’s diagnosis and treatment options.
John Anooshian, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Dr. John Anooshian, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, received his medical degree from the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine.
Anooshian completed his general psychiatric residency at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine.
Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, he is medical director and senior psychiatrist at the UNLV Health Mojave Counseling Center.
Jose Aponte-Pieras, MD
Internal Medicine
Jose Aponte-Pieras, MD, completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and went on to complete his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV where he served as chief fellow. Dr. Aponte-Pieras’s research has been published in numerous journals including American Journal of Case Reports, Cancer Letters, and ACG Case Reports Journal.
Annabel E. Barber, MD, FACS
General Surgery, Oncology, and Gastrointestinal Disorders
Dr. Annabel Barber, a professor of surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is a board-certified surgeon who performs surgeries for patients with breast, colorectal, thyroid and head and neck cancers. She also sees patients with the following gastrointestinal disorders: acid reflux, heartburn, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Ovunc Bardakcioglu, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Dr. Ovunc Bardakcioglu, an associate professor of surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, serves as chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.
Dr. Bardakcioglu was educated in Germany and chose to specialize in general surgery during his residency at Beth Israel Medical Center.
He completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles.
Glenn Barnes, DO
Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
Dr. Barnes is originally from San Jose, CA but was raised down the Colorado River in Lake Havasu City, AZ. He moved to Las Vegas during his high school years. He attended University of Nevada – Las Vegas to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Professional Biology. Afterwards he obtained his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Touro University Nevada in Henderson, NV.
Jennifer Baynosa, MD
General Surgery, Breast Oncology
Dr. Jennifer Baynosa is an associate professor of breast oncology surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
A graduate of the USC Keck School of Medicine, she completed her general surgery residence at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine. After residency, she completed a breast surgery fellowship at Stanford University.
Currently the program director for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV General Surgery Residency, her main research interest is breast cancer and how it metastasizes.
Richard Baynosa, MD, FACS
Plastic Surgery
Dr. Richard Baynosa, an associate professor and head of the Section of Breast Surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, serves as the chief and program director of the Division of Plastic Surgery. He is also University Medical Center’s Chief of Plastic Surgery and MountainView Hospital’s Chief of Plastic Surgery.
Jo-Lawrence Bigcas, MD
Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction
Dr. Bigcas primary clinical interest is in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients, salivary and thyroid disease, cancer prevention, skull base surgery, robotic surgery, and head and neck reconstruction. He also has clinical interests in other subspecialties of otolaryngology including sinonasal disease, bony and soft tissue facial reconstruction, and facial reanimation.
Jocelyn Burke, MD
General Surgery
Jocelyn Burke, MD, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, specializes in robotic foregut surgery, with particular interest in hiatal hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery and surgery for gastrointestinal motility disorders, including achalasia and gastroparesis.
Yvonne Marie Carter, MD
Thoracic Surgery
Yvonne Marie Carter, MD, a thoracic surgeon who earned her medical degree at Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City, is an associate professor and thoracic surgery section chief in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery.
Amber Champion, MD
Internal Medicine, Endocrinology
Dr. Amber Champion is originally from Washington state, but has practiced in Baltimore and Nebraska prior to joining the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. She graduated from The Flinders University School of Medicine of South Australia in 2005. She completed Internal Medicine Residency in Spokane, WA, and Endocrinology fellowship at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Shirong (Sara) Chang, MD
Pediatric Surgery
Dr. Chang, an assistant professor of pediatric surgery at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is a board-certified general and pediatric surgeon.
Her areas of special interest include surgical disease of the newborn gastrointestinal tract, anorectal malformations, pediatric surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.
Winn Chatham, MD
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Dr. Chatham, Professor of Internal Medicine at the Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV graduated from Duke University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and received his medical doctorate from Vanderbilt University. After completing a residency in Internal Medicine at The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and then serving for three years in the National Health Service Corp he then completed subspecialty fellowship training in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Harry H. Ching, MD
Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Harry H. Ching, an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head & neck surgery and facial plastic surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, treats a variety of disorders, including nasal obstruction, sinus disease, smf facial trauma.
His clinical interests also include cosmetic facial surgery – rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty, brow lift, Asian eyelid surgery, and scar revision. He also specializes in reconstruction of the face for skin cancer, treatment of eyelid disorders, Botox injections and other injectable filler treatments.
Kristyn Cisilino, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Internal Medicine
Kristyn Cisilino is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in primary care. Kristyn’s academic journey began with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from College of Southern Nevada, which laid the foundation for her career in healthcare. Eager to expand her knowledge and skills, she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University, deepening her understanding of patient care and healthcare management.
Kassandra Colletta, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Kassandra Colletta, MD, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, is an assistant professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Dr. Colletta graduated medical school with an emphasis in clinical ethics from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. She then continued her medical training at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, where she completed her OB-GYN residency.
Buddhadeb Dawn, MD
Cardiology, Echocardiography
Buddhadeb (Buddha) Dawn, MD, is tenured Professor and Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. He is also the Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.
Glendell de Guzman, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Dr. de Guzman is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and practices general obstetrics and gynecology. His main interests include general obstetrics, family planning, contraception counseling, STD screening and treatment, and gynecological surgical procedures.
Dr. de Guzman worked at the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and its affiliated Harvard University hospitals for the last 3 years prior to joining the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV faculty.
Jyoti Desai, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Dr. Jyoti Desai, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, participates with Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada and is also an active member of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV’s admissions process.
Dr. Desai enjoys fostering strong relationships with her patients and practicing evidence-based medicine in her clinic as well as in the hospital setting.
David Di John, MD
Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases
Dr. David Di John, a professor of pediatrics at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Interim Chair of Pediatrics, and the program director of the UNLV Health Maternal-HIV program.
He has more than 30 years of experience in research and treatment of pediatric infectious diseases, including clinical care for women, infants, children and youth with HIV/AIDS.
Lisa Durette, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Lisa Durette, MD, graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed both a general psychiatry residency and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is board certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, as well as in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventative Medicine. Dr.
Rajany V. Dy, MD
Internal Medicine
Rajany V. Dy, MD graduated from the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, Manila, The Philippines in 2007. She trained in Internal Medicine at the Yale New Haven Hospital and Pulmonary / Critical Care Medicine at University at Buffalo. She specializes in pulmonary diseases and the care of critically ill patients. Her interests include interstitial lung diseases, COPD, ARDS and fluid management in the ICU. Dr.
Miriam Een, MS, RD, LD
Family & Community Medicine
Miriam Een, an assistant professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine, is nationally registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and licensed in the state of Nevada. Miriam is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, has served twice as president of the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the Nevada Dietetic Association), and was selected as Nevada’s Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year in 1995.
Carmen Flores, MD
Trauma Surgery
Dr. Carmen Flores, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, practices general, trauma, acute care and burn surgery.
A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Dr. Flores completed fellowships in both surgical critical care and trauma/acute care surgery through the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Leanne Free, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Leanne Free, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and fellowship-trained specialist in complex family planning, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics.
Dr. Free completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry and Spanish at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude.
Wade Gaal, MD, CAQSM
Family & Community Medicine, Sports Medicine
Wade Gaal, MD, CAQSM, Assistant Professor Family and Community Medicine received his medical degree from the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV after receiving his BS in Biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
He completed his specialty training at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Family Medicine Residency program followed by fellowship at the University of Nevada School of Medicine Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship.
Casey Giles, PA-C
Plastic, Reconstructive, & Aesthetic Surgery
Casey Giles is one of the advanced practice providers in the UNLV Health Plastic Surgery Clinic. She is a Las Vegas native and alumni of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She attended the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio for physician assistant training. Casey graduated top of her class and was inducted into the Pi Alpha and Alpha Eta honor societies.
Nadia Gomez, MD, MBA
Gynecology, Robotic Gynecology Surgery
Dr. Nadia Gomez, an associate professor in the Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics and director of the minimally invasive gynecology surgery division at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, became in 2015 the first female physician to perform robotic benign gynecological surgery at University Medical Center, where she is currently the vice chair of the robotics committee.
Irene Goya, MSN, PMHNP, APRN
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Irene is a psychiatric nurse practitioner that has spent her career treating patients at UNLV Medicine Mojave Counseling with severe and persistent mental illness. She worked at Mojave as a student nurse and returned to start her career there.
Jared Griffard, MD
General & Trauma Surgery
Jared Griffard, MD, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine.
He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center – Knoxville, and completed a fellowship in acute care surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, becoming board-certified in both general surgery and surgical critical care.
Badrunnisa Hanif, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Badrunnisa Hanif, MD, FACP, Board Certified in Internal Medicine since 2002 is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine. She was graduated from Sindh Medical College in Karachi, in 1996, and completed her residency training in 2002 from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
Angelica E. Honsberg, MD
Internal Medicine, Pulmonology
Dr. Angelica Honsberg, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, graduated from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia.
She completed her internal medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University and a pulmonary fellowship at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Honsberg is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Sara Hunt, Ph.D.
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Dr. Sara Hunt, an assistant dean of behavioral health sciences with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, also serves as director of the UNLV Mental and Behavioral Health Coalition.
She completed her doctorate in psychology at Utah State University. Dr. Hunt completed her pre-doctoral internship in Toronto, Canada. Her research and clinical interests have focused on individuals with chronic health concerns.
Kenneth Izuora, MD, MBA
Internal Medicine, Endocrinology
Dr. Kenneth E. Izuora, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, believes it is vital that he uses his education to “make an impact on people’s lives.”
A graduate of the University of Nigeria Faculty of Medicine, he is board certified by the American Board of Internal medicine. Fellowship trained at Emory University in Atlanta, he specializes in endocrinology.
Mason Jahnke, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Mason Jahnke, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and clerkship director at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, earned his medical degree at Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Jahnke completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he received the Bo Holloman Award for dedication to patient service, an award for medical student education, and served as a resident ambassador and the resident ambassador coordinator. His clinical interests include outpatient psychiatry and education.
Brandi Alexander Jeffries, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Brandi Alexander Jeffries, a graduate of Meharry Medical College in Tennessee, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Department of Family Medicine.
She completed her postgraduate family medicine residency at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio and also completed postgraduate fellowships in primary care at Meharry Medical College and maternal child health at West Suburban Medical Center/PCC Community Wellness in Illinois.
Justin Jones, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Justin Aaron Jones, MD, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, takes immense pride in establishing a truly therapeutic relationship with patients that conveys mutual trust and acceptance of both parties.
“I personally find this to be the most rewarding aspect of psychiatry, being able to meet people where they are and allow them to be OK with not being where they may wish to be just yet,” he says.
Mayra Alejandra Jones-Betancourt, MD
Pediatrics
Dr. Jones-Betancourt is originally from Vista, CA located in San Diego county. She was the first person in her family to attend college. Dr. Jones-Betancourt completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley where she studied environmental biology with an emphasis on human health. She attended University of California, Davis for medical school where she was involved with student run clinics and the Latino Medical Student Association. She completed her residency training at University of Southern California Los Angeles county. Dr.
Jennifer Joy-Cornejo, Au.D., CCC-A/FAAA
Senior Audiologist
Jennifer Joy-Cornejo is a senior audiologist and faculty lecturer in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Department of Otolaryngology.
Certified in audiology and as a hearing aid specialist by the State of Nevada Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Boards, Joy-Cornejo possesses the certificate of clinical competence in audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
Nazia Khan, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Nazia Khan, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, received her medical degree at Dow Medical College in Pakistan.
Board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, she completed a residency at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine.
Her research includes work done at the LDS Hospital Cardiovascular Research Division in Salt Lake City, UT.
Jee-Hong (Peter) Kim, MD
Otolaryngology
Jee-Hong (Peter) Kim, MD, the author of more than 20 research publications in peer-reviewed journals, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.
Dr. Kim specializes in complex endoscopic sinus surgery, treatment of sinonasal tumors, and skull base surgery.
He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. While there, he received a National Institute of Health (NIH) research grant and completed an additional year of the Clinical Scientist Training Program.
Mutsumi John Kioka, MD
Internal Medicine, Pulmonology
Dr. Mutsumi Kioka, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, is board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
A graduate of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, he completed a residency at the University of Southern California and a fellowship through Wayne State University.
Daniel M. Kirgan, MD
General Surgery, Surgical Oncology
Dr. Daniel Kirgan, a professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, is currently vice chair of the department, and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology.
A graduate of the George Washington University School of Medicine, he completed his general surgical residency at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine. Following completion of his residency, Dr. Kirgan did a two-year surgical oncology fellowship at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in California.
David Kuykendall, MD
Family & Community Medicine
Dr. David Kuykendall, an assistant professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine, is proud of his community-focused and volunteer activities, which include assisting with Volunteers of Medicine of Southern Nevada, the Nevada Obstetrical Charity Clinic and participating in the Nevada Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program to identify people exposed to radiation at the Nevada Test Site.
Lyanna Joy LaFredo, MD
Pediatrics
Lyanna Joy LaFredo, MD, who has practiced medicine for 16 years, mostly seeing the healthcare needs of underserved children, is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
A graduate of the University of Philippines College of Medicine, Dr. LaFredo, who studied embryology at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, did her graduate medical education residency training at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Rebecca L. Lee, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
Rebecca L. Lee, MD, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, has a special interest in high risk obstetrics, infertility and minimally invasive gynecological surgeries.
A graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University, she completed her OB/GYN residency at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center.
Her research has appeared in peer-reviewed journals that include the Journal of Robotic Surgery and the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
Adam Levy, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Dr. Adam V. Levy, an associate professor and director of the division of family planning in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, has research projects underway in pelvic rehabilitation, family planning and pain control for outpatient surgery.
Hilary Massey, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Hilary Massey, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral health for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the current associate residency program director for the psychiatry residency. A graduate of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, she completed her psychiatry residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, receiving the Exceptional Clinical Service Award.
Michele Mancini, MSN, FNP-C
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Michele Mancini is a board-certified family nurse practitioner joining the group with over 10 years of experience as a registered nurse, with eight of those years specializing in women’s services. Michele obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nevada.
Stephanie Lynne Martinez, MD
General & Trauma Surgery
Stephanie Martinez, MD, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, received her medical doctorate and completed her general surgery residency at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Originally from Buffalo, NY, Dr. Martinez did her fellowship training in burn surgery, surgical critical care, and trauma surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her areas of interest include acute management of coagulopathy and resuscitation in burn-trauma patients, as well as burn reconstruction.
Marsha Matsunaga-Kirgan, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Dr. Marsha Matsunaga-Kirgan, a professor and acting vice chair of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, has had her research published in publications that include the British Journal of Pharmacology and Journal of Investigative Medicine.
In 2013 she won the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching Award.
Annette Mayes, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Annette Mayes, MD, who completed her undergraduate work in human biology at Stanford University prior to receiving her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery & Obstetrics.
Her postgraduate OB-GYN residency training was completed at the University of Texas, Houston.
Allison G. McNickle, MD
General Surgery, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care
Allison G. McNickle, MD, has a trauma surgery and research background, with a special interest in trauma resuscitation and the management of extremity injuries. In addition to her clinical practice, she actively trains others to care for trauma patients through advanced trauma life support and pre-hospital lectures.
John M. Menezes, MD
Plastic Surgery, Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
Dr. John Menezes, an associate professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is the only fellowship-trained Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine craniofacial surgeon in Las Vegas.
Among his areas of expertise are cleft lip and palate repair, craniosynostosis, ear reconstruction, microsurgery, and adult and pediatric facial trauma.
Rebecca Meyers, MD, FAAP
Pediatrics
Rebecca Meyers, MD, was born and raised in Northport, AL. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University in New York, NY, followed by a graduate degree in physical therapy at California State University, Northridge. She completed medical school at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She then completed her pediatric residency training at the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.
Kush D. Modi, MD
Internal Medicine, Pulmonology
Dr. Kush Modi, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, received his medical degree Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India.
He completed his Masters in Public Health at Drexel University. He completed residency in internal medicine at Drexel University and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at State University of New York at Buffalo.
Dr. Modi is associate fellowship program director for pulmonary and critical care at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Ana Mrkaic, MD, PhD
Endocrinology
As an endocrinologist, Dr. Ana Mrkaic, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, treats the problems, diseases and medical conditions of the endocrine system, an intricate network of glands producing hormones that regulate various functions in the body.
Alison Netski, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Alison Netski, MD, is the vice dean of clinical affairs and professor of psychiatry at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Board certified from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, Dr. Netski specializes in the treatment of adults with a broad range of psychiatric illness including mood, psychotic, and anxiety disorders.
Beverly Neyland, MD
Pediatrics
Beverly A. Neyland, professor of Pediatrics at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, earned the B.S. degree from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and the M.D. degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Additional training includes an externship at the University of Zagreb in Yugoslavia; an internship at the Long Beach Memorial Children’s Hospital, Long Beach, California; and pediatric residency at the UCLA/Harbor General Hospital in Torrance, California. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Matthew Ng, MD
Otolaryngology, Otology, & Neurotology
Dr. Matthew Ng, an associate professor at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is also residency program director for the otolaryngology-head & neck surgery residency training program. He specializes in otology-neurotology and lateral skull base surgery.
Specializing in otology-neurotology, Dr. Ng treats all forms of hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic ear infection, cholesteatoma, facial nerve disorders, dizziness, and imbalance, as well as tumors of the lateral skull base.
Gordon Ohning, MD
Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Dr. Gordon Ohning, a professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, graduated from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Iowa and a fellowship in gastroenterology from UCLA.
After 30 years as a professor at UCLA — he also was a prolific researcher with the CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center there — Ohning said the opportunity to help create the new UNLV School of Medicine was too good to pass up.
Oluwafunmilola T Okuyemi, MD, MSCI, FACS
Otolaryngology, Oncology and Microvascular Surgery
Dr. Oluwafunmilola Okuyemi, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Otolaryngology, is currently the only active otolaryngology-trained microvascular reconstructive surgeon in Nevada.
Her research interests include clinical outcomes research investigating functional outcomes in head and neck cancer treatment, and microvascular reconstruction. Dr. Okuyemi also has interest in investigations into possible future head and neck transplantation therapies.
Lianne Ong, MD
Family & Community Medicine
Dr. Lianne Ong, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family & Community Medicine, has served as the UNLV Student Health Center Latent Tuberculosis Treatment Program Coordinator.
Board certified in family medicine, she said she appreciates that academic medicine allows her to work with medical students and to provide her patients with evidence-based care.
Her medical interests are providing care to women, adolescents, and children.
Elissa Palmer, MD
Family & Community Medicine
Dr. Elissa Palmer, a professor, and chair of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
With research interests that include Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue, and the development of medical genetics computer programs, she has published articles in publications that include Academic Medicine, the Journal of Genetic Counseling and Physician Leadership Journal.
David Parks, MD
Pediatrics, Pulmonology
Dr. David Parks, a pediatric pulmonologist and associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Pediatrics, believes that patient education and establishing rapport with patients and their families are essential to the art of medicine.
For asthma patients, he developed a two-page “asthma action plan” that details what they should do while living with asthma, how to use an inhaler, and the actions to take when different symptoms arise.
Fateh Peera, MD
Pediatrics
Dr. Fateh Peera, who at the University of Arizona College of Medicine studied the importance of calories obtained from beverages as a contributing factor to obesity in children, joined UNLV Health as a pediatrician in 2018.
A 2007 graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine where he also completed his residency program in pediatrics, he worked as a pediatrician in Tucson, AZ for five years before becoming an assistant professor of pediatrics at Texas Tech University in 2015.
Ashley Pistorio, MD, MS
Hand Surgery
Dr. Pistorio is originally from Maryland. She worked in biomedical research for ten years prior to medical school. She completed her undergraduate degree at Thomas Edison State College in animal science and her master’s degree in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University.
Meenakshi Rajan, MD
Plastic Surgery
Meenakshi Rajan, MD, who has extensive training in the treatment of breast cancer patients, particularly in complex microvascular breast reconstruction, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Rajan earned her medical degree at Rush University Medical College, completing her general surgery residency training at Cleveland Clinic Florida and plastic surgery residency training at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio.
Aron Rogers, DO
Family & Community Medicine
Dr. Aron Rogers, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine, left a private practice in Las Vegas with 2000 patients for the opportunity to teach.
Arthur O. Romero, MD
Internal Medicine, Pulmonology
Dr. Arthur Oliver Romero, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, graduated from the University of Philippines College of Medicine.
He specializes in pulmonary critical care medicine and internal medicine.
Dr. Romero is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and internal medicine.
Syed F. Saquib, MD
Burn Surgery, General Surgery, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care
Dr. Syed F. Saquib, an assistant professor of trauma and critical care at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, works at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, primarily in trauma, burns and critical care.
Heavily involved in UMC’s Lions Burns Care Center, he works closely with fellows, residents, and students in providing the best patient care possible.
David Savarese, MD
Pediatrics
Dr. David Savarese, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Pediatrics, was director of a community health center in Connecticut that offered medical care, behavioral health care and dental health care to children and their families who were traumatized by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in Newtown, Conn. That tragedy took the lives of 20 children and six adults.
Michael Scheidler, MD
Pediatric Surgery
Dr. Michael Scheidler, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, is chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery.
Rebecca Scherr, MD, MPH
Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition
Dr. Rebecca Scherr,an associate professor of pediatrics at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is the division chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition.
She is also vice chief of pediatrics at University Medical Center Children’s Hospital of Nevada.
Dr. Scherr treats patients with general GI concerns as well as complex issues including inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and patients requiring nutritional support.
Suparna (Supa) Shah, MD
Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery
Suparna (Supa) Shah, MD, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Before her career in medicine, Dr. Shah earned an MBA at the University of Houston and spent several years working in the business arena in a managerial capacity. Leaving a successful career in business, Dr. Shah began her medical education at the New York College of Medicine where she earned a medical doctorate before completing her residency in otolaryngology at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Jill Sharma, MD
Internal Medicine
Jill Sharma, MD, who specializes in the management of pulmonary diseases and the care of critically ill patients, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Sharma earned her medical degree from the Mercer University School of Medicine in Georgia. At the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, she completed an internal medicine residency and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care.
Lawrence Shaw, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Dr. Lawrence Shaw, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, is graduate of the University of California Irvine School of Medicine.
Dr. Shaw, who also holds a Master of Science degree in engineering from the University of Southern California, completed a residency at Southern Illinois University.
His published research, “ Congenital Epulis: Three Dimensional Ultrasonographic Findings and Clinical Implications,” appeared in the Journal of Ultrasound Medicine.
Laura Shaw, MD
Family & Community Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Laura Shaw, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine, is certified by both the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Prior to joining the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, she practiced medicine in Florida and was on the faculty at the University of Nevada School of Medicine Reno.
Dodds P Simangan Jr., DO
Pediatrics
Dr. Dodds Simangan is an an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, and a board-certified general pediatrician; who sees patients while teaching medical students and pediatric residents at the UNLV Health Pediatric Clinic and the newborn nursery at Sunrise Children’s Hospital.
Aditi Singh, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Aditi Singh, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, is associate medical director of the internal medicine residency program.
A graduate of the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, she cares for patients in the areas of preventative medicine, diabetes, hypertension management and women’s health.
Director of ambulatory education in the internal medicine program, Dr. Singh is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Misti Song, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Misti Song, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, received her medical degree from Loma Linda University.
She is board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Charles St Hill, MD, MSc, FACS
Surgical Oncology, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, General Surgery
Dr. Charles St. Hill, an assistant professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery, has pursued research in cancer surgery/clinical trials program development.
A graduate of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, he offers clinical trials for patients who fit the criteria for certain studies. “We’ve done several sponsored clinical trials that have helped patients who don’t have the resources, which help to advance the research while offering more options for patients.”
Lorena Suarez-Kelly, MD
General Surgery, Oncology
Lorena Patricia Suarez-Kelly, MD, who specializes in the management of complex cancer patients, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Surgery.
Her research focuses on the use of immune modulators to treat cancer and enhance the actions of antitumor therapies
Faisal Suba, MD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Faisal Suba, MD, who completed his psychiatry residency program at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Suba received a certification in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from Duke University. He is one of the founders, and managing partners, of Alliance Mental Health Specialists, as well as one of the medical directors at Talas Harbor Behavioral Health Hospital.
Josephine Sun, MD
Pediatrics
Josephine Sun, MD, is originally from Salt Lake City, UT and spent half of her childhood in Taiwan. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Utah. During medical school, she was involved in many volunteer activities including the Somali Refugee Program and health fairs for the underserved community.
Joseph Thornton, MD
General Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Dr. Joseph Thornton, an associate professor with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, has been a practicing colon and rectal surgeon in Las Vegas for more than 25 years.
A graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville who later did a colon rectal surgery fellowship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Dr. Thornton is board certified in colon and rectal surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
Sisi Tian, MD
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Dr. Tian joins the school from Loma Linda University School of Medicine where she taught as an assistant professor of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. Dr. Tian’s work has been published in Fibrogenesis Tissue Repair and Radiation Research. Dr. Tian completed medical school at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science: Chicago Medical School and, afterwards, completed an internal medicine residency at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. She went on to complete a critical care medicine fellowship at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Johnson Ukken, MD
Family & Community Medicine
Johnson Ukken, MD, received his bachelor’s in neuroscience and English literature from Johns Hopkins University, his master’s from Georgetown University, and his medical doctorate from University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. A native Nevadan, he completed his internship and residency, during which he served as chief resident, in family medicine at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
His interests include hospital medicine, evidence-based medicine, healthcare & technology, and medical education.
John Varras, MD
Internal Medicine, Diabetes and Weight Management
Dr. John Varras, is a professor at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine. He attended medical school at Creighton University in Nebraska, where he also completed his residency.
He is the former chair for the department of internal medicine at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine. Under his leadership, the department of internal medicine expanded the size of the residency training program and started three new fellowships in cardiology, gastroenterology, and pulmonary and critical care.
Sandhya Wahi-Gururaj, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Sandhya Wahi-Gururaj, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine, is a board-certified general internist and currently serves as the internal medicine residency program director.
A member of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Wahi-Gururaj has helped to shape curricula and training programs for local fellows and residents while maintaining a clinical presence that centers on establishing long-lasting, communicative relationships with her primary care patients.
Robert H. Wang, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Dr. Robert H. Wang completed his medical school education at the University of Alabama in Birmingham after he finished his graduate school education at the University of New Mexico with a PhD degree in immunology.
He then received his OB/GYN residency training at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. After his training, Dr. Wang engaged in his solo practice in Houston for several years before he relocated to Las Vegas.
Robert C. Wang, MD
Otolaryngology & Thyroid Surgery
Dr. Robert Wang, a professor, and chair of otolaryngology at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV has more than 30 years of experience in dealing with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat and related structures of the head and neck.
With expertise in head and neck cancer treatment, Dr. Wang runs the sole head and neck tumor board in Las Vegas, partnering with Dr. Oluwafunmilola Okuyemi who performs the reconstruction. Dr. Wang performs robotic-assisted as well as laser surgery for cancers.
Miracle Wangsuwana, DO, MS
Neurology
Dr. Miracle Wangsuwana offers a full scope of general adult neurological care, he most often sees patients diagnosed with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, migraines, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Brian Ward, MD PhD
Dr. Brian C. Ward, an assistant professor of surgery at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, is a general surgeon who treats patients with a wide variety of conditions, including hernias and diseases of the breast, stomach, colon, rectal, small bowel and gallbladder.
He also handles cases involving skin and soft tissue masses and disease.
Earning his MD from Indiana University, Dr. Ward completed his residency at UNLV in general surgery. He also holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Purdue University.
David Weismiller, MD, ScM, FAAFP
Family and Community Medicine, Women's Health
Dr. David Weismiller, a professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine, is known nationally for educating his colleagues through many learning activities and venues.
He has developed and presented continuing education courses to physicians through the AAFP “Board Review Express Course Series” since 2005. He also has educated colleagues through an AAFP webcast series covering multiple topics, ranging from geriatrics and primary care to treatment of blood cholesterol and sports concussions.
Jonathan Wirjo, DO
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Dr. Jonathan Wirjo, an associate professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, received his medical degree from Western University Health Sciences.
He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine.
Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Wirjo is chair of psychiatry at Mountain View Hospital. Dr. Wirjo treats patients on the psychiatry consultation service at UMC hospital.
Ji Won Yoo, MD, MS
Internal Medicine, Geriatrics
Ji Won Yoo, MD, is the Nevada Interprofessional Healthy Aging Network Program Director and Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Nevada is a very popular place to retire, especially, with the baby boomer generation. At the same time, the number of providers of medical care in Nevada has not kept pace with the overall population and specifically, not with the geriatric population. For example, Nevada ranks 48th out of 50 states in primary care provider shortage. As we age, care often becomes more complex.
Elena Zenkin, MD
Family Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Elena Zenkin, an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Family and Community Medicine, specializes in obstetrics and gynecology.
She says she is positioned to provide female patients specialized care in women’s health as well as addressing their varied primary care health issues that are traditionally treated by family physicians.