Medical school gets $15 million donation

Las Vegas businessman Joseph Gould is making the Nevada School of Medicine's hopes come true -- with a check for $15 million.

Gould confirmed Thursday that he is donating $15 million toward building an 85,000-square-foot patient care and clinical research facility in northwest Las Vegas on Tenaya Way, located near West Cheyenne Avenue and U.S. 95.

The facility, projected to cost $17 million, will be built on a little more than 10 acres in the northwest part of the valley. The land was donated to the school in 1994 by the city of Las Vegas.

"We had a meeting. There are certain things to work out," Gould said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a done deal. I don't see any problems."

Medical school Dean Robert Daugherty met with Gould on Wednesday, and they made a verbal agreement, he said, adding that attorneys for the school and Gould would be drafting a written agreement in the next few days to seal the deal.

In previous negotiations, Gould had wanted to do a financial gift and loan combination adding up to $15 million. The loan part, according to Regent Mark Alden, had been a stumbling block.

The "project is OK," Gould said Thursday. His only concern had been that the land was available. Daugherty said the school's agreement with the city was still valid.

The 10 acres are estimated to be worth $5 million.

"I certainly hope that this is true because it's been playing out for some time," Alden said of the substantial donation. "The medical school needs more of a presence in Southern Nevada. I think this would be wonderful."

The medical facility will offer full-service outpatient services, family medicine and follow-up treatment following surgery. It also will be the center for the school's physician residency program.

MountainView Hospital is located directly north on a 30-acre site. The managed-care headquarters for Sierra Health Services borders directly south on 25 acres.

Other contributions for the medical center include: the Del E. Webb Foundation, $5 million; Jim Rogers of the Sunbelt Broadcasting Co., $2 million; Hazel E. Stone Charitable Trusts, $750,000; Grant and Bette Sawyer, $100,000; Clark and Sullivan Constructors, $100,000; and medical school faculty pledges, $200,500.

archive