New dean outlines future for Nevada's 'stealth medical school'

The newly appointed dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine doesn't think it is a gamble to come to an institution that up until about a year ago was $2.2 million in the red.

"The state of Nevada has a really strong asset in its medical school," Dr. Robert Miller said at a press conference Monday morning. "It's a stealth medical school. A lot of citizens don't know about the resource."

Miller, 52, vice chancellor of Health Services at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, accepted the position Wednesday and officially will take over his new post Nov. 1.

Miller's annual salary will be $310,000, a figure that raised the eyebrows of some but had others saying it's a bargain price.

"We were lucky to get him for that," Regent Mark Alden said. "Good medical school deans are few and far between. The deanship is the second toughest job in the state -- the first being superintendent of the Clark County School District."

The school's past financial woes, blamed on a complicated computer billing system and poor collection rates that have since changed, remained in the past as the new dean, a head and neck surgeon, looked instead toward a brighter future in which he foresees tremendous growth.

The school has two campuses, one in Reno and one in Las Vegas.

"There is potential for growth for both schools, but the most potential is in Las Vegas," Miller said.

Because this is where most of the activity will be, Miller said he will run both schools from here.

Miller wants to see a health sciences center on 10 acres of land the school owns on Tenaya Way, with medical research being an important part of the complex.

The types of research and the direction of growth would be considered as part of a strategic planning process.

"We will look at our strengths and see how to get the biggest bang for the buck," he said.

He compared the potential to that of the Texas Medical Center in Houston.

The Houston facility has become the single largest employer in that city, Miller said.

"Many cities and states have diversified their economy with a medical base," he said.

Miller wants to attract top researchers.

"We have them in Reno and they do a wonderful job, but they're not interested in moving south," he said.

Miller thinks Las Vegas itself will be an attraction in future recruiting efforts.

"Las Vegas is an attractive place to live," he said.

Another draw will be the growth potential.

"We are starting something with a strong base, not from scratch, with a potential to build," he said, emphasizing a need for a strong public-private partnership to provide the funds that will enable the growth and help attract the researchers.

Alden is one of Miller's strongest supporters, defending him against a broadside fired by Bill Hale, chief executive officer of University Medical Center.

After announcement of Miller's appointment last week, Hale said he felt Miller was the wrong choice and that Dr. David Schapira, senior associate dean of the medical school in Las Vegas, should have been the choice.

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