Anthem funds new rheumatology training program

UNLV officials announced on Wednesday that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada has donated $2 million to the university. The gift creates the Anthem Scholarship Fund, a permanent source of financial support for medical residents specializing in rheumatology at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. The funding will cover two years of training for one scholar who works under the supervision of expert rheumatologists. A new scholar will be selected every two years.

The state of Nevada faces a shortage of specialists in this field. A study published in Arthritis Care & Research projects that by 2037, the state will have only about 44 percent of the necessary rheumatology staff to meet patient demand. This ratio ranks as the third lowest in the country. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Joann Strobbe, the executive director of UNLV Health, described the current situation as insufficient. The network of community clinics serves approximately 250,000 patient visits annually across southern Nevada with a staff of about 150 physicians. Strobbe noted that patients currently wait between six and eight weeks to secure appointments with rheumatologists, a delay that complicates timely treatment.

Joy Thomas, president and CEO of government operations at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada, stated that the insurer has worked with the medical school for roughly two years to establish the endowment. Thomas said her daughter sees a rheumatologist and that she is familiar with the difficulty of securing appointments in that specialty. She emphasized that early access to specialist care helps patients manage symptoms, prevent complications, and maintain their quality of life.

UNLV President Chris Heavey spoke at a check presentation ceremony on Wednesday. He said that the work done in the medical school is vital for meeting the health needs of the community. Heavey pointed out that medical graduates often leave southern Nevada when they cannot find local residency positions. He added that donations like this one can help retain that talent locally.

Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicates that approximately 60 percent of physicians practice in the state where they completed their residency between 2014 and 2023. However, many UNLV graduates leave the state for residency training. A report by Brookings Mountain West and the Lincy Institute found that only 42 percent of residency slots for Kirk Kerkian School of Medicine graduates were located within the state between 2021 and 2025.

Alison Netski, the interim dean, said the medical school aims to create a pathway for high school students from Nevada to enter medicine and complete their training in the state. She acknowledged that financial barriers often prevent students from staying. Thomas said Anthem hopes the trained professionals will serve the community, meeting the needs of both Anthem Medicaid members and the broader public.