Alamo named to succeed Ghanem

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001 | 1:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named Dr. Tony Alamo Jr. of Las Vegas to the state Athletic Commission. Alamo succeeds Dr. Elias Ghanem, who died last month after a long battle with cancer.

Alamo has served as chairman of the medical advisory board to the athletic commission that regulates boxing in Nevada. Alamo has been advisory board chairman since July of last year.

Alamo is the founder of the Alamo Medical Clinic in Las Vegas, CEO of the medical consulting firm Health Strategies, Inc., and chairman of the credential committee at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas.

Guinn said Alamo "is a respected member of the medical community, whose dedication to the health and safety of boxers in Nevada is well established." He said he was proud to appoint a "man of his credential to this important commission."

Ghanem had served on the athletic commission since 1987 and was its chairman at the time of his death. The commission itself will choose a new chairman. Luther Mack of Reno is vice chairman.

The governor also appointed Las Vegas neurologist Dr. Margaret Goodman to take Alamo's place as head of the medical advisory board.

Goodman has been a practicing neurologist since 1988 and is medical director of the Headache Center of Southern Nevada. She has been the neurological consultant to the athletic commission since 1993 and has served as ringside physician for more than 150 professional boxing and kickboxing cards.

Guinn said, "I feel very confident that Dr. Goodman will uphold the high medical standards of the athletic commission and that the safety of our athletes is in good hands with her as chair of the medical advisory board."