Nevada, Pittsburgh universities discuss joint medical center

Dan Kulin and Christina Littlefield

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

The University of Nevada School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have had "cordial" and "productive" talks about working together to operate a proposed academic medical center for downtown Las Vegas, but the discussion of a possible partnership is in its infancy, top Nevada university officials said this morning.

The two schools and city officials have been talking about plans for a medical center on the city's 61 acres on the west side of downtown.

Jim Rogers, interim chancellor of Nevada's university and college system, said the Nevada School of Medicine will have a presence on the city property because it will run an Alzheimer's research facility that is planned to be the first part of the medical center.

"There's no question about that, but how much of a presence is unknown," Rogers said, adding that another seven or eight acres are expected to be set aside for the medical center.

Rogers also said discussions with the Pittsburgh school about a possible partnership are "in its infancy."

"It's a long way between here and there," Rogers said about a potential partnership.

John McDonald, dean of the Nevada School of Medicine, said the talks between the two schools have been "cordial" and "productive," but "exploratory."

"We have not really gotten to the point where we have discussed specifics, we are more understanding each other's mission and vision and values," McDonald said.

He added that an academic medical center would need one or more hospitals working in cooperation with each other to be successful. The School of Medicine, does not have the "resources or expertise to run a hospital," McDonald said.

Any partnership with Pittsburgh, however, would not diminish the Nevada School of Medicine's current partnership with the University Medical Center in Las Vegas or the school's commitment to care for the under-served in Las Vegas, McDonald said.

McDonald said any real details or formal commitments between the two universities are months away.

The city and officials with the real estate development company The Related Cos. are currently negotiating a development agreement for the land that was once part of the Union Pacific rail yards.

Early versions of the development plan for the property include dedicating space on the 61 acres for an academic medical center, new City Hall, domed baseball stadium, and residential and commercial high-rises.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has said the two schools have the "highest level" of interest in being a part of an academic medical center on the land, and said the schools are investigating whether their participation in such a center would be practical.