How an Economic Recession Resembles a Bad Mood

Whether one is near, far, or perhaps already here.

To put recessionary concerns in perspective, it might help to describe a few ways a recession resembles a bad mood. There are some intriguing similarities!

1. There Is No Precise Definition.
We all know what a bad mood feels like. But there is no clear definition for a mix of real and perceived setbacks, and how they’re going to affect us.

In the U.S., the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defines a recession as follows:
“A recession is a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts for more than a few months.”

Rather vague, isn’t it?

One Student’s Journey

This week the 3rd year medical students started a brand-new chapter in our medical journey with clerkships. I think I speak for all my classmates when I say we are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions ranging from excitement and eagerness to get our hands dirty, to a little bit of fear and nervousness of the unknown. The Class of 2024 has been divided up into different tracks of rotations with different schedules. Although we may not see each other as often as we did in the classroom, there is still a sense of comradery as we embark on this thrilling journey at the same time.

WCMS Honors Healthcare Leaders
Recognition for Contributions to the Profession

President’s Award

Carl Sievert, PhD, Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine

Dr. Carl Sievert, PhD, currently heads up the Anatomy lab at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, as a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. To UNSOM graduates over the past decade, he has been an integral part of the education of future physicians. Countless alumni routinely cite Dr. Sievert, with his energetic and passionate teaching style, as the reason they developed a love for anatomy and physiology. Thank you for your contribution to educating Nevada’s future doctors!

WCMS Celebrates Leadership, Community and Friendship

On a lovely summer’s evening, WMCS members, family and friends gathered to celebrate the society’s leadership, our community and our many relationships within the healthcare arena. We gathered at The Elm Estate to honor President Shaina Richardson, MD, who stepped in her role in September 2021, four months early.

We also recognized the professional and community contributions made by physicians and others who have contributed to the advancement of medicine in Truckee Meadows Basin.

The evening’s theme was Flamenco, which added a special energy and spark. Our president and president-elect, Dr. Richardson and Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, shared part of the celebration with the daughters. All four clearly are budding Flamenco dancers.

Embrace the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Professional Medicine

Happy August to you all, and I hope you are enjoying a beautiful and (dare I say) smokeless summer in Northern Nevada. It has been a busy time for the WCMS as well, as we hosted another successful Annual Gala, this year at the Elm Estate. We had a great turnout and raised nearly $20K for the Society to be used for future CME events, social gatherings, and public outreach. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported us!

Our Northern Nevada physician community is growing and is continually diversifying, which was apparent at the Elm Estate event. We had the best turnout ever amongst young community physicians and medical students, a particular point of pride for me. I have always had an interest in state and local affairs related to medicine, but I am very pleased to see that interest expanding in a younger and a wider spread of the medical community. As I mentioned in my remarks that evening, I am a proud “doctor mom” and I truly appreciate the mentorship and friendships I’ve developed through my involvement with the WCMS. I owe a lot to the women who served before me, as well as those who have provided me with advice and mentorship throughout my medical education, training, and now as a young practicing physician.

18 Facts About Dr. Paul Hauptman

A nationally recognized clinical investigator, a leader in cardiovascular care, and a respected educator, here are 18 facts about Dr. Paul Hauptman to know. He …

1, Is a first-generation American and college graduate

2. Avidly reads 20^thcentury European history

3. Ardently follows of PGA Tour golf

4. Received his M.D. degree from Cornell University Medical College, now Weill Cornell Medicine

5. Trained in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School

6. Completed cardiology fellowships at Mount Sinai Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital

7. Made significant contributions to expanding research capabilities, faculty development, and awareness of health equity issues at the University of Tennessee through the Academic Leadership Academy, Women in Science initiative, Health Disparities Awareness Month, the Advancing Access to Careers in Medicine Scholars Program, and other programs

8. Received the Caring Physician Award and was named Teacher of the Year at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where he served as Assistant Dean of Clinical and Translational Research, professor of internal medicine, director of the heart failure and transplantation program at Saint Louis University Hospital, and adjunct professor in the College for Public Health and Social Justice

9. Served as faculty at Harvard Medical School and as an attending physician in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Brigham

10. Researches outcomes in advanced heart failure, patient-physician communication, and trends in cardiovascular care

11. Has authored numerous abstracts, articles, book chapters, consensus guidelines, and reviews

12. Holds extensive clinical trial experience as site principal investigator and as an active member of steering, clinical events, and data and safety monitoring committees

13. Is nationally recognized as an investigator in outcomes assessment in advanced heart failure, the evaluation of cardiac care delivery, and clinical trials

14. Has consulted with the Circulatory System Devices Panel and Medical Device Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

15. Has received research grants from the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

16. Has served as a reviewer for the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

17. Served as Editor-in-Chief of the “Journal of Cardiac Failure” and as an Associate Editor at the “European Journal of Heart Failure”

18. Served as part-time Chief Medical Officer of BioControl Medical, which evaluated vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of heart failure

Meet the Next Dean of UNR Med: Dr. Paul Hauptman

With an impeccable record of leadership, scholarship, scientific expertise, and enthusiasm for building academic and clinical excellence, Paul J. Hauptman, M.D., is poised to advance medical education and quality health care in Nevada as the next Dean of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Chief Academic Officer for Renown Health.
“This is a pivotal time for medical education and the delivery of quality healthcare,” Dr. Hauptman said. “I will be steadfast in ensuring student success and the growth of research that can meaningfully impact patients.”

He most recently served as Dean of the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Dr. Hauptman begins his appointment on Oct. 17, 2022. His selection comes after a national search.

Match Day: A Celebration of Past, Present, and Future

By Melissa Piasecki, M.D.,

To see the 2022 Match Day results and learn the residency programs and specialties of the Class of 2022, visit med.unr.edu/events/match

For one moment each year, on the third of Friday in March, hundreds of fourth-year medical students collectively hold their breaths across the United States. The clock strikes 9 a.m, they tear open their match results, and the celebration begins.

Match Day, a rite of passage for medical students, sets into motion the next stage of their careers in medicine. While this momentous day celebrates the start of a new chapter for each student, it also recognizes the intense and rigorous journey toward becoming a physician they began four years ago—with many milestones along the way.

Nevada Physician Workforce Summary

By Mary Ann McCauley

The Physician Workforce in Nevada:

A Chartbook (https://med.unr.edu/statewide/reports-and-publications) summarizes and ranks the vital metrics about our practicing physicians in the state.

The summary reports that there are 7,388 physicians (MDs and DOs) active licenses in Nevada. However, only 6,765 (79.4%) physicians were actively practicing. In 2021, 5,200 (70%) were located in Clark County, 1,694 (23%) in Washoe County, 192 (3%) in Carson City and 302 (4%) in the state’s 14 rural counties.