By Paul Takahashi (contact)

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 | 6:40 p.m.

The presidents of UNR and UNLV are close to signing a preliminary partnership agreement that could lead to a school in Southern Nevada that would mint medical doctors.

Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Dan Klaich, UNR President Marc Johnson, University of Nevada School of Medicine Dean Tom Schwenk and UNLV President Neal Smatresk are expected to sign an agreement by the end of this week.

The agreement, or memorandum of understanding, outlines a vision for UNR and UNLV to work together to create a UNLV medical school that would open in the next several years and eventually become independent, Klaich said. University leaders finished drafting the memorandum Monday night; it has yet to be released to the media or public.

Klaich announced news of the agreement during an UNLV Lincy Institute forum Tuesday morning that explored the case for a M.D.-granting medical school in Las Vegas.

The forum featured a presentation on the UNLV medical schools potential economic impact as well as a panel discussion with community leaders. The event attracted a small but powerful group of state legislators, higher education leaders and representatives from Southern Nevada business organizations. Las Vegas is the largest metropolitan area in the United States without an allopathic medical school

The idea for a UNLV medical school has been brewing for decades. Currently, UNR operates the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Medical students take their classes in Reno and complete their practical training at UMC in Las Vegas.

In March, Regent Mark Doubrava -- a graduate of both UNLV and UNR's medical school -- began drumming up public support for a second medical school at UNLV. He envisions one that would educate high-quality physicians, spur medical research, attract new medical businesses and make Las Vegas a mecca for medical tourism.

Although the University of Nevada School of Medicine has a presence in Las Vegas, Doubrava argued it has not served Southern Nevadas health needs by solving its shortage of physicians. Efforts to expand the medical schools footprint in Southern Nevada have been inadequate, Doubrava added.

The rest is here:

UNLV, UNR close to plan that would create medical school in Southern Nevada