Annual Pub 2022 - Flipbook - Page 19
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic came
along and disrupted his plans. Like other pulmonologists, he was called on to help and spend
more time in the intensive care unit.
“I want to do all I can to help people overcome
COVID-19,” he said. “Other work initiatives have
to be put on the back burner for awhile.”
UNLV Health Provides
Physicals to NFL Retirees
by Paul Joncich
Romero, who still works with lung cancer
patients, knows that he cannot completely
give up this aspect of his practice, and put lung
cancer procedures entirely on hold.
“The day will come when we will get past
COVID,” he said, “and lung cancer will still be
there. In fact, it is here now and will not go
away...I’ve always felt that my role is to help
them breathe better and give them the best
quality of life possible in the time they have
left. Making someone’s life better – that’s why I
got into medicine.”
UNLV HEALTH PRACTITIONERS PROVIDING CARE TO NFL RETIREES
PHOTO: BECCA SCHWARTZ
With the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl held in Las Vegas at Allegiant
Stadium, UNLV Health faculty physicians, residents and medical students provided physicals to retired NFL players during
Pro Bowl Weekend.
More than 40 retired players took advantage of the exams and
orthopaedic specialists examined players still experiencing
discomfort from injuries suffered on the gridiron.
According to the Las Vegas Global Economic
Alliance, Nevada ranks as the top state to do
business in the western U.S.
Screenings included audiology evaluations, sleep apnea, concussion assessments, body index measurements, and blood
pressures.
According to the U.S. News & World Report,
Nevada ranks as one of the fastest growing
states in the U.S.
With a renewed focus on the health and well-being of players, the physicals are part of an ongoing program through the
Living Heart Foundation (LHF) to determine if regular screenings can make a difference in health outcomes.
According to a 2017 review by the nonpartisan
SBE Council, Nevada ranked number one as
the most friendly states for entrepreneurs.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Southern Nevada is the least
likely region in the U.S. to experience a natural
disaster.
Nevada has no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no franchise tax on income,
no inventory tax, no inheritance or gift tax, and
no estate tax.
Former players ranging in age from 23 to 72 were examined
inside the UNLV Health Family Medicine Clinic. Several expressed how grateful they were to UNLV Health personnel for
their compassion and professionalism.
Many are living with chronic pain and dealing with bouts of
depression that can occur after retiring from the spotlight.
The screening at UNLV Health and at other sites around the
country aid the LHF in conducting research to determine the
relationship between professional football players and their
overall health.
UNLV.EDU/MEDICINE
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