Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada Senate OKs $25 million for UNLV medical school

Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine Official Naming

Yasmina Chavez

Construction crews continue work on the UNLV School of Medicine, which was officially named after businessman and philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian Thursday, April 8, 2021. YASMINA CHAVEZ

The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV is a step closer to getting a $25 million contribution from the state for its new campus.

The state Senate passed a bill today to appropriate the funds for the campus under construction on Shadow Lane. This site is not far from the building the medical school has shared with UNLV’s dental school since welcoming its first students in 2017.

The appropriation must also pass the Assembly and be signed by Gov. Steve Sisolak, who has supported the bill.

Sisolak was optimistic about the bill’s chances.

“As announced in my State of the State, my recommended budget includes a one-shot $25 million expenditure for the completion of the UNLV medical school building to help Nevada recruit, train and keep more medical professionals in the Silver State. The project could generate as many as 16,000 jobs over the next decade and help Nevada address our doctor shortage,” Sisolak said in a statement.

“I am grateful to the Senate for passing this legislation that appropriates funds for the construction of the medical school at UNLV, and I look forward to the bill moving through the Assembly and getting to my desk so we can finalize this big step forward for our state.” 

The school graduated its first class this month.