University of Nevada School of Medicine
For immediate release: May 5, 2006
Contact: Emily Wofford
Marketing & Communications
702-671-6645
ewofford@unr.edu

University of Nevada School of Medicine professor, Dr. John Fildes, named Physician of the Year by the Nevada State Medical Association.

Las Vegas, Nev.—University of Nevada School of Medicine professor, Dr. John Fildes, was recently named “Physician of the Year” at the Nevada State Medical Association’s 102nd annual meeting held in Las Vegas.

Fildes, who is a professor and vice chair of the department of surgery and is director of the state’s only Level One Trauma Center at University Medical Center, was selected by his colleagues for his distinguished service and commitment to patients as well as his recent appointment to serve as chairman of the Committee on Trauma for the American College of Surgeons.

“To be chosen by your peers as ‘Physician of the Year’ is the highest professional honor one can receive,” Fildes said. “It pleases me that there is value in the work I do for all Nevada’s residents.”

Fildes is the 37th Nevada doctor to be named “Physician of the Year” by the Nevada State Medical Association since the organization began the award in 1970. It is the highest honor a physician can receive within the state of Nevada and is only awarded to those doctors who have made outstanding contributions to the medical community.

“All Nevadans are better for having Dr. Fildes in our state,” said Larry Matheis, Nevada State Medical Association executive director. “Southern Nevadans can be proud of Dr. Filde’s leadership of the Level One Trauma Center at University Medical Center, providing an invaluable contribution to the health of our community. Nevada medicine is honoring a physician who honors his profession every day.”

This is the second year in succession in which a University of Nevada School of Medicine professor has been recognized by the Nevada State Medical Association. Last year Dr. William Zamboni, chairman of the department of surgery, received “Distinguished Physician of the Year” honors.

Fildes career began in 1977 when he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York. He achieved his meritisimus Medical Degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines in 1982. Fildes then returned to New York for his internship and residency in General Surgery at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, which led to his Chief Residency in 1986 and a fellowship in 1987. To further enhance his experience, Fildes joined the Surgical Critical Care & Trauma team of Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He remained there as a fellow from 1988 to 1989 when be became an attending surgeon for the hospital’s Trauma and Critical Care Department. During his time in Chicago he was also the Director of Trauma Basic Research Laboratory at the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research. He continued in this capacity until 1996 when he moved to Las Vegas to accept his position with the University of Nevada School of Medicine as vice chair and professor of the school’s surgery department and program director for the general surgery residency program. In addition to Dr. Fildes teaching responsibilities he is also busy acting as chair of University Medical Center’s Department of Trauma, the nation’s the fifth busiest trauma center and only free-standing trauma center west of the Mississippi River.

As the state’s only public medical school, the University of Nevada School of Medicine has been meeting statewide healthcare, educational, and clinical needs since 1969. For more information, please visit www.medicine.nevada.edu.