Vegas Inc announced Intermountain Health Desert Region Chief Nursing Officer Keyona Cole and Care Management Manager in Ambulatory Care LaTeisha Morgan as 2024 Health Care Headliners. Cole received the recognition in the Nursing category and Morgan in the Community Outreach category.

Vegas Inc published the 2024 Health Care Headliners in the Healthcare Quarterly special section released today. Health Care Headliner categories also included Dentistry, Education, Emergency Services, Innovation, Physician, Research/Science, and Lifetime Achievement. Vegas Inc accepted nominations from the public and a panel comprised of independent judges reviewed and selected the winners. A full list of this year’s recipients can be found here.

“Intermountain Health is proud to serve the Las Vegas Valley to ensure patients have access to affordable, high-quality health care,” said Mandy Richards, Chief Nursing Executive for Intermountain Health. “The recognition by Vegas Inc for our caregivers Keyona Cole and LaTeisha Morgan underscores their commitment to providing leadership for our teams for providing compassionate care our patients and strengthening opportunities to improve and sustain the overall health of our communities.”

Since 2021, Cole, FNP, has served as Chief Nursing Officer for Intermountain Health’s Desert Region, which is comprised of southern Nevada and southwest Utah. In addition to supporting clinical operations, she serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee leaders and has initiated and overseen innovative solutions to Nevada’s medical assistant shortage. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Association and currently serves on the Goodwill of Southern Nevada Board of Directors. Earlier this month, Cole received national recognition from Becker’s Hospital Review when she was named to the 231+ Black healthcare leaders to know - 2024 list.

“I am grateful that these honors bring additional recognition to our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible,” said Keyona Cole. “Achieving health equity is a marathon not a sprint. Intermountain is well-positioned to continue to make significant impact in the Nevada and Southwest Utah communities.”

Morgan, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has been significantly involved in advocacy work in the Las Vegas area for nearly two decades. Her diverse career includes roles such as a family service specialist, case manager supervisor, and director of operations within prominent social work organizations in Las Vegas. Morgan’s commitment to the elderly community is evident through her work with the State of Nevada Elder Protective Services. Additionally, her role as a specialty court specialist with Clark County 8th Judicial District showcased her dedication to justice and rehabilitation. Morgan also is committed to providing awareness to suicide prevention to the community through supporting the HOPE Squad, a high school peer lead suicide prevention group which aims to spread suicide awareness and connectivity.

“These roles give me the opportunity to fulfill my purpose and support my community on a macro and micro level,” said Morgan. “I am honored to assist individuals as they work through challenging times, help our community heal and thrive, and foster the growth of the next generation of mental health clinicians and social workers through my work as a clinical supervisor.”

Vegas Inc established the Health Care Headliners awards in 2006 to highlight the phenomenal talent of the finest medical professionals who are leading the way. Vegas Inc’s Health Care Quarterly is mailed to every M.D., D.O., medical office in Clark County, all area hospitals, and is distributed to every local Albertson’s location.

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Goodwill of Southern Nevada (Goodwill^®) on June 5, 2023 announced that Intermountain Health Region Chief Nursing Officer Keyona Cole has joined its Board of Directors. As a member of the board, Cole will provide oversight and strategic direction to guide the business and mission of Goodwill of Southern Nevada.

“It is an honor to be named to the Goodwill of Southern Nevada Board of Directors, and I am grateful for the chance to further serve our community in this capacity,” said Keyona Cole, chief nursing officer for Intermountain Health’s Desert Region. “I personally am a strong proponent of opportunities where we can work together in strengthening diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts, and I look forward to advancing the board’s work in identifying and addressing the needs of our communities and further contributing to the overall health and well-being of those who call Southern Nevada home.”

Cole’s career at Intermountain Health began in 2013 as manager of affiliate clinical services of HealthCare Partners Nevada. She became chief of staff in 2018, supporting clinical operations, and then chief nursing officer for the Nevada Region and Medical Group in 2020. She began her role as chief nursing officer for the Desert Region, spanning Southern Nevada and Southwest Utah, in 2021. She also leads Intermountain Health’s DEI Committee in Nevada.

Cole worked closely with Goodwill and NV Careers through the development of the 90-Day Medical Assistant (MA) program. This innovative program provides unemployed or underemployed community members with no prior experience the ability to enter the healthcare workforce through a paid apprenticeship. Apprentices rotate through Intermountain Health’s more than 60 Southern Nevada clinics and facilities including primary care, pediatrics and specialty clinics.

“It is my privilege to announce that Keyona Cole has joined our board of directors,” said Rick Neal, president and CEO of Goodwill of Southern Nevada. “As a key partner in the development of our renowned 90-Day MA program, she has already made seminal contributions to our organization. Her guidance and support alongside our volunteer board members will be invaluable.”

Cole’s healthcare journey began as a registered nurse in Milwaukee. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Alverno College in Milwaukee. She is a board-certified nurse practitioner and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Association.

Cole joins a broad range of business, community, educational, and civic leaders on the Goodwill of Southern Nevada board.

For more information about Intermountain Health please visit www.intermountainnv.org.

About Goodwill of Southern Nevada

Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada, Inc. (Goodwill®), a registered 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, is an innovative and sustainable social enterprise offering free workforce development, career coaching, and job placement with local employers and at Goodwill. Goodwill programs of service are funded through the support of philanthropic giving, government grants, and the sale of donated clothing and household items at 17 area Goodwill stores and online. To learn more about how Goodwill works for our community, visit GoodwillVegas.org.