Women have many health care options here
To the editor:
In response to the Monday article in the Health section of the Review-Journal concerning the Women’s Cancer Center of Nevada:
The article states that the Women’s Cancer Center of Nevada is the only cancer center in Nevada that specializes exclusively in gynecologic cancer. I believe this statement was misleading to patients and misrepresents the many resources and specialists available to the women of Las Vegas and the entire state.
I am one of a number of board-certified gynecologic oncologists who practices in this city and in the surrounding areas. We are subspecialty-trained in the treatment of women with gynecologic cancers. Several here are nationally recognized for their contributions to women’s health care. We work closely with specialists from associated fields to optimize patient care. We each have particular interests, such as the treatment of refractory cancers, palliative care, treatment of pre-invasive disease, robotics, minimally invasive surgery and others.
No particular facility in the city embodies the varied expertise, nor should it be represented that this is the case.
I believe it is imperative that patients understand their alternatives. This includes consideration of the array of expertise from a number of seasoned and highly qualified professionals throughout the city. Women should understand the ready availability of qualified second opinions and know that varied treatment modalities may be considered.
Las Vegas is a city with a plethora of experience in women’s cancer care, and we should be proud of all the expertise available.
Cheryl Ann Brewer, M.D.
Las Vegas
Adelson money
To the editor:
According to an online report, Forbes magazine will profile Sheldon Adelson in an upcoming article that says Mr. Adelson might give as much as $100 million to support a conservative presidential candidate. As a conservative, I’m glad Mr. Adelson is on our side. But is it fair that one person can pledge that much to influence an election?
Mr. Adelson addresses that in the article. He’s “against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections.” But then he cites George Soros as one of those who stays “below the radar by creating a network of corporations to funnel their money. … I don’t want to go through 10 different corporations to hide my name. I’m proud of what I do and I’m not looking to escape recognition.”
I have long believed that full disclosure of political donors and monies was absolutely necessary for honest campaigns. I salute Mr. Adelson for his honesty and openness. I also salute his following the example of those who openly signed their names to their political pledge in the Declaration of Independence.
Whether or not you agree with his political position, you certainly must acknowledge that Mr. Adelson is not hiding his involvement.
Robert R. Kessler
Las Vegas
Smith Center critic
To the editor:
The one thing that Las Vegas doesn’t already have in the way of performing arts that every other city of this size has is professional-grade (non-musical) theater and a professional-grade repertory theater company. This is what one usually finds as the spine and foundation of anything calling itself a “center for the performing arts” in a city of this size. Witness the Denver Center and its Denver Center Theatre Company, for example.
I had such high hopes that the Smith Center would bring us this — what we don’t already have. When I stopped by the Smith Center’s box office a while back and asked if there were any plans to house this sort of theater or a resident theater company at the Smith Center, the confused response was, “You mean, like, plays?”
Las Vegas already has a symphony, a ballet company, lots and lots of Broadway and off-Broadway musicals and lots and lots of venues for musical theater. We have lots of lounges and other venues for jazz and lounge acts and jazz brunches. We have lecture series and venues for lectures and readings.
The people at the Smith Center, unfortunately, do not have the vision to bring us anything we do not already have.
What is perhaps worse is the condescension with which the people at the Smith Center apparently view the Las Vegas audience. They apparently do not believe that Las Vegas can handle anything of more sophistication or substance than “Mary Poppins.” Remember the Guggenheim Las Vegas, which spoke volumes about its condescension for the Las Vegas audience when it opened with “The Art of the Motorcycle”?
How long did the Guggenheim Las Vegas last? How long until the Smith Center loses its novelty value and is left a hulking shell reigniting downtown blight?
The Las Vegas arts scene does not need to be smothered by a huge dollop of New York’s stale leftovers, thank you. What we need is a performing arts center that has the vision and faith in Las Vegas to nurture and develop this city’s very own performing arts.
I was hoping for so much from the Smith Center, and they, in their vision of condescension and redundancy, have brought us “Chim chim cheroo.”
Bill Christy
Las Vegas
It’s still abuse
To the editor:
In response to Jerry Sturdivant’s Tuesday letter, “What beating?” in which he splits hairs over the definition of “police beating”:
Whether the incident involving Henderson police is described as “beating” or “kicking,” it is still an abuse of power on the part of an officer.
The fact that he states he was a police officer back in the ’70s diminishes the credibility of his statement even further.
Mary Logan
Henderson
