Legislators release UNLV medical school funding

Nevada legislators today released the final portion of $27 million allocated to create a medical school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The state's Legislative Interim Finance Committee gave UNLV the $18.4 million in funding it needed to hire enough faculty for the fledgling program, which is scheduled for completion in 2017. Spending for the school was approved in June after Gov. Brian Sandoval signed legislation authorizing the expenditure. The 2015 Legislature approved the money but required UNLV to testify before the committee to get the money gradually.

The committee signed off on an initial $8.3 million earlier this year, which has since been partially spent to hire 19 faculty members for the campus, said Barbara Atkinson, planning dean for the school. The additional funding will help the school hire at least 40 more instructors by the end of next year, Atkinson said.

"We're really celebrating," Atkinson said. "Now that we know the money is secure we'll be able to move on more (job) offers.

Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find her on Twitter: @la__ley