UMC getting two donations worth $1 million

The revamped University Medical Center Foundation will present $1 million to UMC on behalf of UnitedHealth Care of Nevada and the Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation today.

UnitedHealth has donated $500,000. The Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation matched UnitedHealth's donation.

Both are in honor of Dr. Anthony Marlon, a longtime Las Vegas cardiologist and founder of the former Sierra Health Services. Marlon, now retired, was chief of cardiology at UMC from 1972 until 1985.

The donations are expected to help with UMC's cardiology program, officials said.

The foundation, which was resurrected in August, is tasked with fundraising for the hospital. Cindy Williams, the UMC Foundation president, said money is typically generated through fundraising efforts and securing grants from government and private companies.

"With the downturn in the economy, it is going to be more difficult,'' said Williams about the foundation's mission. "We are going back to some of the companies in Nevada in an effort to get in on possible grant programs. We're also putting together a list of people to approach for donations.

"That's the short-term,'' she said. "The long-term will be determined by the economy.''

Between 1985 and 2006, the foundation raised $6.4 million for UMC's pediatric programs.

Contact reporter Annette Wells at awells@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.