Alumni of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) are part of a legacy of compassionate care, scientific discovery and community service. Whether you’re practicing medicine, conducting research or mentoring future health care leaders, your connection to UNR Med lasts a lifetime.
We strive to foster a strong and supportive alumni community - one that champions lifelong learning, service and meaningful connections to UNR Med. For those who came before and those who are yet to begin their journey, we invite our alumni to carry forward UNR Med’s traditions of compassion and excellence.
Alumnus funds scholarship for parents in medical school
Blaine Brown, ‘02 M.D., Ph.D., and Karen Brown, MSW, give back to UNR Med with a generous scholarship fund
Teacher, researcher and leader: The legacy of Thomas R. Kozel, Ph.D.
Over his 54-year career, Kozel has taught every medical student to graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
UNR Med distinguished alumna studies the impact of climate change on children's health
Debra Hendrickson, ‘04 M.D., has dedicated her career to spotlighting the connection between fossil fuels and children’s health
Dr. Peter Costa is a distinguished physician whose career reflects deep commitment to patient care, athletic medicine, and the Nevada community. A proud fourth-generation Nevadan and Wolf Pack alumnus, Dr. Costa earned his Bachelor of Science in 1984 and his Doctor of Medicine in 1988 from the University of Nevada, Reno. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Loma Linda University Medical Center before relocating with his family to Nevada in 1996 to pursue a position at Tahoe Fracture and Orthopedic Medical Clinic.
By 2000, Dr. Costa had joined the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team as a team physician, later becoming director of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team (USSA) Spine Program in 2001. His work took him around the globe caring for elite athletes, providing specialized expertise in sports and spine medicine.
Despite his international responsibilities, Dr. Costa found his greatest professional fulfillment in treating the people of Nevada and the Eastern Sierra. He also maintained a strong connection to medical education, mentoring numerous University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine medical students who completed clerkships under his guidance.
Dr. Costa retired from practice in 2022. He and Inge now spend their time volunteering at the university and in the community. Dr. Costa’s daughter, Carson, is a 2019 Nevada alumna.
Dr. Michael Patmas is a physician executive with extensive clinical and management experience. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Medical Management from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.
He is a Certified Physician Executive and was a Fellow of both the American College of Physician Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He was twice named to the “Power 50” – Most Influential Business Leaders in the Inland Northwest. With nearly two decades of C-suite experience as a VP, CMO, and CEO of a health plan, integrated health systems, and large hospital owned multispecialty medical groups, he has a wealth of leadership experience across the health care continuum. He currently helps medical groups and integrated systems align for improved productivity, financial performance, and quality improvement.
Dr. Robert Nelson is a highly respected physician who began his medical journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981, followed by a Doctor of Medicine in 1985 from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at UC Riverside.
Dr. Nelson served as the president of Norco Medical Group, also known as Citrus Valley Management Services, where he oversaw multiple primary care locations across Southern California.
Dr. Curtis Brown, a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician based in Reno, has dedicated more than three decades to advancing acute and prehospital care in Northern Nevada. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1975 and went on to complete his medical education at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, graduating in 1987.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Brown has practiced medicine for more than 30 years—28 of those in Emergency Medicine and 2 in Hospice Medicine—bringing a broad, compassionate, and deeply informed perspective to patient care. He currently serves as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, where he has spent over three decades teaching medical students, residents, and paramedic and fire rescue personnel across the country.
Dr. Brown has held several leadership roles, including serving as President of the Nevada Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He now contributes as co-medical director of the Nevada Chapter of ITLS, supporting statewide excellence in trauma care education. His commitment to innovation is reflected in two medical patents and the development of two smartphone applications designed to enhance clinical practice. Beyond medicine, he served 12 years as a member of the National Ski Patrol, further demonstrating his dedication to community safety and emergency response.
Dr. Roger Jacobson, a dedicated physician and longtime specialist in General Psychiatry, built a distinguished career shaped by service, clinical expertise, and nearly four decades of patient care. Following his graduation from medical school, he began his professional journey on active duty with the U.S. Navy, completing an Internal Medicine internship at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia—now known as Naval Hospital Portsmouth.
He went on to serve for two years as a General Medical Officer aboard the destroyer tender USS Piedmont (AD 17), gaining broad medical experience in a high responsibility setting. After this service, Dr. Jacobson returned to Portsmouth to complete a three year residency in General Psychiatry, solidifying his specialization.
Dr. Jacobson practiced General Psychiatry for 37 years following the completion of his residency, providing compassionate and skilled mental health care throughout his career. After more than three decades of service to patients and the profession, he has now been retired for five years and resides in Vancouver, Washington.
Dr. Deanne Leonard is a Dual Board-Certified physician in Internal Medicine and Nephrology whose career reflects a deep commitment to patient care, medical education, and advanced subspecialty training. A Sparks, Nevada native, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2007 and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine in 2011.
Dr. Leonard completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando, where she developed a strong foundation in comprehensive adult care. She then pursued subspecialty training at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, completing both a Nephrology Fellowship and an additional Renal Transplant Fellowship—an advanced pathway that further strengthened her expertise in complex kidney disease and transplant medicine.
Dedicated to both clinical excellence and mentorship, Dr. Leonard enjoys caring for her patients while teaching Internal Medicine residents and University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine students in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Her work reflects a passion for advancing knowledge, supporting trainees, and improving the health of her community.
Scholarships open doors. They allow us to recruit the brightest students and make medical education accessible to those who once thought becoming a physician was out of reach. Scholarships also reduce financial burdens, empowering future doctors to choose career paths based on passion and purpose.
There are many ways to stay connected with UNR Med in ways that match your interests and availability. From mentoring and guest speaking to attending events or sharing your story with current students, your involvement can make a lasting impact.