President | Jonathan McCaleb, M.D. '07, '11R, '15F
Dr. Jonathan McCaleb is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, where he holds a faculty position as clinical associate professor of family medicine. He is a full-time staff physician for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the medical director of the Reno VA's Community Living Center. Dr. McCaleb completed his residency in family and community medicine and fellowships in both hospice and palliative medicine as well as geriatric medicine at UNR Med. He is board certified in family medicine, hospice and palliative medicine and geriatric medicine. Dr. McCaleb's gratitude for his mentors and his passion for teaching medical students, residents and fellows have inspired his desire to give back to UNR Med through the Alumni Chapter Board of Directors, and he will serve as UNR Med Alumni Chapter President from 2020-22.
President-Elect | Reka Danko, M.D. '08, '11R
Dr. Reka Danko earned her medical degree at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency in internal medicine. Following board certification, Dr. Danko joined a hospitalist practice in northern Nevada and continues to work as a hospitalist in the community. In 2013, she began working at Northern Nevada HOPES, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Reno, where she served as chief medical officer from 2014 to early 2017, focusing on building an integrated care model and developing an outpatient addiction treatment program to help those with substance use disorders. Dr. Danko became board certified in addiction medicine in 2018 and works with community programs to increase education, prevention, and treatment options. Dr. Danko is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
Vice President of Membership | Jerry Jones, M.D. '81, '86R
Born in Reno, Dr. Jerry Jones attended the University of Nevada, Reno receiving his bachelor's degree in 1977. Following completion of his medical degree at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, he began an internal medicine residency at Providence Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, and then complete his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Jones joined a private OB/GYN practice in Las Vegas, where he has practiced for more than 30 years. He served as a Junior Fellow and Fellow American with the College of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1996-2010. He has also held a number of positions at Valley Hospital, including OB/GYN department chairman, credentialing committee member and perinatal committee member. Dr. Jones is married to Julie, and has two children, Mallory and Ian.
"A few years ago I was attracted to and introduced to the UNR Med Alumni Chapter by my classmate, Dr. Sharon Frank. I had not visited our campus in nearly 40 years. What a change since my I attended school here many years ago! Since joining the alumni board, I have attended two Match days, homecoming and alumni board meetings; as well as the 50th Anniversary Golden Gala. As many of my Class of 1981 have retired or slowed down, I hope to use my extra time to become even more involved in the UNR Med Alumni Chapter."
Vice President of PR and Communications | Kyle Yamamoto, M.D. '09
Dr. Kyle Yamamoto is the first full-time, fellowship-trained, double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in northern Nevada. After growing up in Reno, he attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he graduated with dual degrees in chemistry and economics. Dr. Yamamoto returned to Reno to attend the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. He completed his residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo and his fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to Reno to start a solo practice in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Yamamoto is married to Carrie, a nurse practitioner, and has two sons, Tanner and Connor.
"I had an amazing experience as a medical student at UNR Med and created many close relationships with my colleagues and teachers throughout the years. The hands-on experience and community-based education prepared me well to take on my additional education in residency and fellowship. When I returned to Reno, I found UNR Med to be an important resource in starting my own practice and getting established in the medical community. I continue to benefit from being a UNR Med alumnus through continued education, connection with colleagues, and the resources the medical school has to offer. I enjoy giving back as part of my own growth as a physician and through being more involved with the local medical community, starting with UNR Med."
Secretary and Treasurer | Cathy Endo, M.D. '93, '96R
Dr. Cathy Endo is a family physician who practiced at the University of Nevada, Reno's Student Health Center for more than 20 years, until her retirement from the University in March 2020. She also works as an emergency room physician in rural Nevada. Dr. Endo completed medical school and residency at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. She is married with three children, Nicole, Jared and Matthew. Nicole is a UNR Med legacy who graduated in 2018, and is currently completing a residency in emergency medicine.
"I wanted to have more of a connection to the medical school and be involved in the successes of our graduates. When you work in the community, it is easy to get immersed in your own life and lose that connection. I also wanted to give back with my time to a medical school that has given so much to me."
Immediate Past President | Joseph Hollen, M.D. (two year UNR Med alumnus '76)
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine was originally established as a two-year program. Students received their pre-clinical education at UNR Med and then went on to complete their clinical years at another institution. After completing his classroom education at UNR Med, Dr. Joe Hollen went on to graduate from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He completed his emergency medicine residency at University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and became board certified in emergency medicine. Dr. Hollen is currently retired from medicine and works as a certified financial planner. Dr. Hollen served as the UNR Med Alumni Chapter President from 2018-20, and he has been a community faculty member at UNR Med for 12 years.
"The personal connections made at UNR Med have always been a big part of my life. The faculty here cared about my success, and I will never forget that."
Member at Large | Donielle Freedman, M.D. '90, '94R
Dr. Donielle Freedman is the founder and medical director of Face to Face Medical Management, which was established in 2014. A native Nevadan born in Reno, Dr. Freedman received her medical degree from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine in 1990. Dr. Freedman was the medical director of University Medical Center in Las Vegas, overseeing primary care clinics, urgent care clinics and their hospitalist team. She was also a UNR Med clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, serving as an attending physician for internal medicine residents and medical students. Dr. Freedman is highly involved in giving back to the community, volunteering and partnering with organizations such as Boys and Girls Club and Project 150.
"UNR Med experiences paved the way for me to evolve and create great experiences through my career as a physician leader, business owner, and entrepreneur."
Member at Large | Jill Oswalt, M.D. '87
Dr. Jill Oswalt was raised on ranches in the rural west. After attending Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, she fled back to the west, working as a wilderness guard, a blackjack dealer and a phlebotomist. She became an EMT, decided to get serious and emergency medicine was her love. After applying everywhere, Dr. Oswalt chose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Following graduation, she completed an emergency medicine resident in Portland, Oregon. After working at Washoe Medical Center (now Renown Health) in Reno for a few years, she continued her emergency medicine career in Elko, Nevada. Dr. Oswalt currently makes her home in Reno.
"Though I originally chose UNR Med due to the favorable economics that came from being a Nevada resident, it became clear that the education I received was priceless. The great faculty, the small class size, the individual attention and being able to work closely with community doctors were invaluable. Having been a first assist rather than a back of the room observer put me at great advantage in my residency years. I was privileged to do what students from institutions had not. Now, having moved back to Reno, but not actively practicing, I feel the alumni board allows me to have input into advancing the legacy of the medical to which I owe so much."
Member at Large | Kathy Eckert, M.D. '89
Dr. Kathy Eckert is a native Nevadan who graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor's degree in biology in preparation for medical school. While attending the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, her interactions with children during her pediatric clerkship made it an easy decision to pursue a career in pediatrics. While completing her residency at Stanford University/Packard Children's Hospital in 1992, she also discovered a passion for endocrinology. Dr. Eckert remained at Stanford for another three years, completing a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology. Dr. Eckert is very proud that her daughter is part of the UNR Med Class of 2021 and intends to pursue a pediatric residency program.
"Watching students progress and mature through four years of medical school and find their way through the maze of clerkships and professional life have been inspiring as well as motivating for me to give back to UNR Med. Students are very eager to learn at every stage of their training, and it is an honor and privilege to be a small part of their training and ultimate career. It is very gratifying to see their successes while helping them through the difficult times."
Member at Large | Timothy Dooley, M.D. ‘11
Dr. Timothy Dooley imagined himself as a physician from the time he was a young boy growing up in Reno. His farther was a surgeon, so he saw firsthand how one person could positively impact the life of another. After earning a bachelor's degree in biology from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, Dr. Dooley returned to Reno to attend the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, followed by his intern year of residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Dooley continued his residency at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. While he knew he wanted to work in orthopaedics, Dr. Dooley wasn't certain of his specialty until he met a passionate mentor, Dr. Richard Uhl, who guided him toward hand surgery. For Dr. Dooley, the hand offers both variety and complexity that he finds rewarding. Orthopaedic hand specialists not only treat bone injury, they also address hand-related artery, nerve and soft tissue challenges, requiring more extensive training. Following residency, Dr. Dooley completed a hand surgery fellowship at the world-renowned Christine M. Kleinert Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Dooley and his wife Erin are happy to be settled back in Reno with their two young sons. When he's not practicing medicine, Dr. Dooley enjoys spending time with family outdoors, taking advantage of everything the Sierras have to offer. On a given day, you can find him and his family cycling, boating, skiing or golfing.
"I am excited to give back to the medical school that trained me for my future career. UNR Med is located in my hometown, and I want to see it continue to train outstanding physicians and grow into a top tier medical school."
Student Liaison | Amanda Gibbs
Amanda Gibbs is a member of the UNR Med Class of 2022 and the UNR Med Alumni Chapter Student Liaison. She became involved with the alumni chapter to serve as the voice of current medical students and strengthen their relationship with the numerous UNR Med graduates.
"As a Las Vegas native, I was eager to return to Nevada after completing my bachelor's degree in neuroscience and environmental studies at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois. I am interested in pursuing pathology and hope to continue contributing to UNR Med upon completion of my medical degree."
