LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The City of Las Vegas announced a multi-million dollar competition that one city leader said will bring about a crucial next step in the Las Vegas Medical District’s expansion.
Although the medical district falls within Councilman Brian Knudsen’s Ward, he said his mission to expand the area is personal.
When his son was only 2-years-old, he was hospitalized at UMC with a severe lung infection
“We worked really hard with the physicians there and we almost lost him a couple of times,” Knudsen said. “The truth is, there just wasn’t enough care here in Nevada to take care of it for him.”
Eventually, Knudsen said he had to take his son out-of-state for a procedure
“It left a scar on our family. He doesn’t remember it, but I will never forget it,” he said.
While still at UMC, Knudsen said as his son’s doctors made their late-night rounds, he asked them: what would make them stay in Las Vegas for their residency?
“They talked about having places where they can live, places where they can work and conduct research, and places where they wanted to raise their kids,” he said.
A new hotel and housing are on their way to the area. Knudsen said, the next step in the area’s expansion is adding a lab for physicians to conduct research.
“People who are really good at their craft, they want to serve patients and they want to conduct research,” he said.
The City of Las Vegas announced that a chosen applicant will be awarded $10 million to build a research lab via the BioHealth Innovation Challenge. The lab must be built within one of the city’s two redevelopment areas. The LVMD is located within one of them.
“This will be an international competition where people will think about how they can set up business in Las Vegas, create high paying jobs, and improve healthcare for everyone,” Knudsen said.
Dr. Marc J. Kahn, a Professor of Medicine at UNLV’S Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, said as it stands there is very limited lab space in the medical district.
He explained, more lab space could improve medical care throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
“High quality healthcare typically requires highly trained physicians,” he said “Part of what they do is research.”
Khan said he also believes a new lab will help diversify the valley’s economy.
“In order to attract biotechnology, we need laboratory space so that companies can do the investigation that eventually leads to licensable products,” he said. “I am very optimistic that this will work, and work to get new companies here to make our lives better.”
Knudsen said the competition will be judged by a panel, including scientists and hospital CEOs. Interested parties must register no later than Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
To learn more, view eligibility requirements and register, click here.
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