Bikes, Health, and Happiness: Creating A Healthier Tomorrow For Las Vegas

About the Guests: Daniel Fazekas Daniel Fazekas serves as the Transportation Planning Manager at the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada. With a focus on creating a healthier community, he's been instrumental in initiatives that enhance walking and biking infrastructure. Daniel's work revolves around concepts like complete streets and the RTC bike share program, aiming to diversify transportation options beyond car-centric models. Shayla Pierre Shayla Pierre is the Director of Equity Development and Community Engagement at Roseman University College of Medicine. With over a decade of experience, she has contributed significantly to community health initiatives. Her leadership in the Genesis program focuses on addressing social determinants of health by integrating medical students into communities, enhancing health access and equity. Episode Summary: As we wrap up 2024, "A Healthier Tomorrow" continues its mission of promoting wellness in the Las Vegas community. Hosts Will Rucker and Ciara Owens bring on Daniel Fazekas from RTC of Southern Nevada and Shayla Pierre from Roseman University to discuss transformative initiatives in public health and transportation. This episode dives into strategies geared toward building healthier and more connected communities as we head into 2025. Daniel Fazekas delves into the RTC's efforts to foster a bike-friendly environment in Southern Nevada. With a focus on creating complete streets, the discussion highlights the RTC's bike share program and its expanding influence in Las Vegas, underscoring a shift from car-centric transit to more inclusive transport options. Meanwhile, Shayla Pierre introduces the innovative community-focused endeavors of Roseman University's Genesis program. This initiative aims to prepare future medical professionals to understand and address the social drivers of health by conducting home visits in underserved areas, inspired by global health models. Key Takeaways: The RTC of Southern Nevada is making strides in increasing biking and walking accessibility through its bike share program, with expansions aided by community partnerships like the Southern Nevada Health District. Roseman University College of Medicine, through the Genesis program, will have medical students engage with communities via home visits, aiming to understand and address social determinants of health. Innovation is a cornerstone of Roseman's approach, using technology like virtual reality to enhance medical training and community engagement. Complete streets in Southern Nevada are designed to accommodate all transport users—bikers, walkers, and vehicles—balancing the city's car-centric nature with more holistic transport solutions. Both guests emphasize the importance of community involvement and systemic change to improve public health outcomes in Southern Nevada. Notable Quotes: "RTC is committed to creating more options when it comes to walking and biking." - Daniel Fazekas "The bike share program is a convenient transportation alternative for short-term trips in and around downtown Las Vegas." - Daniel Fazekas "We have a new medical school that is coming here to Southern Nevada…it's a step in the right direction in terms of having more family med doctors that are here." - Shayla Pierre "Genesis is a step in the right direction in terms of addressing these social determinants." - Shayla Pierre "For more information and to register, go to rtcsnv.com/toydrive to register there." - Daniel Fazekas Resources: RTC Southern Nevada's website for updated maps and bike share information: rtcsnv.com Healthier Tomorrow Radio Program resources: gethealthyclarkcounty.org Information on Roseman University and their programs: Roseman University website Follow RTC on social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and X Explore the transformative conversations around public health and transportation by tuning into this enriching episode. Stay with us for more insights on building healthier communities and don't miss out on future episodes of "A Healthier Tomorrow."