Vitalant to Join NHBC Academic Laboratory Expanding Access to Lifesaving Blood and Biotherapies Services in Southern Nevada

Vitalant, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations and Southern Nevada’s community blood center, announced it will join the Nevada Health & Bioscience Corporation (NHBC) Academic Laboratory, a new 34,000-square-foot facility in the Las Vegas Medical District designed to advance diagnostic testing, research, clinical training and lifesaving blood and biotherapies services across the region. 

The NHBC Academic Laboratory is being developed in partnership with the City of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada and will be operated by University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC). Vitalant’s presence in the facility, expected in early 2027, will include a blood donation center, therapeutic apheresis services, a reference laboratory, and blood processing and distribution to help strengthen the resiliency of Southern Nevada’s blood supply and expand convenient access for local donors and patients. 

The blood donation center at the NHBC Academic Laboratory will be Vitalant's third new location in a year and fifth overall, reflecting continued growth. Vitalant also hosts more than 1,000 community blood drives annually in Southern Nevada.  

“Vitalant has been part of the Las Vegas community for generations, and this new location represents another commitment to our donors, hospitals and patients who rely on us,” Erik Hill, executive director of Vitalant in Southern Nevada said. “We are grateful to NHBC for its vision and support in creating a facility that will strengthen public health infrastructure and to UMC for operating this important community resource.” 

Vitalant is the largest blood services provider in Nevada and has maintained a strong partnership with UMC since its beginning 70 years ago. Annually, Vitalant provides UMC, Nevada’s only Nonprofit Level I Trauma Center, with more than 18,000 blood products and fulfills nearly 2,000 laboratory services. 

 “As Southern Nevada’s hometown hospital and the state’s largest public health care system, UMC remains committed to further elevating the level of care available in our community,” said UMC CEO Mason Van Houweling. “This innovative collaboration with Vitalant will strengthen access to essential blood and biotherapy services while advancing the region’s broader healthcare infrastructure.” 
 
"This is a first for Southern Nevada," said James Waddoups, president and CEO of NHBC. "Bringing Vitalant's blood and biotherapies services together with UMC's laboratory services keeps advanced testing, the community's blood supply and clinical training close to the patients and providers who depend on them. This project reflects what is possible when public and private partners come together around the needs of our community and represents a forward-thinking investment in a stronger, more self-sufficient healthcare ecosystem for Southern Nevada.” 

To learn more about Vitalant and blood donation, and to make an appointment to give blood, visit vitalant.org, download the Vitalant blood donor app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). 

About Vitalant 
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org. 

About UMC 
UMC offers the highest level of care in Nevada, providing a wide range of exclusive and specialized health care services for community members and visitors. UMC is home to Nevada's only Nonprofit Level I Trauma Center, only Verified Burn Center and only Multi-Organ Transplant Center. In support of its mission to serve as the premier academic health center, UMC is the anchor partner for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. For more information, please visit www.umcsn.com and www.umcchildrens.com. 

About Nevada Health & Bioscience Corporation 
Nevada Health & Bioscience Corporation (NHBC) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of developing healthcare research, education, clinical assets and programming in Nevada. NHBC’s first project, the Kirk Kerkorian Medical Education Building in Las Vegas, opened in October 2022. In addition to ongoing community endeavors, the nonprofit is developing the NHBC Academic Laboratory within the Las Vegas Medical District. More information at nevadahbc.org.