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Meet Your Neighbor: Noah Kohn, M.D.
By Callie Thomas
Imagine what the world would be like if every apple represented an opportunity to truly keep the doctor away for Nevada’s children. As wonderful as that folk tale may be, the reality is that children need doctors. But recent studies have shown that nearly one in five children entering kindergarten have no form of health insurance and most have not seen a doctor in years. Resident Dr. Noah Kohn was determined to make a difference and did something about it.
Kohn originally hailed from the Washington, DC area where he attended medical school at Georgetown University. While in Washington he also met his wife, Erin Bilbray-Kohn, a third generation Nevadan. He completed his pediatric training at the University of Virginia where he worked in a variety of settings including primary care, pediatric emergency and urgent care as well as inpatient (hospitalist) settings. “All of these experiences have given me the opportunity to see the needs of children,” said Kohn. “I founded and run Clinics in Schools, a nonprofit, free clinic for uninsured children.”
Clinics in Schools is the only year-round, full-time, completely free clinic for children in the state of Nevada. Primary care medical services are provided to children out of two clinics which are located on the campuses of Reynaldo Martinez Elementary School in North Las Vegas and Sister Cynthia Cunningham Elementary School in the eastern part of Las Vegas. Services are provided completely free to any child under the age of 18, and to anyone 18 or older who is still enrolled in school.
Since opening the clinics three years ago, the medical team has provided child care, sports physicals, sick care and vaccinations to over 14,000 children. In 2010 alone, Clinics in Schools provided care to over 5,000 children. “Serious or life-threatening problems aren’t generally more common in these children,” Dr. Noah says, “but in many cases these problems would have gone undetected until it was too late.” Over the past three years since the organization was formed, Clinics in Schools medical staff has been able to identify several serious medical conditions in time for the children to be treated and cured. “Without Clinics in Schools these children would have been far more ill before obtaining medical care and might have even succumbed to the illnesses.”
The lion’s share of funding for the clinics comes from the United Way of Southern Nevada; however, there are many throughout the community who have graciously supported the organization. The group recently held its second Annual Golden Apple Gala at Gold Boutique Nightclub and Lounge inside Aria Resort & Casino. The cornerstone event drew corporate sponsorships as well as private donations to help fund the operations of Clinics in Schools. Dr. Kohn hopes to eventually expand operations throughout Nevada.
In addition to his work with the clinics, Noah Kohn has also served on the Board of Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused and Neglected Children. He has also assisted on the Nevada State Health Division’s Advisory Council on Fitness and Wellness for three years and continues to serve as an ex-oficio member. He is especially honored to be able to serve on the Campaign Council of the United Way of Southern Nevada.
Dr. Kohn and his wife are the parents of two young daughters. Caroline is eight and aspires to be a navy pilot, astronaut AND the first female Governor of Nevada. Daughter Daisy is five and committed to her lifelong goal of growing up to be Tinker Bell. They are proud to instill their passion for giving back to their daughters. “As a child, my family didn’t have much, but we were always cared for both by our parents and others in our community. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without that community support, so it is important to me to give back to others in need.”
