About Nevada State Medical Association
Every Nevadan is affected in some way by the members of the NSMA. They are not only your physicians, but your neighbors, friends and advocates in the health care delivery system.
Our Mission
“Advocating for High Quality Health Care for all Nevadans.”
What is the NSMA?
Nevada’s pioneer physicians organized the Nevada State Medical Association (NSMA) in 1875, only 11 years after Nevada’s admission to the United States. These physicians served the medical and public health needs of Nevada pioneer families and visitors. They created the NSMA to share the latest medical knowledge and the collaborate on best practice for their patients. The NSMA began meeting annually in 1904 to identify and address the needs of Nevada physicians and their patients.
As the state’s oldest and largest physician advocacy organization, the NSMA represents physicians at the state, federal and local levels of government, and before the United States Congress and the Nevada Legislature. The NSMA monitors both state and federal proposed legislation and proposed regulations, attends hearings, drafts comment letters and testifies on behalf of physicians with a focus on elevating quality care and eliminating onerous regulatory barriers which burden the practice of medicine and limit access to care.
NSMA Staff
Executive Director
Sarah Watkins joined the NSMA team as Office Manager in 2016, was then promoted to Operations
Manager in 2019 and assumed the role of Interim Executive Director in December 2022 just a few
months prior to the start of the 82 nd Legislative Session.
Throughout her time as interim, she managed the day-to-day operations of the organization as well as
working closely with our contract lobbyist at The Perkins Company to ensure essential communication
to our members and community partners. Ms. Watkins was then appointed to Executive Director in
August 2023.
Sarah is a Reno native and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2008 with a Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. She enjoys being outdoors in the
Sierras with her husband, James, and chocolate lab, Scout, as well as rooting for her beloved Giants,
49ers, and Wolf Pack.
Kathleen Stodtmeister
Membership and Community Liaison
Kathleen Stodtmeister joined the NSMA team in November of 2021. Kathleen oversees member communications, web development and community relations; making sure members are connected to the many benefits of being a member of NSMA.
Kathleen received her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Brigham Young University-Idaho and then went on to receive her dual master’s degree in Business and Health Care Administration which was completed in 2015. While working on her master’s degree, she worked in various aspects of healthcare, including the billing department for a large healthcare system and working as an office manager of a private practice.
Kathleen is a transplant from Oregon who moved to Nevada, following her husband (a
Reno native). She spends time with her husband Kipp, and four young children, Beck
(7), Andie (5), Josie (5), and Drew (3), boating at Pyramid Lake, camping, fishing, and
playing sports.
Policy Director
Jacqueline has served as President for the Clark County Medical Society Alliance and the Nevada State Medical Association Alliance. In June, Nguyen finished her tenure as President of the American Medical Association Alliance, where she was the first Nevadan in the AMAA’s 100-year history, to serve as President of the largest network of physician families nationwide. Nguyen has also been integrally active with the physicians’ county, state and national government affairs councils, serving as Southern Nevada legislative chair for CCMSA and NSMAA and as a Nevada MEDPAC board member.
In addition to still serving on the boards of the above, Nguyen’s experience includes serving on the boards for the American Medical Association Foundation, Touro University of Nevada, and the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition. She has also been on committees and advisory boards for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Las Vegas Indian Chamber of Commerce, College of Southern Nevada School of Nursing, the Springs Preserve, the American Diabetes Association and more.
Nguyen is a transactional attorney who barred in Texas, California and Nevada. She has been a philanthropist and strong community health advocate since moving to Las Vegas in 2004 with her husband, Dr. Michael Lee of Desert Orthopaedic Center.
NSMA Leadership
Sowjanya Reganti, MD
President
Andrew Eisen, MD
Immediate Past President
Joseph Adashek, MD
President-Elect
Jeffrey Roth, MD
Secretary
Jay Morgan, MD
Treasurer
County Presidents
Mitchell D. Forman, DO, FACR, FACOI, MACP, FRCP
Clark County President
Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD
Washoe County President
Tessa Schwering, MD
Carson Douglas President
Together We Are Stronger
Since 1875, the NSMA has worked with the county medical societies to advocate for the protection of patients and to improve medical practice in Nevada.
Join us to create strength in our communities and State.