While it’s not often that a nomination for the “25 People to Watch” comes from outside the gaming industry, it’s entirely appropriate for Dr. Miriam Adelson. As the wife of Sheldon Adelson, the chairman of Las Vegas Sands, Adelson would immediately qualify because she brings complete support of her husband in his business endeavors.

She says that when Sheldon Adelson comes home and discusses business, she is very attentive.

“He talks about it in a general way,” she says. “I rarely offer advice because he’s the genius in that field.”

Adelson, however, may be a genius in her own field, research and treatment for those addicted to drugs. Prior to meeting her husband, she worked in the emergency room of a hospital in her native Israel. She formed a connection to those who came in with desperate drug problems and vowed to help them if she ever got the chance.

After meeting and marrying, the couple decided to found the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research with two locations: Las Vegas and Tel Aviv, which specializes in treatment of opiate addictions (heroin and painkillers) by instituting a regiment of methadone.

Adelson recently added treatment of teens to her program after getting requests from some clients for their children.

“Teens are often ignored when it comes to drug addiction,” she explains. “We spend a lot of time with teachers, principals and guidance counselors to make sure they know about our services and the help we offer.”

Maybe Adelson’s concern for teen drug addicts comes from her own children, two grown daughters from a previous marriage and two teenage sons with Sheldon Adelson. The boys attend the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus, a preschool-through-high school environment founded in 2006 that offers a quality Jewish education, but is open to all students.

Adelson is instrumental in choosing the charities that she and her husband support.

“We have the same values and the same desire to help,” she says. “So when we recognize a cause that needs assistance we both usually agree.”

One cause that has the full support of both Adelsons is the Wounded Warriors Vacation at the Venetian. For the last five years, the Venetian has flown in at least 75 wounded veterans of the post-9/11 conflicts and their families to enjoy a weekend in Las Vegas. Hundreds of Venetian employees and guests line the impressive lobby at the hotel and applaud the vets as they arrive. Adelson says it is a very emotional time for everyone.

“In Israel,” she explains, “every veteran is a hero. We like to think that America recognizes their courage and sacrifice as well, so we are honored to produce this event.”

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.

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