RENOWN NEWSROOM

Increasing access, affordability and convenience, Renown's newest medical group location makes it easy for Spanish Springs/Sparks residents to tend to their healthcare needs at a single location.  Today, Renown Health announced the opening of a second Renown Medical Group in Sparks-Spanish Springs, Nevada. Located at 1525 Los Altos Pkwy., the newest medical group office offers residents in the greater Sparks area a one-stop destination for primary care, pediatrics and lab services. “We are proud to invest in expanding access to primary care services in the growing Sparks community,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, president and CEO of Renown. “With a goal to increase affordability and convenience, Renown’s newest medical group location makes it easy for adults, children and families in Spanish Springs and the greater Sparks area to manage many of their health and healthcare needs under one roof.”  Program Overview Beginning, Wed., Oct. 14, the newest Renown Medical Group location at 1525 Los Altos Pkwy. will open to provide care to patients of all ages. “A number of highly skilled and compassionate medical professionals are here to provide exceptional primary care and lab services,” said Ty Windfeldt, chief operations officer for health services. “We are excited for the community to see this gorgeous space, filled with natural light, healing colors and images, as well as state-of-the-art clinical equipment, a Senior Care Plus lounge featuring meeting rooms, teaching areas and conference spaces to better serve members of Hometown Health’s Medicare Advantage Plan.”  Improving Relationships and Enhancing Care The new Renown Medical Group location will be among the first to implement Renown’s new Building Relationships to Improve Care (BRIC) model, designed to further improve patients’ healthcare experiences and maximize convenience and value.  “Renown’s new BRIC model will give medical providers more time with their patients, ensuring they get all of their questions answered and leave feeling even more confident in the care they are receiving,” said Chief Medical Officer for Health Services Rahul Mediwala, MD. “Through this model, we’ll continue putting our patients at the center of everything we do, with the goal of making our primary care medical services more accessible and affordable.”  Consumer demand for a Renown Medical Group provider continues to increase, and demand remains high. Renown continues to recruit additional medical providers to meet our community’s growing need for care.  Interview/Visual Opportunities n Monday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. – noon, members of the media are invited to tour the new location and speak to a Renown representative about the value Renown Medical Group -Los Altos brings to our community. Please email news@renown.org or call 775-691-7308 to confirm your attendance.  About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project® . For more information, visit renown.org.

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New collaboration in Clark County grants aging adults access to a premier health plan with a nationally-recognized care model. Senior Care Plus, the Medicare Advantage plan from Hometown Health, and nationally-recognized CareMore Health, have joined forces to serve Clark County seniors with two exclusive Medicare Advantage plans, designed to improve health outcomes for aging adults and those with complex health needs. As more than half a million Medicare recipients in Nevada make decisions about their healthcare during the annual Medicare open enrollment period beginning Thursday, Oct. 15, Clark County residents will have the option to receive personalized care to address their unique health needs through two new Senior Care Plus health plans, with access to CareMore Health providers and services. Competitive plan benefits include $0 premiums, preventive and comprehensive dental coverage, no to low co-pays for commonly used services, low out-of-pocket maximums, and targeted programs and benefits to help every member optimize their health. “CareMore’s mission and its successful value-based model aligns perfectly with our commitment to offer those with Medicare insurance, the highest-quality care,” said David Hansen, CEO of Hometown Health, the non-profit health plan offered through Renown Health, the state’s most trusted health care system. “We’re proud to announce our new partnership and exclusive Medicare Advantage plans available to Clark County residents to improve their health and healthcare experience.”  For over 25 years, CareMore’s patient-centered model has delivered highly-coordinated, integrated care to help every member achieve optimal health outcomes, including those with chronic conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and congestive heart failure (CHF). The model continues to evolve, adding new programs to address important issues like food inequity, mental health and senior isolation. CareMore’s care delivery system has served the Clark County community for 10 years. The CareMore model includes an integrated team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health and other specialists who work collaboratively to address patients’ medical, physical, and overall health and help address barriers to accessing needed care. As part of the Senior Care Plus and CareMore Health collaboration, patients will receive care where and when they need it, including care delivered in their home, virtually, in CareMore’s three Care Centers, and if needed, in the hospital. In response to COVID-19, the care delivery system has ramped up its telehealth capabilities, in addition to safety measures put in place, to ensure everyone’s safety.  “This new partnership will deliver a premier healthcare solution and proven care delivery model for Medicare recipients in Clark County, said Peter Emigh, General Manager of CareMore Health, Nevada. “The CareMore delivery system has served the Clark County community for 10 years, and we look forward to working with Hometown Health to help area residents reach their health goals, thereby improving the health and welfare of the community.” Senior Care Plus has proudly served residents of Clark County since 2019, offering competitive benefit options, exceptional customer service and experienced care management. The partnership with CareMore Health is the latest example of Senior Care Plus’ commitment to Nevada’s Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, 2020. Virtual enrollment meetings, as well as online and phone enrollment options are now available. Visit SeniorCarePlus.com for more information about Senior Care Plus coverage options.   About Senior Care Plus & Hometown Health Senior Care Plus is the largest Medicare Advantage plan in northern Nevada serving more than 17,000 members. Senior Care Plus is offered by Reno-based Hometown Health, Nevada’s largest not-for-profit health insurance company and the insurance arm of Renown Health. Originally named Hospital Health Plan, Hometown Health was founded in 1988 and has grown to more than 160,000 members. The Hometown Health name reflects the organization’s commitment to the communities in which it operates and its involvement in what matters most, the people it serves. To learn more about Senior Care Plus visit SeniorCarePlus.com and to learn more about Hometown Health, please visit HometownHealth.com.  About CareMore Health CareMore Health is a physician-founded, physician-led integrated care delivery system that harnesses the power of teamwork to treat the whole person. Through a focus on prevention and highly coordinated care, its clinical model and designed-for-purpose approach to managing chronic disease proactively addresses the medical, social and personal health needs of its patients, resulting in clinical outcomes above the national average and ultimately, healthier people and communities. Over the past nine years, CareMore has expanded from one state to ten. And today, the CareMore delivery system provides care for enrollees in Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plans in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC. CareMore also is participating in a dual demonstration project in parts of Los Angeles County in conjunction with state and federal regulators to coordinate care for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. To learn more about CareMore, go to www.caremore.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @caremorehealth.  CareMore Health Media Contact: Charla Hawkins M: 562-480-2130 E: charla.hawkins@caremore.com

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Renown Health nurses are being celebrated for going above and beyond for their patients and care team colleagues. Every year, the Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement Committee recognizes registered nurses (RNs) from across the community to celebrate their accomplishments and further the nursing profession. The committee just announced the 2020 award winners, including seven high-performing nurses from Renown Health. Nurses are at the forefront of the care teams working through the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 has been fittingly declared the “International Year of the Nurse and Midwife” by the World Health Organization. Celebrating our nurses is more important this year than ever, and Renown is proud to be home to seven of the 2020 Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement winners in the following categories: Clinical Leadership: Jenny Garcia, RN, BSN, supervisor of nursing in the orthopedics unit at Renown Regional Medical Center; Critical Care: Olivia Cartwright, RN, BSN, bedside nurse in the intensive care unit at Renown Regional Medical Center; Lifetime Achievement: Cheryl Jameson, RN, bedside nurse in the general surgical unit at Renown South Meadows Medical Center; Office & Outpatient: Kathleen Neilan, RN, BCN, OCN, cancer nurse navigator at Renown Institute for Cancer; Oncology and Infusion Services: Paola Espinoza, RN, BSN, supervisor of nursing in the cancer nursing unit at Renown Regional Medical Center; Rookie of the Year: Tamara Slater, RN, BSN, bedside nurse in the general surgical unit at Renown Regional Medical Center;Renown Facility Winner: Chelsea Zielinski, RN, MSN, clinical nurse educator in the neonatal intensive care unit at Renown Regional Medical Center. From a pool of over 400 publicly-nominated nurses who provide care across northern Nevada’s care facilities and hospitals, the Committee announced a total of 14 award winners during a virtual awards celebration on Friday, Aug. 28. Anthony D. Slonim, RN, MD, DrPH, FACHE; President and CEO of Renown, who worked as a registered nurse in an Emergency Department earlier in his career says, “We appreciate the work that every nurse does every day, not only for the patient in the hospital, but in all of the other settings where people come to learn how to live healthier lives. Nurses have direct influence on the outcomes of every patient, and I congratulate all 14 nurses for their exceptional achievements.” He adds, “The real winners are those patients, families, colleagues and community members who are cared for by these exceptional nursing professionals.” “We’re proud to celebrate our community’s nurses and all they do to care for patients and their loved ones,” said Jana Elliott, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Acute Care Services. “Nursing is a true calling to serve others and there are so many incredible ways nurses go beyond their duty to provide the best care despite the intense nature of the pandemic.” “Nurses are at the core of our care teams; they provide compassionate care and advocate for patients and their loved ones in a time of need,” said Melodie Osborn, Chief Nursing Officer, Health Services. “The Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement awards are a longstanding way of honoring our community’s most compassionate nurses.” Interview Opportunities A 2020 Nurses of Achievement winner and a representative from Renown’s nursing leadership are happy to speak on this prestigious honor, as well as what it means to be a nurse during these unprecedented times. Please email news@renown.org or call 775-691-7308 to schedule an interview.   About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org. About Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement Shining a spotlight on the nursing profession since 1999, the Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement Committee works to honor their colleagues and to increase awareness of nursing as a profession. The committee also supports the growth of the profession in awarding scholarships for nursing students.

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The Healthy NV Project® launches a new study to identify how private well water could impact the health of those living in the household. You use your faucet to wash your hands, make coffee and fill your water bottle. However, for approximately 41,000 people in Washoe and Churchill Counties who rely on private well water, there may be unseen contaminants present in their H2O, which could be affecting their health. The Healthy Nevada Project®, with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is launching a new study to discover how private well water quality impacts the health of well owners. By providing free water testing kits to interested Healthy Nevada Project® participants, researchers will collect samples and give results back to well owners, along with resources for potential treatment options. Data from previous studies in Nevada show elevated concentrations of heavy metals in some private, household wells. Since water from household wells is not monitored for quality by government agencies, well water testing helps ensure water does not contain dangerous levels of heavy metals, such as lead, which can lead to adverse health impacts.  Those with a household well interested in receiving a free water testing kit must be enrolled in the Healthy Nevada Project’s population genetic screening study and consent to be a part of further research. People interested in joining the study can simply sign up to receive a genetic spit test kit in the mail or join the waitlist to be notified when in-person testing resumes. “The goals of the Healthy Nevada project are to improve population health and better understand processes that increase disease risks, such as cancer. In this study, we engage with our study participants and inform them about the impact of the environment on their health, while researching environmental contaminants that may elevate cancer risk,” said Joseph Grzymski, Ph.D., research professor at DRI, principal investigator of the Healthy Nevada Project® and chief scientific officer for Renown Health. “During a time where people are spending more time at home, we’re excited to launch this multi-disciplinary study that dives into possible health impacts of a household’s water source.”  “As the Healthy Nevada Project continues to serve over 54,000 research volunteers, we are proud to provide helpful information to participants, so they can make life-changing improvements to their home environment,” said Tony Slonim, M.D., DrPH, FACHE, president and CEO of Renown Health and co-director of the Healthy Nevada Project. “This allows every person with well water in Nevada, to have important information, at no charge, to help live healthier and better lives and to protect their family’s health.” The Healthy Nevada Project® is the fastest-enrolling genetic study in the country. The Project is also the first of its kind to return clinical results to study volunteers, which means participants can learn their genetic risks tied to heart disease and certain cancers, as well as lifestyle changes that could potentially help reduce their risk and prevent disease. To enroll in the Healthy Nevada Project, please visit healthynv.org.      Renown Institute for Health Innovation is a collaboration between Renown Health - a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California; and the Desert Research Institute - a recognized world leader in investigating the effects of natural and human-induced environmental change and advancing technologies aimed at assessing a changing planet. Renown IHI research teams are focused on integrating personal healthcare and environmental data with socioeconomic determinants to help Nevada address some of its most complex environmental health problems; while simultaneously expanding the state’s access to leading-edge clinical trials and fostering new connections with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Learn more at healthynv.org.

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Under Steve Shell's leadership, the Institute will continue to expand community access to prevention and intervention services for mental health disorders and alcohol and drug addiction. Renown Health is excited to announce Steve Shell is joining the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute at Renown as its vice president. In this role, Shell will oversee the Institute, which provides intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs and medication-assisted treatment to serve those struggling with mental illness and addiction in our community. “We are pleased to welcome such an experienced and talented leader like Steve to our organization,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, president and CEO, Renown Health. “As vice president of the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute at Renown, Steve will continue the Institute’s work to change the status of mental health and addiction in northern Nevada.” Shell comes to Renown after opening and serving as chief executive officer of Nevada’s two newest behavioral health hospitals since 2013. He was instrumental in establishing Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in 2016 and helped to design, set up and manage operations for the 124-bed psychiatric and addiction treatment facility for all ages. He also launched the 152- bed Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Las Vegas in 2013, a psychiatric and addiction treatment facility for all ages. “Nevada has the highest prevalence of mental illness and substance use in the nation combined with limited access to treatment and a shortage of care providers,” said Steve Shell. “I am passionate about improving the health of our community and have dedicated my career to advocating for mental health, working diligently to further elevate the care offered in our state.”  Renown Health and Charles N. and Stacie L. Mathewson established the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute at Renown in to expand community access to prevention and intervention services for mental health disorders and alcohol and drug addiction.  The Institute is working to expand intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs and medication-assisted treatment to better serve those struggling with mental illness and addiction and is working to decrease stigma and encourage more people to seek help. “Moving the needle and improving the heartbreaking statistics of our state is a key focus for the Institute,” said Stacie Mathewson, executive director at the Stacie Mathewson Foundation. “I believe Steve’s leadership will have a positive impact on our efforts to improve the care and treatment of mental illness and addiction.”      About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®.

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Renown Health's Dr. Christopher Rowan recently joined a distinguished panel of experts on the "Game Changers in Medicine" podcast to discuss the science behind the discovery of warfarin. Renown Health Cardiologist Dr. Christopher Rowan was just featured on an episode of Game Changers in Medicine, a groundbreaking medical history podcast from Dramatic Health about some of the world’s most significant medical discoveries. The episode, Warfarin: How a rat poison became one of the world's most widely prescribed drugs, dives into the fascinating history of Warfarin and its life-saving effects on humans.  During the episode, Dr. Rowan, whose research focus is heart disease and atherosclerosis, is joined by experts Kevin Walters, Historian and Strategic Research Coordinator at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF); and Ramya M. Rajagopalan, Ph.D. of the Institute for Practical Ethics at UC San Diego. Listen to the episode now or download it wherever you listen to podcasts.  History of Warfarin Warfarin prevents blood clots from forming or expanding. The drug is especially important for individuals who have experienced a heart attack or stroke, or are at risk of experiencing either. However, the backstory of the drug is rather fascinating.  Beginning in the 1920s, an unknown disease was killing cattle throughout the U.S. and Canada. Desperate to find a solution, one farmer drove 200 miles to the University of Wisconsin with a dead cow, bales of spoiled hay and a milk can of unclotted blood in tow. He crossed paths with a scientist, whose team set out to determine the hemorrhagic component of the spoiled hay, resulting in a series of medical discoveries that would revolutionize medicine.  After learning more about Warfarin and how Vitamin K could reverse its blood thinning properties, doctors first prescribed the drug for human use in 1954. It is perhaps most widely known for saving President Dwight D. Eisenhower after he suffered a heart attack in 1955. Today, Warfarin continues to saves millions of lives each year. “Before blood thinners like Warfarin, people would experience strokes, blood clots in their lungs, blood clots in their legs, blood clots in their hearts, along with countless other clotting disorders - these conditions likely cutting their lifespans short,” Dr. Rowan said during the podcast. “Warfarin revolutionized the treatment of patients who suffer from heart attacks and strokes, helping them to live normal and healthy lives. The drug changed medicine forever and helped make incredible innovations such as mechanical heart valves a reality.” Interview Opportunity Dr. Rowan is available for interviews to discuss the importance of this unique medical discovery and the positive impact it has on many of the patients he treats every day. Please email news@renown.org or call 775-691- 7308 to coordinate an interview.      About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project® . For more information, visit renown.org. About Dramatic Health Dramatic Health, a national healthcare video company, is the producer of the six-part podcast series Game Changers in Medicine. The series premiered in July with an episode about Vitamin K and an enterprising Boston house doctor. The August episode showcased the creation of a smallpox vaccine and its parallels to today's urgent search for a COVID-19 vaccine. Game Changers in Medicine ranked #27 in Apple Podcasts: Life Sciences in the United States according to Chartable as of August 21, 2020. Both episodes, a series backgrounder, and additional material about the podcast series are available at www.gamechangersinmedicine.com and can be accessed wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The program becomes first of its kind to be accredited in Nevada. Renown Health is pleased to announce the certification of the Thomas S. Dolan Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Renown South Meadows Medical Center by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). AACVPR certification demonstrates that an organization's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is aligned with current guidelines set by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for appropriate and effective early outpatient care of patients with cardiac or pulmonary issues. Certification offers peace of mind, so that patients can feel confident in knowing that staff has the experience and skills necessary to coordinate the many issues faced by people receiving a life-changing cardiac or pulmonary diagnosis. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs help people with health issues such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recover faster and live healthier.  “Having access to quality pulmonary rehabilitation services so close to home, staffed by a highly-skilled group of compassionate care providers, truly is a gift to our community,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, president and CEO of Renown. “We are extremely proud of the work being done in our pulmonary rehabilitation program, and also forever grateful for Tom Dolan’s donation to the program in 2019, which empowers Nevadans to improve both their health and quality of life.”  “Thomas S. Dolan Pulmonary Rehabilitation is the only accredited pulmonary rehabilitation program in the state of Nevada,” said Renown South Meadows Medical Center and Rehabilitation Hospital Vice President Chris Nicholas. “We take pride in this distinguished honor from the AACVPR as it acknowledges and amplifies the life-changing work happening here. Our dedicated caregivers provide support to our patients every step of the way, helping them lead vibrant and fulfilling lives despite their health conditions.”  The comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program at Renown South Meadows Medical Center offers treadmills, stationary bicycles, strength training and an education classroom to help patients achieve health goals. To earn accreditation, Renown’s pulmonary rehabilitation program participated in an application process requiring extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies.  In November 2019, Tom Dolan, owner and founder of Dolan Auto Group, donated to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Renown South Meadows Medical Center after his personal experience thriving in pulmonary rehabilitation brought northern Nevada’s capabilities, and needs, to his attention. His generous donation has allowed Renown to double the number of patients who receive treatment and increase the access to pulmonary rehab in our community. “As a former patient myself, I found so much benefit in my pulmonary rehab,” said Dolan. “I have always wanted to support this program and increase the number of people it serves. It’s great to see that we now have the only certified pulmonary rehab in Nevada.” “The most essential component of lung health is breaking the cycle of inactivity associated with lung disease,” said Lung Critical Care Physician Dr. Farah Madhani-Lovely. “Our community is fortunate to have an accredited program like this to empower our patients.”      About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project® . For more information, visit renown.org.  About AACVPR Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Learn more about AACVPR at www.aacvpr.org.

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Nevada’s #1 ranked hospital system announces plan to hire 500 more physicians, nurses, clinicians for region In recognition of Valentine’s Day, Renown Health today announced a national physician, nurse, and clinical specialist recruitment campaign to help fill positions and expand access to community-based primary and specialty care across northern Nevada.   Over the last year, consumer demand for Renown physicians, providers and services has increased significantly. At the same time, the nationwide physician and nursing shortage that experts predicted has arrived. As a result, in an innovative partnership with over 7,000 employees, the health care system has launched a national recruitment campaign to ensure staffing to meet the needs of a growing patient base and community.     The new recruitment campaign, Fight for You, uses the tag line “Every day, we fight like you. Every day, we fight for you,” to appeal to clinicians and employees devoted to the not-for-profit healthcare system’s mission; to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the people and communities.” Watch the video here.    “We honor and celebrate every one of our 7250 employees,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Renown Health, “and have launched this campaign to recruit 500 more dedicated and committed clinicians to care for our patients. Our transformation as a health system demands that we invest in our employees to meet the current healthcare needs of our community. Fight for You is a vibrant campaign that will attract those drawn to Renown’s mission of caring for one and all.”    The campaign is supported by social media promotion on Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Compelling videos are being promoted on the health system’s website, social media accounts, and used at recruitment events to showcase the diverse faces of the Renown team. All open positions are listed on Renown.org/careers.  In terms of retaining current employees, Renown Health announced that starting April 1, 2023, they are expanding the 401(k)-retirement plan match based for Renown employees based on an employee’s seniority date. Under this expanded benefit, Renown will continue to invest 4% for employees who participate and have up to 4 years of benefit eligible service. And, for those employees with 5 to 9 years of service, Renown will match your contributions at 5% of your pay, 6% for those at 10-14 years, 7% for 15-19 years - and so on, up to 9% for those who have been at Renown for 25 years or more.    In addition, to support all employees in furthering their education, Renown is increasing educational reimbursement for full and part time employees to the IRS tax free maximum of $5250 and expanding the benefit to per diem employees in the amount of $2625. Per diem employees must meet the per diem requirements to be eligible for reimbursement.      “I am proud of the thousands of physicians, nurses and caregivers who provide exemplary, compassionate care, every day, to Nevadans in need,” said Melodie Osborn, RN, Chief Nurse Executive, Renown Health. “This campaign is about connecting people with a passion for healing and Renown’s mission, vision, and values of caring for the people who live here. Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe are among the most beautiful places to live and work. We hope our campaign encourages others to consider growing and working for the #1 rated hospital in Nevada.”   As the region’s only Level 2 Trauma Center, Renown serves over 1 million people and 100,000 square miles. Nevada is one of the fastest growing states in the US and the population of Washoe County grew by over 50,000 people between 2010 and 2019, to a population of 471,519.  In U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Renown Regional Medical Center is named #1 in the State of Nevada for 2021. No other hospital in Nevada earned recognition from U.S. News.  About Renown Health Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. To join the Renown Health team visit www.renown.org/careers.

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Renown Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) are excited to announce Shaylie Edwards as the 2023 Champion Child. A fighter from a young age, seven-year-old Shaylie has overcome many challenges in her short life. In 2019 when she was three, Shaylie was hit by a car while using a crosswalk with her father. She was admitted to the Wilbur D. May Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Renown Children’s Hospital and stayed there for three months. A video introducing Shaylie and her journey can be found here.  Shaylie’s mom, Erica Edwards reports that as a result of the accident, Shaylie has been treated by Renown Children’s Hospital physicians, nurses and team for a broken neck in two places, a broken jaw in two places, a fractured sacrum, a broken femur and three small brain bleeds. She has been in outpatient therapy for the last three years and continues making strides daily. “Shaylie’s perseverance, dedication and joy inspires all of us at Renown Children’s Hospital,” said Kristina Deeter, MD, MBA, FAAP Physician-in-Chief, Renown Children’s Hospital and Chair of Pediatrics, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine,” (pictured right with Shaylie). “It has been an incredible joy to witness her progress and to care for Shaylie and her family. We are thrilled she has been chosen to share her story with the world.”  The New England Journal of Medicine cites preventable injuries as the number one leading cause of death among children. This includes motor vehicle accidents, firearm injuries, drowning, poisoning, burns and suffocation. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, an average of 155 children under the age of 10 die every year as a result of pedestrian injury, with 64% of those involving motor vehicles. Across the U.S., due to distracted driving, a pedestrian is killed every two hours and injured every seven minutes. Most drivers feel they can safely take their eyes off the road for 0-2 seconds, but a car can travel the length of a football field in 5 seconds at 55 MPH. Shaylie’s family and the team at Renown Children’s Hospital urge drivers to be fully aware and eliminate distractions while driving.  “We were in the Wilbur D. May PICU for three months and the first five days were very iffy. We did not know if she would come out of her coma, but Shaylie is a fighter. The care team at Renown Children’s Hospital made me feel at home and like we were all going through this together,” said Shaylie’s mother, Erica Edwards. “Shaylie’s recovery was a collaboration between doctors, nurses, and our family. Together we were there to support Shaylie, who has proven to us repeatedly that she has a greater purpose in life.” “It was heartwarming to meet Shaylie and her family,” said Dr. Brian Erling, MBA, CEO of Renown Health. “Shaylie is truly a champion! She and her family have faced life's unanticipated events with strength and resilience. Despite the struggles, they have carried on with hope and determination. They find joy in life every day and inspire us all. We have much to learn from their example.” Through Renown Children’s Hospital, Shaylie and 100,000 area children now have access to more than 60 pediatricians, including those specializing in adolescent medicine; anesthesia; cardiology; craniofacial surgery; dentistry; ear, nose and throat conditions; emergency medicine; endocrinology; gastroenterology;  general pediatrics; hospitalist medicine; intensive care; neonatology; neurology; oncology; ophthalmology;  orthopedics; psychiatry; psychology; pulmonology; surgery; urology and other subspecialties previously lacking in the community, as well as a pediatric emergency room, pediatric ICU and contemporary healthcare services at Renown Children’s Hospital. Prior to 2016, about 30% of all pediatric patients had to leave northern Nevada to receive the specialty care they needed. Now, thanks to donor support, Renown estimates that 97% of all pediatric patients and their families can receive both general and specialty pediatric care locally. The next nearest children’s hospital in the state is 7 hours or 438 miles away in Las Vegas. Renown Children’s Hospital is proud to be the only CMNH hospital in northern Nevada, one of only 170 premier children’s hospitals in North America. Shaylie will serve as Renown Children’s Hospital’s CMNH Champion Child for the next year, shining as the face of the hospital in the community and sharing her inspiring story. Renown Health Foundation oversees the local CMNH programs and its fundraising. One hundred percent of all funds raised by CMNH partners stay local to support children and families in our community. Your generous support affords much-needed items to help our littlest patients cope with the potential stressors associated with hospitalization and illness. To donate, visit www.renown.org/donate. About Renown Health Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is hiring people like you. Visit us at www.renown.org/careers.  About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment, and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at www.renown.org/CMNH.

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Freenome, a privately held biotech company announced today that Renown Health has joined as a partner for the Sanderson Study, Freenome’s study of its multiomics platform, in combination with real-world data to detect multiple cancers. The study encompasses both traditional and real-world data to generate evidence of clinical validation for certain high- and elevated-risk populations while also refining the platform’s cancer classification and risk prediction models. In addition, the Sanderson Study will build the necessary infrastructure to bridge the gap between clinical research and day-to-day clinical impact. Freenome uses a multiomics platform that combines tumor and non-tumor signals with machine learning to detect cancer in its earliest stages using a standard blood draw. “We are delighted to partner with Freenome to launch this far-reaching trial which has transformative potential,” said Lee Schwartzberg, MD, medical oncology section chief and the principal investigator for the Sanderson Study at Renown. “Studying the impact of merging real-world information from patients with multiomics technology holds the promise of a truly personalized approach to early detection of cancer.” Renown Health has multiple clinical trials currently available to patients in northern Nevada across a variety of specialties, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, and pulmonology. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the Silver State, claiming the lives of more than 5,400 Nevadans each year. This number has increased since the last five-year plan estimates of 4,400 deaths per year.1 Promoting research to improve cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment is a key goal outlined in the Nevada Cancer Plan, 2021-2025, a framework developed by the Nevada Cancer Coalition in partnership with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. Access and participation in clinical trials is a key component of the plan, which, Renown says, makes participation in the Sanderson Study even more significant. “At the inception of the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute, we committed to not only provide the very best care possible to our community, but to also help improve outcomes through participation in research,” said Max Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA, cancer center director of the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute. “The research collaboration with Freenome has the potential to make a dream come true: Finding cancer early when it’s most treatable.” The Sanderson Study will enroll approximately 8,000 patients through Freenome’s clinical study partner network and numerous regional health systems across the United States. “Renown is committed to making a difference in the health and well-being of patients in communities across the state of Nevada, and that includes access to innovative research,” said Lance Baldo, MD, chief medical officer at Freenome. “The combination of real-world data and multiomics is poised to transform the landscape of early cancer detection.” Freenome’s clinical studies are named for employees’ loved ones who fought cancer. This study honors Tim Sanderson, the loving father of a Freenome engineer. For residents of Nevada interested in participating in the Sanderson Study, contact the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute clinical research coordinators at renown-crd@renown.org. Click here for more information on the Sanderson Study. About Freenome Freenome is a biotechnology company with a comprehensive multiomics platform for the early detection of cancer using a standard blood draw. The company combines its deep expertise in molecular biology with advanced computational biology and machine learning to detect disease-associated patterns among billions of circulating cell-free biomarkers. Freenome is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. About Renown Health’s William N. Pennington Cancer Institute The William N. Pennington Cancer Research Institute provides comprehensive multidisciplinary cancer care for the northern Nevada community, helps educate the next generation of healthcare providers, and works to improve treatments and outcomes through active participation in research. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health.

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The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Renown Health are pleased to announce members of the first resident class of the new UNR Med Pediatric Residency Program. The four new Pediatric Residents will be working at Renown Children’s Hospital and in Renown outpatient pediatric clinics starting on July 1, 2023. The following four residents have matched.    Megan Dinges  Megan spent her childhood in Omaha, attending college at the University of Nebraska and medical school at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Iowa. Megan is a passionate patient advocate with clinical care experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant and ICU tech prior to medical school. She has been a leader amongst peers and volunteered in a homeless shelter working with children. Megan is a first-generation college graduate.  Jason Lundy, DO  Dr. Lundy was raised in California, attending UC Santa Barbara for undergraduate school, and completing graduate school at San Diego State University with a Chemistry degree. He completed his medical training at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and is currently doing a preliminary intern year in surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jason realized that his true love is Pediatrics after having two small children of his own.  Krista Luntsford, DO  Dr. Luntsford graduated from the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine with her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) in 2022 and is currently completing a transitional year in surgery in New Jersey. Notably, she was awarded the Gold Humanism Award, served in student government, and led the Pediatrics Club in medical school. Originally from Washington state, she is excited to return to the west coast. Erin Whepley  Erin grew up in Kansas, attended the University of Puget Sound for undergraduate school and will be graduating with her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine this spring. Erin is resilient and inspiring and has always known that she wants to serve others through pediatrics.  These four newly trained physicians will be the inaugural members and first class of the new three-year Pediatrics Residency Program with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) that announced last September. The residency will help shape future pediatric practices – and fill a state and nation-wide physician specialist shortage. Over a three-year period, four physicians will be selected each year for a total complement of twelve residents over a three-year period.  “This new residency is an opportunity to train the next generation of pediatricians who will want to continue providing care in northern Nevada,” said Kristina Deeter, M.D., MBA, FAAP, UNR Med Chair of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief at Renown Children’s Hospital. “Our community continues to grow. This new Pediatric residency-training program allows Nevada to have a supply of outstanding, compassionate physicians, now and into the future. With our exceptional team of existing pediatricians, pediatric specialists, medical teams and support staff, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and rewarding educational experience for our trainees.” “Creating a Pediatric Residency Program for our community has been a dream more than five years in the making,” says Dr. Deeter, “Formerly, UNR Med students interested in becoming pediatricians had to leave the state to complete their residency training elsewhere. This program creates a pipeline of much needed pediatricians for our state-especially under-served and rural areas – to serve vulnerable children and families of Nevada with high quality, affordable care.”  The vision to grow pediatric services into a full-fledged Children’s Hospital with a robust Department of Pediatrics as academic partner in Reno began in 2014. Today, 100,000 area children now have access to more than 60 pediatricians, including those specializing in adolescent medicine; anesthesia; cardiology; craniofacial surgery; dentistry; ear, nose and throat conditions; emergency medicine; endocrinology; gastroenterology;  general pediatrics; hospitalist medicine; intensive care; neonatology; neurology; oncology; ophthalmology;  orthopedics; psychiatry; psychology; pulmonology; surgery; urology and other subspecialties previously lacking in the community, as well as a pediatric emergency room, pediatric ICU and contemporary healthcare services at Renown Children’s Hospital. Prior to 2016, about 30% of all pediatric patients had to leave northern Nevada to receive the specialty care they needed. Now, Renown estimates that 97% of all pediatric patients and their families can receive both general and specialty pediatric care locally. The next nearest children’s hospital in the state is 7 hours or 438 miles away in Las Vegas. Paul Hauptman, MD, Dean of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and Chief Academic Officer for Renown, explains, “Residencies are specialty training programs for doctors after they graduate from medical school. Before becoming licensed physicians, medical school graduates train for three or more years learning from more experienced ‘attending’ physicians.”  He adds, “Our new pediatric residency program is a tremendous step forward for the UNR Med and Renown Health affiliation- and for our entire community. It advances a mutual commitment to recruit and retain skilled and compassionate physicians and health care professionals, improves access to health care, and invests in clinical research that improves the health of this generation and the next. Within the UNR Med-Renown affiliation, we created an integrated Graduate Medical Education Consortium Council (GME-CC) to provide strategic oversight and growth of residency programs within the affiliation. In this agreement, UNR Med is the sponsoring institution for accreditation and Renown Health (and the VA) is the clinical training partner. This is a great addition to our existing residencies at UNR Med, which include family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and provides our students with a great training opportunity in pediatrics.” Nevada’s shortage; ranks 45th for physicians and 47th in the U.S. for pediatricians.  Nevada faces a severe physician workforce shortage, ranking 45th in the nation for active physicians per 100,000 people. The physician workforce shortage is especially critical for pediatricians, with Nevada ranking 47th in the country with fewer than 10 pediatricians for every 100,000 people. The northern Nevada community is growing rapidly and Washoe County faces additional pediatrician shortages as local physicians approach retirement.  “It truly is a dream come true. Dr. Deeter and I are indebted to the comprehensive team that has built the structure, recruited faculty to support the training program and successfully recruited a Program Director, Dr. Caroline Barangan, and Associate Program Director, Dr. Shilpi Garg, a 2012 UNR Med alumna (’12), and Pediatric Residency Coordinator, Jorge Pulido-Rubio. Their hard work and time spent has ensured a successful match.” says Lawrence Duncan, M.S., VP and Administrator for Renown Women & Children’s Hospital.  “Residency programs in pediatrics recruit and train students completing medical school and seeking residency training to become a pediatrician,” says Caroline Barangan, MD, Pediatric Residency Program Director, Renown Health and UNR Med. “Workforce research consistently shows that students who complete a residency tend to stay and practice in the communities where they completed their residency training program. For those who complete medical school and residency in the same place, over 75% stay to practice in that community.” “This new community-based program will provide residents with a strong foundation in primary care pediatrics as well as broad, in-depth exposure to all pediatric subspecialties. This will create graduates equally well prepared for careers in general pediatric practice, service to the state’s rural and underserved communities or in academics," adds David Carlson, MD, UNR Med Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education; Designated Institutional Officer. “Through the program, pediatric residents will spend their 36-month residency focused on children’s care and complete a primary care-focused clinical training program with rotations that allow them to learn while caring for children in both inpatient and outpatient settings with supervising pediatricians and pediatric specialists at Renown Children’s Hospital.”  “The Pediatrics Residency Program is a wonderful opportunity to continue a tradition of academic excellence alongside Renown Health’s record of clinical excellence,” said Brian Sandoval, President, University of Nevada, Reno. “This is one more way our affiliation, signed in 2021 to establish the first fully integrated health system in Nevada, is helping to expand clinical training and clinical research programs as well as improve access to clinical care for all Nevadans.”  “We are proud to partner with UNR Med to bring this new residency program to our community,” says Brian Erling, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Renown Health, “Attracting and retaining talent is a key component of our drive for excellence and our mutual goal of improving the health of our community. We are fortunate to have the strong infrastructure necessary to create this program and a team of highly-skilled physicians who can train the next generation of pediatricians.”  For the 2023 residency application cycle, UNR Medicine participated in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and encourages applicants to visit the UNR Med GME website for more information.  About the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first public medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Since 1969, UNR Med has trained more than 3,900 students, residents and fellows. UNR Med continues to improve the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact and a culture of diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. About Renown Health Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,200 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently hiring exceptional members to join our team. For more information, visit renown.org.

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Delighted to Partner to Preserve History at TripAdvisor® #1 Museum & #1 Thing to Do in Reno (Taking License with a Pun-ny Report) You know full wheel that Reno, NV is best in gas for vintage vehicles, antique autos and classic cars. Technophilic motorheads cruise in from gear and far for the experience, style and craftsmanship of these timeless treasures at the Hot August Nights® show, and the Nevada Day Parade. Many patients and families have reported losing their bearings after seeing the “Ghostbuster-Like ambulance” at Renown’s Regional Medical Center. This week, Renown Health employees were auto-ly delighted to donate a historic heirloom, a rare 1949 Superior Cadillac Ambulance to the National Automobile Museum in Reno. Yes, a car is reborn! In ignition, the vintage auto will be added to the museum’s collection, keeping the ambulance which had last been in service in Clark County, fuel circle and back to its gas roots. Despite the health system being known for intensive car and stroke, it set tongues wagon for a hospital to own such a radical roadster. Renown was aheadlight of their time, thanks to a tank of Renown employees, who on a rim in 1987, suggested that they would door to be different with this differential of the medical center’s long-standing commitment to emergency care, health and wheelness. A six-month search ended in January 1988 when this curious clunker was found in Tecopa, CA, near Death Valley. It was love at first light from the northern Nevada community, and through their tireless efforts, a team transformed the wrecker into a classic showpiece for what was then called Washoe Medical Center. The classic car was named the White Knight, showcased each year at employee appreciation events and driven in parades. In 2011, employees turned up the seat by adding purple cushions and door decals for Renown’s 150 birthday celebration. However, driving the 1949 love buggy without power steering, brakes or seat belts became a motor of life and death and inceasingly unsafe. To stay on the safe ride, the ambulance received an honorable suspension and sat in tire straits for the last six years in the Regional Medical Center garage. On a recent road trip to the hospital, Phil MacDougall, National Automobile Museum president and executive director, beamed when he saw the nostalgic medical rescue wagon. On a rim, he rolled over to the Renown team and recalled, “there’s always vroom for one more classic coupe in the National Automobile Museum!” Dr. Brian Erling, the president and CEO of Renown thought it was a wheely good idea and gave the o-key. But it wasn’t a slam trunk. It was a spoiler. Why? I hate to brake it to you but the rarified rambler wouldn’t start! Everything grinded to asphalt. Were the connection cables corroded? Was it an arrested alternator? A faulty fuse? Finite fossil fuel? A highly polished team of Renown mechanics and engineers shifted into gear to repair the roadster. Lighting quick, Michelle propelled the pit crew into action. With not a minute to spare, Kevin Maes and Alex Cardenas, diagnosed the dinosaur. Ably assisted by director of facilities, Chris Baker and via phone by retired auto aficionado Larry T, the technical team got fired up when they found the amps had stopped cranking in the bygone battery. The auto alliance throttled up the moving machine and the team showed and shined! The victorious champions drove the dusty vintage vehicle out of the Renown Regional garage, into a flashy flatbed and all the highway to the National Automobile Museum at the corner of Lake and Mill Streets in downtown Reno. The finishing clutch was that the winsome wagon will now join the museum’s collection of more than 200 classics. What’s the road ahead? It may be converted to the Ghostbuster ambulance, and join the many eye-popping cars housed at the National Automobile Museum which have been seen in movies and TV shows such as; Titanic, Rebel without a Cause, Batman & Robin, Back to the Future, Herbie and more! Proving it is never to light to start up a new partnership! History of Washoe County Hospital (now Renown) and the 1949 Superior Cadillac Ambulance The community established the Washoe clinic in 1862 (which later became Washoe County Hospital), during a smallpox outbreak to treat the sick during the Civil War and Comstock Lode silver boom. Washoe County Hospital opened in 1864, the same year Nevada became a state. Almost a century later, the newly minted 1949 Superior Cadillac Ambulance rolled off an assembly line in Detroit. Harry S. Truman geared up for his term as the 33rd President of the United States. Penicillin and other antibiotics saved millions from smallpox, tuberculosis, polio, whooping cough, tetanus, and malaria; and in 1949, Washoe County Hospital opened its first pediatrics unit. “We are proud to be the region’s leader in emergency care and trauma services, and as part of Renown, to have served the emergency medicine needs of our community for 160 years,” says Bret Frey, MD of Northern Nevada Emergency Physicians. “Renown is the only integrated health network with three Emergency Rooms and the area’s only trauma center. Our board-certified ER physicians offer treatment options not found anywhere else in the region, and patients are guaranteed that with our physician-only group, you will see an experienced physician in our ERs. Our emergency services are available 24/7, we are an accredited Chest Pain Center and Stroke Center, and we know how to quickly get you the care you need.” Renown Health is home to three 24/7 Emergency Rooms that provide the highest level of emergency and trauma care in the region: Renown Regional Medical Center is the only Level II Trauma Center between Sacramento and Salt Lake City. Located near downtown Reno, this Emergency Room has several helipads and ambulance banks to intake patients requiring emergency care. Renown Children’s Hospital is home to only Emergency Room in the region designed just for pediatric patients. This location is staffed by Board-certified emergency physicians, pediatric specialists and provides child-sized equipment and family-friendly waiting areas. Renown South Meadows Medical Center includes South Reno’s first 24/7 Emergency Room. Located just off of I-580, this location is designed to treat patients who need immediate attention for emergencies. Remember if you are experiencing a life-threatening symptom or injury, signs of stroke or heart attack, immediately call 911. These locations are designed to assess and care for emergency situations, including heart attack symptoms, stroke symptoms, broken bones, shortness of breath, seizures, severe bleeding, head injuries, chest pains, severe pain, venomous stings and bites, choking or poisoning. All of Renown’s Emergency Rooms are staffed by Northern Nevada Emergency Physicians, including pediatric specialists and physicians who have completed fellowship training in specialty areas such as sports medicine, ultrasound and emergency medical services. The Greatest Era of Cars During World War II, a crew of GM designers fused airplane design elements into the 1949 post-war styling of the Superior Cadillac, igniting the Greatest Era of Cars and propelling post-war American automotive exuberance and luxury. The car’s curved windshield is nostalgic of an airplane cockpit, it’s roof and pontoon fender lines curvaceously beautiful from every angle. The ambulance was built on a 1948 chassis, features a fully shiftless Hydra-Matric Drive automatic transmission, and a high compression V-8, 150 horsepower engine that, combined with revised axle ratios push this ’49 Caddy to reach 100 mph and scale 0-60 mph in 14 seconds, impressive for the day. This marvelous machine could be purchased for $5,450. Cadillac later used fender loving care and the 1948 chassis to develop horse-powered hearses and languid limousines. Nope, it’s not exactly that Glorious Ghostbuster mobile! Many mistake Renown’s 1949 Superior Cadillac ambulance for the Cadillac Miller-Meteor which was called the Ectomobile in the Ghostbusters movie. That famous fueler and specter fightin’ wagon was produced ten years later, in 1959 in the Miller Meteor plant in Pigua, OH. The production run was very limited with only 400 vehicles produced. At nearly 20 feet in length and weighing 3 tons, the Cadillac Miller-Meteor was an unwieldy car to handle, though it was a smooth ride thanks to an air suspension system and a 6.3-liter V8 engine. It was reported that this 1959 model was purchased for the film for $4,800. Director Ivan Reitman accelerated the film by hiring vehicle designer Stephen Dane to oversee the Ekto-1. He also built the Proton Pack, Particle Thrower, Trap, Giga meter, Slime Scooper and Slime Blower — all within two weeks of the start of shooting of the original Ghostbusters movie. Now that’s a KeyMaster! About the National Automobile Museum One of America’s Top 10 Automobile Museums, the National Automobile Museum showcases more than 200 remarkable automobiles. It features theatre presentations and audio tours in English and Spanish through 100,000 square feet of galleries, exhibits and vibrant street scenes and accompanying artifacts that bring displays to life. The museum is a dynamic and popular venue for special events as intimate as 60 and as large as 1,200 guests. For more information, visit automuseum.org. About Renown Health Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. To join the Renown Health team visit renown.org/careers.

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