SALA DE PRENSA DE RENOWN

Renown Health, the leading health care system in northern Nevada, today announced its Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Strategy & Implementation Plan for 2025-2027 for Washoe County. The Plan and Community Benefit Health Focus Areas for 2025-2027 are based on the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) as required for all not-for-profit hospitals. The Assessment is conducted every three years to gain a better understanding of the health needs of the communities Renown Health serves and to address healthcare inequities. The CHNA includes an analysis of input from community stakeholders who represent the broad interests of the diverse communities served by the Renown hospitals including those with expertise in community and public health. Health needs were identified in the CHNA research and subsequently prioritized by community stakeholders. From the prioritized health needs, Health Focus Areas were chosen based on criteria that consider the Renown Health’s team capacity to impact community needs, the strength of community partnerships and the alignment with Renown’s organizational strategic planning efforts. Through this Implementation Strategy & Plan, Renown Health is committed to identifying and closing health equity gaps in communities that are historically marginalized and vulnerable. The 2025–2027 Health Focus Areas include; Mental Health: Based on the secondary data scoring results, Mental Health was again ranked as a high need topic area in Washoe County. This health topic area includes indicators such as Poor Mental Health: 14+ Days, Teens who have Attempted Suicide, Adults Ever Diagnosed with Depression, Intentional Injury (Suicide) Mortality Rate and Teens who Felt Sad or Hopeless. Access to Health Care and Community Services: Community Benefit efforts focus on increasing and supporting access to essential health care and community services for communities and groups that have been historically underserved through direct programs and partnerships with other local not-for-profit community-based organizations. The Access to Care effort is grounded in the knowledge that social determinants of health and health equity impact health outcomes. Indicators include Children without Health Insurance, Adults Unable to Afford to See a Doctor and Physician Provider Rates. Maternal and Child Health: The Infant Mortality Rate for Washoe County is on the rise and Maternal and Child Health indicators are worsening. Both Primary and Secondary Data collection for the CHNA process showed this health need as a priority for the community. Improvements in health care services, access to prenatal care, and education on maternal and child health can help to decrease the infant mortality rate and improve the health outcomes for mothers and children in Washoe County. Collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations and government agencies can also lead to more effective interventions and solutions. By working together, a positive impact on the health and well­ being of our community can be sustained. Priority Geography Renown Health is a healthcare provider serving multiple communities in northern Nevada and eastern California, located east of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. The primary focus of Renown Health is to provide health care services to residents of the Reno -Sparks area, which is situated in Washoe County. Renown Health includes Renown Regional Medical Center, an 826-bed full service regional hospital located at 1155 Mill St., Reno, NV, 89502. The Community Benefit Service Area is Washoe County which has a population of 502,193 residents, making it the second most populous county in Nevada. Community Health Needs are greatest in zip codes: 89412, 89405, 89510, 89424, 89442, 89508, 89506, 89502, 89439, 89434, 89521, 89511, 89451, 89704. Over 90% of the county's population lives in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has undergone significant growth in the last decade. Although most patients reside in Washoe County, Renown Health serves an area of 100,000 square miles and many rural communities across northern Nevada. The health needs and outcomes in Washoe County are significantly impacted by the demographic composition of the region. To address these needs, the CHNA comprehensively assessed population dynamics, considering aspects such as age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, among other factors. By acknowledging the unique health requirements of various groups and communities, targeted interventions are being developed that address specific health disparities. The BARHII Framework and CMS Framework for Health Equity ensure that the initiatives and identified health needs are based on a true understanding of the root causes of health disparities and effectiveness in Renown’s community health initiatives. Renown Health provides a significant benefit to the region, providing 66.5% of the care for the Reno/Sparks market. As the same time, Renown provides 72.7% of the Medicaid and uninsured care provided to the region. Thank you to our Community The Renown Health leadership expresses appreciation to our clinicians, community, non-profit partners and colleagues at University of Nevada, Reno, who have been instrumental in the successful completion of the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), Implementation Strategy & Plan. We extend special thanks to Northern Nevada Public Health for their valuable insights and data which helped shape the report. The Renown Health Board and leadership have also made a significant contribution and commitment to community health and have reviewed and approved both the CHNA and Implementation Strategy & Plan. Their guidance has been pivotal in fostering a collaborative environment that promotes inclusivity and equity. Together, we remain committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of Washoe County residents and our state. To access the Renown CHNA Implementation Strategy & Plan for Washoe County, visit renown.org/About/Community-Commitment/Community-Health-Needs-Assessment. Renown Health is the region’s locally governed, not-for-profit integrated health care 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.

Leer más About Renown Health Announces Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), Strategy & Implementation Plan

Kerry Kelly, MPH has joined Renown Health as Community Health Program Manager. Ms. Kelly comes to Renown from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada where she served as Director of Programs and Community Engagement. She had previously been employed as a Medical Practice Supervisor with Renown Children’s, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of three ambulatory pediatrics medical practices. With her extensive background in public health and community engagement, Kerry brings a wealth of experience to the role of Community Health Program Manager. Ms. Kelly will play a pivotal role in fostering Community Benefit health initiatives that address northern Nevada’s most pressing health needs, reduce health disparities, promote community wellness, and improve access to care for vulnerable populations. “We are excited to welcome Kerry as our new Community Health Program Manager,” said Suzanne Bharati Hendery, MA, APR, Chief Communications & Customer Officer. “Community is at the center of our mission, and we embrace our commitment to make a genuine difference in creating a healthier Nevada for all. Kerry has a passion for community health and a proven track record in driving initiatives that promote health equity, increase insurance coverage, and enhance health outcomes. The vital role that Renown Health plays as the only local, not-for-profit, charitable healthcare network in Reno will be strengthened by her commitment. We look forward to the innovative strategies and partnerships she will bring to further enhance the health of the community we serve.” Kerry completed her Master’s of Public Health with an emphasis in Community Health Education at San José State University and her BA in Psychology, Community Health Science at the University of Nevada, Reno. Kerry will report directly to Sierra Kelly Martinez, MPH, Director of the Customer Engagement Center. Renown Health has long-standing commitment to the community than spans more than 160 years. This commitment has grown and evolved through significant thought and care in considering our community’s most pressing health needs. One way this is done is through conducting a periodic, comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Through the CHNA process, Renown Health identifies the greatest health needs, and ensures resources are appropriately directed toward outreach, prevention, education, and wellness opportunities where the greatest impact can be realized. For more information on the most current Community Health Needs Assessment, visit renown.org/About/Community-Commitment/Community-Health-Needs-Assessment. Renown Health also funds and supports NevadaTomorrow.org, a website that can be accessed free of charge, and provides residents with up-to-date sources of quality-of-life data (such as health and socio-economic information), key reports that describe our community’s current quality of life needs, promising practices to improve people’s overall quality of life, and quality of life improvement efforts in our community. Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated health care 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

Leer más About Kerry Kelly, MPH Selected as Community Health Program Manager for Renown

Clinical researchers with the Healthy Nevada Project co-author research paper with findings that emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to breast cancer risk assessment – including a focus on genetic medicine – to help ensure that individuals at high risk are identified and supported proactively rather than reactively.  Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer and about 1 in 39 women will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer is associated with increased age, hereditary factors, obesity, and alcohol use. Since 1990, breast cancer death rates have declined progressively due to advancements in treatment and detection. In Nevada there are an estimated 2,310 new breast cancer cases a year, and genetic mutations such as in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 remain a top risk factor for this prevalent disease. Recognizing the urgency for progress in breast cancer research, a collaborative effort between physicians, advanced practice providers and scientists from the Healthy Nevada Project® (HNP) and Helix have unveiled groundbreaking research. This study explores how genetic screenings are a necessary supplement to traditional testing methods, together offering more accurate insights into a patient's likelihood of developing breast cancer in the future. HNP is operated by Renown Genomic Medicine and the Institute for Health Innovation and is one of the largest community-based population health studies in the country. Their team works in collaboration with Helix, a leader in precision health that delivers comprehensive genomic solutions. Together, this dynamic partnership aims to understand breast cancer risk factors and pave the way for more effective preventative measures. The combined research team studied 25,591 female HNP participants to evaluate the performance of different genetic screening approaches to identify women at high risk of breast cancer. The results of this research suggest that a combined monogenic, or single-gene, and polygenic, or multi-gene, approach to breast cancer screenings helped produce more accurate results and more closely identify study participants who have a high genetic risk of developing the disease. "Based on this research, we are advocating a shift in approach which would improve breast cancer risk assessment through a combination of effective family history ascertainment and genetic screening,” said Joseph Grzymski, PhD, principal investigator of the Healthy Nevada Project, research professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and co-author of the breast cancer research paper. “This tailored approach, founded on the assessment of individual genetic risk, not only intends to elevate patient well-being but also will improve efficiency and equity in healthcare." Complementing the team’s research on leveraging genetics to identify women at low genetic risk of breast cancer that could safely defer mammogram screenings by five to 10 years that was released in late 2023 in JAMA Oncology, the study suggests that incorporating genetic information can assist in personalizing breast cancer screenings and optimizing the use of screening resources. "Existing disparities persist across various facets of breast cancer screening and treatment; however, genetic screening is clearly a powerful tool to help facilitate early intervention for those at higher risk,” said Jamie Schnell Blitstein, APRN, a primary care nurse practitioner at Renown Health and co-author of the breast cancer research paper. “By placing a heightened focus on risk, we underscore the pivotal role of preventative breast cancer screening.” Despite the availability of effective methods for early screening, co-authors of this research found that 78 percent of women with a family history of breast cancer had their risk ascertained only after a breast cancer diagnosis. The findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to breast cancer risk assessment – including a focus on genetic medicine – to help ensure that individuals at high risk are identified and supported proactively rather than reactively.  “These findings that can profoundly impact how healthcare is delivered were only made possible by all the participants who were willing to consent to research,” said Alex Bolze, PhD from Helix and co-author of the publication. “Broad-scale collaboration projects like these between Renown Health and UNR that engage large populations where participants share both their genetic information as well as electronic health records drive advancements in preventative medicine, as well as fundamental biological research.”   The research paper was officially accepted on Jan. 29, 2024, and will be published by Elsevier, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. The contents of the paper will appear in the international journal Genetics in Medicine Open. Read the full article by visiting sciencedirect.com. The Healthy Nevada Project is currently recruiting new study participants. Free to all Nevadans with a saliva sample or blood draw, participants and their referring providers receive access to whole-exome sequencing and clinical grade results that help provide insight into their unique genetic risks tied to heart disease and certain cancers. If you are interested in enrolling in the study, schedule a Virtual Consent Appointment through MyChart or contact the Renown Institute for Health Innovation at RenownIHI@renown.org or (775) 982-6914 to be connected to a Genomic Representative. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. To join the Renown Health team, visit renown.org/careers. Acerca de Helix Helix es la compañía líder en genómica y vigilancia viral de la población cuyas operaciones se basan en el cuidado clínico, la investigación y el análisis de datos. Helix enables health systems, life sciences companies, payers, and government partners to accelerate the integration of genomic data into patient care and public health decision-making. Learn more at helix.com.

Leer más About Research Shows Genetic Approaches to Breast Cancer Screenings Yield More Accurate Results

Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine give the gift of early diagnosis and disease prevention this holiday season.   With the season of giving upon us, give yourself the gift of health. The Renown Institute for Health Innovation (IHI) and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) are excited to offer a free Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELFTM) test to patients at risk for a common type of liver disease, e.g. metabolic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (M/NASH), and who enroll or are currently enrolled in the Healthy Nevada Project. The ELF Test is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved non-invasive test to help identify people most at risk for liver scarring, e.g. cirrhosis, and allows doctors to intervene before irreversible damage occurs. If undetected and untreated, M/NASH can result in liver cirrhosis which could require liver transplantation or lead to death. This test is important as the symptoms of M/NASH can be silent or non-specific, making it difficult to diagnose.  “There are currently more than 11,000 people across the U.S. on the national liver transplant waiting list, and with the heightened prevalence of NAFLD and M/NASH, this number is projected to keep rising; however, with research such as the ELF Test at our disposal, we are continuing to find ways to improve the health of those at risk for advanced liver disease,” said Bill Plauth, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Renown Health and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at UNR Med. “We encourage our community to participate in this early risk detection. Through this sophisticated, noninvasive, blood test, our physicians and Advanced Practice Providers can better evaluate liver fibrosis to help those affected and enable researchers to improve the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic liver disease as a whole.”  This liver health-focused sub-study of the Healthy Nevada Project seeks to enhance the understanding of both NAFLD and M/NASH and to help inform the development of treatment options for these conditions, as few currently exist. “Providing access to cutting-edge innovations such as the ELF Test is critical for both participants and the physicians and advanced practice providers that care for them.” said Joseph Grzymski, PhD, principal investigator of the Healthy Nevada Project and the Liver Disease Study and research professor at UNR Med. Those interested in determining their risk for M/NASH and its progression are encouraged to enroll in the Metabolic & Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis study. Those who have consented and participated in the M/NASH research will be eligible and contacted with more information on how to receive the ELF Test. The Renown IHI is also happy to connect with physicians and Advanced Practice Providers interested in having their patients enroll in the Healthy Nevada Project and join the study. For members of the community who would like more information and learn how to enroll, please contact the Renown IHI at RenownIHI@renown.org or (775) 982-6914 to be connected to a Genomic Representative. About the ELF™ Test  The ELF Test is a noninvasive blood test that can quickly identify which patients are at an elevated risk for developing cirrhosis and other liver-related clinical events (LREs). In contrast to standard liver enzyme tests that reflect liver damage that has already occurred, the ELF Test combines three serum direct biomarkers of active fibrosis. The ELF Test algorithm measures each of these biomarkers to create an ELF score, which can be used as an aid to assess the risk for future disease progression. Doctors may use this ELF score to help evaluate if a patient requires increased medical care and monitoring for their condition. Individuals interested in determining their risk for NASH and its progression are encouraged to enroll in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Liver Disease Genome Atlas study. Those who have already consented and participated in the study will be contacted with more information on how to receive an ELF blood test. Para obtener más información o para inscribirse, comuníquese a la casilla de correo RenownIHI@renown.org o al teléfono (775) 982-6914. In the U.S., the ELF Testing Service is available from Brio Clinical, Inc., a CLIA-certified laboratory offering specialized testing throughout the United States. Brio Clinical is regulated under CLIA as qualified to perform high complexity testing.

Leer más About Give the Gift of Health This Season with ELF Testing

Stephanie Kruse of Reno has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Trustee of the Year Award from the Nevada Hospital Association (NHA). Each year at the association’s annual meeting, the Nevada Hospital Association publicly acknowledges one trustee who exemplifies exceptional leadership professional excellence; outstanding achievements; innovative accomplishments and extraordinary compassion in caring for the community. “Stephanie’s effectiveness in advocating on behalf of hospitals, patients, and the health care system- as well as her personal connection and passion for improving the community’s overall health are what made her an excellent choice for this year’s award,” said Pat Kelly, NHA’s President & CEO. “Steph Kruse sets an inspiring example of someone who has dedicated her life to promoting public understanding of, and support for, the healthcare systems serving Nevada’s communities. She serves as an advocate for the provision of high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services, resulting in healthier Nevada communities for all.” Kruse was nominated by Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Renown Health, who wrote, “The daughter of a nurse and a former nurse herself, Stephanie understands the importance of attracting and retaining nurses within our healthcare systems. This year, in addition to her four years of service on the Renown Health Foundation Board and serving as chair, Stephanie has made a significant and lasting contribution to our community by helping to train and grow the next generation of nurses and pediatricians; and expanding critical care facilities for babies, children and families in northern Nevada.” “I’m honored by Renown’s nomination and to be part of the mission of such an excellent organization,” said Kruse. “Supporting access to quality healthcare in our region is a top priority of mine and I hope that I can continue to convince others to do so as well.” Three of the major projects that Kruse has directed and completed on behalf of the Renown Health Foundation include: The Orvis School of Nursing and Renown Health partnership to provide nursing students with full ride scholarships to assist in building a sustainable nursing workforce in Northern Nevada. The Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic-Practice Partnership established with the Renown Foundation now provides funding for up to 24 Orvis School of Nursing students each year. Scholarship recipients receive funding for educational expenses including tuition, fees, and books for the nursing program. Students can complete a paid apprenticeship at Renown Health and have a guaranteed job at the hospital following graduation and license obtainment. The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Renown Health new three-year Pediatrics Residency Program. The inaugural cohort of pediatric residents started this summer. The new residency will help shape future pediatric practices – and fill a state and nation-wide physician specialist shortage. Over a three-year period, four newly trained physicians will be selected each year for a total complement of twelve residents. Formerly, UNR Med students interested in becoming pediatricians had to leave the area to complete their residency training elsewhere. The William N. Pennington Foundation, through the Renown Health Foundation, which Kruse leads as Board Chair, paved the way for this program, creating a pipeline of much-needed pediatricians for our state, especially in under-served and rural areas – to serve vulnerable children and families of Nevada with high-quality, affordable care. New Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units at Renown Regional Medical Center. To alleviate current capacity constraints and allow for expansion and new services, several aging facilities are being replaced and new patient care areas have been constructed at all Renown hospital campuses. Renown Regional Medical Center has expanded its pediatric critical care services. Women from throughout Nevada and California deliver their babies at Renown Regional Medical Center for the added specialty care and safety of a NICU. Renown also has a Neonatal Transport Team which brings infants with serious illnesses, injuries, or complications from outlying communities to the comfort of Renown's NICU. These spaces provide a nurturing, healing environment for babies and their families. These expansions were made possible through the collaborative efforts of Renown Health, the Renown Health Board, construction partners and the unwavering support of the community. A lifelong support of health and care and community Kruse graduated from nursing school and became a part-time Registered Nurse in a Sioux Falls, South Dakota nursing home while attending Augustana College to obtain a degree in journalism. As part of her journalism program, she completed an internship in the public relations department of a Sioux Falls hospital, and that led to her accepting a position as director of public relations at a sister hospital in Aberdeen, SD. In 1981, she moved to Reno to be the director of marketing for Saint Mary’s Hospital. Ten years later, Kruse graduated with her master’s in business administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. With not much in her pocket, she bought a Mac computer that helped launch her journey as a business owner. She called herself- appropriately- Stephanie Kruse and Associates (or SKA) and offered clients a strategic, thoughtful approach to their marketing communications. Since then, Kruse has grown SKA to KPS3, which is now a multi-million-dollar firm with over 50 staff members. KPS3 was named one of Inc's Fastest Growing Companies in the US and has also consistently been voted as a ‘Best Places to Work’ in northern Nevada. Kruse has several clients who have been with her and the company for all or most of the 30-year history. “Whether it’s for the community, a friend, family, a coworker, or someone in need, giving back has always been a part of Steph’s fabric,” says Greg Walaitis, Chief Development Officer of the Renown Health Foundation. “Stephanie brings strategic vision and is wholly dedicated to our community. Stephanie is a community asset, a compassionate leader and an exemplary Board member that is well deserving of this award. She holds a spot in her heart for organizations that address improved access to better health and human services, and we are fortunate to have her in Nevada.” In addition to her service at Renown Health Foundation Board, Kruse is active in many community organizations including the boards of High Sierra Industries/WARC, Access to Healthcare Network, the University of Nevada, Reno’s Foundation Board, and the Desert Research Institute. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es una red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro que brinda servicios al norte de Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. En los rankings de mejores hospitales de U.S. News y World Report, Renown Regional Medical Center ocupa el primer puesto en el estado de Nevada. Renown tiene una larga trayectoria y un compromiso de larga data con la mejora de la atención y la salud de nuestra comunidad.   About the NHA The Nevada Hospital Association is a not-for-profit, statewide trade association representing Nevada’s acute care hospitals along with psychiatric, rehabilitation and other specialty hospitals as well as health related agencies and organizations throughout the state. Allied with the American Hospital Association, the NHA is an independent organization headquartered in Reno, Nev.

Leer más About Dedicated Community Leader, Stephanie Kruse Honored by NV Hospital Association for Excellence and Improving Health of Nevada

Hometown Health, the insurance arm of Renown Health and the premier locally-owned, not-for-profit insurance company in northern Nevada, has joined forces with the Carson City Chamber of Commerce to introduce reduced-cost health insurance options to member enterprises, effective Oct. 1, 2023. "We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with business-focused associations like the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, to provide their members with financially feasible healthcare alternatives. These best-in-class association health plans empower small business employers to access premium pricing typically reserved for larger employers. The resulting savings can be substantial," said CJ Bawden, Vice President of Growth and Retention at Hometown Health. The new association health plans through Hometown Health are available to all Nevada-based businesses with 50 or fewer employees and that have an active Carson City Chamber of Commerce membership. The new association health plans include: Competitive rates and access to northern Nevada's largest provider network Wide range of plans with unique benefit options Online member benefits through MyChart Online enrollment and premium billing Local customer service Members save up to 20% HMO, EPO and PPO products available ACA compliant No medical questionnaires required No cost wellness benefits Provides access to Renown and Carson Tahoe providers “By collaborating with Hometown Health, we are excited to offer our Carson City Chamber of Commerce members yet another premium benefit that will allow access to top-tier, affordable healthcare solutions,” said Stacy Woodbury, Chair of the Carson Chamber Board of Directors. “This alliance underscores our commitment to fostering the growth and prosperity of our business community while ensuring their health and well-being through northern Nevada's premier health insurance provider especially at a time when employee retention and attracting new employees is paramount.” Carson City Chamber members who are interested in Hometown Health should contact their health insurance broker to obtain more detailed information. They can also visit HometownHealth.com or CarsonCityChamber.com for more information.  About Hometown Health Established in 1988, Hometown Health is the insurance division of Renown Health and is Northern Nevada’s largest locally owned, not-for-profit health insurance company. Providing wide-ranging medical coverage and great service to members, Hometown Health represents a philosophy of health care that emphasizes active partnerships between members and physicians. For more information, call 775-982-3000 or visit HometownHealth.com About Carson City Chamber of Commerce The Carson City Chamber of Commerce has served the business community since 1945 and continually strives to build a healthy economy and high quality of life in Carson City and the surrounding area. The Carson Chamber offers its membership networking opportunities, advocacy with state and local government officials, seminars and training, a membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and much more.

Leer más About Hometown Health Partners With Carson City Chamber of Commerce to Offer Affordable Healthcare to Business Members

Renown and many partners are working to help improve the health and well-being of northern Nevadans. Renown Health’s mission is to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of people and communities. Yesterday, Reno’s only not-for-profit health system celebrated local organizations with grant funding for 2023 to improve the health and well-being of our community.    “Improving the health and wellness of an entire population of people is not easy. It is a huge task. Nevada continues to rank near the bottom of overall health rankings in the U.S. and suffers from high mortality rates for chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Renown Health. “We must continue to work with partners in the field, who share our mission- to keep people healthy, to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and to achieve the vision of a healthier Nevada.”  As a non-profit organization, Renown reinvests every dollar earned back to the community; in staffing, technology, treatments, training, and research to improve health and prevent illness. Yesterday, their senior leadership team took an hour to celebrate and support local not for profit partners for their efforts to improve the well-being of our community, with a boxed lunch, conversation, cake and therapy dogs from Renown’s volunteer program.  “Renown Health has long-standing commitment to the community spans more than 160 years,” said Suzanne Bharati Hendery, MA, APR, Chief Communications & Customer Experience Officer for Renown. “This commitment has grown and evolved through significant thought and care in considering our community’s most pressing health needs. One way this is done is through conducting a periodic, comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The most current assessments were completed by an external health care consulting service working with Renown and include quantitative and qualitative data that serve to guide both our community benefit and strategic planning. Through the CHNA process, Renown Health has identified the greatest health needs among our communities, enabling Renown to ensure our resources are appropriately directed toward outreach, prevention, education, and wellness opportunities where the greatest impact can be realized.” Renown’s Community Benefit grant funding process for 2023 is now complete. This is the second year of Renown’s 3-year Community Health Needs Plan that seeks to improve the priorities of Healthy Behaviors; Immunizations and Infectious Diseases; Behavioral Health (Mental Health & Substance Abuse) and Youth & Adolescent Health.  The success of the health system’s partnerships in improving the health of Washoe County is measured in the health statistics and data that is reported at the local, state, and national level on the website, NevadaTomorrow.org.  Also attending the event were key members of the Renown Health team including; Christine Bosse, Chief Government Relations Officer; Paul Harris, Chief Legal Counsel; Dr. Paul Hauptman, Chief Academic Officer-Renown and Dean, UNR School of Medicine; Dr. Rahul Mediwala, CEO, Renown Medical Group; Chris Nicholas, CEO, Renown Regional Medical Center; Dr. Bill Plauth, Chief Medical Officer & Associate Dean Clinical Affairs at UNR Med; Chuck Podesta Chief Information Officer; Sandeep Randhawa, Chief People Officer; Bethany Sexton, CEO, Hometown Health; Greg Walaitis, Chief Development Officer; Sam Weller, CEO, Renown South Meadows Medical Center and Renown Rehabilitation Hospital.  The 74 non-profit local organizations awarded Community Health grants or sponsorships by Renown Health for 2023 include: 1. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre 2. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Northern Nevada Chapter 3. LEAD with Horses 4. National Alliance on Mental Illness Northern Nevada 5. National Alliance on Mental Illness NV 6. Nevada Area Council, Boy Scouts of America 7. Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition 8. The Empowerment Center 9. United Cerebral Palsy of Nevada 10. Northern Nevada Dream Center 11. Nevada State Medical Association 12. Cancer Community Clubhouse 13. Sierra Kids Foundation 14. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada 15. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 16. Nevada Corporate Giving Council 17. American Foundation of Suicide Prevention 18. American Lung Association in Nevada 19. Ashlee’s Toy Closet, Inc 20. Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada 21. Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada 22. Eddy House 23. Mammoth Hospital 24. Nevada Public Health Association 25. The Life Change Center 26. The Moonridge Foundation 27. Truckee Meadows Community College Foundation 28. University of Nevada, Reno Foundation 29. Women and Children's Center of the Sierra 30. Center for Adaptive Riding 31. City of Sparks Parks and Recreation 32. Life Is Worth It 33. Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness 34. STEP2 35. Alzheimer's Association 36. Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada 37. Nevada Military Support Alliance 38. Note-Able Music Therapy Services 39. Safe Kids Washoe County 40. Special Olympics Nevada 41. Trauma Intervention Program of Northern Nevada (TIP), Inc. 42. Reno Rodeo Foundation 43. Artown 44. Washoe County Medical Society 45. Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada 46. Tyler Robinson Foundation 47. Community Foundation of Northern Nevada 48. Truckee Meadows Tomorrow (TMT) 49. City of Reno 50. Community Health Alliance 51. Education Alliance of Washoe County 52. Forever 14 53. Make-A-Wish Northeastern & Central California and Northern Nevada 54. Nevada Donor Network 55. Nevada Medical Center, dba Hope Means Nevada 56. Pinocchio's Moms on the Run 57. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada, Inc. - Reno, NV 58. Safe Talk for Teens 59. Special Recreation Services, Inc. 60. Our Center 61. Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows 62. Food Bank of Northern Nevada 63. Nevada Women's Fund 64. Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation 65. Northern Nevada HOPES 66. Reno Cancer Foundation 67. Redirect Youth Outreach 68. Immunize Nevada 69. High Fives Non-Profit Foundation 70. Child Assault Prevention Project of Washoe County 71. Communities In Schools of Western Nevada 72. Quest Counseling & Consulting Inc. 73. University of Nevada, Reno Foundation 74. The Children's Cabinet 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.

Leer más About Sharing the Love: Renown Health & Hometown Health Fund Grants to Support 74 Local Non-Profit Community Organizations

Renown Health, Lander County and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® to Battle Mountain Recreation Center. The Fitness Court, located at 560 Altenburg Ave, will open on Tuesday, August 15 at 10AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  This Fitness Court was developed by Renown Health, Lander County and NFC to expand free access to high quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state. Lander County is one of five outdoor Fitness Courts in a series of Fitness Courts presented by Renown Health that have been funded in healthy communities that are prioritizing health equity and world class outdoor fitness. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.  Created with people aged 14 and over and with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users may also download the free Fitness Court App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. “Proximity to exercise opportunities, such as parks and recreation facilities, has been linked to an increase in physical activity among residents,” said Brian Erling, MD, President & CEO of Renown Health. “Regular physical activity has a wide array of health benefits including weight control, muscle and bone strengthening, improved mental health and mood, and improved life expectancy. We are proud to bring additional access to exercise opportunities - at no charge, to everyone in our community.” “For over 50 years, Battle Mountain General Hospital has provided access to quality healthcare. We have up-to-date technology and medical services so you can receive your healthcare close to home, in your own community,” said Jason Bleak, FACHE, President and CEO. “We are pleased to partner with Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, which provides the highest level of Trauma Care, is home to the region’s only children’s hospital, robotic surgery institute, comprehensive heart, cancer, orthopedic and neurology services---and provides us access to some of the brightest medical specialists in the country.” “It never ceases to amaze me when Nevada businesses and the County partner up to do amazing things for their communities,” said Kaydra Stewart, Executive Director of the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce. “This Fitness Court is such a wonderful addition to the Battle Mountain Recreation Center, and I know that so many members of the community are going to benefit from it.” “The Lander County Recreation Department is committed to serving all residents of Lander County, by providing recreation and leisure activities, events, and other services that promote health, relaxation, and learning in a safe environment. We believe that recreation and leisure are important to the overall quality of life and the social well-being of our individual citizens and our community as a whole,” said Lander County Recreation Department. “National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Lander County to the campaign as a leader in health and wellness for their residents. We look forward to their continued partnership and investment as a healthy community in Nevada,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign.  Residents are invited to attend the launch event on August 15th at 10AM to try the Fitness Court. For more information visit BM Rec Center facebook page or contact Danielle at Recreation Center 775-635-9209. For more information on Renown Health’s support of NFC, please visit https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/nevada. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. About National Fitness Campaign Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors with the mission to build healthy communities. NFC delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered on the world’s best outdoor gym: The Fitness Court®. The Campaign is planning its 500th Healthy Community, uniting the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Follow us on social media @NatFitCampaign and #Fitnesscourt.

Leer más About Lander County, Renown Health and National Fitness Campaign Make Fitness Free for Community

Study shows that many household wells need better drinking water treatment and monitoring Outside of Nevada’s bustling cities, private wells are the primary source of drinking water, serving 182,000 people. Yet some of the tested private wells in Nevada are contaminated with levels of heavy metals that exceed federal, state or health-based guidelines, a new study published in Science of The Total Environment shows. Consuming water contaminated by metals such as arsenic can cause adverse health effects. Scientists from DRI and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center recruited households with private wells through the Healthy Nevada Project. Households were sent free water testing kits, and participants were notified of their water quality results and recommended actions they could take. More than 170 households participated in the research, with the majority from Northern Nevada around Reno, Carson City and Fallon. “The goals of the Healthy Nevada project are to understand how genetics, environment, social factors, and healthcare interact. We directly engaged our participants to better understand environmental contaminants that may cause adverse health outcomes,” said co-author Joseph Grzymski, PhD, research professor at DRI, principal investigator of the Healthy Nevada Project®, and chief scientific officer for Renown Health. Nearly one-quarter (22%) of the private wells sampled had arsenic that exceeded safe levels determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — with levels 80 times higher than the limit in some cases. Elevated levels of uranium, lead, cadmium, and iron were also found. “We know from previous research that Nevada’s arid climate and geologic landscape produce these heavy metals in our groundwater,” says Monica Arienzo, PhD, an associate research professor at DRI who led the study. “It was important for us to reach out to community members with private wells to see how this is impacting the safety of their drinking water.” Fewer than half (41%) of the wells sampled used water treatment systems, and some treated water samples still contained arsenic levels over EPA guidelines. Although average levels of heavy metal contaminants were lower in treated water, many homes were unable to reduce contaminants to levels considered safe. The state leaves private well owners responsible for monitoring their own water quality, and well water testing helps ensure water is safe to drink. This study shows that more frequent testing is needed to ensure Nevada’s rural communities have safe drinking water. This is particularly important as the effects of climate change and population growth alter the chemistry of groundwater, potentially increasing metal concentrations. “The results emphasize the importance of regular water quality monitoring and treatment systems,” said co-author Daniel Saftner, MS, assistant research scientist at DRI. Although the research focused on wells in Nevada, other arid communities in Western states are facing similar risks of water contamination. More information: The full study, Naturally Occurring Metals in Unregulated Domestic Wells in Nevada, USA, is available from Science of The Total Environment: doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158277. This project was funded by an NIH award (#1R01ES030948-01). The Healthy Nevada Project was funded by grants from Renown Health and the Renown Health Foundation. Study authors included Monica M. Arienzo (DRI), Daniel Saftner (DRI), Steven N. Bacon (DRI), Erika Robtoy (DRI), Iva Neveux (DRI), Karen Schlauch (DRI), Michele Carbone (University of Hawaii Cancer Center) and Joseph Grzymski (DRI/Renown Health). About DRI The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is a recognized world leader in basic and applied environmental research. Comprometidos con la excelencia e integridad científicas, el cuerpo docente del DRI, los estudiantes que trabajan juntos y el personal han desarrollado conocimientos científicos y tecnologías innovadoras en proyectos de investigación en todo el mundo. Desde 1959, la investigación de DRI ha profundizado el conocimiento científico sobre temas que van desde el impacto de los seres humanos en el medioambiente hasta el impacto del medioambiente en los seres humanos. Los hallazgos científicos impactantes y las soluciones inspiradoras del DRI apoyan la economía diversa de Nevada, proporcionan oportunidades educativas basadas en la ciencia e informan a legisladores, líderes empresariales y miembros de la comunidad. El DRI tiene campus en Las Vegas y Reno y funciona como el grupo de investigación sin fines de lucro del Sistema de Educación Superior de Nevada. For more information, please visit dri.edu. 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 6,500 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 enrolling participants in a community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. About the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center through its various activities, including scientific research and clinical trials, adds more than $57 million to the Oʻahu economy. It is one of only 71 research institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute. An organized research unit within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center is dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, education, patient care and community outreach with an emphasis on the unique ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Obtenga más información en https://www.uhcancercenter.org. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/UHCancerCenter. Follow us on Twitter @UHCancerCenter.

Leer más About Elevated Levels of Arsenic and Other Metals Found In Nevada Private Wells

Max Coppes, M.D., Ph.D., MBA who has served as Nell J. Redfield Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNR Med) and pediatrician-in-chief at Renown Children’s Hospital for the last six years has announced he is stepping down to lead Renown’s Pennington Cancer Institute on a full-time basis. Dr. Coppes will continue to serve as Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at UNR Med. “Our goal is to improve the health of Nevadans and reduce the burden of cancer,” said Thomas Graf, CEO of Renown Health. “Having Dr. Coppes as our clinical leader for the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute on a full-time basis reflects Renown and UNR Med’s commitment to increase access to cancer care, foster a deeper partnership with UNR Med on clinical trials, collaborate on cancer research opportunities, and enhance medical education and post-graduate training. We are thrilled to have Dr. Max leading this important effort.” Today’s announcement comes two weeks after the William N. Pennington Foundation announced a $15.5 million gift to the Renown Health Foundation to help establish the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute at Renown. Dr. Coppes, a pediatric oncologist by training, has experience in leading large-scale, nationally recognized academic cancer center teams in both the U.S. and Canada. El Dr. Coppes llegó a Reno en 2014 procedente de la British Columbia Cancer Agency de Vancouver, donde ocupó el cargo de presidente responsable de seis centros oncológicos regionales y dos centros de investigación del cáncer. He was an attending physician at BC Children's Hospital and a professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia. During his career, Coppes served as senior vice president at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and held positions at several prestigious facilities in the U.S. and Canada including The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Georgetown University, The National Cancer Institute, and the Cleveland Clinic. Since 2016, Dr. Coppes has served in the joint leadership role as the Nell J. Redfield Chair of Pediatrics at UNR Med and pediatrician-in-chief at Renown Children's Hospital, a position made possible through generous philanthropic support from the Nell J. Redfield Foundation along with investments by Renown Health and the School of Medicine. In 2016, the Pennington Foundation recognized the need for enhanced care and expertise for pediatrics and donated $7.5 million to Renown Children’s Hospital to establish the William N. Pennington Fund for Advanced Pediatric Care. “As the Nell J. Redfield Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and pediatrician-in-chief at Renown Children's Hospital, Dr. Coppes blazed the trail for the integration of academic and clinical missions at UNR Med and Renown. He demonstrated visionary leadership and undoubtedly will bring the same energy and vision as the clinical leader for the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute,” said Melissa Piasecki, Acting Dean of UNR Med and Chief Academic Officer for Renown Health. “Dr. Max Coppes is an extraordinary leader. In the last six years he has done much to elevate the standard of pediatric care available in our community,” said Sy Johnson, President and Chief of Staff of Renown. “Thanks to Dr. Coppes’ leadership, the generosity of the Pennington gift and other donors, 100,000 area children now have access to pediatric specialists and contemporary healthcare services at the region’s only children’s hospital. Now, less than 3% of all pediatric patients and their families need to leave the area for specialty care. That is an incredible accomplishment.” Significant achievements made under Dr. Coppes leadership include: Advancing Renown Children’s Hospital, the only dedicated children’s hospital in northern Nevada, offering programs and services for families from a 100,000 square mile area, from Sacramento, CA to Salt Lake City, Utah. Renown Children’s provides the area’s only Children’s Emergency Room, Pediatric ICU (PICU), children’s imaging center and the largest neonatal ICU (NICU), a level III intensive care unit. Under his leadership, the following service lines were established; adolescent medicine, pediatric hematology/oncology, pediatric nephrology, pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric ophthalmology, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric cleft and craniofacial surgery, pediatric urology, pediatric dentistry, and pediatric emergency medicine. Hiring and supporting a team of over 40 pediatric physician specialists. These clinicians provide 30,000 patient visits annually, offering an exceptional level of care to help families. As a testimony to the community’s confidence in the care provided, market share for pediatric services at Renown Health is now close to 90%. Renown’s membership in the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), which gives local pediatric cancer patients access to the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood cancer and most leading-edge treatments. Application to establish a 3-year accredited (by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) pediatric residency program in Reno. If approved in September 2022, Renown Health and UNR Med will start training four new pediatricians each year starting in July 2023. Successful application to the Nevada Governor's Office of Science, Innovation & Technology to receive financial support to fund a new Graduate Medical Education program. Renown Children’s Hospital was awarded $ 870,433 for the new pediatric residency program. New construction of an expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with increased capacity to 49 bassinets, an expanded Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with increased capacity to 16 private patient and family rooms, and a new Renown Children's Hospital in-patient floor with increased capacity for 38 private patient and family rooms for a total capacity of 58 pediatric beds on Level 4 of Renown Regional Medical Center. In 2021, Dr. Coppes was named the Healthcare Hero Community Partner by Northern Nevada Business Magazine.

Leer más About Dr. Max Coppes to Lead William N. Pennington Institute

Lanzada en asociación con el Desert Research Institute, una nueva investigación del proyecto Healthy Nevada Project® determina que un diagnóstico confirmado no siempre produce cambios en el cuidado del paciente. El hecho de entregar a las personas información de salud que pueda cambiar sus vidas no garantiza que las personas, o sus proveedores de atención médica, actuarán en consecuencia. La educación de seguimiento y las conversaciones sobre los planes de cuidado ejecutables con los pacientes y sus médicos son los próximos pasos clave, de acuerdo con la nueva investigación del Healthy Nevada Project. El Healthy Nevada Project es un proyecto de investigación y detección genética que se lanzó en 2016 como una asociación entre DRI y Renown Health. El proyecto ahora tiene más de 50,000 participantes y cuenta con secuenciación genética proporcionada por Helix. Entre septiembre de 2018 y septiembre de 2020, el Healthy Nevada Project notificó exitosamente a 293 participantes que estaban genéticamente en riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de pecho y ovario, síndrome de Lynch o hipercolesterolemia familiar hereditarios, tres afecciones genéticas comunes conocidas colectivamente como afecciones de Nivel 1 de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC). En un estudio publicado hoy en Frontiers in Genetics, los científicos del Healthy Nevada Project analizaron qué impacto tuvo el hecho de notificar a un paciente sobre un resultado positivo para una condición de Nivel 1 de los CDC en el cuidado que recibió el paciente en los meses y años posteriores. Según sus resultados, entre los 293 participantes del Healthy Nevada Project que fueron notificados del riesgo genético de desarrollar una afección del Nivel 1 de los CDC, el 71 % de participantes con registros médicos electrónicos compartieron sus hallazgos con los proveedores de atención médica. Sin embargo, solo el 30 % de los registros médicos electrónicos de estos pacientes contenía documentación del diagnóstico genético, y solo el 10 % de los pacientes examinados experimentó un posible cambio en el cuidado después de recibir los resultados de su examen de detección genético. “El Healthy Nevada Project se implementó con un enfoque ‘sin intervención’ en el que los participantes reciben sus hallazgos y deciden con quiénes y cuándo desean compartirlos. Los hallazgos no se agregaron automáticamente a sus registros médicos electrónicos”, explicó el Dr. Gai Elhanan, científico de datos médicos en DRI y coautor del estudio. “Lo que estamos aprendiendo ahora es que para garantizar que los hallazgos genéticos importantes se integren en el régimen de cuidado, es importante que su incorporación en los registros médicos electrónicos forme parte del estudio”. Este estudio se basa en investigaciones anteriores del Healthy Nevada Project publicadas en Nature Medicine. En ellas se demuestra la importancia de realizar exámenes de detección para las afecciones del Nivel 1 de los CDC, las cuales afectan a aproximadamente a 1 de cada 75 personas y se pueden mitigar e incluso se puede evitar que se conviertan en enfermedades cuando se detectan en forma temprana. Este estudio determinó que hasta el 90 % de los casos con afecciones del Nivel 1 de los CDC no son detectados por los proveedores clínicos en las evaluaciones y los exámenes de detección que se realizan durante las visitas de cuidado clínico habitual. Durante el estudio actual, los científicos del Healthy Nevada Project descubrieron que el 19 % de participantes estudiados ya había desarrollado una de las afecciones del Nivel 1 de los CDC y, por lo tanto, podrían haberse beneficiado de una notificación más temprana sobre su afección. El equipo del estudio espera que sus hallazgos estimulen a los residentes de Nevada a obtener pruebas genéticas para estas afecciones relativamente comunes. Incluso si las personas son mayores o ya han sufrido enfermedades relacionadas con estas afecciones, las pruebas también podrían ser beneficiosas para los hermanos, los niños y los nietos que también pueden estar en riesgo y que posteriormente podrían someterse a exámenes de detección en caso de un hallazgo positivo. El equipo del estudio también incita a informar a los proveedores de atención médica sobre la importancia de incorporar diagnósticos genéticos en las recomendaciones farmacéuticas (por ejemplo, para la hipercolesterolemia familiar) y de tratamiento a los pacientes. “Como resultado de este análisis, los médicos de Renown Health y los investigadores del Healthy Nevada Project han logrado cambios significativos, lo que incluye la obtención del consentimiento informado de los participantes para incorporar hallazgos positivos de sus informes genéticos directamente en su registro médico electrónico”, explicó Daniel Kiser, M.S., científico auxiliar de investigación de ciencia de datos en DRI y coautor del estudio. “Esto ayudará tanto a los participantes como a sus proveedores de cuidado clínico, y a todo el estado a maximizar los beneficios a largo plazo de los exámenes de detección genéticos voluntarios basados en la población del Healthy Nevada Project”. Información adicional: El texto completo del estudio, Incomplete Penetrance of Population-Based Genetic Screening Results in Electronic Health Record, está disponible en Frontiers in Genetics: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.866169/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Genetics&id=866169. Este proyecto fue financiado por Renown Health, fundación de Renown Health y la Oficina de Desarrollo Económico del Gobernador de Nevada. Entre los autores del estudio se incluyen Gai Elhanan (DRI), Daniel Kiser (DRI), Iva Neveux (DRI), Shaun Dabe (Renown Health), Alexander Bolze (Helix), William Metcalf (DRI), James Lu (Helix) y Joseph Grzymski (DRI/Renown Health). Para obtener más información sobre el Healthy Nevada Project® o para solicitar un examen de detección genético, visite: https://healthynv.org/ Acerca del DRI El Desert Research Institute (DRI) es un reconocido líder mundial en investigación ambiental básica y aplicada. Comprometidos con la excelencia e integridad científicas, el cuerpo docente del DRI, los estudiantes que trabajan juntos y el personal han desarrollado conocimientos científicos y tecnologías innovadoras en proyectos de investigación en todo el mundo. Desde 1959, la investigación de DRI ha profundizado el conocimiento científico sobre temas que van desde el impacto de los seres humanos en el medioambiente hasta el impacto del medioambiente en los seres humanos. Los hallazgos científicos impactantes y las soluciones inspiradoras del DRI apoyan la economía diversa de Nevada, proporcionan oportunidades educativas basadas en la ciencia e informan a legisladores, líderes empresariales y miembros de la comunidad. El DRI tiene campus en Las Vegas y Reno y funciona como el grupo de investigación sin fines de lucro del Sistema de Educación Superior de Nevada. Para obtener más información, visite www.dri.edu. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo participantes en el estudio genético de salud poblacional basado en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. Visite renown.org para obtener más información. Acerca de Helix Helix es la compañía líder en genómica y vigilancia viral de la población cuyas operaciones se basan en el cuidado clínico, la investigación y el análisis de datos. Helix permite que los sistemas de salud, las empresas de ciencias biológicas, los pagadores y los socios gubernamentales aceleren la integración de los datos genómicos en el cuidado médico del paciente y en la toma de decisiones de salud pública. Obtenga más información en www.helix.com.

Leer más About Un estudio demuestra la importancia de garantizar el seguimiento del participante y del proveedor después de obtener el resultado de un examen de detección genético

Reconocido como líder nacional en el cuidado de la comunidad LGBTQ+ por la fundación de Human Rights Campaign en 2022 Todas las personas que necesitan atención médica deben poder ver a su médico o tener una visita al hospital sin preocuparse porque las maltraten, las acosen o les nieguen el servicio sin razón. Los datos de la encuesta nacional de Center for American Progress (CAP) muestran que las personas que pertenecen a la comunidad LGBTQ+ experimentan discriminación en entornos de atención médica, y que esto los disuade de buscar el cuidado médico que necesitan. Estos resultados resaltan la importancia de proteger a las personas de la comunidad LGBTQ+ de la discriminación en el entorno de la atención médica. Los cuidadores de Renown Health y la UNR Med, con el apoyo de la comunidad LGBTQ+ y los aliados transgénero y sus parejas, trabajan para acortar la brecha para los pacientes LGBTQ+ y sus familias, y para convertirse en una organización más inclusiva. Esta semana, la fundación de Human Rights Campaign reconoció al Renown Regional Medical Center en Reno, Nevada, como el primer y único hospital de Nevada nombrado con un puntaje perfecto, y con el nivel más alto de apoyo, como “Líder en la igualdad de atención médica para la comunidad LGBTQ+”. El Índice de igualdad en la atención médica (Healthcare Equality Index, HEI) es la encuesta de referencia más importante del país de los centros de atención médica sobre las políticas y prácticas dedicadas al tratamiento igualitario y la inclusión de pacientes, visitantes y empleados de la comunidad LGBTQ+. “Nos esforzamos constantemente por estar entre los mejores del país en cuanto a calidad, seguridad y experiencia del paciente”, afirmó el Dr. Thomas Graf, director ejecutivo interino, director clínico y director de Calidad. “Este reconocimiento confirma el compromiso del equipo de Renown Health, que es brindarle el mejor cuidado posible al paciente. La calidad y la seguridad son responsabilidad de todos los empleados y médicos de Renown, y estamos orgullosos de que el equipo del Renown Regional Medical Center haya sido elegido entre los mejores del estado y el país por su compromiso con el cuidado centrado en el paciente LGBTQ+”. “Renown Health se enorgullece de unirse al estado de Nevada, que también obtuvo las mejores calificaciones en el Índice de igualdad estatal de Human Rights Campaign, y a la ciudad de Reno con la Tarjeta de puntuación de igualdad municipal para la igualdad de las personas LGBTQ+”, manifestó Sy Johnson, MBA, presidente interino y jefe de personal. “El HEI de Human Rights Campaign ofrece a las organizaciones una manera poderosa de afirmar que están comprometidas con el cuidado centrado en el paciente LGBTQ+ y extender las protecciones contra la discriminación a nuestros empleados LGBTQ+, quienes desempeñan una función clave en garantizar un cuidado sensible y experto para las personas de esta comunidad”. “En la UNR Med estamos muy orgullosos de colaborar con Renown en este esfuerzo”, dijo Nicole Jacobs, Ph.D. (ella), decana asociada, Diversidad e Inclusión; psicóloga clínica y profesora; Departamento de Psiquiatría y Ciencias Conductuales de la UNR Med. “La designación de ‘Líder en la igualdad de atención médica para la comunidad LGBTQ+’ demuestra el fuerte compromiso de Renown para promover la atención médica igualitaria en Nevada, nuestros valores centrales y compartidos, y nuestra misión compartida de abordar las desigualdades en torno a la atención médica que existen en nuestra área”. Un récord de 906 centros de atención médica participaron activamente en la encuesta del HEI 2022 y, 496 de ellos recibieron la designación de “Líder en la igualdad de atención médica para la comunidad LGBTQ+”. El Renown Regional Medical Center es el primer y único hospital de Nevada que cuenta con un reconocimiento de Human Rights Campaign. Ningún otro hospital del estado cumplió con sus estrictos estándares para el ranking de 2021. “Todas las personas merecen tener acceso a una atención médica de calidad, ser respetadas y escuchadas por su médico y sentirse seguras en las instalaciones donde reciben cuidado médico”, afirmó Tari Hanneman, (ella), directora de Salud y Envejecimiento en Human Rights Campaign. “El Índice de igualdad en la atención médica, en su esencia, se esfuerza por garantizar que las personas LGBTQ+ estén protegidas y respaldadas por sus proveedores de atención médica y se sientan seguras a la hora de buscar servicios. Nuestros participantes activos del HEI son auténticos pioneros en la industria de la atención médica porque implementan políticas integrales y sólidas de inclusión de la comunidad LGBTQ+ que, debido a lo que hacen, esperamos que se conviertan en una práctica habitual. El HEI evalúa y califica a los centros de atención médica según criterios detallados que se clasifican en cuatro pilares centrales: Políticas fundamentales y capacitación en la atención centrada en el paciente LGBTQ+ Servicios y apoyo para el paciente LGBTQ+ Beneficios y políticas para los empleados Participación de los pacientes y la comunidad Suzanne Hendery, MA, APR, directora de Clientes, quien dirigió el proceso de solicitud de Renown, indicó que el notable progreso reflejado en la presentación del HEI 2022 del equipo incluye los siguientes aspectos: Se actualizaron los registros médicos con el nombre y los pronombres preferidos. Kathleen Zaski, BSN, RN, directora de Aplicaciones de TI, explica por qué esto es tan importante. “Su nombre e identidad son inherentes a su persona y aquí, en Renown, nuestro objetivo es cuidarlo como persona en su totalidad y brindar el más alto nivel de atención de calidad a nuestra comunidad, todo mientras nos aseguramos de que la experiencia sea excepcional y personalizada para cada persona. Nuestro sistema de registros médicos apoya a nuestros médicos, profesionales de enfermería y equipo de atención en la recopilación de esta información importante. Ahora podemos registrar el nombre preferido, el sexo y la orientación sexual de cada persona para cuidarla mejor”. Se permitieron las visitas sin tener en cuenta la orientación sexual o la identidad de género. Whitney Hansen, PhD, directora de Excelencia de Servicio, afirma: “Sé lo importante que es para nuestros pacientes y sus familias que Renown sirva a toda nuestra comunidad y que brindemos un espacio agradable y seguro y un sentido de pertenencia a todos. Estamos orgullosos de la política de visitantes de Renown, inspirada por miembros familiares que solicitaron que la política permitiera que dos familiares al día pudieran a visitar a un ser querido internado en Renown”. Se colocaron baños sin distinción de género. Chris Baker, CHFM, director de Ingeniería de Instalaciones, cuyo equipo ha creado más de 48 baños sin distinción de género en Renown, afirma: “Garantizar que los baños privados estén igualmente disponibles para todos en nuestro campus es solo una forma de proporcionar un espacio más inclusivo y atento para las personas a las que prestamos servicios”. Además, los médicos y cuidadores de Renown recibieron reconocimientos en las siguientes áreas: Todos los miembros del personal reciben capacitación sobre el cuidado centrado en el paciente LGBTQ+. Tanto la “orientación sexual” como la “identidad de género” se incluyen en la política de no discriminación de pacientes y en la política de no discriminación de empleo de Renown. Se ofrecen beneficios de atención médica que incluyen a las personas transgénero a empleados y miembros del plan de salud sin fines de lucro de Renown, Hometown Health. Se proporciona apoyo sustancial y se otorgan subvenciones a organizaciones del área que abordan la diversidad y la inclusión, los eventos del Orgullo LGBTQ+ y la colaboración con organizaciones LGBTQ+ como aliado. “Estoy muy orgulloso de las personas con las que trabajo todos los días que hacen que los logros sean posibles”, dice Brian Colonna CHC, CHPC, CHRC, director de Cumplimiento. “Esta es una designación significativa”, dijo Bethany Sexton, MA, directora de Transformación. “Me siento muy orgullosa de ser parte de un equipo y una organización que ayuda a traducir nuestra misión como organización en una acción significativa para cada miembro de nuestra comunidad”. Mitch Harper, director de Desempeño de la Red, expresó: “Acabamos de comenzar este viaje. Reconocemos que todavía hay mucho más por mejorar para convertirnos en una organización inclusiva. Estamos trabajando para crear un entorno seguro y agradable para nuestra comunidad y nuestros empleados. El acceso a servicios humanos básicos no debe estar supeditado a características como el color de piel, el origen étnico, el sexo, la identidad de género, la orientación sexual, la edad, la discapacidad o las creencias de una persona”. Sean Savoy, encargado de la atención espiritual en Renown, dijo: “¡Muy buenas noticias! Me alegra mucho que Renown Health haya alcanzado este hito con HRC, líder en derechos civiles para minorías de identidad de género y orientación sexual. Espero con ansias el continuo trabajo y esfuerzo por lograr equidad clínica, competencia cultural y respeto por nuestros pacientes y empleados LGBTQIA”. Para obtener más información sobre la atención y los proveedores para pacientes LBGTQ+ en Renown, visite renown.org/diversity/lbgtq-at-renown/ Únase al equipo de Renown Renown Health está contratando personas para ocupar puestos clave en la organización para apoyar la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Para unirse a la familia de Renown y luchar por la causa justa, postúlese en línea en careers.renown.org/ Acerca de la Fundación Human Rights Campaign La Fundación Human Rights Campaign es la parte educativa de Human Rights Campaign (HRC), la organización de derechos civiles más grande de los Estados Unidos que trabaja por lograr equidad para personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero y queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, LGBTQ+). Mediante sus programas, la Fundación HRC busca generar cambios transformadores en la vida cotidiana de las personas LGBTQ+, arrojando luz sobre la desigualdad y profundizando la comprensión del público sobre los problemas de la comunidad LGBTQ+, con un claro enfoque en la promoción de la justicia transgénero y racial. Su trabajo ha transformado el panorama para más de 15 millones de trabajadores, 11 millones de estudiantes, un millón de clientes en el sistema de adopción y cuidado tutelar, y mucho más. La Fundación HRC ofrece consultas directas y asistencia técnica a instituciones y comunidades, de esta forma impulsa la promoción de políticas y prácticas inclusivas; desarrolla la capacidad de los futuros líderes y aliados mediante programas de becas y capacitación; y, con la firme convicción de que estamos trabajando juntos, forja sociedades con defensores en los EE. UU. y en todo el mundo para aumentar nuestro impacto y dar forma al futuro de nuestro trabajo. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo participantes en el estudio genético de salud poblacional basado en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. Visite renown.org para obtener más información.

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