15-year-old Giovanni Melgarejo exemplifies the power of strength and courage as a child living with one of the world’s rarest congenital syndromes
A video introducing Gio and his journey can be foundhere.
Renown Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) are excited to announce Giovanni “Gio” Melgarejo as the 2025 Champion Child. Gio spent the first three months of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Renown Children’s Hospital with multiple health complications. Given a week to live after coding, he defied the odds. After spending significant time at both Renown Children’s Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco Children’s Hospital, he finally got a diagnosis – CLOVES, a very rare congenital syndrome that presents itself with skin, spinal, bone or joint abnormalities and vascular overgrowths.
“At Renown Health, we witness incredible stories of resilience every day. Gio and his family’s journey is truly extraordinary,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. “Overcoming tremendous health obstacles with courage, determination, and a bright spirit, Gio inspires our medical team and everyone who has the privilege of knowing him. This is a testament to the power of exceptional care, unwavering family support and a child’s incredible strength. We are honored to be part of Gio’s journey and proud to see Gio representing the youth in our community as Renown Children’s Hospital’s 2025 Champion Child.”
Gio is one of 200 people in the world who have been diagnosed with CLOVES. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), the syndrome can occur as a result of a genetic mutation, either inherited from a parent or randomly when cells divide. Like what Gio experienced, symptoms can start making themselves present when the child is a newborn or infant. Because of how rare the condition is, GARD reports that it can take up to six years to receive an accurate CLOVES diagnosis. Despite this long journey, Gio and his family never gave up in their pursuit of an answer and treatment.
Gio’s road to recovery has been full of ups-and-downs. From complications related to CLOVES, including skin bleeding, blood clotting, infections and soreness, to a battle with sepsis and relearning to walk, sit up and eat on his own, he has exemplified hope and determination through it all. After several years of hospital visits and intensive physical therapy, paired with the help of his loving family and compassionate healthcare teams, Gio can do most things that many kids his age can do. Today, he is a happy, funny, artistic and charismatic boy with a mind for business.
During these many visits to the hospital, the Melgarejos got to know the nurses and doctors in the pediatric units. Natasha Melgarejo, Gio’s mom, reflects on the best-in-class standard of care he always received at every visit at Renown Children’s Hospital.
“Throughout his young life, Gio has had a rollercoaster of good and bad health days. With the support of all of us, knowledgeable medical and nursing staff and the many resources that case workers have provided, he has made unbelievable progress,” said Natasha Melgarejo. “His care team has helped him learn to walk, ensured he has access to customized shoes and a wheelchair when he needs it and even assisted him in riding a bike. It was always nice to know he was in good hands every step of the way.”
“Seeing Gio grow into the strong young man he is now has been a privilege to witness,” said Kristina Deeter, MD, MBA, FAAP, Physician-in-Chief, Renown Children’s Hospital and Chair of Pediatrics, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. “It is no surprise to me that Gio was chosen as our next Champion Child. He will be an incredible ambassador for Renown Children’s Hospital within our community and beyond.”
Through Renown Children’s Hospital, Gio and over 100,000 area children have access to more than 100 pediatricians, including 16 specialists 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 seven hours or 438 miles away in Las Vegas. In 2024, Renown Children’s Hospital was verified as the first level II pediatric trauma center in northern Nevada by the American College of Surgeons, a historic first for northern Nevada.
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. Gio 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 his inspiring story. Renown Health Foundationoversees 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 renown.org/donate.
Becker’s Names Renown Health to 2025 List of Top Orthopedic Programs
Reno, Nev. (Nov. 20, 2025) – Renown Health is proud to announce that its Orthopedic Program and Rehabilitation Hospital have been named among the top 100 in the United States by Becker’s Hospital Review. This recognition reflects Renown’s dedication to delivering exceptional orthopedic care and innovative rehabilitation services for patients in northern Nevada and the 100,000 square rural region it serves. This prestigious recognition highlights Renown’s commitment to excellence in patient care and innovative treatment options.
Book an Appointment with a Renown Medical Group Cardiology Provider
Renown Health today announced that patients seeking Renown cardiology care can now conveniently schedule their appointments online. The new digital scheduling option is available for both new and existing patients, providing easier access to high-quality heart care across northern Nevada.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Nevadans and people across the nation,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and CEO, Renown Health. “At Renown, we believe everyone deserves timely, expert care for their heart. By making it easier for patients to connect with our cardiology team, we’re helping people take proactive steps toward longer, healthier lives.”
“This new online scheduling feature is one more way we’re improving access and convenience for our community, helping people get the specialized care they need quickly and easily,” said Rahul Mediwala, MD, MBA, CEO of Renown Medical Group. “Whether a patient is managing a chronic heart condition or seeking preventative care, we want to make every step, from scheduling to treatment to follow up, as seamless and supportive as possible. Our goal is to ensure that world-class cardiology care is easy to access for every member of our community.”
“People experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or palpitations are encouraged to first contact their primary care provider,” said Marie McCormack, MD, Division Chief, Primary Care, Renown Medical Group. “Primary care providers can evaluate symptoms, provide guidance, and if needed, refer patients to a Renown Medical Group cardiologist for an appointment for specialized heart care”
“The Renown Heart & Vascular Institute team has earned the trust and gratitude of the community with more than 18,000 patients rating their Renown Medical Group-Cardiology providers an outstanding 4.9 out of 5 stars for care,” said Darcy Ohm, Administrative Director, Cardiology, who led the project. “Now patients can schedule their cardiology appointments online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with more than 35 cardiology providers at Renown Heart & Vascular Institute locations in Reno, South Reno, Carson City and Fallon, Nevada.”
Renown Health is proud to announce the opening of a new urgent care facility located at 6512 South McCarran Blvd in Southwest Reno, providing high quality, convenient and affordable urgent care for families in Reno and surrounding communities. This facility, opening today, Nov. 18, is Renown’s 12th urgent care location and is equipped to treat patients of all ages with minor illnesses, injuries and other non-life-threatening conditions, 7 days a week.
“We’re grateful that our customers continue to tell us what matters most to them. They’ve asked for more Renown urgent care locations, and we’re listening. As southwest Reno continues to grow, we’re proud to open a beautiful new urgent care site that offers high quality, convenient and affordable care seven days a week, right near the shopping district, Lakeridge Shores, Rancharrah and Caughlin Ranch communities,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, CEO & President, Renown Health. “As Nevada's only not-for-profit academic health system, we are committed to reinvesting our proceeds to enhance clinical expertise, expand facilities and services and invest in the health and well-being of our community.”
