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Renown Health CEO Named 'CEO of the Year' by Ragan Communications for Fostering a Healthier Work Environment and Putting People First

By:
  • Renown Public Relations
June 2, 2025
Dr. Brian Erling smiles for the camera.

Dr. Brian Erling is a CEO who leads by example, creating a positive work environment where professionals can thrive and grow in their careers, ultimately leading to improved healthcare for our community.

Dr. Brian Erling, President and CEO of Renown Health, has been named CEO of the Year by the Ragan Communications Workplace Wellness Awards. As CEO of the Year, he is recognized for promoting physical health, mental resilience, and a culture of work-life balance.

Ragan Communications writes, “Under Dr. Erling’s leadership, Renown Health launched a range of programs supporting mental, emotional and physical wellness, including expanded behavioral health access and personalized wellbeing services. His vision has made employee health a system-wide priority embedded into the organization’s operational strategy.”

Ragan is the industry leader in providing professional development, training and intelligence to communicators, marketers, HR professionals and business leaders worldwide, and holds its annual Workplace Wellness Awards program, presenting the award to a CEO who leads by example, and makes employee well-being a top priority in their organization.

Dr. Brian Erling, CEO and President of Renown Health, is a seasoned healthcare executive with over twenty-five years of experience in diverse healthcare settings. During his career, he has led teams at not-for-profit hospitals, integrated health systems, physician practices and publicly traded healthcare companies.

Dr. Erling joined the Renown team in November of 2022. He leads with a people-first mindset, prioritizing employees in the organization’s decision-making process. Dr. Erling believes that when employees have the involvement and tools to excel in their roles, the result is an engaged workforce and exceptional care for the community. Having previously spent over 20 years serving the people of Colorado, he believes that long-term leadership is essential for an organization to grow and thrive. His background as a physician enables him to connect with healthcare workers who devote their nights, weekends and holidays to their work.

Dr. Erling emphasizes the importance of teamwork and believes it’s the key to a successful healthcare system. Being part of a high-performing, mission-driven team is his primary motivation. He considers Renown’s more than 8,000 employees to be the organization’s greatest resource. While Renown’s modern technologies, like advanced robotic surgical systems and imaging equipment, are valuable, Dr. Erling believes the main reason patients choose their services is because of the trusted care in their hometown.

Dr. Erling’s goals for Renown are to create a positive work environment where employees can thrive and grow in their careers, ultimately leading to improved healthcare for our community. Since the beginning of his leadership, he has implemented numerous initiatives to enhance the organization, always prioritizing people first.

Putting employee wellness at the forefront of strategic planning, and making People First the first value of Renown Health, the following initiatives have been introduced in the past 12 months:

Introducing Renown's New Mission, Vision and Values

Mission, vision and values provide insight into an organization's purpose and future. In 2025, Renown Health launched a 10-year strategic plan. Updating the organization's mission, vision and values statements created the foundation of Renown's new strategy that reflects Renown's aspirations for the community, and the commitment of compassionate employees.

Mission
Established in 1864 as Nevada’s first hospital, we proudly serve our community as the only not-for-profit academic health system, committed to saving lives, nurturing minds, and caring for all people.

Vision
Create a healthier future through exceptional care and discovery

Values
People First, Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, Excellence

Expanding Education and Career Growth Programs at Renown Health

Cardiac Ultrasound Technologist Apprenticeship program: This six to eight-month program offers students tuition-free education while also providing them with a paid training opportunity. Employees are encouraged to participate in the program and grow their career in healthcare.

Respiratory Therapist training program, in partnership with Great Basin College: The program is an accelerated 18-month program resulting in participants receiving an Associate of Applied Science in Cardio-Respiratory Care Science degree. This program allows career growth and opportunity for both employees and our community.

Additional Employee Benefits and Appreciation Events

Engaging Employee Communications

  • All-hands monthly forums hosted by Dr. Erling and Renown’s President’s Council to provide employees with organizational updates, including strategic planning and a question-and-answer session.
  • Anonymous pulse surveys to indicate how employees are feeling about the organization and provide feedback for improvement. Dr. Erling and Renown’s Leadership Team evaluate results for strategic planning.

Renown Health has also been nominated as a finalist for Employee Experience.

Many rewarding healthcare careers are available at Renown Health, for more information or to apply, visit renown.org/careers.

As the region’s only Level 2 Trauma Center for adults and children, Renown serves over 1 million people and 100,000 square miles. In the U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Renown Regional Medical Center is named #1 Hospital for the State of Nevada for 2024, 2023 and 2022.


Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated academic health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 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. For more information, visit renown.org.

Related News

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Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health Named on "Great Heart Programs" List

Renown Health is proud to announce that its Institute for Heart & Vascular Health has been named to the 100 Hospitals & Health Systems with Great Heart Programs by Becker’s Hospital Review. This recognition reflects Renown’s dedication to delivering exceptional heart and vascular care and advanced and innovative services for patients in northern Nevada and the 100,000 square rural region it serves. Renown’s Institute for Heart & Vascular Health, located at both Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center, is known for its leading-edge treatments, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive care for patients with heart and vascular conditions. In their announcement, Becker’s highlighted that Renown Health (Reno, Nev.) was named once again by U.S. News & World Report as the top heart center in the state of Nevada. The Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health serves over 69,000 patients in the Mountain West, offering care across 11 cardiovascular specialties via more than 50 cardiovascular specialists. Specialties include general cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, structural heart, women’s heart, heart failure management and cardiac rehabilitation. All of these are supported by advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive therapies. The institute’s physicians, nurses and other clinicians, and specially trained support team all maintain a 4.9/5-star patient rating, underscoring strong patient satisfaction and community trust. Renown Health’s structural heart team has performed approximately 130 transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures, exceeding the national averages for innovative valve therapies. The institute continues to expand access to vital and essential services, including the region’s first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program to support critically ill heart and lung patients. In addition to heart care, the vascular medicine and anticoagulation services include diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting blood flow, as well as personalized medication management and monitoring to reduce risks of stroke, heart attack and clotting complications. With advanced testing, same-day monitoring, and coordinated care across specialties, the Renown team helps patients achieve better circulation and long-term heart health. Anna Falvey of Becker's announced its list of 100 Hospitals & Health Systems with Great Heart Programs, stating, “These hospitals and health systems are known for their exceptional cardiovascular care, strong patient outcomes and their use of life-saving technologies. These heart programs also lead the way in cardiology research, driving discoveries that are shaping and advancing the field.” “We are proud to be the region’s leader for cardiac health, heart and vascular care with the most advanced medical, surgical and minimally invasive specialty care, technology and research,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. “On behalf of the Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health team, our patients and our community, we are humbled to be nationally recognized for the cardiovascular care we provide and to be considered a destination for heart care.” Many of the institutions on this list consistently earn top honors from U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, Healthgrades and other respected ranking organizations. Dedicated to clinical excellence and continuous growth, they deliver world-class heart care to thousands of patients each year while expanding and strengthening their cardiovascular services. “Being honored as a top-tier heart and vascular program is a testament to what’s possible when exceptional people work together with a shared commitment to patients,” said Bradley C. Nelson, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI, Division Chief and Director of Cardiovascular Services. “I am incredibly grateful to our cardiology and vascular teams, nursing leaders, and the many colleagues across surgery, anesthesia, imaging, critical care, trauma and emergency services, and administration who have made this possible. This achievement reflects their expertise, collaboration and unwavering focus on delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care for our region. We are honored to be acknowledged for our commitment to excellence in care and for improving the lives of the people we serve.” The ranking by Becker’s Hospital Review acknowledges programs that demonstrate excellence in clinical outcomes, research, patient satisfaction and access to advanced treatment technologies. The Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health has also been awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence by the American College of Cardiology, holds accreditation for Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, Heart Failure with Outpatient Services and Transcatheter Valve Certification. Renown Regional Medical Center is also recognized as the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in northern Nevada. Renown is grateful for the philanthropy that supports Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health. Thanks to a generous grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Renown is also home to northern Nevada’s first and only comprehensive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program. ECMO is a life support technology for patients with the most severe heart and lung illnesses, who formerly needed to be transported to facilities outside the area for this type of advanced care. “At Renown Health, we are constantly investing in our clinicians, essential services, and medical innovations to help keep care local,” said Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center and Chief Operating Officer for Renown Health. “We are deeply grateful for our dedicated physicians and healthcare professionals, patients, donors and the northern Nevada community for their support. This national recognition serves as an inspiration to continue delivering world-class cardiac and vascular care so that people can stay close to home and loved ones and no longer need to leave Nevada for advanced care or treatment.” For more information about Renown’s Institute for Heart & Vascular Health, visit renown.org/heart. Patients with a referral can schedule their first cardiology visit online at renown.org; those needing a primary care provider can also book appointments online. Note: Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Organizations do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the organizations mentioned. Organizations are presented in alphabetical order.
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