Renown Health announced that effective Jan. 1, 2026, Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, current CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center, will be expanding his responsibilities to also become the Chief Operating Officer for Renown Health. In this dual capacity, Mr. Nicholas will manage critical aspects of Renown Health strategic plan implementation, including overseeing the health system’s Transformation Management Office and Master Facility Plan, and leading the Accelerating Care Transformation (ACT) team to coordinate system-wide performance improvement efforts and ensure long-term sustainability.
A Decade of Impact Across Renown Health
“Chris has consistently demonstrated a passion for aligning performance with strategic goals, fostering effective communication, promoting collaboration, building strong physician partnerships, and achieving impactful results,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO, Renown Health. “His leadership of Renown Regional Medical Center has driven innovative new programs to engage employees and physicians that have enhanced patient care and operational efficiency through clear goal setting, open communications, accountability and team building. Expanding his responsibilities to system COO allows us to bring that same disciplined operational focus and People-First approach across our entire health network.”
Over the past decade, Mr. Nicholas has made substantial contributions to Renown Health in his current role as well as previous roles, including Vice President & Administrator of Renown South Meadows Medical Center and the Institute for Neurosciences, as well as Senior Administrator of Rehabilitation Services and Renown Rehabilitation Hospital, where he led post-acute services and partnerships.
Education and Professional Leadership
Mr. Nicholas holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration management from the University of Texas at Arlington and a BA in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. Additionally, he is a:
Nevada Hospital Association, Vice Chair & Board Member
American Hospital Association: State Delegate NV, Regional Policy Board
American College of Healthcare Executives Nevada Chapter, Past President
REMSA Health, Board Member
High Fives Foundation Board Member
Renown Regional Medical Center is an 826-bed urban safety net hospital serving one million residents across 100,000 square miles in Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Founded as Washoe Health System in 1862 during a smallpox outbreak, this clinic became the state’s first hospital when Nevada became a state in 1864. Today, the not-for-profit hospital serves as northern Nevada’s only Level II Trauma Center, for both adults and children, between Sacramento and Salt Lake City.
Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated academic health care network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a 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.
About Renown Health
Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit 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.
Dr. Jason Knight Joins Renown Regional Medical Center As Chief Medical Officer
“We are truly excited and honored to welcome Dr. Knight to Renown,” said Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. “His experience leading clinical and operational teams, driving quality improvement, and fostering a culture of safety across an integrated academic health system will be critical as we begin our journey to becoming a High Reliability Organization. Dr. Knight leads with strong multidisciplinary collaboration, partnerships with nursing and data-informed decision making. He is a trusted and visionary physician leader whose commitment to excellence will continue to elevate care for the patients and families we serve.”
Renown Completes Second and Third Living Donor Kidney Transplants
Celebrating the anniversary of the world’s first kidney transplant, the Renown Transplant Institute team announces they have completed their second and third living donor kidney transplants, building on the success of northern Nevada’s first kidney transplant program. These recent surgeries highlight the team’s growing expertise, the generosity of local families and the William N. Pennington Foundation.
