Renown Health, the region’s largest, not-for-profit academic health system serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California, is joining healthcare networks across the country by supporting the American Hospital Association’s violence prevention initiative, Hospitals Against Violence (HAV). Today, team members at Renown are participating in #HAVhope Friday, an annual day of awareness focused on enhancing public awareness of workplace violence and addressing all types of violence within our health system and community.
Held on the first Friday of June annually, #HAVhope Friday brings U.S. health systems together to continue working toward partnerships, innovations and creative thinking to foster peace and make a safer environment for healthcare workers, patients, visitors and the community.
“At Renown, we stand firmly in our commitment to a Zero Tolerance Policy for any form of violence or aggression toward our healthcare professionals. Our caregivers dedicate themselves every day to healing others, and they deserve to do so in an environment of safety, dignity and respect,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO, Renown Health On June 6, #HAVhope Friday, we stand alongside our country’s hospitals to call for an end to workplace and community violence. We call on our entire community to help us keep hospitals and medical offices a space for everyone.”
Renown Health operates with a Zero Tolerance for Violence policy. Under this policy, patients, visitors and employees are expected to always treat each other with kindness and respect while on Renown property. . It is a felony to assault or injure a healthcare professional (OSHA 3148-04R 2015).Any person who physically or verbally attacks another individual at a Renown location is subject to removal and criminal charges or prosecution.
Acts of violence can include the following:
Physical assault or battery, including grabbing, punching, kicking, hitting, pushing or shoving;
Sexual assault, including lewd comments or inappropriate touching;
Verbal or written threats of any kind;
Anger-related incidents;
Arson;
Sabotage or pranks;
Stalking or unauthorized surveillance;
Vandalism or property damage;
Throwing objects.
88% of healthcare professionals have experienced violence of some sort while at work, according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. Violence in healthcare systems and our communities is a community health problem, and it’s something we all need to work together to change,” said Melodie Osborn, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, Renown Health. “At every Renown location, all who walk through our doors deserve to always feel safe. It’s important to remember that Renown is a place of kindness, care, compassion and healing; violence has no place in a healthcare setting.”
Renown Health has several systems in place to support and protect employees. For example, new employee orientation includes classes to prepare employees to prevent and de-escalate verbal or physical abuse. Renown also offers ongoing education to train staff to respond to violent situations. If an incident does occur, the Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force reviews incidents and ensures the impacted employees receive resources and counseling, including access to our Critical Incident Stress Management team, to help them process what has occurred. Renown values partnerships with community organizations including local law enforcement agencies like the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Reno Police Department. Renown Health maintains a close relationship with these partners and alerts them when care teams experience violent incidents.
The health and safety of all patients, visitors, employees and community members remains a top priority for Renown on #HAVhope Friday and year-round. More information and resources related to #HAVhope Friday can be found at aha.org/HAVhope.
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.
Renown Health Expands Leadership Role of Chris Nicholas to Include System COO
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.
Renown Health Recognized as Best Hospital for Maternity Care
U.S. News & World Report, the global authority on hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Renown Health as both a 2026 High-Performing hospital for Maternity Care and a Maternity Care Access Hospital. These dual designations underscore Renown Health’s leadership in advancing exceptional and equitable maternal health services.
Ratings are intended to help expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care providers, make informed decisions about where to receive safe and effective maternity care. In 2026, 495 top hospitals for Maternity care have been recognized as High Performing across the U.S. Renown Regional Medical Center is the only hospital earning this designation in the northern Nevada region. Four hospitals in Las Vegas also earned honors.
The 2026 hospital ratings for Maternity and Perinatal Care review hospitals providing high-quality labor & delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies. U.S. News evaluates how well hospitals perform in childbirth using C-section rates, newborn severe complication rates, routine vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) rates, episiotomy rates, best practices to support breast milk feeding, whether a hospital meets federal criteria for "birthing-friendly" practices, and whether a hospital tracked and reported disparities in outcomes. In terms of quality, these hospitals also demonstrated performance above the lowest normalized values for severe unexpected newborn complications, C-sections or episiotomy rates. Read more about the methodology here.
“Providing the highest level of maternity and infant care is essential to the health and strength of our region,” stated Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. “High-quality maternity care leads to safer pregnancies, fewer complications, and better long-term outcomes for both mother and child. Early, expert care reduces risks such as preterm birth, low birth weight babies and complications. Local access ensures timely intervention when seconds matter. Communities with strong maternal care programs see benefits in education, economic stability and public health. We are proud that all parents, regardless of their background or resources, can receive safe, compassionate, evidence-based care, close to home. We at Renown are very proud of this recognition, and to be able to support families during one of life’s most precious moments.”
“Receiving the Best Hospital for Maternity Care designation is an incredible honor for our entire team and reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding care for every mother and baby,” said James M. Alexander, MD, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Renown Health, As northern Nevada’s academic teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, we are proud to train the next generation of obstetrics leaders while advancing the highest standards of care for our community.”
