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Renown Health’s Pennington Cancer Institute Recognized Among Top 100 Cancer Programs in the U.S.

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December 6, 2024
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Renown Health proudly announces that the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute has been named one of the Great Oncology Programs in the United States for 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review. This prestigious recognition highlights the Institute’s commitment to excellence in patient care and innovative treatment options.

The Pennington Cancer Institute, located at Renown Regional Medical Center, serves as a leader in cancer care for northern Nevada and the surrounding region. Known for its state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary care teams, and patient-centered approach, the Institute continues to set a high standard in oncology services.

In their announcement, Becker’s highlighted that, “Renown Health (Reno, Nev.). With a commitment to patient-centered care, evidence-based practice and community outreach, the multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, researchers, nurse navigators and support staff at Renown Health's William N. Pennington Cancer Institute are working to establish the first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Nevada. Fueled by a $15.5 million gift from the William N. Pennington Foundation to hire 14 medical oncologists, hematologists and cancer science researchers, the team is expanding essential services to residents of one the fastest-growing cities in the nation. A $5 million gift from local philanthropists is helping to build the Conrad Breast Center, set to open in 2025, with imaging, infusion, pharmacy, surgery services and a wellness center. Renown Health's 52,000-person Healthy Nevada Project is a community-based study that combines genetic, clinical, environmental and social data to help people learn about their ancestry, diet and genetic risks for heart disease, breast and ovarian cancers, and Lynch syndrome.”

Becker's announced its 2024 list of 100 hospitals and health systems recognized for excellence in oncology. These institutions have garnered national acclaim for advancing cancer care via their cutting-edge clinical trials and life-changing research. Many of the listed cancer programs hold National Cancer Institute designations and are ranked among the nation’s top cancer care providers by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other top rankings organizations. The list features cancer centers with globally renowned experts, innovative clinical trials and intensive safety protocols. Renown’s oncology program was the only program listed from Nevada and joins other west coast institutions on the list including Cedars-Sinai (Los Angeles), City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center (Duarte, CA), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center/UW Medicine (Seattle), Keck Medicine of USC (Los Angeles) and Scripps Health (San Diego) and Stanford (Calif.) Medicine.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from Becker’s Hospital Review,” said Max Coppes, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Director, William N. Pennington Cancer Institute, and who also serves as Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, UNR Med and Clinical Professor of Public Health, UNR. “This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication and compassion of our entire team, who strive every day to provide the highest quality of care and hope to our patients and their families.”

“Becker’s Hospital Review acknowledges cancer programs that demonstrate excellence in clinical outcomes, research, patient satisfaction and access to advanced treatment technologies,” says Kate A. Ward, Pharm.D., BCPS, Vice President, Oncology, Renown Health. “We are honored to be acknowledged among the nation’s leading cancer centers and will continue striving for excellence in advancing cancer care for our community.”

The Pennington Cancer Institute offers a comprehensive array of services including:

•Advanced imaging and diagnostic tools;

•Personalized treatment plans incorporating chemotherapy, radiation and surgical oncology;

•Clinical trials and research partnerships with leading institutions;

•Supportive care services, such as nurse navigation, counseling, nutrition, and survivorship programs.

“At Renown Health, we are committed to investing in our clinicians, essential services, and medical innovations to help keep care local,” said Chris Nicholas, CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. “The Pennington Cancer Institute is 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 comprehensive oncology care by advancing our mission of keeping people close to home and loved ones, and no longer needing to leave Nevada for advanced cancer care.”

"Through the generosity of our community, we are working to provide the best expertise, technology and programs for our patients,” said Greg Walaitis, Chief Development Officer, Renown Health Foundation. “As the only charitable, not-for-profit integrated academic healthcare organization in Reno, we appreciate that our community has helped us further our healing mission in providing exceptional cancer care." People may donate to Renown Health Foundation, a non-profit organization registered with the State of Nevada and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) entity at renown.org/donate

or 775-982-5545. For more information about supporting innovative clinical care at Renown Health, visit www.renown.org/Foundation.

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 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.

To schedule a new patient appointment with the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute at Renown Health at 1155 Mill St in Reno, NV, call 775-982-4000. Renown is currently enrolling participants in a community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. To enroll, visit www.healthynv.org.

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 7,500 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®. To join the Renown Health team, visit renown.org/careers.

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