Reno's first baby of 2025 was born in the Labor and Delivery Childbirth Center at Renown Regional Medical Center.
Guadalupe Ibarra gave birth to Ermias Rojas at 6:14 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Baby Ermias weighed 8 pounds, 2.7 ounces and was the first 2025 birth at any of the region's hospitals.
Baby Ermias is welcomed to the world by his father, Sergio Rojas.
More than 4,100 babies were delivered at Renown Health in 2024. Renown Health offers exceptional family-centered care with complete prenatal services designed for the health and well-being of every patient and their new baby.
Renown Health Promotes Jenny Juchtzer to Vice President of Payer Contracting
Renown Health announced the promotion of Jenny Juchtzer to Vice President of Payer Contracting, recognizing her longstanding leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and significant contributions to the organization’s financial and strategic success.
Renown Health Expands Access to Advanced Deep Brain Stimulation Care
Renown Health is expanding access to advanced neurological care with the availability of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery at the Renown Institute for Neurosciences, bringing one of the most sophisticated treatments for movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, closer to home for patients across northern Nevada.
“The availability of Deep Brain Stimulation at Renown represents a significant step forward in the level of neurological care we can provide locally,” said Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, CEO, Renown Regional Medical Center and COO, Renown Health. “DBS is a highly specialized therapy that requires advanced technology, surgical expertise and a coordinated care team. By bringing this treatment closer to home, we’re improving access to essential and advanced care options while helping patients achieve better outcomes and quality of life.”
DBS is used to help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia; a neurological movement disorder causing involuntary, sustained or repetitive muscle contractions, leading to twisting movements, abnormal postures and sometimes pain, affecting one muscle or the whole body, when medications alone are no longer effective. DBS uses targeted electrical impulses delivered to specific areas of the brain to help regulate abnormal neurological signals. For many patients with movement disorders, DBS can significantly improve symptoms, restore independence and enhance quality of life.
This milestone was made possible in part through the generosity of eight local foundations and individual donors, coordinated by the Renown Health Foundation. Contributions ranged from $5,000 to $333,000, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing specialized care in the region.
“Philanthropic support played a critical role in making Deep Brain Stimulation available at Renown. Investments from local foundations and individual donors helped fund the advanced technology and infrastructure required to launch this highly specialized program,” said Gregory Walaitis, MEd, Chief Development Officer at Renown Health. “Their generosity is directly expanding access to leading-edge neurological care, allowing patients in our region to receive complex, life-changing treatment close to home and reinforcing Renown’s commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care.”
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.”