Renown’s Steven Remirez Named to Becker’s ‘CISOs to Know’ List
September 25, 2025
Renown Health is proud to announce that Chief Information Officer (CISO) Steven Ramirez has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the nation’s “CISOs to Know.” The annual list highlights top leaders who are driving innovation, safeguarding patient information, and shaping the future of cybersecurity in healthcare.
Recognition Announcement
Anna Falvey of Becker’s writes, “Steven Ramirez. CISO at Renown Health (Reno, Nev.). Mr. Ramirez leads Renown Health’s enterprise cybersecurity program, overseeing identity and access management, cyber operations, governance-risk-compliance and third-party risk management. He is recognized for a modern, automation-forward security strategy that strengthens controls while enabling clinical operations. Mr. Ramirez is a leader in identity and access management, using orchestration to improve speed, accuracy and least privilege enforcement. Under his guidance, the system’s program maturity has advanced in step with the organization’s growth and quality trajectory. He extends his influence through service on the University of Nevada, Reno advisory board, Fortified Health advisory board, Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security board, and as Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center data protection chair.”
Impact at Renown
Ramirez joined Renown Health in 2022 and has since led the organization’s cybersecurity strategy with a focus on protecting sensitive patient data, strengthening defenses against emerging threats, and ensuring compliance with national privacy standards. His leadership has been instrumental in building a People-First culture of security awareness and resilience across the health system.
“Steven’s national recognition is a testament to his vision, expertise and commitment to protecting the patients and communities we serve,” said Chuck Podesta, Chief Information Officer, Renown Health. “We know that safeguarding patient information is vital to building trust. At Renown Health, we are dedicated to ensuring that our systems, data, and digital infrastructure remain secure, so that our clinicians and care teams can focus on what matters most- delivering exceptional care to our community.”
Ramirez is the only CISO from Nevada to earn a place on this year’s list. Inclusion is based solely on merit and professional achievement- organizations and individuals cannot pay to be recognized.
About Renown Health
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. To join the Renown Health team, visit renown.org/careers.
RENO, Nev. (Oct. 21, 2026) — Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) are marking five years since formalizing their historic 50-year affiliation agreement, a partnership that established Nevada’s first and only integrated academic health system and brought patient care, medical education and research together under a shared vision for a healthier Nevada. While the organizations’ long-standing relationship spans decades, their formal affiliation in 2021 created a framework to strengthen Nevada’s physician workforce, expand clinical training opportunities and advance healthcare throughout the region.
Today, Renown Health released its 2027-2029 Community Health Implementation Strategy, outlining how the health system will work alongside community partners to address the most pressing health needs identified through the 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Additionally, applications are now open for Renown's 2027 grant cycle. As northern Nevada's largest independent, locally owned not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health reinvests 100% of its profits back into programs, services and partnerships that improve community health.
"The Community Health Needs Assessment helped us understand where our community faces the greatest challenges and opportunities," said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. "Our implementation strategy represents our commitment to action. Through collaboration, investment and measurable goals, we will continue working alongside community partners to improve health outcomes across northern Nevada. As a not-for-profit academic health system, this work is imperative to our commitment to improving our community's health and ensuring our resources are directed toward areas of greatest need.”
The three-year strategy focuses on four priority areas identified through the CHNA: mental health, access to health services, economic stability, and health risk behaviors and early detection. To support implementation of these priorities, Renown is opening applications for community funding opportunities designed to advance local solutions to identified health needs.
The 2027-2029 Community Health implementation strategy is available here.
“As Nevada's only not-for-profit academic health system, we are living up to our commitment of expanding access in order to meet the healthcare needs of our rapidly growing community,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. “Our plan to expand access to pediatric care through the Golisano Children's Hospital focuses on bringing new and advanced pediatric care options. Additionally, it prioritizes training and recruiting the best talent to our community through our academic integration with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.”
