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Department Spotlight Clinical Research
May 20 is National Clinical Trials Day. Celebrate with us by recognizing the Clinical Research team at Renown Health! The root of every medication, treatment and procedure in healthcare can be traced back to research. From the beginning of the history of medicine, research has always played a crucial role in improving the lives of patients around the world, leaving a permanent mark on how we expand our medical capabilities to this day. Renown Health’s Clinical Research team, in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), are leading that effort in our very own community. As our in-house leaders of clinical trials, this team is dedicated to advancing the science of medicine to help further our bottom line of making a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the patients they serve. Trial by (Medical) Jury Every day looks different for the Clinical Research team, especially when it comes to interacting with patients, providers and “sponsors,” which are the organizations providing the treatment for the study. One fact always remains true: communication and collaboration are key, especially among the team who act as the face of this process. Meet Lisa English (pictured above on the far right in a blue shirt), a Lead Clinical Research Coordinator at Renown who serves as the study "project manager." One aspect of Lisa’s day-to-day is seeing patients through their clinical trials from start to finish. It all begins with the setup. “Before we can launch a study, there is a lot of back-and-forth dialogue between everyone involved to ensure the best fit,” said Lisa. “Sponsors will come to us with novel treatments, such as medications or devices, and the inclusion criteria that patients need to meet in order to qualify for the study. We then immediately jump into working with the providers, looking closely at the science and comparing the treatments to what is on the market already.” From there, Lisa coordinates conversations between the providers, sponsors and study teams to gauge everyone’s capacity based on the length of the study, ensuring everyone involved has the time to dedicate to the process. Next, the providers identify patients that meet the criteria for the study, and together, the team decides where the patient visits will happen and discusses any potential barriers that may affect patient retention. The budget is clearly defined at this stage, set up to make sure no patient is ever billed for medical costs incurred as a result of the study. Often, research participants are seen within the specialty clinics throughout the health system, while other times the Clinical Research Coordinators see patients at the recently centralized Clinical Research Office at Renown Regional Medical Center. This location provides an essential public-facing space for the community to learn more about clinical trials and demonstrates the breadth of resources available at Renown to sponsors to strengthen external partnerships and research funding opportunities. Once the study officially begins, team members like Lisa will set patients up for a “screening/qualifying visit.” During this appointment, she makes sure patients get scheduled for their lab work, imaging scans and anything else the provider may need to make an executive decision on whether or not the patient is a good candidate for the study. “I build it all in Epic,” said Lisa. “The study information, directions, requirements and next steps are all loaded in Epic for easy tracking. We are also required to input any notes in the sponsor’s electronic data capture website. All the information I track is inputted without protected health information (PHI), so every patient is completely anonymous.” After the patient officially qualifies, the study goes full steam ahead. Team members like Lisa and the providers receive continual updates from sponsors on the status of the study. “Throughout the entire process, I make sure patients get scheduled for everything that meets the requirements for the study,” said Lisa. “I meet with patients one-on-one to discuss their needs and concerns and ask questions about the study, organize their appointments and charts and deal with any issues or pivots that may arise. It’s very important that every patient fully understands what is going to happen with their care.” The Clinical Research department strives to serve as a care partner to patients, providers and clinics they work with. The majority of our Clinical Research Coordinators are trained phlebotomists and medical assistants, performing their own assessments such as lab draws and electrocardiograms (ECGs) to streamline the research visit process and reduce resource constraints on the clinics and health system. Lisa typically sees a couple of patients per week, depending on the study and where patients are in the cycle. Depending on the complexity of the trial, patients may see the research team only one time or several times over many years. Typically, clinical trial patients are seen in clinic every 2-4 weeks. There are many tasks required before, during and after a research visit to ensure everything runs smoothly, so Clinical Research Coordinators dedicate an average of 5-11 hours of work per patient, per visit. Regardless of patient load, each employee in the Clinical Research department – as well as participating teams across Renown and UNR Med – always step in to help each other out. According to Lisa, the environment is immensely supportive. “We have a program here at Renown to train employees who have never done clinical trials,” said Lisa. “We love seeing people get more engaged with the important work we do, and every department has been great at collaborating with us. Everyone brings a different perspective.” At the end of the study, Lisa gathers all the information and collects notes into a zip drive or paper binder for archiving. The sponsor lets the Clinical Research team, providers and patients know whether they are on the trial drug or on the placebo. The teams use the data gathered during the study to publish a report or present at conferences, promoting the critical research done to better the lives of patients in our community, and potentially, the world. “I appreciate the time everyone gives us to make sure our research is successful,” said Lisa. “It feels great to work together to make a difference, improve healthcare quality and save lives.” Behind-the-Scenes, Yet on the Frontlines The impact of research studies transcends hospital walls, and this can all be attributed to the dedication of our Clinical Research department. The constant collaboration between this team, lab science, medical assistants and providers, cardiology technologists, sonographers, finance teams and our partners at UNR Med is crucial to safeguarding the success of the studies. Devoted to keeping research close to home, Renown and UNR Med teamed up to form the Clinical Research Office (CRO) in 2021. With the strength of northern Nevada's largest not-for-profit health system and Nevada’s first medical school, this team is dedicated to giving our community access to the latest care innovations. “At UNR Med, we are working with students, residents and academic faculty; on the Renown side, we are working with clinicians and community participants,” said Amber Emerson, Manager for Community Outreach and Research Engagement for UNR Med. “Everything we do is data-driven,” added Kristen Gurnea, Manager of Clinical Research for Renown. “Our main goal is to optimize our impact and provide a community benefit for our patients. The scope of our roles in the Clinical Research office is very diverse.” To help meet the growing need locally for healthcare and cutting-edge treatment solutions, the CRO has continued to grow, expanding its research capabilities and helping bring new medications, medical devices and more to patients across northern Nevada and northeastern California. “Once upon a time, our team had only six members; today we have grown to a team of 25,” added Diana Torres, Research Resource Analyst for Renown. “We used to be considered one department, including Medical Education, and we have since branched off into our own cost center. We branched off even further and created a separate Genetics department that runs the Healthy Nevada Project. Throughout this process, the Clinical Research department was always the main point of the umbrella.” “We participate in hospital-wide outreach and marketing, and we feel this has really helped us get the word out about our department,” added Raul Arellano, Research Resource Analyst for Renown. “In fact, we doubled our clinical trial portfolio from last year.” The CRO currently operates over 100 clinical trials locally in cardiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, neurology, pediatric and adult oncology, pediatric sub-specialties and pulmonology. Behind the curtains of in-person research, the CRO is home to several experts who help turn our research studies into a reality, from budgeting and billing to barrier-breaking and building relationships. “I help with barriers patients and Clinical Research Coordinators are facing, building connections and relationships inside and outside of our health system,” said Kristen Gurnea. “I enjoy handling all the supporting pieces that are required for studies to happen.” “My role changes every day,” added Jenna Berger, Administrative Assistant for the CRO at Renown. “Some days, I’ll be helping coordinate patient stipends and going through document management to ensure we have all necessary signatures. Other days, I will be planning events – like Clinical Trials Week – for our department and creating marketing materials and fliers.” “Our day-to-day involves going over anything related to research financials,” added Diana Torres. “We handle sponsor billings, process efficiency and collecting revenue for research contracts, and we collaborate closely with our Finance department and Revenue Integrity in order to accomplish this. It’s important for us to make sure all billing on both the sponsor and patient side is taken care of, especially because patients should never receive a bill for medical services they receive for the trial. A year and a half ago, we started doing budget negotiations for research contracts,” said Diana Torres. “We are proud to help clinical teams with any training they may need on these negotiations as well as billing reviews and allocations.” Seeing patients progress during a study and transform before their eyes inspires the CRO team to continue doing what they do every day. “I’ve been here for many years, first working on the floor as an oncology nurse and transitioning to oncology research in 2005,” said Anna Winchell, Cancer Protocol Nurse for Renown. “I love getting to know the patients and seeing them progress into a healthy lifestyle.” Medical students and residents at UNR Med also play a significant role in the research process, advancing medicine by exploring causes and novel treatments for a wide range of conditions, including HIV, muscular dystrophy, gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases and more. Medical research at UNR Med is headed by committed research coordinators, community outreach managers, grants managers, pharmacists and physicians. “I oversee scientific review and help the physicians that come to us for those resources,” said Amil Trujillo-King, Medical Research Coordinator at UNR Med. “I guide medical students in their research protocols and help with different projects to improve research activities for both students and medical residents.” It takes a village to make clinical research happen. Because of that, the ACRO cannot thank the following teams enough for moving mountains for the future of medicine: Renown Health and UNR Med leadership for demonstrating the integrated health system’s commitment to expanding access to clinical research in our community within both the Renown / UNR Med affiliation and Renown active strategic plans. Renown Pharmacy especially Research Clinical Pharmacist Tim Morton, who supports all clinical trial medication dispensing and patient education across all clinical trials at Renown. Accounts Payable for having a huge impact on patient and employee reimbursement. Renown Medical Group for their participating providers, especially in oncology, cardiology, pulmonology, pediatrics, endocrinology and neurology, who are involved in research year after year. Marketing and Communications for helping with printed materials and raising awareness for clinical research at Renown and UNR Med. An Affiliation to Last Through the Ages A collective, shared vision of exploring community health – that is the impetus behind the affiliation between Renown and UNR Med. By leveraging resources across both institutions, the CRO has maximized their impact, giving the people of northern Nevada greater access to new interventions and treatments and promoting an impassioned culture with patients, providers, residents and medical students. “Community-based research always sat well with me,” said Amber Emerson. “As Renown and UNR Med, we have this unique opportunity to shape clinical research here in northern Nevada. We always make sure we present research in a meaningful way that speaks to the work we produce and demonstrates the opportunities we offer. After all, participating in clinical research doesn’t mean our patients are ‘guinea pigs’ – quite the opposite! They are partners in their health care, and we support them through providing access to novel treatments.” “Research is my passion, and my career has spanned broadly from grants administration to study coordination,” added Valerie Smith, Clinical Research Center Administrative Manager at UNR Med. “I am excited to be at the forefront of research frontiers in northern Nevada.” Through robust engagement and collaboration with healthcare providers, department administrators, internal research team members and leadership, the strength of this affiliation is unmeasurable. The CRO’s ultimate goal is to have clinical trials be the standard of care for every condition that Renown and UNR Med treats. Clinical research participation is all about patient autonomy, shared decision-making between patients and their providers and advancing medicine to save lives. From their beginnings as a small group of passionate researchers to their present reality as a leader in the research space in northern Nevada, their efforts do not go unnoticed. “The success of our department is inspiring,” said Amil Trujillo-King. “Renown and UNR Med supports the wellbeing of all employees and contributes directly to the growth of the department.” “When I first joined Renown in Patient Access, I didn’t realize that we had a research department; with a strong healthcare background in my family, I knew I wanted to grow in my career, and our expanding Clinical Research office was that next step,” said Raul Arellano. “With our affiliation with UNR Med, it’s especially inspiring to be able to apply what I learned as a Patient Access Representative to help further outcomes for our patients through managing our finances.” Through their unwavering commitment to research excellence and patient-centered care, the CRO will continue to pave the way for groundbreaking medical discoveries and improved outcomes for patients for years to come. “Fundamentally, we’re working to build a culture of research in our community because we believe it is the right thing to do. Our community deserves to have access to clinical trials and novel care close to home with a dedicated team to support them every step of the way,” closes Kristen Gurnea.
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¿Qué significa participar en un estudio clínico?
Participating in a clinical trial is voluntary and a personal choice. Clinical trials are research studies that involve people and are an important part of patient care. What is a clinical trial? Clinical trials are research studies that involve people, and they are an important part of patient care. There are several different types of clinical trials; some are designed to understand trends in a disease or identify better ways to diagnose a condition, while others determine if a new treatment is safe and works when treating, improving or preventing a health condition. There are over 400,000 clinical trials currently being conducted in the United States, and even more across the world. This includes health conditions such as heart failure, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, respiratory conditions like COPD, common infections, cystic fibrosis, and many more. Clinical trials lead the healthcare industry to new discoveries that contribute to reliable and exact care, improving healthcare quality and saving lives. Clinical trials are conducted by a team of researchers, including doctors, pharmacists and clinical research coordinators. These research teams are highly skilled in their specialty areas, often providing traditional patient care and seeing research patients in the same day. These teams are responsible for making sure the clinical trial is completed correctly, and their patients are their top priority. Why should I consider participating in a clinical trial? Participating in a clinical trial is voluntary and a personal choice. There are many reasons why patients decide to get involved in clinical research. While many clinical trials are designed for patients who have a certain health condition, many studies also ask healthy volunteers to contribute in order to compare health outcomes. Clinical trials are also for patients at all different stages of their diagnosis. Depending on the specific study, the patient may receive access to a new cutting-edge treatment before it is widely available. When patients join a clinical trial, the research team becomes a health partner dedicated to their health and well-being. When patients join a clinical trial, they make an informed decision in their healthcare by weighing all available options in addition to routine treatments. Research participants know that they are contributing meaningfully and helping other patients like them. Where can I find more information about clinical trials at Renown Health? Renown Health’s mission is to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Renown’s clinical trial portfolio offers leading care options to patients in northern Nevada, close to home, in a variety of specialties. Contact the Renown Clinical Research Office for more information on clinical trials available to you!
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Renown celebra el Mes del Orgullo y las comunidades LGBTQ+ con amor
Rainbow lights illuminate Renown’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture, and powerful employee stories shared during Pride Month. Reno, Nev. (16 de junio de 2020) – Para celebrar el Mes del Orgullo y las comunidades LGBTQ+ de Reno, la escultura “LOVE” de Renown, una obra de arte de una tonelada de aluminio soldado con letras de 10 pies de alto y 8 pies de ancho, se iluminará con luces LED de los colores del arcoíris durante el mes de junio. La escultura “LOVE” se encuentra en la entrada principal del Renown Regional Medical Center, en Mill Street en 1155 Mill Street in Reno, Nevada, y es visible para los vehículos y peatones a lo largo de los corredores de Mill Street y Ryland Street. Dr. Tony Slonim, president and CEO of Renown says, “At Renown, we are proud to support our LGBTQ+ communities. During Pride Month and beyond, we are honored to offer an inclusive, safe environment for our staff and patients—one that celebrates diversity in all its forms. La escultura “LOVE” ya ha traído una luz resplandeciente a nuestro mundo, y estoy deseando ver la alegría que traerá a todos los que la vean con los colores del arcoíris”. Para conmemorar el Mes del Orgullo, Renown se ha comprometido a destacar a algunas de las personas LGBTQ+ que son parte de sus 7,000 empleados. Sean Savoy, director de Atención Espiritual de Renown, comparte cómo sus experiencias como hombre gay afectan positivamente a su carrera en sanación espiritual y a la compasión que muestra a los demás. “La base de la atención espiritual es la compasión: acompañar a las personas necesitadas al prestarles atención, darles apoyo y demostrarles empatía, y promover un sentido de bienestar”, afirmó Savoy. Ser miembro de la comunidad LGBTQ+ aporta ese profundo sentido de compasión y empatía de una manera muy especial y única. He descubierto que la convergencia de mi yo gay y mi yo espiritual ha sido una bendición en mi vida”. La escultura “LOVE”, creada por la artista Laura Kimpton y fabricada por Jeff Schomberg, apareció por primera vez en Burning Man, en 2019. Gracias a una asociación con la organización sin fines de lucro Artown, la escultura se inauguró en Renown en abril de 2020 y, desde entonces, ha servido como símbolo de esperanza y determinación para el personal del hospital, los pacientes y los miembros de la comunidad durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Generosos donantes y la Renown Health Foundation financiaron la instalación de la escultura. ### About Renown Health Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown es uno de los mayores empleadores privados de la región y cuenta con una fuerza laboral de más de 7,000. It comprises three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. For more information, visit renown.org. Media Contact: Public Relations M: 775-691-7308 E: news@renown.org
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La gratitud toma vuelo en Renown Health durante la celebración de la Semana del Personal de Enfermería y del Hospital
La Unidad de Cirugía General de Renown estrena un par de alas de ángel elaboradas por el personal y sus familias para conmemorar la Semana del Personal de Enfermería y del Hospital, del 4 al 10 de mayo. Una obra de arte especial en la Unidad de Cirugía General de Renown Health aporta color y alegría a todos los que pasan por allí. The unit’s new angel wings backdrop is made up of individually-decorated feathers – created by Renown nurses, certified nursing assistants, unit clerks, supervisors, staff’s family members and anyone else who wanted to contribute their creativity. Este adorno angelical se creó para celebrar la Semana del Personal de Enfermería y del Hospital en Renown, que se celebra del 4 al 10 de mayo, y arroja luz sobre algunas de las cosas por las que nuestro personal de enfermería está más agradecido. “This art project was a month in the making,” said nurse manager of Renown’s general surgical unit, Deanna Olson. “A true collaborative effort, our staff, and even some of their children, would use their breaks and downtime to cut out and decorate feathers. Some focused on using bright, vibrant colors, while others wrote about what they are grateful for and the things that make them happy.” Doodles of pets, names of family members and inspirational quotes are just a few of the things featured on the feathers. Los nombres de los 110 empleados que trabajan en la unidad también se pueden encontrar en las alas de ángel. The idea behind the backdrop theme was inspired by nurse Melissa Vierra, who spent her last night as part of the general surgical unit working with a few team members to build the angel wings. Vierra now serves as a nursing administrative manager for Renown. “It takes an angel to be selfless enough to devote oneself to the care of others,” said Vierra. All our angels are as unique as the feathers in the wings, but together, we are united as a team to provide the best care possible for our patients. I am extremely grateful for my nursing family and all the lives they touch, including mine, every day.” A few Renown nurses joined Vierra in expressing their gratitude: “I am grateful that I have a job and for everything I have in my life.” – Elizabeth Rios, CNA “I am grateful for my family.” – Jena Smith, RN “I am grateful for my health.” – Mary Gutierrez, UC “I am grateful that I am not sick.” – Barby Workman, CNA “I am grateful for my life.” – Sierra Genz, RN “I am grateful for my health.” – Alyssa Daly, RN “I am grateful to be working.” – Skye Sauls, RN “I am grateful for my pets and my family.” – Colette Chapman, RN “I am grateful for the Bob Ross-esque landscapes.” – Tahni Murphy, RN “I am grateful for my family, my health and having a job that I love.” – Deanna Olson, RN During times of uncertainty, it’s these things, coupled with our amazing patients and teammates that keep us going,” added Olson. “I’m lucky to have the angel wings right outside my office. Seeing our angels from all departments take photos in front of the wings and hearing the love and happiness in their voices gives me hope to look towards the future – our community is in amazing hands.” ### About Renown Health Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown es uno de los mayores empleadores privados de la región y cuenta con una fuerza laboral de más de 7,000 empleados. It comprises three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. Visite renown.org para obtener más información. Media Contact: Public Relations M: 775-691-7308 E: news@renown.org
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Newly Expanded Clinical Research Center at UNR Med Fosters Collaboration and Research with Renown Health
Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) are proud to announce a newly integrated and expanded research space called the Clinical Research Center (CRC). This space offers a dynamic physical location on the University of Nevada, Reno campus that supports the UNR Med and Renown Health research enterprise. "The partnership between Renown Health and UNR Med truly knows no bounds, and this Clinical Research Center is an incredible example of that endless possibility,” said Thomas Graf, MD, interim CEO of Renown Health. “This new space will only continue to expand our community’s access to clinical research as part of patient care while providing the necessary resources to engage our students and support a healthy Nevada.” This space’s capabilities include experienced staff with knowledge and skills in operationalizing FDA and non-FDA regulated clinical and translational research studies in a centralized 5,470-square foot research clinic housed in the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) at the University. This CRC space provides resources including: A centralized location next to the laboratory space that allows for strategic interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. Eleven private outpatient rooms for research clinic visits. Two blood draw stations. Physician consultation areas. Conference room for trial monitoring and consulting. Secure Investigational Product storage and preparation. Sample processing and storage, including countertop refrigerated centrifuges, 4°, -20° and -80° C refrigerators and freezers. Operations around clinical research are becoming more complex so growing clinical research in our community will require expertise and dedicated space where clinical research can be conducted in a learning environment first,” said Danielle Eaton, Director of Clinical Research with UNR Med and Renown Health. “This Clinical Research Center provides such space and experienced staff where these research studies can be successfully completed. The CRC provides a training environment for students, residents, faculty and clinical research professional work-force that will be needed to bring cutting edge diagnostics, therapeutics and preventatives to our community.” Meet the Team: Danielle Eaton, UNR Med Director of Clinical Research Kristen Gurnea, Renown Health Manager of Clinical Research Amber Emerson, UNR Med Project Manager Valerie Smith, UNR Med Center Administrative Manager Annie Beach-Hills, Gina Castro, Michelle Mejia and Amil Trujillo-King, UNR Med Study Coordinators Dr. John Westhoff, UNR Med Chair of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine physician Dr. Sean Kandel, UNR Med Associate Program Director for Resident Research, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Dr. Amneet Rai, UNR Med Clinical research pharmacist Dr. Kellie Watkins, UNR Med Clinical Epidemiologist/Data Manager/Statistician As part of the affiliation between UNR Med and Renown Health, the Clinical Research Office is part of an integrated Office of Clinical Research, which allows both entities to collaborate on shared research program objectives. This effort allows colleagues to partner on clinical research, and to leverage bench-to-bedside research and delivery of leading-edge healthcare to northern Nevadans. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo participantes en el estudio genético de salud poblacional basado en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. About UNR Med The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first public medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Desde 1969, UNR Med ha capacitado a más de 3,900 estudiantes, residentes y becarios. UNR Med continues to improve the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact and a culture of diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu.
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Renown Regional nombrado líder de igualdad en la salud de Nevada
Reconocido como líder nacional en el cuidado de la comunidad LGBTQ+ por la fundación de Human Rights Campaign en 2022 Todas las personas que necesitan atención médica deben poder ver a su médico o tener una visita al hospital sin preocuparse porque las maltraten, las acosen o les nieguen el servicio sin razón. Los datos de la encuesta nacional de Center for American Progress (CAP) muestran que las personas que pertenecen a la comunidad LGBTQ+ experimentan discriminación en entornos de atención médica, y que esto los disuade de buscar el cuidado médico que necesitan. Estos resultados resaltan la importancia de proteger a las personas de la comunidad LGBTQ+ de la discriminación en el entorno de la atención médica. Los cuidadores de Renown Health y la UNR Med, con el apoyo de la comunidad LGBTQ+ y los aliados transgénero y sus parejas, trabajan para acortar la brecha para los pacientes LGBTQ+ y sus familias, y para convertirse en una organización más inclusiva. Esta semana, la fundación de Human Rights Campaign reconoció al Renown Regional Medical Center en Reno, Nevada, como el primer y único hospital de Nevada nombrado con un puntaje perfecto, y con el nivel más alto de apoyo, como “Líder en la igualdad de atención médica para la comunidad LGBTQ+”. El Índice de igualdad en la atención médica (Healthcare Equality Index, HEI) es la encuesta de referencia más importante del país de los centros de atención médica sobre las políticas y prácticas dedicadas al tratamiento igualitario y la inclusión de pacientes, visitantes y empleados de la comunidad LGBTQ+. “Nos esforzamos constantemente por estar entre los mejores del país en cuanto a calidad, seguridad y experiencia del paciente”, afirmó el Dr. Thomas Graf, director ejecutivo interino, director clínico y director de Calidad. “Este reconocimiento confirma el compromiso del equipo de Renown Health, que es brindarle el mejor cuidado posible al paciente. La calidad y la seguridad son responsabilidad de todos los empleados y médicos de Renown, y estamos orgullosos de que el equipo del Renown Regional Medical Center haya sido elegido entre los mejores del estado y el país por su compromiso con el cuidado centrado en el paciente LGBTQ+”. “Renown Health se enorgullece de unirse al estado de Nevada, que también obtuvo las mejores calificaciones en el Índice de igualdad estatal de Human Rights Campaign, y a la ciudad de Reno con la Tarjeta de puntuación de igualdad municipal para la igualdad de las personas LGBTQ+”, manifestó Sy Johnson, MBA, presidente interino y jefe de personal. “El HEI de Human Rights Campaign ofrece a las organizaciones una manera poderosa de afirmar que están comprometidas con el cuidado centrado en el paciente LGBTQ+ y extender las protecciones contra la discriminación a nuestros empleados LGBTQ+, quienes desempeñan una función clave en garantizar un cuidado sensible y experto para las personas de esta comunidad”. “En la UNR Med estamos muy orgullosos de colaborar con Renown en este esfuerzo”, dijo Nicole Jacobs, Ph.D. (ella), decana asociada, Diversidad e Inclusión; psicóloga clínica y profesora; Departamento de Psiquiatría y Ciencias Conductuales de la UNR Med. “La designación de ‘Líder en la igualdad de atención médica para la comunidad LGBTQ+’ demuestra el fuerte compromiso de Renown para promover la atención médica igualitaria en Nevada, nuestros valores centrales y compartidos, y nuestra misión compartida de abordar las desigualdades en torno a la atención médica que existen en nuestra área”. Un récord de 906 centros de atención médica participaron activamente en la encuesta del HEI 2022 y, 496 de ellos recibieron la designación de “Líder en la igualdad de atención médica para la comunidad LGBTQ+”. El Renown Regional Medical Center es el primer y único hospital de Nevada que cuenta con un reconocimiento de Human Rights Campaign. Ningún otro hospital del estado cumplió con sus estrictos estándares para el ranking de 2021. “Todas las personas merecen tener acceso a una atención médica de calidad, ser respetadas y escuchadas por su médico y sentirse seguras en las instalaciones donde reciben cuidado médico”, afirmó Tari Hanneman, (ella), directora de Salud y Envejecimiento en Human Rights Campaign. “El Índice de igualdad en la atención médica, en su esencia, se esfuerza por garantizar que las personas LGBTQ+ estén protegidas y respaldadas por sus proveedores de atención médica y se sientan seguras a la hora de buscar servicios. Nuestros participantes activos del HEI son auténticos pioneros en la industria de la atención médica porque implementan políticas integrales y sólidas de inclusión de la comunidad LGBTQ+ que, debido a lo que hacen, esperamos que se conviertan en una práctica habitual. El HEI evalúa y califica a los centros de atención médica según criterios detallados que se clasifican en cuatro pilares centrales: Políticas fundamentales y capacitación en la atención centrada en el paciente LGBTQ+ Servicios y apoyo para el paciente LGBTQ+ Beneficios y políticas para los empleados Participación de los pacientes y la comunidad Suzanne Hendery, MA, APR, directora de Clientes, quien dirigió el proceso de solicitud de Renown, indicó que el notable progreso reflejado en la presentación del HEI 2022 del equipo incluye los siguientes aspectos: Se actualizaron los registros médicos con el nombre y los pronombres preferidos. Kathleen Zaski, BSN, RN, directora de Aplicaciones de TI, explica por qué esto es tan importante. “Su nombre e identidad son inherentes a su persona y aquí, en Renown, nuestro objetivo es cuidarlo como persona en su totalidad y brindar el más alto nivel de atención de calidad a nuestra comunidad, todo mientras nos aseguramos de que la experiencia sea excepcional y personalizada para cada persona. Nuestro sistema de registros médicos apoya a nuestros médicos, profesionales de enfermería y equipo de atención en la recopilación de esta información importante. Ahora podemos registrar el nombre preferido, el sexo y la orientación sexual de cada persona para cuidarla mejor”. Se permitieron las visitas sin tener en cuenta la orientación sexual o la identidad de género. Whitney Hansen, PhD, directora de Excelencia de Servicio, afirma: “Sé lo importante que es para nuestros pacientes y sus familias que Renown sirva a toda nuestra comunidad y que brindemos un espacio agradable y seguro y un sentido de pertenencia a todos. Estamos orgullosos de la política de visitantes de Renown, inspirada por miembros familiares que solicitaron que la política permitiera que dos familiares al día pudieran a visitar a un ser querido internado en Renown”. Se colocaron baños sin distinción de género. Chris Baker, CHFM, director de Ingeniería de Instalaciones, cuyo equipo ha creado más de 48 baños sin distinción de género en Renown, afirma: “Garantizar que los baños privados estén igualmente disponibles para todos en nuestro campus es solo una forma de proporcionar un espacio más inclusivo y atento para las personas a las que prestamos servicios”. Además, los médicos y cuidadores de Renown recibieron reconocimientos en las siguientes áreas: Todos los miembros del personal reciben capacitación sobre el cuidado centrado en el paciente LGBTQ+. Tanto la “orientación sexual” como la “identidad de género” se incluyen en la política de no discriminación de pacientes y en la política de no discriminación de empleo de Renown. Se ofrecen beneficios de atención médica que incluyen a las personas transgénero a empleados y miembros del plan de salud sin fines de lucro de Renown, Hometown Health. Se proporciona apoyo sustancial y se otorgan subvenciones a organizaciones del área que abordan la diversidad y la inclusión, los eventos del Orgullo LGBTQ+ y la colaboración con organizaciones LGBTQ+ como aliado. “Estoy muy orgulloso de las personas con las que trabajo todos los días que hacen que los logros sean posibles”, dice Brian Colonna CHC, CHPC, CHRC, director de Cumplimiento. “Esta es una designación significativa”, dijo Bethany Sexton, MA, directora de Transformación. “Me siento muy orgullosa de ser parte de un equipo y una organización que ayuda a traducir nuestra misión como organización en una acción significativa para cada miembro de nuestra comunidad”. Mitch Harper, director de Desempeño de la Red, expresó: “Acabamos de comenzar este viaje. Reconocemos que todavía hay mucho más por mejorar para convertirnos en una organización inclusiva. Estamos trabajando para crear un entorno seguro y agradable para nuestra comunidad y nuestros empleados. El acceso a servicios humanos básicos no debe estar supeditado a características como el color de piel, el origen étnico, el sexo, la identidad de género, la orientación sexual, la edad, la discapacidad o las creencias de una persona”. Sean Savoy, encargado de la atención espiritual en Renown, dijo: “¡Muy buenas noticias! Me alegra mucho que Renown Health haya alcanzado este hito con HRC, líder en derechos civiles para minorías de identidad de género y orientación sexual. Espero con ansias el continuo trabajo y esfuerzo por lograr equidad clínica, competencia cultural y respeto por nuestros pacientes y empleados LGBTQIA”. Para obtener más información sobre la atención y los proveedores para pacientes LBGTQ+ en Renown, visite renown.org/diversity/lbgtq-at-renown/ Únase al equipo de Renown Renown Health está contratando personas para ocupar puestos clave en la organización para apoyar la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Para unirse a la familia de Renown y luchar por la causa justa, postúlese en línea en careers.renown.org/ Acerca de la Fundación Human Rights Campaign La Fundación Human Rights Campaign es la parte educativa de Human Rights Campaign (HRC), la organización de derechos civiles más grande de los Estados Unidos que trabaja por lograr equidad para personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero y queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, LGBTQ+). Mediante sus programas, la Fundación HRC busca generar cambios transformadores en la vida cotidiana de las personas LGBTQ+, arrojando luz sobre la desigualdad y profundizando la comprensión del público sobre los problemas de la comunidad LGBTQ+, con un claro enfoque en la promoción de la justicia transgénero y racial. Su trabajo ha transformado el panorama para más de 15 millones de trabajadores, 11 millones de estudiantes, un millón de clientes en el sistema de adopción y cuidado tutelar, y mucho más. La Fundación HRC ofrece consultas directas y asistencia técnica a instituciones y comunidades, de esta forma impulsa la promoción de políticas y prácticas inclusivas; desarrolla la capacidad de los futuros líderes y aliados mediante programas de becas y capacitación; y, con la firme convicción de que estamos trabajando juntos, forja sociedades con defensores en los EE. UU. y en todo el mundo para aumentar nuestro impacto y dar forma al futuro de nuestro trabajo. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo participantes en el estudio genético de salud poblacional basado en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. Visite renown.org para obtener más información.
Leer más About Renown Regional nombrado líder de igualdad en la salud de Nevada
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Renown concede subvenciones a 55 organizaciones del área que abordan la diversidad y la inclusión
Renown Health, en consonancia con su misión, visión y valores y con su compromiso de larga data de abordar los determinantes sociales de la salud, ha anunciado hoy su apoyo de $145,000 a 55 organizaciones sin fines de lucro con proyectos destinados a aumentar la presencia y la participación de las mujeres, las minorías raciales y étnicas, las personas LBGTQ+, las personas con discapacidad, las personas de bajo nivel socioeconómico y otros grupos poco representados. “Improving the health of our community is the foundation of our work. Our mission, vision and values are the essence of what makes us Renown. We are committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion and cultural competence where all are appreciated, fully engaged and motivated to make a genuine, positive difference in the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve,” said Tony Slonim, MD, D.Ph., Renown’s President & CEO. Annie Zucker, manager of community impact at Renown adds, “Social determinants of health have a major impact on health outcomes—especially for the most vulnerable populations. I am proud that Renown, as a not-for-profit healthcare organization, considers social determinants of health to enable more compassionate and comprehensive healthcare for the patients and families we serve.” The following organizations applied for and were awarded Diversity and Inclusiveness financial grants today from Renown Health: Urban Roots Diversity and Inclusion in the Garden Sierra Nevada Ballet CLASES GRATUITAS DE BALLET SOLO PARA VARONES Eddy House Impulso para la difusión de Children’s Cabinet (EHCC) Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum Cultural Competence Learning Institute de The Discovery Communities In Schools of Western Nevada Equipo de cambio para la diversidad, equidad e inclusión de CIS of Nevada Dress for Success Reno - Grupo de mujeres profesionales del norte de Nevada Nevada Elite Wrestling Nevada Elite Girls Youth Wrestling Arts for All Programa de residencias para artistas en Nevada Community Health Alliance Transmitir los valores de CHA en la orientación de para nuevos empleados Forever 14 Capacitar a los adolescentes para ir más allá de la experiencia Spread The Word Nevada Crear bibliotecas domésticas para la diversidad, cultura e inclusión Head Injury Association of Northern Nevada Entrenamiento físico para supervivientes de lesiones cerebrales traumáticas Urban Lotus Project Programa de formación del personal de servicios de Urban Lotus Project The Zawadisha Fund We Are Change Makers Tyler Robinson Foundation Programa de subvenciones familiares Note-Able Music Therapy Services Mejorar la capacidad de respuesta cultural y la diversidad organizativa Achievement Beyond Obstacles - Distrito Rotary Reno-Sparks 5190 Academia de liderazgo de Achievement Beyond Obstacles Nevada Volunteers La inclusión empieza por eliminar las barreras lingüísticas Special Olympics Nevada Special Olympics Nevada Awaken Centro de acogida de Awaken Nevada Humanities La democracia y el ciudadano informado: An Online Salon Series Nevada Gay Men's Chorus Happy Holiday's, a Welcome Back Concert Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada General Mentoring Program High Sierra Industries, Inc . X-treme Ability Challenge Junior League of Reno Safe Embrace Children's Playroom ReDirect Youth Outreach ReDirect Youth Outreach & Boxing Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada Positive Action for Low-Moderate Income Youth Domestic Violence Resource Center Domestic Violence Resource Center American Cancer Society Nevada HPV Cancer Prevention Collaborative Reno Cancer Foundation Reno Cancer Foundation under served population grant Pinocchio's Moms on the Run Pinocchio's Moms on the Run Temple Sinai Reno Access for All Sierra Arts Foundation Road Maps The All Of Us Project Reno-Sparks Negro Business & Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. Reno-Sparks Negro Business & Professional Women's Club Sierra Nevada Journeys Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Community Needs Assessment Sierra Nevada Journeys Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Community Needs Assessment Reno Little Theater Reno Little Theater- IDEA Grant Reno Little Theater Reno Little Theater- IDEA Grant High Fives Nonprofit Foundation Peer Mentorship Program High Fives Nonprofit Foundation Peer Mentorship Program Nevada Diabetes Association Changing Outcomes for Young Adults Nevada Diabetes Association Changing Outcomes for Young Adults Sky Tavern Sky Tavern Ability Sports Day Sky Tavern Sky Tavern Ability Sports Day Reno Bike Project Future Cycle Tu Casa Latina Outreach to Underserved Communities Sierra Association of Foster Families CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HEALTHY BODIES! Women and Children's Center of the Sierra Regrouping and Moving Forward during the Pandemic Ridge House, Inc. Educación sobre salud y reclutamiento de grupos poco representados Alzheimer’s Association Alcance de la comunidad latina/Grupo de apoyo para cuidadores de habla hispana On Common Ground On Common Ground: kits de cocina en casa para el Programa The Heart of Community University Studies Abroad Consortium University Studies Abroad Consortium: beca de estudios en el extranjero sobre diversidad e inclusión de Renown Health University of Nevada, Reno Foundation University of Nevada, Reno Foundation: construir la inclusión a través de la colaboración en la recuperación University of Nevada, Reno Foundation University of Nevada, Reno Foundation: evaluación de la salud de los latinos del norte de Nevada Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada Alimentar a los necesitados Reno Sparks NAACP Simposio sobre la salud de las minorías en el norte de Nevada Sierra Kids Foundation Sierra Kids Foundation ACCEPT Acción positiva y educación de salud para reducir el riesgo de VIH/SIDA Northern Nevada Literacy Council Capacitación mediante becas de alfabetización y educación United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra Comunidad de aprendizaje sobre equidad Nevada Volunteers La inclusión empieza por eliminar las barreras lingüísticas Renown Health publicó una solicitud de propuestas el 18 de junio y había previsto financiar a 8 organizaciones. El Comité de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión de los empleados quedó impresionado por la respuesta de la comunidad y el Dr. Tony Slonim, presidente y director ejecutivo, decidió apoyar las 55 solicitudes. He notified all not-for-profit agency leaders today in a virtual meeting. Members of Renown Health’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee include: Mitch Harper, Gretna Canterbury Amber Marraccini, Rebecca Doheny, Sean Savoy, Savanah Gonzalves, Jen Walker, Barbara Mader Scherrer, Kristy Cahoon, Katie Mercer, Kara Martinezmoles, Julia Page Hensen, Annie Zucker, Meghan Meagher, Michelle Hernandez, Vivian Cruz, Mary-Ann Brown, Julia Miod and Heather Bridges. As non-profit hospitals, Renown must meet community benefit requirements to qualify for tax-exempt status, this includes funding programs that respond to public health needs and improve overall community health. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de larga data. La organización se compone de un centro de urgencias, dos hospitales de cuidados agudos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencias y Hometown Health, la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro más grande de la región y de propiedad local, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project® . Visite renown.org para obtener más información.
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Renown Health concede subvenciones a organizaciones del área que abordan la diversidad y la inclusión
Funds used to support those addressing demographic diversity and Social Determinants of Health to improve the health of our community. Renown Health, en consonancia con su misión, visión y valores y con su compromiso de larga data de abordar los determinantes sociales de la salud, ha anunciado hoy que pondrá a disposición hasta $20,000 durante el año fiscal 2020 para financiar proyectos y organizaciones cuyo objetivo sea aumentar la presencia y la participación de las mujeres, las minorías raciales y étnicas, las personas LBGTQ+, las personas con discapacidad, las personas de bajo nivel socioeconómico y otros grupos poco representados. Renown Health strongly prefers proposals that convincingly demonstrate their potential to improve the health and wellness of northern Nevadans. The organization wishes to express its interest in supporting programs that enhance collaboration, health literacy and communication, and enhance cultural competency. “Improving the health of our community is the foundation of our work. Our mission, vision and values are the essence of what makes us Renown. We are committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion and cultural competence where all are appreciated, fully engaged and motivated to make a genuine, positive difference in the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, Renown’s President & CEO. As the Kaiser Family Foundation noted in recent research: “Los investigadores descubrieron que los factores sociales, como la educación, la segregación racial, los apoyos sociales y la pobreza, representaban más de un tercio del total de muertes en los Estados Unidos en un año”. https://www.ajmc.com/contributor/sophia- bernazzani/2016/05/the-importance-of-considering-the-social-determinants-of-health# Annie Zucker, gerente de Impacto Comunitario de Renown, añade: “Los determinantes sociales de la salud tienen una gran repercusión en los resultados de salud, especialmente para las poblaciones más vulnerables. I am proud that Renown, as a not-for-profit healthcare organization, considers social determinants of health to enable more compassionate and comprehensive healthcare for the patients and families we serve.” According to the CDC, it has been well-established that poverty inhibits access to healthy foods and safe neighborhoods, and that higher levels of education influence better health. El impacto de estos factores en la salud se define en Healthy People 2020 como determinantes sociales de la salud: “Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.” When resources are available to overcome negative social determinants of health, they can have a significant impact on improving population health outcomes. “Through diversity, inclusiveness and cultural competence we are able to better understand and respond to the health needs of our communities. We are committed to continually cultivating an environment of cultural inclusiveness. When you have a culture that acknowledges and engages everyone, the opportunities for personal growth and organizational effectiveness are limitless,” said Hector Boirie, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer. “Renown Health provides access to care with dignity and respect for all. We recognize and respect every human being, regardless of race, creed, gender, age, handicap, national origin or ability to pay. We give competent, considerate and respectful care in a safe setting that fosters a person’s comfort and dignity and is free from all forms of abuse and harassment, including gender identity or gender expression,” says Melinda Mendoza, BSN, JD, CPC, CHC, CHPC, Chief Compliance Officer. “This is a Renown Health patient right and we are proud of our organizational commitment.” Renown Health is also an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. “I am so pleased to serve as Renown’s Chief Financial Officer. En los EE. UU., menos del 13 % de los puestos de director financiero están ocupados por mujeres. How proud I am to help lead an organization that focuses on attracting talent based on individual competency and kindness, rather than gender, race, religion or sexual orientation,” says Ann Beck. Renown Health prefiere enfáticamente que las propuestas sumen un total aproximado de $2,500 o menos, ya que prevé financiar a 8 organizaciones. Renown Health ha puesto a disposición esta financiación adicional para el año fiscal 2020. Normalmente, financia proyectos solo durante 6 meses, y recibe las solicitudes de renovación de la financiación en los años posteriores. Se invita a todas las organizaciones 501c3 sin fines de lucro con oficinas que sirvan a los residentes del norte de Nevada a que presenten sus propuestas antes del jueves, 25 de junio de 2020. Renown Health revisará las propuestas y tomará decisiones de financiación antes del lunes, 29 de junio de 2020. Renown Health desembolsará los fondos de las subvenciones antes del martes, 30 de junio de 2020. As non-profit hospitals, Renown must meet community benefit requirements to qualify for tax- exempt status, this includes funding programs that respond to public health needs and improve overall community health. To submit a ‘Renown supports Diversity & Inclusivity grant proposal,’ fill out the grant proposal submission form. Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con Annie Zucker, gerente de Impacto Comunitario, por correo electrónico a azucker@renown.org. About Renown Health Renown Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown es uno de los mayores empleadores privados de la región y cuenta con una fuerza laboral de más de 7,000. It comprises three acute care hospitals, Renown Children’s Hospital, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. Visite renown.org para obtener más información.
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Apoyo a la salud de la comunidad LGBTQ+: por qué es importante
Renown Health has long supported northern Nevada’s LGBTQ+ community Pride events with sponsorship, and we’ve collaborated with local and regional LGBTQ+ organizations as an ally. Renown’s Pride Committee works to deepen and broaden our external and internal efforts around LGBTQ+ community engagement, advocacy, and healthcare issues related to sexual and gender minorities, which is part of the greater Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts Renown is undertaking. According to Harvard Chan School, data shows that nearly a sixth of LGBTQ+ adults feel they were discriminated against based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, this brings to light the important need for education within the healthcare setting. Renown Health is bridging the gap for our LGBTQ+ population, and we know more work needs to take place in order to become an inclusive organization. Below are a few ways we’re working on improving our response to LGBTQ+ needs, and celebrate, respect and honor our diversity by being inclusive. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion subcommittee was formed to heighten the awareness and develop a plan on how to better serve all of our diverse populations, including our LGBTQ+ patients. As the largest healthcare provider in northern Nevada, we knew that we could do a better job. The subcommittee provides us a forum to discuss ideas and develop plans to provide better care to these populations. Updated Medical Records with Preferred Name and Pronouns Of course healthcare is personal. We meet patients at their most vulnerable states. And relating to every person by the correct pronoun shows we respect their gender identity. A new medical records update supports our doctors, nurses and care team in capturing this vital information. We are now able to capture every person’s preferred name, sex and sexual orientation to better care for them. Kathleen Zaski BSN, RN, Manager of Clinical Informatics and IT Applications at Renown explains why this is so important. “Your name and identity are core to who you are as a person, and here at Renown, we aim to take care of you as a whole person and to provide the highest level of quality care to our community – all while ensuring the experience is exceptional and tailored to the individual. In other words, having the patient’s preferred name and pronoun in the medical record is important to validate their identity, and show we care, in an already high stress environment. Specifically, giving our providers easy access to the patients preferred name and pronoun in the medical record, allows them to properly address their health concerns. This also helps the health care provider foster a closer relationship with the patient. Studies have found this actually increases the quality of care by creating a more open and comfortable environment.” Gender Neutral Restrooms Mitch Harper, Senior Program Development Manager at Renown, recognizes there’s still so much more to improve upon in becoming an inclusive organization. “At the end of the day, it’s about creating a safe and welcoming environment for our community and our employees. Access to basic human services shouldn’t be contingent on an individual’s skin color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or beliefs. Ensuring that private restrooms are equally available to everyone on our campus is just one way we can provide a more inclusive, caring space for the people we serve.” Updated restroom locations: Roseview Tower: 10 Sierra Tower: 14 Tahoe Tower: 14 Helping to Lead and Influence Change Sean Savoy, Manager of Spiritual Care at Renown "The foundation of spiritual care is compassion – being with people in need by caring, supporting, and showing empathy, and promoting a sense of well-being. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community informs that deep sense of compassion and empathy in a very special and unique way. Our human value, social validity, the very reality of who and what we are, even our right to exist, love and just be, are often called into question. This, in turn, can cause many of us to question ourselves and wonder about our self-worth. This experience should engender compassion and empathy so that we can better recognize, listen to and meet others’ needs to help them achieve inner peace, explore coping strategies to overcome obstacles during illness or crisis, and even find new balance by re-conceptualizing themselves in the context of health and illness. I have found that the intersectionality of my gay and spiritual selves has been a blessing in my life." Matthew Maloy, Team Lead Applications Specialist at Renown “I am a Team Lead Epic analyst in the IT department that is responsible for clinical based workflows for ED, Trauma, and Critical Care and have worked at Renown for 15 years. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community influences my daily work by ensuring the Electronic Health Record reflects best practices such as giving clinicians the ability to document a preferred name, and displaying that throughout the medical record for consistency. Having the ability to influence decisions that move our community toward human value for all of us is a priority in my daily work.” Our Mission Renown Health’s mission is to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve, including the LGBTQ+ community. We continue to build relationships to improve care, fostering better health outcomes for ALL of our patients by creating a more inclusive health system.
Read More About Supporting LGBTQ+ Community Health – Why it Matters
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SOGI – The Most Important Terms to Know
SOGI stands for sexual orientation and gender identity. Being a SOGI-inclusive medical facility means regardless of our differences, we treat others with dignity and respect. Sean Savoy, Renown Health Manager of Spiritual Care, explains SOGI terms and their importance in a healthcare setting below. SOGI History Although the UN passed a historic resolution on SOGI in 2016, it is still a relatively new term for some. Above all, an inclusive environment where every patient feels safe and valued, improves the quality of care in our community. In reality, defining gender and sexuality can be confusing. However, the terms we use to define gender and sexuality are an important influence on how we relate to each other. Generally, "sex" refers to the biological differences between males and females. Still the term “sex” doesn’t fully capture the complex biological, anatomical and chromosomal variations that can occur. Accordingly, having only two (binary) options – biological male or biological female – might not describe what’s going on inside a person’s body. In essence, assigned sex (also called "biological sex) is given at birth based on medical factors. These include your hormones, chromosomes and genitals. Most people are assigned male or female, and this is what’s put on their birth certificate. When someone’s sexual and reproductive anatomy isn’t clearly female or male, that person may be described as “intersex.” However, a person’s biological or assigned sex may be different from a person’s actual or perceived gender identity or expression. The word “gender,” therefore, is more difficult to define. It could refer to the gender or sex role society determines is acceptable, desirable or appropriate based on a person’s perceived sex. Likewise, it could refer to an individual’s own gender identity or preferred gender expression. What is Gender Identity? To summarize, gender identity is one's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither. To clarify - how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. Of course sometimes a person's genetically assigned sex does not line up with their gender identity. These individuals might refer to themselves as transgender, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming, for example. Another key point is the process of gender transition. This specifically refers to more closely aligning your internal knowledge of gender with your outward appearance. According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the term – which replaces Gender Identity Disorder – "is intended to better capture the experiences of affected children, adolescents, and adults." What is Sexual Orientation? Sexual orientation is an internal or enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. For example, you could be heterosexual (straight), gay, lesbian, bisexual or even pansexual. SOGI Terms to Know Below are some common SOGI terms according to the National LGBT Health Education Center and the Human Rights Campaign. The following list is not meant to represent every term (or definition) used by the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (or questioning). The plus encompasses other identities that fall under the queer umbrella with one common theme: they are not strictly straight or cisgender. Queer An umbrella term used by some to describe people who think of their sexual orientation or gender identity as outside of societal norms. Some people view the term “queer” as more fluid and inclusive than traditional SOGI identities. Due to its history as a derogatory term, the term is not always embraced or used by all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Sexual Orientation Terms Asexual (adj.) – Describes a person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexuality is not the same as celibacy. Bisexual (adj.) – A sexual orientation that describes a person who is emotionally and sexually attracted to people of their own gender and people of other genders. Gay (adj.) – A sexual orientation that describes a person who is emotionally and sexually attracted to people of their own gender. It can be used regardless of gender identity, but is more commonly used to describe men attracted to other men. Heterosexual or Straight (adj.) – A sexual orientation that describes a person whose sexual or emotional attractions and behaviors focus exclusively or mainly on members of the opposite sex or gender identity. Lesbian (adj., noun) – A sexual orientation that describes a woman who is emotionally and sexually attracted to other women. Pansexual or Omnisexual (adj.) – A sexual orientation that describes a person who is sexually and emotionally attracted to people of any sex or gender identity. Pansexual people may refer to themselves as gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are insignificant or irrelevant in determining whether they will be sexually attracted to others. Gender Identity Terms Bigender or Binary (adj.) – Describes a person whose gender identity is a combination of two genders. Cisgender (adj.) – A person whose gender identity aligns with the assigned sex at birth or biological sex. Gender non-conforming (adj.) – Describes a gender expression that differs from a given society’s norms for males and females. Gender transition (noun) - The process by which some people strive to more closely align their internal knowledge of gender with its outward appearance. Some people socially transition, whereby they might begin dressing, using names and pronouns and/or be socially recognized as another gender. Others undergo physical transitions in which they modify their bodies through medical interventions. Intersex (adj.) - A variation in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do not allow an individual to be distinctly identified as male or female. Non-binary Alternate terms are gender queer and gender non-conforming. Transgender (adj.) – Describes a person whose gender identity and assigned sex at birth do not correspond. Also used as an umbrella term to include gender identities outside of male and female. Sometimes abbreviated as trans. SOGI Awareness Again, not all people use the above terms in the same way, so respect and sensitivity are key. And the healthcare setting is an especially vulnerable one. Maintaining the dignity and humanity of every individual during a medical interaction is essential. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires all Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems be able to collect SOGI information from patients. This promotes better understanding of health treatment outcome disparities in order to reduce them. Renown Health’s mission is to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve.
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abordaje de la igualdad en la salud para las comunidades de color
Area Church Pastors, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, the Washoe County School District, REMSA and Renown will be available to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, and how they have joined together to provide free COVID-19 testing to area residents. DE QUÉ SE TRATA Los medios de comunicación están invitados a entrevistar a los líderes de la comunidad para saber cómo nos unimos para hacer frente a las disparidades en la salud y promover la igualdad en el acceso y la prestación de la atención médica. El primer proyecto para apoyar a nuestra comunidad y abordar la equidad en materia de salud es asociarnos con los pastores del área para proporcionar pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19 mediante hisopado nasal para los adultos y niños de organizaciones religiosas, las iglesias y los niños que asisten a la escuela. El primer centro de pruebas, que ofrecerá pruebas sin salir del automóvil y sin cita (por orden de llegada), se realizará el sábado, 26 de septiembre, de 1 p. m. a 4 p.m., en el Ministerio Fuente de Vida del pastor Cesar Minera. Las pruebas se ofrecerán a los miembros del Ministerio Palabra de Vida (Word of Life Ministries) y de la Asociación de Ministros Evangelicos (A.M.E.N.), una red de más de 15 iglesias en el área de Reno, Sparks y Carson City, así como a estudiantes y familias del distrito escolar del condado de Washoe (WCSD) que viven en esa área. REMSA staff will conduct the nasal swab testing and Renown Health will process the tests. No es necesario tener síntomas de COVID-19 para realizar la prueba. CUÁNDO Jueves, 24 de septiembre a las 1:45 p.m. DÓNDE Ministerio Palabra de Vida 2375 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502 OPORTUNIDADES VISUALES Y DE ENTREVISTA Pastor Cesar Minera Un miembro de la congregación de la iglesia Representantes de la ciudad de Reno (vicealcalde Reese), la ciudad de Sparks, WCSD, REMSA y Renown Health POR QUÉ Según la American Hospital Association, la pandemia de COVID-19 está afectando de forma desproporcionada a nuestras comunidades negras, indígenas y de color. Black and Latino Americans are three times more likely than white people to contract COVID-19. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades informan que la tasa de hospitalización por COVID-19 de las personas latinas y de raza negra también se enfrenta a tasas de hospitalización sombrías similares, entre 4.7 y 4.6 veces más altas, respectivamente, en comparación con las personas blancas. Las personas de raza negra mueren a una tasa casi dos veces mayor (24 %) que su porcentaje de población (13 %), y, en 42 estados, incluido Nevada, los latinos representan una proporción mayor de casos confirmados que su porcentaje de población, según el proyecto de seguimiento de datos de COVID de The Atlantic. En apoyo a la proclamación del gobernador Sisolak de que el racismo es una crisis de salud pública, una asociación de organizaciones religiosas, iglesias y pastores, junto con líderes comunitarios, reconocen que es fundamental cambiar la cultura de la medicina al abordar el racismo y los prejuicios implícitos que contribuyen a las disparidades en materia de salud. El grupo de líderes de la comunidad del norte de Nevada incluye a la alcaldesa de Reno, Hillary Schieve; el concejal de Sparks Kristopher Dahir, capellán de Northern Nevada Veterans Home y presidente de la Junta Directiva de Excel Christian School; Angela D. Taylor, Ph.D. de la Junta Directiva del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Washoe, ministra ordenada y pastora adjunta en Greater Light Christian Center; el pastor sénior Cesar Minera, del Ministerio Palabra de Vida (Word of Life Ministries) y presidente de A.M.E.N. (Asociación de Ministros Evangélicos de Nevada), una red de más de 15 iglesias en el área de Reno, Sparks y Carson City; el pastor Nathan DuPree, de Living Stones Church, director ejecutivo de 360 Blueprint (una colaboración de los organismos de aplicación de la ley locales, el distrito escolar del condado de Washoe y los líderes de la comunidad local) y copresidente del African American Clergy Council of Northern Nevada (AACCoNN), un consejo conformado por organizaciones religiosas, iglesias y pastores que se unen para apoyar a nuestra comunidad y se enfoca en las familias, la salud, la educación, el desarrollo laboral y la prevención de delitos; Norris DuPree, Jr., Ph.D. y presidente de Transformations Therapy and Behavioral Consultation; el pastor DeSean Horne de Second Baptist Church; Dean Dow, MBA, CMTE, presidente y director ejecutivo de REMSA, y Anthony Slonim, MD, DrPH, presidente y director ejecutivo de Renown. El primer proyecto para apoyar a nuestra comunidad y abordar la equidad en materia de salud es asociarnos con los pastores del área para proporcionar pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19 mediante hisopado nasal para los adultos y niños de organizaciones religiosas, las iglesias y los niños de WCSD. There is no cost to be tested. Those with insurance will be asked to provide an insurance card, all others will be tested free, with thanks to the Renown Community Benefits fund. About Renown Health Renown Health is Reno’s only locally owned, charitable, not-for-profit integrated health network. Being not-for-profit means that all income stays in the community— and is reinvested in programs, people and equipment to improve the health of the community. Renown directly contributes to the community’s overall well-being with a Community Benefit mission to reduce health disparities, promote community wellness and improve access to care for vulnerable populations. This includes offering free and discounted care to those unable to afford healthcare, and partnerships with others to address health and well-being. In partnership with many community-based organizations, area schools, human and social service agencies, and government and business leaders, Renown supports many educational, public health outreach, and community development initiatives throughout Nevada. En el año fiscal 2019, Renown Health, una red de salud comunitaria sin fines de lucro y de propiedad local, invirtió más de $158 millones en educación de salud, iniciativas comunitarias y servicios de atención médica no reembolsables. En el año fiscal 2020, el Dr. Tony Slonim, director ejecutivo, destinó $150,000 en fondos a 60agencias locales para apoyar los esfuerzos de diversidad e inclusión y los determinantes sociales de la salud.
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Getting to the HEART of Research
In February, we think about hearts not just in honor of Valentine’s Day but because it is American Heart Association Month. This is a great reminder to focus on our personal cardiovascular health. Renown Health helps patients think about their heart health with our world-class providers and cutting-edge treatments through our Cardiovascular Clinical Trials. “Research serves a vital role in the future care of cardiovascular diseases. Being involved in research will help our medical community to further discover new treatment plans in our quest for life preservation and extension,” Dr. Thomas To, Cardiologist and Researcher at Renown Health. For example, let’s talk about atherosclerosis. When our hearts are healthy, they are a strong muscle that pumps our oxygen-rich blood through our coronary arteries. Over time, cholesterol and fats can build up in our arteries. This is a condition known as atherosclerosis. This type of plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to a heart attack or stroke if not properly managed. If you are experiencing chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath or pain in areas of the upper body, these can be the warning signs of a heart attack, and you should call 911. One contributing factor to atherosclerosis is elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, which increases the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke. Lipoprotein(a) is tested separately from the standard panel that is completed for cholesterol management, and while your total cholesterol levels may be in a healthy range, lipoprotein(a) levels can still be elevated. "Increasingly we are realizing that lipoprotein(a) levels can be used as an important assessment in more carefully delineating an individual's risk of future cardiovascular events and treatment targets" said Dr. Michael Bloch, Lipid Specialist and Researcher at Renown Institute for Heart and Vascular Health. While it is clear that elevated lipoprotein(a) contributes to atherosclerosis, there are currently no approved medications for reducing cardiovascular disease risk through reducing lipoprotein(a) levels. This is why Renown Health’s Research Office is proud to offer a phase III clinical trial, called the OCEAN(a) study, to our patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels as a care option for management of their heart disease risk. Our teams of expert providers and researchers are here to support you on your healthcare journey. “I am thrilled to be able to be part of this study and bring opportunities like this to our patients. The highlight of my day is getting to hear life stories from my patients during our study visits,” Lisa Preciado, Primary Clinical Research Coordinator for the OCEAN(a) study said. Join us in raising awareness around American Heart Month by talking to your provider about lipoprotein(a) at your next appointment. At Renown Health, our goal is to make it easy for patients to access clinical research as a care opportunity where patients can access a variety of standard care treatment options for their health condition or choose to participate in a clinical trial. For more information about clinical trial opportunities available to you or to ask any questions, contact the Renown Research Office at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646.