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Expertos líderes se reúnen en Tahoe para centrarse en los avances científicos y la prevención de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la primera causa de muerte a nivel mundial.
Three-day medical education conference advances research, education, prevention and treatment. Physicians and medical professionals from throughout the Mountain West will soon be convening in Lake Tahoe to explore emerging treatments, the most recent advances and new clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke and heart disease. Organizada por el Institute for Heart & Vascular Health de Renown y la Academia de Médicos de Familia de Nevada, la conferencia “Tendencias en medicina cardiovascular”, de tres días de duración, reunirá a expertos nacionales para explorar los desafíos y las soluciones con respecto a las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la principal causa de muerte en el mundo, que se calcula que se cobra 17.9 millones de vidas cada año. "Our mission is to advance health in America. As Nevada's first integrated health system, with our University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine affiliation, we are advancing health and health care through world-class medical education, clinical research and patient care for our community, our state and our nation," says Anthony D. Slonim, MD, DrPH, President & CEO, Renown Health. "And, we have so much work to do. En 2019, el 9.5 % de los nevadenses informó haber recibido un diagnóstico de angina o enfermedad coronaria por parte de un profesional de la salud, lo cual se encuentra significativamente por encima del promedio nacional del 8.4 %. As public health and health care providers, we can do more to encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to keep their heart healthy and help prevent heart disease through the Healthy Nevada Project®, where people can understand their genetic risks at no-cost." "The driving force behind this collaborative event is the shared missions of all our organizations, across the country, to advance progress in cardiovascular research, education, prevention and treatment," says Jayson Morgan, MD, FACC, Director Cardiovascular Services at Renown. "We will be joined by colleagues from Johns Hopkins, Cedars-Sinai, Scripps, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, University of Utah, Medical College of Wisconsin, the Metabolic Institute of America and locally- with experts from Renown's Institute for Heart & Vascular Health/UNR Med, St. Mary's and Barton Health - to discuss contemporary trends in providing excellent cardiovascular care and prevention." New research will be presented each day, including: “Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes – The Hidden Epidemic: What the Clinician Needs to Know” Michael J. Blaha, MD, MPH, FACC, Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Director of Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, Baltimore, MD “Optimizing Glycemic Control in the Inpatient Setting” Kendall M. Rogers, MD, CPE, FACP, SFHM, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM “Perioperative Medicine Update” Barbara A. Slawski, MD, MS, SFHM Professor of Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery, Chief, Section of Hospital Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI “Understanding hATTR Amyloidosis: Clinical Presentation and Treatment Landscape (Comprender la amiloidosis hATTR: presentación clínica y panorama de tratamiento) Jignesh K. Patel, MD; PhD; FACC; FRCP; FAST; FAHA; profesora clínica de Medicina; directora médica del Programa de trasplante cardíaco; directora del programa Cardiac Amyloid; directora de Investigación de Trasplante Cardíaco, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Ángeles, CA. “Coronary Artery Calcium in 2021: Guideline-Endorsed and Ready for Prime Time” (Calcio en las arterias coronarias en 2021: avalado por las directrices y listo para recibir atención) “The Evolving Landscape of Obesity Management – A Update” (La evolución del panorama de la gestión de la obesidad: actualización de ) Ken Fujioka, MD; director del Center for Weight Management; director del Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center, Scripps Clinic Departamento de Diabetes y Endocrinología, San Diego, CA. “The Evolving Panscape of Obesity Management – A 2021 Update” (La evolución del panorama de la gestión de la obesidad: actualización de ) Ken Fujioka, MD; director del Center for Weight Management; director del Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center, Scripps Clinic Departamento de Diabetes y Endocrinología, San Diego, CA. “Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Where We Are; Where We Are Headed” Matthew A. Cain, MD, Electrophysiologist, Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health, Renown Medical Group, Reno, NV "The Story of a Murmur” Abhilash Akinapelli, MD, Cardiac Valve & TAVR Program Director, Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health, Renown Medical Group, Reno, NV "Update on the Cardiovascular Effects of COVID-19” Siddharth Singh, MD, Assistant Director, Echo Fellowship Training Program, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA “Antibiotic Stewardship: How to Improve Our Prescribing for Now and Later” Valerie M. Vaughn, MD, MSc, FACP, FHM, Assistant Professor, Instructional Track Director of Hospital Medicine Research, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT "Emerging Trends in the Clinical Management of VTE” Victor F. Tapson, MD, FCCP, FRCP, Director, Clinical Research for the Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Director, Venous Thromboembolism & Pulmonary Vascular Disease Research Program, Associate Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA “Contemporary Approach to the Management of Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease” Yehuda Handelsman, MD, FACP, FNLA, FASPC, MACE, Medical Director & Principal Investigator, Metabolic Institute of America, Tarzana, CA The Arthur J Lurie, MD Memorial Dinner and Keynote Presentation, sponsored by the charitable Renown Foundation and the Lurie Family, is an evening ceremony to honor and memorialize the devotion and innovation of the lake Dr. Arthur J. Lurie, who personified humanitarian, medical and community service. Dr. Lurie devoted modernized heart surgery and was steadfast in his commitment to introduce new and groundbreaking techniques cardiovascular techniques to Nevada. Promovió e inspiró investigaciones y avances que cambiaron vidas en la cirugía cardíaca, así como en la investigación del cáncer, hasta su fallecimiento en 1996. Se invita a los profesionales de la medicina a asistir a la 31.ª Conferencia anual sobre Tendencias en medicina cardiovascular, que tendrá lugar en el Resort at Squaw Creek, en Olympic Valley, California, del viernes, 5 de noviembre al domingo, 7 de noviembre de 2021. Quienes deseen registrarse u obtener más información pueden visitar www.renown.org/trends. The clinical team at Renown Institute for Heart and Vascular Health is the recipient of a number of national awards for outstanding clinical care and service, including: En los rankings de Mejores Hospitales de U.S. News and World Report de 2021, Renown Regional Medical Center ocupa el primer puesto en el estado de Nevada para 2021. Ningún otro hospital en Nevada obtuvo el reconocimiento de U.S. News. Renown Regional Medical Center is High Performing, its highest rating possible, for Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. El Renown Regional recibió el premio America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care Award (2021) del Colegio Estadounidense de Cardiología por la obtención de resultados clínicos superiores en el tratamiento de embolia pulmonar, insuficiencia del sistema respiratorio, sepsis y emergencias diabéticas. El Renown Regional también ganó el Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ (2021) por la obtención de resultados superiores. Designated Level II Trauma Center. For the 30th year, Renown Regional Medical Center is northern Nevada's only designated level II trauma center. Renown Regional awarded The Get with the Guidelines - Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement award for continually ensuring heart failure patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, as well as AHA's mission: Lifeline Gold Receiving honor for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. American College of Cardiology's NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award. El Renown Regional Medical Center es uno de los únicos 225 hospitales de todo el país en recibir el premio. The award recognizes Renown's success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Renown has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. To make an appointment with a provider at Renown's Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, request that your primary care provider make a referral. For more information on Renown's Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, visit renown.org/Health-Services/Heart-Care. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es una red de atención médica integrada de administración local y sin fines de lucro que brinda servicios al norte de Nevada, Lake Tahoe y el noreste de California. En los rankings de mejores hospitales de U.S. News y World Report, Renown Regional Medical Center ocupa el primer puesto en el estado de Nevada. Renown tiene una larga trayectoria y un compromiso de larga data con la mejora de la atención y la salud de nuestra comunidad. Visite renown.org para obtener más información.
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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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La comunidad reconoce a los homenajeados con el premio Northern Nevada Nurses Of Achievement 2020
Renown Health nurses are being celebrated for going above and beyond for their patients and care team colleagues. Every year, the Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement Committee recognizes registered nurses (RNs) from across the community to celebrate their accomplishments and further the nursing profession. El Comité acaba de anunciar a los 2020 galardonados, entre los que se incluyen siete enfermeros de alto desempeño de Renown Health. El personal de enfermería está al frente de los equipos de atención que trabajan para combatir la pandemia de COVID-19, y el 2020 fue declarado acertadamente como el “Año Internacional del Personal de Enfermería y Partería” por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Celebrar a nuestro personal de enfermería este año es más importante que nunca, y Renown se enorgullece de ser el hogar de siete de los ganadores del premio Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement 2020 en las siguientes categorías: Clinical Leadership: Jenny Garcia, RN, BSN, supervisor of nursing in the orthopedics unit at Renown Regional Medical Center; Critical Care: Olivia Cartwright, RN, BSN, bedside nurse in the intensive care unit at Renown Regional Medical Center; Lifetime Achievement: Cheryl Jameson, RN, bedside nurse in the general surgical unit at Renown South Meadows Medical Center; Office & Outpatient: Kathleen Neilan, RN, BCN, OCN, cancer nurse navigator at Renown Institute for Cancer; Oncology and Infusion Services: Paola Espinoza, RN, BSN, supervisor of nursing in the cancer nursing unit at Renown Regional Medical Center; Rookie of the Year: Tamara Slater, RN, BSN, bedside nurse in the general surgical unit at Renown Regional Medical Center;Renown Facility Winner: Chelsea Zielinski, RN, MSN, clinical nurse educator in the neonatal intensive care unit at Renown Regional Medical Center. De un grupo de más de 400 enfermeros nominados públicamente que prestan cuidados en los centros de atención y hospitales del norte de Nevada, el Comité anunció un total de 14 ganadores de premios durante una celebración virtual de premios el viernes, 28 de agosto. Anthony D. Slonim, RN, MD, DrPH, FACHE; President and CEO of Renown, who worked as a registered nurse in an Emergency Department earlier in his career says, “We appreciate the work that every nurse does every day, not only for the patient in the hospital, but in all of the other settings where people come to learn how to live healthier lives. Los enfermeros tienen una influencia directa en los resultados de cada paciente, y felicito a los 14 enfermeros por sus logros excepcionales”. He adds, “The real winners are those patients, families, colleagues and community members who are cared for by these exceptional nursing professionals.” “We’re proud to celebrate our community’s nurses and all they do to care for patients and their loved ones,” said Jana Elliott, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Acute Care Services. “Nursing is a true calling to serve others and there are so many incredible ways nurses go beyond their duty to provide the best care despite the intense nature of the pandemic.” “Nurses are at the core of our care teams; they provide compassionate care and advocate for patients and their loved ones in a time of need,” said Melodie Osborn, Chief Nursing Officer, Health Services. “The Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement awards are a longstanding way of honoring our community’s most compassionate nurses.” Oportunidades de entrevista Un 2020 miembro del personal de enfermería que recibió el premio Nurses of Achievement y un representante del equipo de liderazgo de enfermería de Renown estarán encantados de hablar sobre este prestigioso honor, así como también sobre lo que significa ser enfermero durante estos tiempos sin precedentes. Envíe un correo electrónico a news@renown.org o llame al 775691-7308 para programar una entrevista. 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. 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. Acerca de Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement El Comité de Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement, que ha destacado la profesión de enfermería desde 1999, trabaja para honrar a sus colegas y para aumentar la concienciación sobre la enfermería como profesión. The committee also supports the growth of the profession in awarding scholarships for nursing students.
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Renown Cardiologist Shares Insight on Warfarin
Renown Health's Dr. Christopher Rowan recently joined a distinguished panel of experts on the "Game Changers in Medicine" podcast to discuss the science behind the discovery of warfarin. Renown Health Cardiologist Dr. Christopher Rowan was just featured on an episode of Game Changers in Medicine, a groundbreaking medical history podcast from Dramatic Health about some of the world’s most significant medical discoveries. The episode, Warfarin: How a rat poison became one of the world's most widely prescribed drugs, dives into the fascinating history of Warfarin and its life-saving effects on humans. During the episode, Dr. Rowan, whose research focus is heart disease and atherosclerosis, is joined by experts Kevin Walters, Historian and Strategic Research Coordinator at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF); and Ramya M. Rajagopalan, Ph.D. of the Institute for Practical Ethics at UC San Diego. Listen to the episode now or download it wherever you listen to podcasts. History of Warfarin Warfarin prevents blood clots from forming or expanding. The drug is especially important for individuals who have experienced a heart attack or stroke, or are at risk of experiencing either. However, the backstory of the drug is rather fascinating. Beginning in the 1920s, an unknown disease was killing cattle throughout the U.S. and Canada. Desesperado por encontrar una solución, un granjero condujo 200 millas hasta la University of Wisconsin con una vaca muerta, fardos de heno estropeado y una lata de leche con sangre sin coagular. El hombre se cruzó con un científico, cuyo equipo se propuso determinar el componente hemorrágico del heno estropeado, lo que dio como resultado una serie de descubrimientos médicos que revolucionarían la medicina. Tras aprender más sobre la warfarina y cómo la vitamina K podría revertir sus propiedades anticoagulantes, los médicos recetaron por primera vez la medicina para uso humano en 1954. Probablemente sea muy conocida por salvar al presidente Dwight D. Eisenhower después de que sufrió un ataque cardíaco en 1955. Today, Warfarin continues to saves millions of lives each year. “Before blood thinners like Warfarin, people would experience strokes, blood clots in their lungs, blood clots in their legs, blood clots in their hearts, along with countless other clotting disorders - these conditions likely cutting their lifespans short,” Dr. Rowan said during the podcast. “Warfarin revolutionized the treatment of patients who suffer from heart attacks and strokes, helping them to live normal and healthy lives. The drug changed medicine forever and helped make incredible innovations such as mechanical heart valves a reality.” Interview Opportunity Dr. Rowan is available for interviews to discuss the importance of this unique medical discovery and the positive impact it has on many of the patients he treats every day. Envíe un correo electrónico a news@renown.org o llame al 775-691- 7308 para coordinar una entrevista. Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada de propiedad y administración local y sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, que presta servicios en 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. 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. About Dramatic Health Dramatic Health, a national healthcare video company, is the producer of the six-part podcast series Game Changers in Medicine. The series premiered in July with an episode about Vitamin K and an enterprising Boston house doctor. The August episode showcased the creation of a smallpox vaccine and its parallels to today's urgent search for a COVID-19 vaccine. Game Changers in Medicine se clasificó en el puesto 27 de los podcasts de Apple en la categoría “Ciencias de la vida en los Estados Unidos” de acuerdo con Chartable al 21 de agosto de 2020. Los dos episodios, un resumen de la serie y material adicional sobre la serie de podcasts están disponibles en www.gamechangersinmedicine.com y se puede acceder a estos materiales desde la plataforma que utilice para escuchar podcasts.
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Helmsley Charitable Trust Grants $3.1 Million to Renown Health
Pictured left to right: Erin VanKirk, MSN, RN, Renown Health Director of Nursing Education; Mitch Krebs, Program Director at Helmsley Charitable Trust; Dr. Graf, Renown Health CEO; Greg Walaitis Renown Health Chief Development Officer. Renown Health will use the grant to build the Helmsley Simulation and Innovation Center to improve the health system’s training abilities The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $3.1 million to Renown Health for construction of a new simulation and innovation center that will greatly expand the health system’s ability to train healthcare providers throughout northern Nevada. The new center will be named the Helmsley Simulation and Innovation Center. Expected to open in April 2023, the center will feature three simulated patient rooms, classroom space, computer labs and a conference center, allowing trainers to run current and future healthcare professionals through real-life acute, outpatient, telemedicine and specialty care scenarios. The new center will let Renown Health train substantially more nurses, physicians, community clinical partners, medical students and rural providers while improving medical and nursing expertise to support staff throughout northern Nevada. “The Helmsley Charitable Trust is excited to fund this new simulation center, which will provide healthcare professionals across rural Nevada with state-of-the-art training in a variety of situations they’ll encounter,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “The project fits with our goal to level the playing field by giving rural residents access to top-notch healthcare, regardless of their ZIP code.” “Simulation education has become standard practice for many of our healthcare personnel,” said Erin Van Kirk MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Education. “This lab will provide expanded opportunities in a controlled setting where physicians, nurses, and students can gain valuable experience in providing the best care possible.” Renown Health has outgrown its current simulation lab, which opened in 2016 in Renown Regional Medical Center. The new, larger, state-of-the-art simulation and innovation center will increase Renown Health’s training capacity from 1,500 to 2,500 each year. The new facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art simulation mannequins and other equipment that includes a telemetry monitor, IV and epidural equipment, a code cart, a defibrillator, a balloon pump, ventilators and a cooling machine. The center will also support Renown Health’s recently established partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, expanding training modules focused on rural health and virtual care through telemedicine. “The facility will help Renown Health respond to our region’s growing population by allowing us to support the training and competency necessary for our care providers to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve,” said Melodie Osborn, RN, MBA, Chief Nursing Executive at Renown Health. “This generous grant for the new simulation and innovation center from the Helmsley Charitable Trust is truly an investment in the bright future we envision for Renown, our care teams and the community.” 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. About the Helmsley Charitable Trust The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $3 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $500 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, and Nevada. For more information, visit helmsleytrust.org.
Leer más About Helmsley Charitable Trust Grants $3.1 Million to Renown Health
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8 Financial & Wellness Benefits for Employees
Escuchamos las principales necesidades actuales y futuras de los empleados; nos aseguramos de que las familias estén sanas y tengan seguridad financiera La semana pasada, la Reserva Federal aumentó la tasa de interés de referencia por primera vez desde marzo de 2020. Esto significará un costo más alto para los endeudamientos con tarjetas de crédito, los préstamos para estudio y vivienda, el financiamiento de automóviles, entre otras. También podría representar mayores ganancias en las cuentas de ahorros, según la institución. Esta noticia, junto con las inquietudes sobre la salud mental y el bienestar físico de los cuidadores a medida que superan la pandemia, ha presentado a los líderes de Renown una oportunidad única de reformular los enfoques sobre cómo ayudar a sus empleados a crecer, a sentirse apoyados económicamente e involucrarse como parte de un equipo saludable y pujante. Después de escuchar a los empleados, el Departamento de Recursos Humanos de Renown Health anunció una serie de beneficios adicionales para promover formas de aumentar el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal, apoyar estrategias de descanso y recuperación, y brindar nuevos recursos financieros fundamentales para que los equipos estén satisfechos y tengan un alto desempeño. Renown Health está contratando personas para ocupar puestos clave para apoyar la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad, y alienta a aquellos a quienes les apasiona el sector de servicios a unirse a la familia de Renown y luchar por la causa justa. Para ello, deben postularse en línea en careers.renown.org Los beneficios nuevos y ampliados de 2022 para los empleados incluyen los siguientes: 1. Beneficios ampliados del plan de salud física, del plan médico y del dental. El programa MOBE, que se ofrece sin cargo, brinda a cada empleado una Guía de salud personal para apoyar cuatro elementos centrales de la salud: dieta, sueño, movimiento físico y bienestar emocional, con el fin de ayudarles a desarrollar hábitos saludables, impulsar una vida mejor, cargarse de energía y promover la sanación. Este año, Renown amplió su cobertura del plan médico al agregar nuevos beneficios, sin aumentar las tasas que pagan los empleados. Renown ofrece beneficios de seguro de salud a través de Hometown Health, la única y más grande compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro de propiedad local del norte de Nevada con cobertura médica de amplio alcance. Hometown Health ofrece acceso a la red más grande de servicios clínicos de la mayor calidad prestados por 1,200 médicos y especialistas en 150 centros de atención, incluidos los del Renown Medical Group: los centros de atención de urgencia, los servicios de laboratorio y de diagnóstico por imágenes, y los mejores hospitales del estado según el Us News & World Report, el Renown Regional Medical Center (2022) y el Renown South Meadows Medical Center (2021). Los nuevos beneficios médicos que se agregaron este año incluyen visitas de telesalud con un copago de $0; recetas de Renown Pharmacy sin deducible y, si los empleados y sus familias necesitan viajar fuera del área para recibir atención esencial, ahora se ofrece un estipendio para viajar al University Medical Center en Las Vegas o al University of Utah Health. La organización también redujo el costo de las primas del seguro de salud que pagan los empleados a tiempo parcial (entre 20 y 30 horas). Además de las mejoras en los beneficios para la salud, la red dental se amplió con MetLife Dental, sin aumentos en las primas de las tasas del plan dental que pagan los empleados en 2022. Como organización sin fines de lucro, Renown puede ofrecer a los empleados la capacidad de establecer cuentas de gastos flexibles como una forma de usar dinero libre de impuestos para pagar gastos médicos que no cubren otros planes de salud. 2. Mejoras en los programas de apoyo para el bienestar y la salud mental. Renown Health es el hogar del Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addictions Institute. Como líderes, están trabajando para eliminar el estigma y las barreras al uso de servicios de salud mental cuando se necesitan. Para ello, hacen énfasis en que buscar ayuda demuestra fortaleza, no debilidad. Esto incluye alentar a los miembros del equipo a tomarse un día libre para renovarse y recargar energía o aprovechar las visitas de consejería de salud mental que son confidenciales y sin cargo. Renown actualizó su política para incluir el bienestar mental y emocional como categoría elegible para el uso de la licencia por enfermedad. Durante la pandemia, para asegurarse de que los empleados contaran con el tiempo necesario llegado el caso, el equipo de liderazgo agregó 80 horas de licencia por enfermedad a la licencia por enfermedad a la que tienen derecho los empleados, así como un copago de $0 para sesiones de salud conductual y servicios de nutrición de Teladoc (servicio virtual). Renown fomenta el buen estado físico y estimula la salud y el bienestar de los empleados al apoyar la participación en carreras (a pie o en bicicleta) en sus comunidades. Los empleados que participan en carreras, que corren, caminan, que participan en triatlones o realizan ciclismo pueden solicitar un reembolso por el cargo de una entrada individual de hasta $100. 3. Aprecio y participación de los empleados. Es posible que muchos equipos ahora estén trabajando en el lugar, de manera híbrida o de forma remota, lo que significa que reunirse para crear nuevos recuerdos resulta más difícil. Los líderes de Renown Health continúan generando camaradería y vínculos en el lugar de trabajo al invertir en realizar eventos mensuales de orgullo para el personal, y organizar todo tipo de encuentros, desde reuniones sociales en línea hasta noches de juegos, con el fin de ayudar a restablecer los vínculos. En Renown, la participación de los empleados también adopta la forma de programas de reconocimiento. El programa Everyday Amazing alienta a los empleados a darse las gracias unos a otros por un servicio excepcional mediante una plataforma en línea, y a obtener certificados y puntos para tarjetas de regalo y premios. Employee and organization-led leadership and career education programs are encouraged, as well as paid volunteer opportunities (four hours each quarter), and matches of up to $1000 for non-profit organization boards on which Renown Health employees serve. Renown ofrece eventos y anuarios para ayudar a los empleados a celebrar su historia y logros. También organiza Celebrate Amazing, un evento especial para celebrar los hitos de servicio y honrar a los galardonados como “Mejores Talentos” y “Mujeres de Logros”. Renown apoya a la comunidad e invita a los proveedores médicos y a los empleados para que asistan a eventos de los Reno Aces, a partidos de fútbol y básquetbol de la UNR, a la Great Reno Balloon Race y a cientos de eventos de la comunidad cada año. 4. Vivir sin deudas con programas de bienestar financiero. Hay disponible un programa gratuito de bienestar financiero de Salary Finance para los empleados, con un préstamo vinculado al salario. Este beneficio permite a los empleados tomar préstamos o ahorrar dinero directamente a través de su cheque de pago. Los préstamos vinculados al salario permiten a los empleados acceder a crédito asequible que pueden pagar fácilmente mediante su salario, lo cual les ayuda a pagar deudas existentes o a evitar el uso de tarjetas de crédito con altos intereses, los cargos por sobregiro o los préstamos de días de pago. Salary Finance ofrece opciones de préstamo asequibles para momentos de necesidad, así como un componente de educación financiera que ayuda a los empleados a comprender su nivel actual de contenido financiero específico según sus necesidades. Desde su lanzamiento, más del 40 % de los empleados ha participado en la oferta de Salary Finance, y más de 500 han accedido a créditos asequibles a través del Financial Wellbeing Hub de Salary Finance para Renown. “Ha tenido un impacto maravilloso y ha disminuido el estrés frecuente que sentía respecto a mi deuda”, expresó un empleado de Renown inscrito en el programa. En total, se calcula que los empleados han ahorrado casi $275,000 en intereses, y esa cifra continúa aumentando a medida que más empleados aprovechan el beneficio. El programa Greater Perks de Greater Nevada Credit Union, la cooperativa de crédito oficial para empleados de Renown, ofrece una serie de beneficios que incluyen un bono de $100 por abrir una nueva cuenta corriente, $25 por abrir una nueva cuenta “I Can Save”, $500 de crédito por una valoración para un préstamo para vivienda, tasas bajas para préstamos personales a corto plazo y préstamos para automóviles, además de seminarios regulares sobre bienestar financiero en línea. No se requiere ser miembro de la cooperativa de crédito para aprovechar las ofertas de Greater Nevada Mortgage. Además, los donantes han aportado, mediante la Fundación de Renown Health, fondos para ayudar a los empleados que han sufrido una catástrofe financiera personal y necesitan financiamiento de emergencia para pagar facturas, sin necesidad de pago. 5. Reembolso de asistencia educativa, pago de préstamo estudiantil y educación continua para estudiantes. Renown valora y alienta a los empleados a continuar estudiando y apoya las aspiraciones y metas profesionales. El programa de asistencia educativa ofrece oportunidades de reembolso y pago de préstamos, así como orientación educativa y financiera de expertos. Se proporciona reembolso de matrícula, certificación y certificado a los empleados que actualmente están inscritos en una universidad/facultad o están trabajando por obtener una certificación o certificado profesional. Además, la organización apoya a los empleados que han completado su educación anteriormente y que ahora enfrentan la carga de los préstamos estudiantiles. Los empleados también tienen la opción de invertir en un plan de ahorros para la universidad 529, un programa de inversión diseñado para ayudar a las personas a ahorrar para gastos educativos futuros de hijos/dependientes en casi cualquier universidad privada o pública o institución de educación superior acreditada. 6. Asistencia para el cuidado infantil y de adultos en el lugar. Organizar el cuidado infantil ha sido un obstáculo para los padres que trabajan a lo largo de la pandemia. Renown es uno de los pocos sistemas de salud que ofrecen cuidado infantil en el lugar. En Renown Health Child Care Center, se recibe a los hijos de los empleados que tienen entre seis semanas y seis años (que aún no asisten al jardín de infantes). El centro está autorizado para 176 niños y cuenta con 11 aulas: tres aulas para bebés, cuatro para niños pequeños y cuatro aulas para niños en edad preescolar. El personal ayuda a los padres con recursos para buscar cuidado infantil en el lugar o con proveedores de servicio de guardería autorizados en la comunidad. Los empleados cuidan cada vez más de los adultos mayores en sus familias. Como organización sin fines de lucro, los empleados pueden contribuir en sus cuentas FSA con ahorros libres de impuestos que cubran el cuidado de niños y adultos mayores. 7. Horarios y ubicaciones flexibles. Renown ahora brinda a los proveedores médicos y a los empleados la posibilidad de trabajar en el lugar, de manera híbrida o remota. Este año, dado que muchos empleados que trabajaban de forma remota se mudaron del estado para estar más cerca de sus amigos o familiares, Renown no se quedó atrás y contrató a una organización de empleo profesional llamada Tri Net, en un modelo de empleo conjunto para obtener ayudar con los beneficios y la administración de impuestos a nivel nacional. Ahora, Renown puede reclutar y conservar empleados que trabajan de forma remota en ubicaciones que van desde Maine hasta Minnesota y ofrecer, para una amplia variedad de puestos de TI, servicios de apoyo de finanzas y otros tipos, horarios remotos y flexibles que resultan atractivos para muchos empleados en todo el país. Los médicos ahora cuentan con una gran variedad de puestos disponibles en más de 100 ubicaciones en todo el estado. El 7 de marzo, Renown aumentó el límite del diferencial de turno a 10 % hasta $6 por ahora y agregó un diferencial de fin de semana para el personal de hasta un 5 %. En los hospitales de Renown, hay puestos de trabajo disponibles las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana para servir a la comunidad. Otros proveedores y empleados aprovechan las opciones de semana laboral comprimida, turnos de 12 horas, entre otras, que les permiten tener flexibilidad para llevar la vida que desean en el trabajo y en el hogar. 8. Plan de ahorros para la jubilación de Renown. Hay disponibles planes de ahorro para la jubilación, incluido el plan 401(k) completo a través de Vanguard, para que los empleados ahorren para el momento de jubilarse. Los empleados pueden contribuir entre el 1 y el 75 % del pago antes de aplicados los impuestos (hasta el límite anual que establece el IRS) y recibir una contribución equivalente de Renown del 4 % cuando aportan un 4 % o más a un plan 401(k). Se pueden hacer traspasos de planes 401(k), 403(b), 457 u otros planes calificados de un empleador anterior a un plan de Vanguard en cualquier momento. Además, se permiten retiros en servicio la edad de 59 años y medio 2de la cuenta 401(k) y se agregó una nueva opción de Roth 401(k). 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.reown.org. 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 8 Financial & Wellness Benefits for Employees
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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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A Renown Anesthesiologist's Unique Journey
Dr. Nariman Rahimzadeh’s career path has been anything but typical. From humble beginnings as a shuttle bus driver for Renown Regional Medical Center, then named Washoe Medical Center, to his service as Chief of Staff for Renown South Meadows Medical Center, the steps and detours he took along the way – and the strong support from his colleagues and family members – make up a tale of perseverance, conviction, compassion and inspiration. However, his healthcare career journey began several years before he even joined Washoe Medical Center in the 1990s. It all began 7,446 miles away in Iran. This is Dr. Rahimzadeh’s story. Defining Moments The moment Dr. Rahimzadeh knew he wanted to dedicate his career to the healthcare field started during his childhood. Growing up in Iran during the midst of the Iranian Revolution, a thought that often came to mind was, “Who is helping all the people injured in the war?” The answer? The doctors. “In Iranian society, doctors are extremely valued, as they are the first to help people in need,” said Dr. Rahimzadeh. “I knew I wanted to give back to society in some way, and I see my time in Iran as very formative in my future career. I just didn’t know it yet.” After immigrating to the U.S. with his family during his preteen years, he only had one mission: to support his family. “My desires were to help my family not fall behind,” he said. “I didn’t have career aspirations at the time. All I knew is that I wanted to help my family and my community, which immediately opened its arms up to us, as well as be a good student and a good ambassador for Iran.” Dr. Rahimzadeh remembers several influential people that helped solidify his aspiration from “helping people” to “helping people as a healthcare professional.” Their family physician and other medical professionals in the family’s lives were monumental in helping him make this decision. Coupled with his natural love for the sciences, the decision to become a doctor became clear. But the question remained, “How do I get started in the healthcare field?” No Links to Healthcare? No Problem With no physicians in his immediate family and no direct connections to healthcare, Dr. Rahimzadeh set off to follow the advice he received from the influential people in his life: get a job at a healthcare facility, regardless of what the job title is. Some of his friends had recently joined Washoe Medical Center as patient transporters and mentioned job openings that were available. He sprang into action and headed to Washoe Medical Center to apply. Just one problem – he didn’t have the EMT certification requirement. Enter Barry O’Sullivan, who would be Dr. Rahimzadeh’s first supervisor at Washoe Medical Center (and a friend he still speaks with to this day). Barry saw promise in Dr. Rahimzadeh immediately. As a result, Barry made a suggestion to him that would ultimately set him on the course towards medicine. “Barry told me that he had an open position that I could work while completing the senior year of my undergraduate degree and studying for my EMT certification and eventually becoming a patient transporter. He told me Washoe Medical Center would support me in this endeavor. So, I asked what the job was and learned it was driving a shuttle bus.” Without hesitation, Dr. Rahimzadeh responded, “I’ll take it.” And so, his fulfilling journey with Washoe Medical Center, and eventually Renown Health, began. While he finished up the last few months of his degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, (UNR) Dr. Rahimzadeh proudly drove the shuttle bus a few days a week. The job not only helped him pay for his degree and put food on the table, but it also allowed him to begin living out his passion for helping people in the healthcare field. Dr. Rahimzadeh graduated with his bachelor's degree in Pre-Medicine from UNR and finished his EMT certification program. Sure enough, Barry and Washoe Medical Center lived up to their promises and helped him secure his first direct healthcare job as an EMT and Patient Transporter with REMSA. But he didn’t stop there – after several years as a ground transporter, his career literally took flight. He joined REMSA Ground Ambulance and eventually Care Flight as a Flight EMT II, caring for patients that were flying to Washoe Medical Center from nearby communities that needed lifesaving medical care. Helping save lives every day as a member of the emergency medical team is an ultimate feat, especially when it comes to Dr. Rahimzadeh. And he didn’t stop there. Valuing One-on-One Connections In the 1990s, as it is today, the U.S. experienced a significant primary care provider shortage which resulted in many medical schools encouraging students to complete their residencies in a primary care specialty, like internal medicine – which is precisely what Dr. Rahimzadeh set out to do at the University of Connecticut. However, his mind would soon change about the course of his career. “I had a deep, introspective conversation with my residency program director, openly and honestly chatting about my future,” Dr. Rahimzadeh said. “I ended up taking a week off of my residency and wrote a long pros and cons list about what I wanted to do with my life in the medical field.” Eventually he decided on anesthesiology because of the opportunity to have a one-on-one relationship with every surgery patient, regardless of their procedure. “Even though it’s for a short duration of time, it is a very impactful relationship,” he said. “I feel I am making a difference in the outcomes and lives of patients every day.” Dr. Rahimzadeh finished his internal medicine residency in three years and passed his board exam, and he went on to do the same thing for anesthesiology. He then ventured back home to Reno. Career Progression at Its Finest Dr. Rahimzadeh knows that people don’t always get to settle down in a place that influenced their upbringing, care and dream, yet he was able to make that vision a reality for himself. “I feel like Renown Health and myself have this intertwined relationship that led to my growth as a person and as a physician,” he said. “For that, I feel very blessed." Upon his arrival back to Reno with two residencies under his belt, Dr. Rahimzadeh was quickly hired at one of the two anesthesiology groups in town at the time. He started his career with Sierra Anesthesia and after working for the group for several years, he joined Associated Anesthesiologists of Reno in 2014, which went on to become one of the largest anesthesiology groups in northern Nevada. The group continuously worked very closely with Renown, taking care of all of its surgical patient needs and eventually becoming Renown Medical Group employees as of April 1, 2022, with Dr. Rahimzadeh setting up his home base at the Renown South Meadows campus. Today, Dr. Rahimzadeh wears three “hats” at Renown. As a medical professional first and foremost, his largest “hat” is his general anesthesiologist role, where he cares for patients in the operating room. Another significant “hat” is his role as the Medical Director for Surgical Services, where he reviews surgical patient charges alongside his dedicated team of nurses and ensures optimal patient outcomes by verifying they have had the appropriate workup to proceed with surgery in a safe manner. To round out his immense responsibilities with Renown, he serves as Chief of Staff for Renown South Meadows, where he makes connections with colleagues and collaborates with leaders to review protocols, policies and address concerns that arise. Outside of Renown, Dr. Rahimzadeh is still a contributor within his own anesthesiology practice. He also is the current President of the Nevada State Society of Anesthesiologists and the Director to the Board of Directors of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, helping bridge the gap in anesthesia concerns between his northern and southern Nevada colleagues. He reflects on the opportunities Renown and our local community have extended to him by saying, “If you can dream big enough and continue to chase your dreams, you can make it happen right here.” On the COVID-19 Frontlines Nothing could prepare us for the dire situation hospitals on the east coast – especially those in Livingston, New Jersey – were experiencing at the beginning of the pandemic. Livingston was known as the “second hardest hit area” by COVID-19 in April of 2020. Hospitals were overwhelmed with patients in the ICU fighting for their lives. They needed help, and they needed help now. Unable and unwilling to sit idly by, Dr. Rahimzadeh and six of his colleagues from his practice traveled to Livingston to help. They jumped in on the frontlines alongside other anesthesiologists and intensivists to offset the sudden influx of COVID-19 patients. Many lives were saved, and Dr. Rahimzadeh was a direct part of that. “When you care and work with people that also care, you can move the needle a lot – it doesn’t matter where you're from,” he said. Home Means Nevada – and Renown Renown Health is deeply rooted in the northern Nevada community. Dr. Rahimzadeh is proud to be among a diverse team who have taken responsibility for its community for generations. "We live in a very passionate and caring community, which is often underestimated,” he said. “It’s clear to me that Renown refuses to settle. Renown is incredibly progressive in providing the best for the community. We never remain stagnant, we keep moving forward and we take care of your loved ones. This health system has never been able to sit still and settle for the status quo. That stands out to me.” One story especially sticks out to Dr. Rahimzadeh as the moment when he knew that Renown was home. In 1997 while working as a patient transporter, his grandmother passed away on the sixth floor of the Sierra Tower at what is now Renown Regional Medical Center. At the funeral, a huge bouquet of flowers arrived. Not being especially close to anyone in Reno yet, Dr. Rahimzadeh's family had no idea who sent the beautiful arrangement. Turns out, it was Rod Callahan, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Washoe Medical Center at the time. “At that point, I knew I wasn’t just a part of a workforce with thousands of employees,” said Dr. Rahimzadeh. “The COO cared so much about me that he felt compelled to send such a wonderful gift during a tragic time. That’s the value of a local, community-focused hospital; the people here know you and care about you. There’s a reason why people stay at Renown for so long – we feel that connection.” Dr. Rahimzadeh also reflected on how far Renown South Meadows has come, from the time he immigrated to the U.S. to today. “Growing up, Renown South Meadows was kind of a ‘mom and pop shop’ primarily serving senior citizens in one wing and surgical patients in the other,” he said. “Now, I am so proud to see how far it has come. It really made its niche in the community in a great way. The future is bright!” It’s clear that Dr. Rahimzadeh is leaving a lasting legacy with his family, from the local community to global medicine. His son is a senior at Baylor University in Texas with a strong desire to go into medicine, just like his dad. His daughter is a junior at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno and enjoys being involved in her community. His loving wife is a speech therapist in the area. The Rahimzadeh family is thriving together, and they all share the same conviction about northern Nevada and Renown: “This is home.”
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3,000 Miles Away But Close to Home
Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can overcome by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness bloom. – Nelson Mandela, February 2005, Make Poverty History Campaign in London Lifting away the curtain that symbolized the front door, I entered a dark, cinderblock room and instantly became overwhelmed by an unpleasant odor. Working with oncology patients as a Child Life Specialist and an Occupational Therapist for over ten years, I recognized that smell. I had arrived in Guatemala – more than 3,000 miles from Reno – and it was my first day of a week-long trip where I would be serving alongside physicians in low-income communities providing free medical care for residents. My name is Brittany Jemmoua, I am an occupational therapist at Renown, and I recently volunteered with Kalan Kuxtal, a non-profit Guatemalan organization. I served alongside physicians by providing free primary care mobile clinics and home visits. The care we provided focused on prevention, intervention, education and lifestyle/medication management as we partnered with local entities, such as fire stations, community centers and schools to transform hundreds of lives. Speaking in both English and Spanish, I collected patient intake information, performed exams, tested for diabetes, and collaborated on a diabetes research project focused on daily risk assessment. Beyond these tasks, I immersed myself in the culture and learned more from the Guatemalan people than I could have ever imagined. Similar to Renown, Kalan Kuxtal Operates with Community at its Core Kalan Kuxtal, a Mayan expression meaning “life guardian,” is different from other volunteer medical trip organizations, and I took home valuable insights and lessons from their way of life that I now consider daily in my practice at Renown. I expanded my knowledge about diabetes, hypertension, pharmacology, infectious diseases, pregnancy complication, vector-borne illness and tuberculosis. We conducted home visits for socially neglected populations rather than expecting everyone to come to our clinics. I found that being welcomed into people’s homes gives you a different lens in which to view how their medical diagnoses interact with living conditions, occupations, and quality of life. This is when I met Mercedes and her mom. Her mom, Ms. Valencia, had jaundice skin and a substantial Basal Cell Carcinoma aggressively protruding from her face that impacted eating, hearing, seeing, sleep and social interactions. This opportunity to serve within their home led to an important palliative care conversation that would have been missed had we stayed in the clinic. We combed the rural neighborhoods assessing people’s risk for diabetes, taking glucose tests and educating families about their next steps. Many individuals had uncontrolled diabetes and misunderstandings regarding basic health management strategies. At the end of the day, many people demonstrated feelings of empowerment by actively offering solutions regarding how they will manage their day-to-day glucose with diet and exercise. Small actions can lead to big changes, and in the long-term, these health actions can help them avoid medication costs and focus on affording basic life necessities, such as water and electricity. Kalan Kuxtal organized a cultural day that included going to local businesses and community leaders to learn more about how they support the people of Guatemala. For example, Valhalla Macadamia Farm’s main goal is to help communities gain access to income, employment, and improved wellbeing by donating macadamia trees to families to grow and then sell macadamia products. A Weeklong Trip with Lifelong Impacts Each patient made a lasting impact on me, both personally and professionally. One specific family I saw in the clinic had a unique situation in that their two-year-old daughter, Margareth Elizabeth Cifuentes Bautista, was laboriously diagnosed with irregular corneal syndrome associated with glaucoma of congenital origin. Due to Guatemala’s limited prenatal screens and interventions, Elizabeth is nearly blind. While highly spirited and happy, she trips, bumps and feels her way through life. One barrier to her healthcare access is that her hard-working parents remain well below the poverty line, making less than $900/month. I am working to connect them with generous US Ophthalmologists and pediatric eye specialists to explore how we might save her sight and help her family. Their biggest dream is that she could recover her eyesight. “I know that this is not a life-threatening situation, but it is still something that never stops hurting me,” Jorge Cifuentes, Elizabeth’s father, said. “Unfortunately, our situation here is very hard. This country [Guatemala], although beautiful, it is very difficult to get ahead. We are people living in underprivileged conditions which complicates our situation even more. However, we are still trying to thrive by being kind and hardworking people. Thank you for helping us.” I have had the privilege of an opportunity for education, access to healthcare, employment and am aware that inequity and injustice prevail. This experience reinforced my understanding that medicine is a physically and mentally demanding profession that requires a commitment to service, continuous learning and adaptation both on local and global scales. I encourage everyone to please join me in serving the underserved by volunteering. Brittany is an experienced Occupational Therapist at Renown and volunteers with Kalan Kuxtal and other entities, such as The Robert Unsworth Foundation and Rock Steady Boxing to elevate communities. She loves being an Occupational Therapist; however, her life experiences confirm that her true calling is to become a physician. She is currently applying to medical school. Brittany is eager to earn the responsibility to improve lives and communities as their engaged physician. Brittany is tentatively scheduled to return to Guatemala at the end of this year to continue partnering with the people for a better future. You are welcome to join!
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Celebrating Renown Health's Nursing Excellence Conference
Renown Health recently wrapped up the twentieth annual Nursing Excellence and Excellence in Critical Care Conferences, the conference theme was the Courageous Calling and over 400 nurses from specialty fields across the region attended to learn, reflect, build relationships and obtain continuing education units (CEUs). Celebrating The Courageous Calling During the first day of the Nursing Excellence Conference, local and national leaders presented topics including redefining resilience, documentation liability, transgender healthcare and caring for the homeless population. Among the list of impressive speakers were Chief Nurse Executive at Renown Health, Melodie Osborn, and Nora McInerny, writer and host of the "Terrible Thanks for Asking" podcast. On day two,speakers focused on the critical care specialties within nursing, including intensive care, emergency room, pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care. Topics covered included post-COVID-19 pulmonology with Dr. Graham, traumatic brain injuries with Dr. Demers, COVID-19 reflections with Anicia Beckwith, a discussion about "Mis C” with Dr. Healy, innovations in imaging with Dr. Rangaswamy and cardiology with Dr. Danaf. Thank you to our sponsors and raffle donors for making this event possible: Erik Olson and Larry Duncan, Jana Elliott, Melodie Osborn, Becky Haase, Lori Tuntland, Dr. Akbar, Dr. Lous, Mel Morris, Grand Sierra Resort, Renown Health Gift Shops, Renown Health Directors of Nursing, Renown Health Marketing & Communications Department, Renown Health Dermatology, Laser, & Skin Care and Renown Health Foundation. Learn more about finding purpose in the health of our community when working at Renown Health here.
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Renown & The National Guard: How These Employees Serve with Maximum Impact
Jason Farnsworth, Evan Fox and Jennifer Jenni are three of Renown’s more than 500 employees who currently serve, or who have served, in our miliary. Their deep-rooted passion for helping our community extends to the Nevada National Guard (NANG), an organization that shares many values with Renown. We sat down with Jason, Evan and Jenni to ask their perspective on what propels them to serve people in our home state and learn more about how Renown's partnership with the Nevada National Guard has supported their personal and professional growth. Meet Jason Farnsworth, the Face Behind Renown’s Partnership with the National Guard Jason Farnsworth is the Director of Respiratory Care Services at Renown and the Chief Master Sergeant, Medical Superintendent of the Nevada National Guard. He has been with the Guard and Renown for 23 years. Jason joined the Guard over 20 years ago to help pay for his college education. After using up his paid vacation time from Renown for Guard events like deployments or training in his initial years as a Guard member, Jason approached Renown senior leadership with the idea of paid military leave. “In full support of employees who choose to serve, Renown stepped up to give a resounding, ‘yes,’ as they have time and time again for our military community,” Jason said. From that day forward, policies were implemented at Renown to further support individuals who serve our country with paid military leave. As a result, Jason submitted an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Secretary of Defense Freedom Award nomination and Renown Health won the highest-level department of defense employer recognition in the nation. Since then, Jason has received four associate degrees, one bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with the government’s support and has been promoted several times to his current roles at Renown and the Guard. “As I progressed at Renown, I was able to progress in the National Guard. They've complimented one another on leadership skills and clinical competencies.” How Evan Fox Finds Synergy in His Roles at Renown and the National Guard After five years as a cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at Renown Regional Medical Center and two years as a First Lieutenant Critical Care Nurse in the Guard, Evan Fox has implemented care plans for many community members and put his expertise to good use. The countless trauma hours he has completed at Renown have directly translated to the field as a Guard member. He states that “his roles are synergistic, and his innumerable hours of critical care are worth their weight in gold because of the transferability between the two positions.” Evan’s Roles Provide Service to Our Community, and Beyond Evan feels passionately that his experience with the Guard is unique because you live in the area that you serve, whereas with other military branches you are often stationed elsewhere. Recently, he’s cared for many people involved in firefighting missions in our surrounding areas. As a member of the medical group of the Nevada National Guard, Evan is prepared to provide critical care at any given moment in the event of deployment due to a natural or man-made disaster. He can provide critical care in our region and across the nation. How Jennifer’s Leadership Journey Continues to Grow Jennifer Jenni is the nurse manager of the cardiac ICU and intermediate care unit at Renown Regional Medical Center. She has been with Renown for 13 years and initially started at Renown South Meadows Medical Center in the general surgical unit. She felt compelled to take advantage of Renown’s development programs as she worked her way up to supervisor and now as a manager. She is also a registered nurse and captain in the Nevada National Guard as well as a member of an enhanced resource force team, equipped to provide aid anywhere in the nation in the event of a disaster. With Jennifer, People Always Come First Her dedication to serving people has always been a part of who she is, even before she became a leader. From an early age, Jennifer felt strongly that she wanted to be involved in the military in some way stating that “the Guard is very much a service to the people, whether it's our community or nationwide.” While her clinical leadership qualities and skills have translated well to her role as a captain, holding two leadership titles is no easy feat – especially when it comes to the continued training her roles require. However, because of the support Renown provides its military community, Jennifer was able to confidently attend officer training in Alabama last year. Jennifer was fully supported by her Renown team when she was away and took advantage of her paid military leave benefit. More Than Just a Partnership, but a Family Jason, Evan and Jennifer are among the many employees who choose to serve both here at Renown and in the Guard. You might see National Guard members who are also Renown employees in areas like the cardiac ICU, trauma ICU, emergency department or medics who work on hospital floors. “Not only is my family out at the National Guard, but they are also here at Renown. It’s amazing to see how many people spend their lives giving back,” Jason said.
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