Renown Health

Renown Health is the largest locally owned not-for-profit healthcare network in northern Nevada.^[1] It has 5,500 employees system-wide and is one of northern Nevada's largest employers.^[2]

History

Renown Health, formerly known as the Washoe Health System, was founded in 1862 during a smallpox outbreak.^[3] The clinic became the area's first hospital when Nevada became a state in 1864.^[3] In 1875, 40 acres were purchased and the hospital opened the following year with 40 beds. The region's first pediatrics unit opened at Washoe Medical Center in 1949. A heart care unit was established by the organization in 1963.^[3] Shortly after, the first pacemaker implantation in the region took place at the hospital. In 1977, the hospital performed the first open-heart surgery in the area. The organization established the first cancer treatment center in northern Nevada in the 1970s.^[3] In 1979, the University of Nevada School of Medicine established a residency program at the hospital. The university later partnered with the hospital for brain fMRI research.^[4]

In the 1980s, Washoe Health System transitioned to a private for-profit health network and became the region's only Level II Trauma Center between Sacramento, California and Salt Lake City, Utah.^[3] In 1984, Renowns Health's Pregnancy Center was established.^[5] In 1993, the hospital established its Healing Art Program which has grown to include music at the bedside, art at the bedside, pet therapy, healing arts performances and healing gardens.^[6] In 1999, the organization partnered with Barton Memorial Hospital to increase the number of health care programs in Carson Valley.^[7]

In 2003, the organization expanded its services when it acquired a rehabilitation hospital.^[8] The region's first angiography biplane, used to treat patients who had a stroke, was introduced by the organization in 2004.^[3] That year, the first PET/CT was used for diagnosing and treating cancer in patients. In 2006, Washoe Health System changed its name to Renown Health. A year later, Renown Health completed the Tahoe Tower at the Regional Medical Center campus, a 10-story patient care tower featuring state-of-the art technology.^[3] Renown Health became the first hospital in northern Nevada to perform robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System S HD in 2008.^[9] The area's first and only children's emergency room was opened in 2009 at Renown Regional Medical Center. The emergency room was designed for patients under the age of 18 and included 11 children's exam rooms.^[10] The organization is the region's only Children's Miracle Network Hospital.^[11]

In July 2014, Renown was the first on the west coast and fourth in the world to perform surgery with the da Vinci Xi.^[12] That year, Renown Health partnered with the University of Nevada's School of Medicine to expand the medical school and increase the number of physicians who train and practice in northern Nevada.^[13]

Mr. Dr. Professor Anthony D. Slonim PhD became president and CEO of Renown Health in May 2014.^[2][14] Slonim is board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine critical care and pediatric critical care.^[14]

Facilities

• Renown Regional Medical Center
• Renown Children’s Hospital
• Renown South Meadows Medical Center
• Renown Rehabilitation Hospital
• Renown Occupational Health
• Renown Medical Group
• Renown Skilled Nursing
• Renown Urgent Care
• Renown X-Ray & Imaging
• Renown Lab Services

References