RENOWN NEWSROOM

Pictured Above: Rodeo Wish recipients stand with representatives from the Reno Rodeo Foundation and Renown Children’s Hospital at the E.L. Wiegand Pavilion at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. The Reno Rodeo Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to improving the lives of local children with its annual “Rodeo Wish” program. This year, the Foundation is funding the wishes of three young patients at Renown Children’s Hospital with $36,000 in funding. Renown Children’s Hospital is northern Nevada’s only dedicated pediatric hospital with a 24/7 Children’s Emergency Room and a Level II American College of Surgeons Trauma Center designation.  “We are grateful to the Reno Rodeo Foundation and their Reno Rodeo Wish program which assists young people who have unique and extraordinary life and medical needs,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. “This program helps improve the quality of life for both patients and families, through granting their ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ wishes. All of us at Renown are inspired by our patients and families; and thrilled that three families will benefit from this generous donation. We appreciate the community’s trust and partnership in improving the health and well-being of children.” “Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children facing medical challenges,” said Debby Herman, Reno Rodeo Foundation Board President. “By granting these wishes, we provide financial support and memorable experiences that offer comfort and happiness.” “Renown Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving the health of our pediatric patients, and committed to the welfare, happiness and comfort of every child entrusted to our care,” said Kristina Deeter, MD, MBA, FAAP, Chair of Pediatrics (UNR Med) and Physician-in-Chief, Renown Children’s Hospital. “The Rodeo Wish program demonstrates the importance of inspiring hope for children experiencing extraordinary health conditions that require acute care. These meaningful donations from the Reno Rodeo Foundation highlight our community’s deep-rooted ties with Renown Children’s Hospital.” Since its inception in 2003, the Rodeo Wish program has selected children nominated by local hospitals to receive funding for special wishes that significantly improve their quality of life. This year, every patient receiving a gift was nominated by a care provider at Renown Children’s Hospital. The surprises were revealed at a heartwarming event held in Fianna’s Healing Garden at Renown Regional Medical Center on Monday, June 10. Becky Haase, RN, Renown Health Director of Nursing, Women and Children’s Services, has witnessed the lasting impact of the Rodeo Wish program on the lives of Children’s Hospital patients over the last 21 years. “The Reno Rodeo Foundation grants gifts that help build positive and lasting memories for our young patients and their brave families. It is inspiring to see the hopeful and excited smiles on the children’s faces during the announcements. We are grateful to the Reno Rodeo Foundation for their continued support,” Haase said. “We are deeply honored to bring joy and support to these incredible children and their families,” said Cheree Boteler, Executive Director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation. “Each wish granted this week reflects the community’s spirit of generosity and the unwavering dedication of everyone involved with the Reno Rodeo Foundation.” The Reno Rodeo Wish recipients will be recognized as V.I.P.s during the Reno Rodeo with a special presentation in the arena on Tuesday, June 25. For more information on the Reno Rodeo Foundation’s Rodeo Wish program, visit renorodeofoundation.org/rodeo-wish. About Renown Health  Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,500 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. About the Reno Rodeo Foundation The Reno Rodeo Foundation was incorporated in 1986 and is a Nevada-based registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. In addition to the annual Denim Drive that helps clothe foster children 365 days a year, the organization provides educational scholarships to eligible northern Nevada high school graduates including supporting foster youth education, funds a Reno Rodeo Wish for a child, provides funding to purchase new books to comfort Denim Drive children for required family court proceedings, builds community partnerships and serves as the anchor for large capital projects to improve the lives of children. Like Reno Rodeo Foundation on Facebook, follow on Instagram and Twitter or for more information, please visit RenoRodeoFoundation.org.

Read More About Reno Rodeo Foundation Grants Three Rodeo Wishes to Renown Children’s Hospital Patients and Families

Renown Health Foundation announced today a special delivery from Sarah Carmona Zink and her Dreams Foundation, donating hundreds of pajamas, receiving blankets, beanie caps, nursing pillows and more, as well as a check for $10,500 for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Renown Children’s Hospital. Please see visuals to accompany this story here.  For the past three years, Carmona Zink and the Dreams Foundation have staged a fundraisingand baby item drive to give back to the NICU that took care of Carmona Zink’s son, Howie, during a difficult time for the family.  “Our NICU drive is inspired by Howie, who just turned 4,” said Carmona Zink. “Hespent about a month in Renown’s NICU because he was born withgastroschisis, a condition where his intestines formed on the outside of his body.During Howie’s stay, the NICU staff was an extension of our family and cared so deeply for all of us. Our goal through this drive has always been to give back to those who gave so much to us, as well as provide a sense of normalcy to parents with babies in the NICU.During these unprecedented times, providing comfort and relief to parents is more important than ever.” “As a pediatric intensive care physician, who is also a dad, and a new grandfather, I thank Sarah Carmona Zink, her family and the Dreams Foundation for their incredible generosity and compassion. Through the years, Sarah has done so much to support the Renown Children’s Hospital NICU team and other NICU parents- she does so with such joy and enthusiasm, and we are incredibly grateful to her for all that she does,” said Tony Slonim, MD, D.Ph., Renown’s President & CEO. Through this year’s donation drive, Carmona Zink collected the following items for Renown’s NICU:  50 nursing pillows 180 hand-knitted baby beanies 532 pairs of pajamas 682 receiving blankets 8 sleep sacks 473 scent pads, which parents keep on their skin and then leave with their baby so he/she can be comforted by their parents’ scent Books for siblings to read while visiting Miscellaneous items such as pumping storage bottles, bibs, baby hand covers, newborn socks, mobiles, and nursing pillow covers $10,500 monetary donation from the Dreams Foundation   Dr. Max Coppes, Physician-in-Chief of Renown Children’s Hospitaland Larry Duncan, Administrator of Renown Children’s Hospital add, “We are truly blessed with the support for the very smallest residents of Renown Children’s Hospital, some weighing less than a pound! Sarah and her family inspire us to remain devoted to the children we serve, knowing that the community is committed to our Children’s Hospital.” “We look forward to this donation drive every year,” said Renown NICU nurse Jessica Bakke. “The work Sarah and her team do to collect these itemsis very meaningful to all of us. We don’t always have funds to purchase extra items like clothing, blankets and nursing pillows, so everything we receive through this drive makes a differencefor our babies and their families. It is a wonderful gift to be able to offer fresh clothing and other much-needed items to help these parents.”     Greg Walaitis, Chief Development Officer for Renown says, “We are extremely grateful to Sarah and the Dreams Foundation for their generous donation to our NICU. Donations like these help ensure we have plenty of items on hand when our babies and their families need them. This donation allows parents with babies in our NICU to focus solely ontheir baby’s health, rather than material needs that may come up along the way. It is an honor to be the recipient of such an amazing act of kindness for the third year in a row.”     Founded in 2012, Dreams Foundation is a non-profit created to meet the unmet dreams and aspirations of individuals, families, neighborhood churches, people-serving agencies and organizations, recognized charities, boys and girls clubs, and youth sports programs in communities. To learn more, visit dreamsfoundationinc.com.  Ways to Support the Miracles Made Possible at Renown Children’s Hospital Call Renown Health Foundation at 775-982-5545 Make a gift at renown.org/give Mail a check to Renown Health Foundation, 1155 Mill St., O2, Reno, NV 89502 Venmo: @RenownFoundation       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. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, 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®. For more information, visit renown.org.

Read More About Dreams Foundation Makes $10,500 Donation Benefiting NICU Babies

Renown employees volunteered to reach out to over 2,500 older adults participating in the non-profits’ free Sterling Silver Club. While people of all ages are coping with the challenges of social isolation, there is one group of individuals who may feel especially lonely during these uncertain times—our aging adults. To offer some friendly conversation and answer any questions older adults may have about Renown’s commitment to keeping them safe during the COVID-19 crisis, Renown Health employees are making phone calls to its Sterling Silver Club members. To date, employees have made nearly 1,000 phone calls. Renown is also hosting several virtual events to reach older audiences.  “The human element of connecting with these members is really special,” said Tori DellaRocca, who oversees this loyalty program at Renown. “Many of the people we call live alone and some have no one to check in on them. It has been a pleasure talking to our members; learning more about them and what they’re doing to pass the time, offering ideas to help them stay busy, and assuring them Renown is here to keep them safe. Since launching this campaign back in March, making these phone calls has been a highlight of my day, and I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.”  Anyone over the age of 55 is invited to join Renown’s free Sterling Silver Club, created to help people live healthy, happy lives every day. Members enjoy exclusive benefits all designed with their interests in mind. From social events and lectures to entertainment (virtual for now), special discounts, and health insights and tips, this club is a place for community members to shine and embrace the joys of healthy aging. “I enjoy the lectures,” said Sterling Silver Club member Liz Barnes. “They appeal to my desire to know more and invariably provide an ‘informed’ call to action.” “After the [lecture] on diabetes prevention, I enrolled in the one-year long, Renown-sponsored diabetes prevention program,” said Liz’s husband, Barry. “After the sleep seminar, I changed my bedtime habits.” While the Sterling Silver Club is not currently hosting events in-person, it is hosting educational talks and ways to help aging adults stay healthy through its online channels.  The “Hello Project” is a virtual gathering place for adults 65 and older to focus on health, wellbeing and offer positive social support, made possible by a partnership with Renown Health, Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities and the Washoe County Health District. These virtual gatherings are hosted every Tuesday and Thursday at noon. Community members can learn more here. In addition, the Sterling Silver Club is hosting a Facebook Live event, Is Age Related to Anxiety?, coming up on Tuesday, April 28 from 11 a.m. – noon. During this live event, Renown psychologist Dr. Buddy Coard will discuss the impact of anxiety as we age and what we can do to prevent it from getting in the way of enjoying life. Those interested in attending can RSVP here. “Our members have enjoyed the opportunity to learn from experts in the field of healthy aging as well as connect with their fellow community members,” said DellaRocca. “We’re all in this together, and these virtual events, combined with our phone call efforts, show our older population they truly are not alone.”  For more information on upcoming virtual events from Renown’s Sterling Silver Club and to sign up, please visit www.renown.org/SterlingSilver.      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 is one of the region’s largest private employers with a workforce of more than 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.

Read More About The Power of a Phone Call; Renown Health Connects With Community Members 55 and Over