Dedicated Community Visionary, Adam Kramer Honored by NV Hospital Association for Excellence and Improving the Health of Nevada

September 26, 2024

Adam Kramer honored with Trustee of the Year Award from Nevada Hospital Association

Under Kramer’s leadership, Renown Health and University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine have become the first, not for profit, integrated academic health system for the state and embraced a People First culture.

Adam Kramer of Reno has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Trustee of the Year Award from the Nevada Hospital Association (NHA). Each year at the association’s annual meeting, the Nevada Hospital Association publicly acknowledges one trustee who exemplifies exceptional leadership professional excellence; outstanding achievements; innovative accomplishments and extraordinary compassion in caring for the community.

“Adam Kramer has dedicated countless hours to ensuring the strategic direction and fiduciary responsibilities of governance are aligned with expanding Renown’s not-for-profit mission of providing exceptional healthcare for the state. His expertise and insights have been valuable in navigating the complex healthcare landscape, envisioning an academic affiliation with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and ensuring that Renown remains at the forefront of medical excellence and innovation. This and much more are what made him an excellent choice for this year’s award,” said Patrick Kelly, NHA’s President & CEO. “Adam Kramer serves as an advocate for the provision of high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services, resulting in healthier Nevada communities for all.”

Kramer was nominated by Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Renown Health, who wrote, “Under Adam’s leadership, the Board has flourished, embracing a culture of transparency, accountability and collaboration. Adam leads by example, inspiring board members and hospital leadership to strive for excellence and to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and financial acumen. Adam’s ability to foster a cohesive and motivated board has been instrumental in driving critical initiatives and making decisions that benefit 7,500 physicians and employees and serve a community of over a million people. Adam Kramer’s forward-thinking perspective has ensured that Renown Health is well positioned for the future, to meet challenges and opportunities and evolving to better serve our community. We are most appreciative to the Nevada Hospital Association for honoring his service.”

“Adam Kramer’s dedication to service extends beyond the boardroom,” said Paul Harris, Chief Legal Officer for Renown Health. “He actively engages with staff, physicians, patients and community stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and a deeper understanding of the needs and aspirations of those we serve. Adam is a champion for People First, patient-centered care, and advocating for technology that enhances physician and patient experiences and outcomes. Adam has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary commitment of time and talent to Renown Health over the last seven years through his service as a Board member, and the last three years as Chair of the Renown Health Board. We are very grateful for his extraordinary commitment.”

“Adam’s positive energy, philanthropic efforts and volunteerism exemplify his commitment to improving technology, climate change and making a positive impact on the health and well-being of our community,” said Blake Smith, former Board Chair for Renown Health and leader of S3 Development. Blake Smith was the person who first suggested Adam join the Renown Board, over seven years ago, and attended Wednesday’s NHA award luncheon in support.

“I’m honored by this nomination and pleased to serve alongside a dedicated team of board members, physicians, nurses and caregivers committed to improving healthcare for our community. This recognition from the Nevada Hospital Association is a testament to our collective efforts to ensure quality, compassion and innovation in patient care. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work. I see the lasting legacy we have created for such an excellent organization, and I am excited for the future direction of service,” said Kramer.

In addition to serving as chair of the Renown board, Adam serves as Board Trustee, and Immediate Past Chair for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, where he has collaborated closely with the CEO and management team to facilitate the comprehensive transformation of the Reno Tahoe Airport, all included, with a total investment poised to exceed $1 billion upon completion.

As president and CEO of nZero, Adam helps companies track and reduce their carbon footprint. Recently, Adam and his team worked to reduce emissions at Super Bowl LVIII and with the Raiders in Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas to positively impact the environment.

Adam has held former positions as Executive Vice President of Strategy for Switch, the largest data center in the world. Under his leadership, Switch was honored by Greenpeace in 2017 as the sole data center provider to achieve a perfect sustainability score. Prior to that position, Adam served as Director of Entrepreneurship for Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, and owner of CPR Group advertising.

Renown serves over 1 million people and 100,000 square miles. In U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Renown Regional Medical Center has been named #1 in the State of Nevada for the last three years.

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. For more information, visit renown.org.

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Dr. Brian Erling and Renown Health Honored with Governor's Award for Pioneering First Kidney Transplant Program for Northern Nevada by Nevada Donor Network

Dr. Brian Erling, President and CEO of Renown Health, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Governor’s Award in recognition of his visionary leadership and instrumental role in establishing the first kidney transplant program for northern Nevada. Presented at the annual Nevada Donor Network Gala by Governor Joe Lombardo at his residence in Carson City on May 8, the Governor’s Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to organ, eye, and tissue donation in the state. Dr. Erling’s efforts mark a historic first for healthcare in northern Nevada, giving residents access to lifesaving transplant care close to home for the first time. “I have the distinct pleasure on behalf of the Nevada Donor Network, the great state of Nevada and myself to award the 2025 Governor’s Award to Dr. Brian Erling of Renown Health,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. Joe Ferreira, president and CEO of the Nevada Donor Network, added his congratulations. “This is a momentous step forward for our state and provides hope and healing to those awaiting transplants and their families. The expansion of essential transplantation services across our state is made possible because of an extraordinary partnership. Thank you, Dr. Erling, for paving the way for better health outcomes and a brighter future for those in need.” Dr. Erling accepted the award, saying, “Many people in this room tonight worked long and hard to bring the Renown Transplant Institute® to our region, and are so deserving of this award. I am happy, on their behalf, to accept this award. I started my healthcare career as an emergency medicine physician and sometimes had to tell families about a loved one's death. I vowed to preserve the legacy of those patients if given the chance.” He added, “When I came to Renown from Colorado, one of the first questions I asked was, with the dramatic growth in our population in northern Nevada, are we able to make additional investments in expertise and clinical programs to help keep more care local? Increasing access to health care, both preventive care and advanced treatment—is critical for a community’s well-being and optimal health.” “As a team, we thought it would be incredible if we could bring a transplant program to our area. Just think about how many people have had to travel more than four hours out of the area and rent hotel rooms for weeks. Not every person can afford that. We think about things like that because at Renown Health, we care for everyone. When people have to travel to Vegas, or Salt Lake City or California, to get the care that they need, that is a health equity issue.” “So, we stepped in, and transplant became a top priority for the entire team. We have amazing people who have made this happen. Dr. Ernesto Molmenti has 25 years of transplant experience and came from Northwell Health in New York City to help lead this program. Dr. David Mulligan, also a transplant surgeon, comes to Renown from Yale and the Mayo Clinic. Ashley Cardenas, the administrator for the Renown Transplant Institute joins us from University of California, San Diego- School of Medicine. We have recruited some amazing people.” “And here at Renown, we have so many outstanding leaders who made this happen. From Chris Nicholas, our CEO at Renown Regional Medical Center, to Dr. Rahul Mediwala, CEO of our medical group and a nephrologist who has spent years planning for this program, to Jimmy Lao, director of nursing for our Emergency Rooms, to Taralynn Basham, director of nursing for our ICUs, and everyone in between- we say, “thank you!” He finished by saying, “Thank you for the honor. We are excited to get the Renown Transplant Institute up and running, and we are looking to do our first kidney transplant within the next several weeks. Thank you, Governor, for making healthcare a priority. It has been a pleasure working with you and your administration.” Assessments Now Open for Kidney Transplant Candidates The Renown Transplant Institute® at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno is one of only 250 transplant centers nationwide and one of only two centers in all of Nevada. The Renown team is working closely with local healthcare providers and social workers at area dialysis centers to streamline referrals and ensure a smooth transition for patients to the transplant list. The Renown Transplant Institute is now accepting referrals for kidney transplant. Candidates will undergo a thorough evaluation process to determine their eligibility and readiness for a transplant. Physicians may now refer patients, or people with end-stage kidney disease who wish to be screened for a kidney transplant by Dr. Narisorn Atsava-Svate and Dr. Ernesto Molmenti, to call 1-833-RING-NTI (746-4684). For more information visit https://www.renown.org/locations/renown-transplant-institute and https://www.nvtransplant.org/. It is anticipated that the first kidney transplant surgeries will take place by July. To join the fight, donate to the Renown Health Foundation, a non-profit organization registered with the State of Nevada and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) entity at www.renown.org/donate or 775-982-5545. As the region’s only Level 2 Trauma Center for adults and children, Renown serves over 1 million people and 100,000 square miles. In U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Renown Regional Medical Center is named #1 Hospital for the State of Nevada for 2024, 2023 and 2022.

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