Dr. Bill Plauth of Renown Health Recognized by Becker’s as a “Chief Medical Officer” to Know For 2026
March 4, 2026
Renown Health is proud to announce that Bill Plauth, MD, MMM, CPE, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s national list of “Chief Medical Officers to Know for 2026.” This recognition highlights 252 physician leaders across the country who are driving clinical excellence, advancing quality and safety and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
As both Chief Medical Officer for Renown Health and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Dr. Plauth provides strategic oversight for clinical operations across Nevada’s first not for profit academic health system. As CMO, Dr. Plauth fosters a close relationship between and among physicians, nursing, management and clinical staff. As Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, he works with leadership to ensure a positive training environment across Renown Health.
In the announcement, Anna Falvey of Becker’s writes, “With his extensive background as a clinician and executive, Dr. Plauth engages with clinical teams at Renown Health to adopt innovative approaches that promote ease of practice. He provides expertise, coordination and leadership in support of elected medical staff leaders and recently combined the strengths of two hospital medical staffs into one. He also serves as associate dean for clinical affairs at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, where he promotes professionalism in medical education and clinical research while advancing the academic and research integration of Nevada’s first fully integrated health system. Board-certified in both internal medicine and hospice and palliative care, Dr. Plauth is a leader in quality improvement and patient safety. He is helping to lead the organization’s transition to a high-reliability organization, drawing on his proven experience implementing the principles at prior health systems to advance teamwork, patient safety and clinical excellence. Dr. Plauth also oversees the “Healthy Nevada Project,” the country’s largest community-based population health study, which combines genetic, clinical, environmental and social data and informs 62,500 research study Nevada participants on their risks for tier 1 genetic conditions.”
“Dr. Plauth’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, physician collaboration and compassionate care contributes significantly to advancing healthcare across Nevada,” says Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. “This national recognition by Becker’s affirms the impact of his leadership and the exceptional teams he supports across Renown and UNR Med every day.”
Renown and Academic Leadership
Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Care, Dr. Plauth is a leader in quality improvement and patient safety. Dr. Plauth received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and his Medical Doctorate from Emory University in Atlanta with a sub-internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He completed his internship and residency at University of California San Francisco, where he also served as Chief Resident.
Prior to joining Renown Health in 2023, Dr. Plauth provided clinical leadership at Centura Health, first serving as Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, CO, and then as Chief Medical Officer for Centura Penrose & St. Francis Hospitals in Colorado Springs. Formerly, Dr. Plauth served for fourteen years with CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, NM, first as a hospitalist and then with concurrent roles that included Chief of Staff; Medical Director, Clinical Informatics; Medical Director, Palliative Care and Acting Chief Medical Officer for Quality and Medical Staff Affairs.
Note: Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Organizations do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the organizations mentioned.
About Renown Health
As the state’s first not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health is dedicated to transforming lives, strengthening communities, and providing care for all people across Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Together with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Renown Health improves health and lives through exceptional care, comprehensive education and training, and innovative research to ensure a healthier future for Nevada. To join the team, visit renown.org/careers.
Today, Renown Health released its 2027-2029 Community Health Implementation Strategy, outlining how the health system will work alongside community partners to address the most pressing health needs identified through the 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Additionally, applications are now open for Renown's 2027 grant cycle. As northern Nevada's largest independent, locally owned not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health reinvests 100% of its profits back into programs, services and partnerships that improve community health.
"The Community Health Needs Assessment helped us understand where our community faces the greatest challenges and opportunities," said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. "Our implementation strategy represents our commitment to action. Through collaboration, investment and measurable goals, we will continue working alongside community partners to improve health outcomes across northern Nevada. As a not-for-profit academic health system, this work is imperative to our commitment to improving our community's health and ensuring our resources are directed toward areas of greatest need.”
The three-year strategy focuses on four priority areas identified through the CHNA: mental health, access to health services, economic stability, and health risk behaviors and early detection. To support implementation of these priorities, Renown is opening applications for community funding opportunities designed to advance local solutions to identified health needs.
The 2027-2029 Community Health implementation strategy is available here.
“As Nevada's only not-for-profit academic health system, we are living up to our commitment of expanding access in order to meet the healthcare needs of our rapidly growing community,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. “Our plan to expand access to pediatric care through the Golisano Children's Hospital focuses on bringing new and advanced pediatric care options. Additionally, it prioritizes training and recruiting the best talent to our community through our academic integration with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.”
Expanding not-for-profit mission by providing essential and advanced care to the community with primary care, urgent care, medical specialists, pharmacy, imaging and lab beginning in December 2027.
