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.
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.
Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated academic health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 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 locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. For more information, visit renown.org.
Renown Health CEO Named 'CEO of the Year' by Ragan Communications for Fostering a Healthier Work Environment and Putting People First
Dr. Brian Erling is a CEO who leads by example, creating a positive work environment where professionals can thrive and grow in their careers, ultimately leading to improved healthcare for our community.
Dr. Brian Erling, President and CEO of Renown Health, has been named CEO of the Year by the Ragan Communications Workplace Wellness Awards. As CEO of the Year, he is recognized for promoting physical health, mental resilience, and a culture of work-life balance.
Ragan Communications writes, “Under Dr. Erling’s leadership, Renown Health launched a range of programs supporting mental, emotional and physical wellness, including expanded behavioral health access and personalized wellbeing services. His vision has made employee health a system-wide priority embedded into the organization’s operational strategy.”
Ragan is the industry leader in providing professional development, training and intelligence to communicators, marketers, HR professionals and business leaders worldwide, and holds its annual Workplace Wellness Awards program, presenting the award to a CEO who leads by example, and makes employee well-being a top priority in their organization.
Dr. Brian Erling, CEO and President of Renown Health, is a seasoned healthcare executive with over twenty-five years of experience in diverse healthcare settings. During his career, he has led teams at not-for-profit hospitals, integrated health systems, physician practices and publicly traded healthcare companies.
Dr. Erling joined the Renown team in November of 2022. He leads with a people-first mindset, prioritizing employees in the organization’s decision-making process. Dr. Erling believes that when employees have the involvement and tools to excel in their roles, the result is an engaged workforce and exceptional care for the community. Having previously spent over 20 years serving the people of Colorado, he believes that long-term leadership is essential for an organization to grow and thrive. His background as a physician enables him to connect with healthcare workers who devote their nights, weekends and holidays to their work.
Dr. Erling emphasizes the importance of teamwork and believes it’s the key to a successful healthcare system. Being part of a high-performing, mission-driven team is his primary motivation. He considers Renown’s more than 8,000 employees to be the organization’s greatest resource. While Renown’s modern technologies, like advanced robotic surgical systems and imaging equipment, are valuable, Dr. Erling believes the main reason patients choose their services is because of the trusted care in their hometown.
Dr. Erling’s goals for Renown are to create a positive work environment where employees can thrive and grow in their careers, ultimately leading to improved healthcare for our community. Since the beginning of his leadership, he has implemented numerous initiatives to enhance the organization, always prioritizing people first.
Putting employee wellness at the forefront of strategic planning, and making People First the first value of Renown Health, the following initiatives have been introduced in the past 12 months:
Renown Health ICUs Earn Prestigious Beacon Awards for Excellence, 3 Times in Row; Progressive Care Telemetry Unit First Time Winner
National recognition for critical care, intensive and progressive care nurses and units serving as role models for excellent patient and family care
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has recognized Renown Health Intensive, Critical Care and Progressive Care Units (ICUs, CCUs, PCUs) with Beacon Awards for Excellence®. Renown Health is among the few organizations in the U.S. to achieve this distinction three times in a row. In addition, Renown Regional Medical Center’s Telemetry Unit has been honored with the Beacon Award, ® marking the first time this dedicated team has achieved Beacon status.
The Beacon Award for Excellence®, a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments, recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year award designations meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“These dedicated healthcare professionals join our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care,” said AACN President Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM. “I applaud the commitment of the caregivers at Renown Health for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence®.”
“Earning the Beacon Award for Excellence once is a remarkable achievement- but receiving it three times in a row is truly extraordinary,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. This honor reflects the unwavering dedication, sustained performance and a relentless focus on quality and patient safety by our ICU nurses, critical care, intensive and progressive care physicians, and care teams who bring clinical excellence and compassionate care to the bedside every day. We are incredibly proud of their work and honored to be among the few organizations nationwide to achieve this distinction multiple times.”
Renown Health is among a select group of health systems nationwide with multiple Beacon-recognized ICUs, underscoring its role as the region’s Trauma Center and a leader in critical care. The four Beacon Awardees for Excellence ® for 2024 at Renown Regional Medical Center include:
