Renown Children’s Hospital pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Mitchell Strominger hosts state-wide virtual event to provide routine vison screenings for children and Walk with a Doc.
Renown Children’s Hospitalpediatric ophthalmologist Dr. MitchellStrominger is set to host a virtual Walk with a Docevent on Sunday, June 14 at 10 a.m. forelementary school children and their parents. During this free event, Dr. Strominger will give abrief, kid-friendly talk about the importance of routine vision screenings and show parents how toconduct a vision screening with their kids at home. He will close out the morning session with alive Q&A. Following the event, families are encouraged to get outside and enjoy a walk in thegreatoutdoors.
The event is sponsored by Renown Children’s Hospital and free to participants, howeveryoumust registerto receivethelinkto attend.
“Visionisimportantfor learning,experiencingnewthingsandinteractingwithothers,whichiswhy it’s critical for children to get vision screenings early and routinely,” said Dr. Strominger. “Thebest time to screen a child’s vision is kindergarten through third grade as the cells in the brainresponsible for vision are continuously developing up until age eight. If we detect vision problemsearly, we here at Renown Children’s Hospital have the expertise and technology to correct thesevisionproblems andenablechildrentolivehealthy,productivelives.”
Individuals who register for this event will be emailed a vision-screening sheet to help facilitate anat-home screening, as well as a form to send back to their child’s pediatrician or pediatricophthalmologistuponcompletiontodeterminethebestcourseofaction.
Dr. Strominger added, “Many parents and schools have put off vision screenings due to COVID-19 school closings, hesitations of safely leaving their homes or potential financial costs. I ampleased to host this virtual event on behalf of Renown Children’s Hospital, to engage kids andparents in a conversation on the importance of vision and to remind the community that we arehere to help and provide the care they need, both in-person and virtually—be it over a smartphone,tabletorcomputerscreen.”
This virtual event will take place in the newly renovated Fianna’s Healing Garden which re-openslater this month and has been funded 100% by donations through the Renown HealthFoundation. Located in the heart of Renown Regional Medical Center, the healing garden servesas placetoenjoytheserenityandbeautyoftheoutdoors.
Dr. Strominger is one of 26 pediatric subspecialists recruited to Renown Children’s Hospital since2016, thanks to the Pennington Foundation's $7.5 million donation made to the non-profitRenownHealthFoundationtoexpandchildren’shealthservices.
June marks the four-year anniversary of the Nevada Chapter of the American Academy ofPediatrics’ (Nevada APP) participation in the national Walk with A Doc event. Dr. Strominger isthesecretaryandtreasurerfortheNevadaAAP.
From pediatric specialties, 24/7 ER care and surgery, to imaging, pediatric ICU and child lifespecialists, Renown Children’s Hospital is dedicated to helping kids feel welcome, safe and wellcared for. Through each visit, parents can expect the highest level of care for their child’s healthand well-being from birth and beyond. To support Renown Children’s Hospital and help localchildren in need get access to vital health services like routine vision screenings, please visit theRenownHealthFoundation.
AboutRenownHealth
Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcarenetwork serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown is one of theregion’s largest private employers with a workforce of more than 7,000. It comprises three acutecare hospitals, Renown Children’s Hospital, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital, the area’s mostcomprehensivemedicalgroupandurgentcarenetwork,andtheregion’slargestandonlylocallyowned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition andcommitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. For moreinformation,visitrenown.org.
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.
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:
