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Joining The Good Fight: Local Philanthropist Donates Significant Gift To Enhance Heart Health For Women

March 7, 2022
Six adults stand in front of sign that says Helaine Greenberg Women's Heart Center.

Donor establishes the Helaine Greenberg Women’s Heart Center at Renown Health

Renown Health Foundation is delighted to announce a generous gift from Helaine Greenberg, a local philanthropist with a passion for helping to improve and strengthen women’s healthcare in northern Nevada. This gift will help establish the Helaine Greenberg Women’s Heart Center at Renown Health, located within the Heart & Vascular Institute. A first of its kind, the Center will offer specialized heart treatment for women in northern Nevada.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women – claiming one life every minute – yet many women are unaware that the signs of a heart attack are different for women than they are for men. According to the American Heart Association journal, nearly 71% of women who have had heart attacks experienced unusual exhaustion in the weeks before, 50% had trouble sleeping and 42% suffered shortness of breath. Most importantly, about 43% had no chest pain. Thanks to this generous donation, women will now have the opportunity to receive exemplary care and education, from trusted providers at a convenient location.

Helaine’s generosity comes from her heart, and with a passion for improving the lives – and health of women. We are deeply grateful for this transformative gift. The opening of this Center will continue our mission of making a genuine difference in the health and well-being of women- and all those who love them- and the communities we serve.

“This generous gift allows us to provide specialized heart and vascular care to women who are pregnant, battling breast cancer, or having chest discomfort,” said Jayson Morgan, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Services. “There are millions of women living with or at risk of heart disease. It is crucial that we empower women to take charge of their heart health and teach everyone about the signs and symptoms of heart disease in women.”

Led by Dr. Danish Atwal, the Helaine Greenberg Women’s Heart Center at Renown Health provides specific treatments, therapies, and education for women.

Ms. Greenberg has been a consistent supporter of women’s healthcare. Just three years ago, she donated a large sum to support women and prevent breast cancer by establishing the Helaine Greenberg Breast Health Centers at Renown-2nd Street and Vista locations, named in her honor and providing screening services such as 3-D mammography, automated whole breast ultrasound and DEXA bone density scanning for osteoporosis.

“Women’s health is so important to Helaine. Renown Health Foundation and our Renown Medical Group physicians and providers are grateful to fulfill her wish to help women who battle heart issues,” said Greg Walaitis, chief development officer. “Preventing and reducing chronic health conditions, and promoting health and wellness significantly improves the lives of women of all ages. We thank Helaine for her contributions as we continue to fight the good fight.” To learn more about Renown Health Foundation or to make a donation, please call 775-982-5545 or visit renown.org/give.


About Renown Health

Renown Health is the region’s largest local, 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 is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®.

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Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health Named on "Great Heart Programs" List

Renown Health is proud to announce that its Institute for Heart & Vascular Health has been named to the 100 Hospitals & Health Systems with Great Heart Programs by Becker’s Hospital Review. This recognition reflects Renown’s dedication to delivering exceptional heart and vascular care and advanced and innovative services for patients in northern Nevada and the 100,000 square rural region it serves. Renown’s Institute for Heart & Vascular Health, located at both Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center, is known for its leading-edge treatments, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive care for patients with heart and vascular conditions. In their announcement, Becker’s highlighted that Renown Health (Reno, Nev.) was named once again by U.S. News & World Report as the top heart center in the state of Nevada. The Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health serves over 69,000 patients in the Mountain West, offering care across 11 cardiovascular specialties via more than 50 cardiovascular specialists. Specialties include general cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, structural heart, women’s heart, heart failure management and cardiac rehabilitation. All of these are supported by advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive therapies. The institute’s physicians, nurses and other clinicians, and specially trained support team all maintain a 4.9/5-star patient rating, underscoring strong patient satisfaction and community trust. Renown Health’s structural heart team has performed approximately 130 transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures, exceeding the national averages for innovative valve therapies. The institute continues to expand access to vital and essential services, including the region’s first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program to support critically ill heart and lung patients. In addition to heart care, the vascular medicine and anticoagulation services include diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting blood flow, as well as personalized medication management and monitoring to reduce risks of stroke, heart attack and clotting complications. With advanced testing, same-day monitoring, and coordinated care across specialties, the Renown team helps patients achieve better circulation and long-term heart health. Anna Falvey of Becker's announced its list of 100 Hospitals & Health Systems with Great Heart Programs, stating, “These hospitals and health systems are known for their exceptional cardiovascular care, strong patient outcomes and their use of life-saving technologies. These heart programs also lead the way in cardiology research, driving discoveries that are shaping and advancing the field.” “We are proud to be the region’s leader for cardiac health, heart and vascular care with the most advanced medical, surgical and minimally invasive specialty care, technology and research,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. “On behalf of the Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health team, our patients and our community, we are humbled to be nationally recognized for the cardiovascular care we provide and to be considered a destination for heart care.” Many of the institutions on this list consistently earn top honors from U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, Healthgrades and other respected ranking organizations. Dedicated to clinical excellence and continuous growth, they deliver world-class heart care to thousands of patients each year while expanding and strengthening their cardiovascular services. “Being honored as a top-tier heart and vascular program is a testament to what’s possible when exceptional people work together with a shared commitment to patients,” said Bradley C. Nelson, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI, Division Chief and Director of Cardiovascular Services. “I am incredibly grateful to our cardiology and vascular teams, nursing leaders, and the many colleagues across surgery, anesthesia, imaging, critical care, trauma and emergency services, and administration who have made this possible. This achievement reflects their expertise, collaboration and unwavering focus on delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care for our region. We are honored to be acknowledged for our commitment to excellence in care and for improving the lives of the people we serve.” The ranking by Becker’s Hospital Review acknowledges programs that demonstrate excellence in clinical outcomes, research, patient satisfaction and access to advanced treatment technologies. The Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health has also been awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence by the American College of Cardiology, holds accreditation for Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, Heart Failure with Outpatient Services and Transcatheter Valve Certification. Renown Regional Medical Center is also recognized as the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in northern Nevada. Renown is grateful for the philanthropy that supports Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health. Thanks to a generous grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Renown is also home to northern Nevada’s first and only comprehensive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program. ECMO is a life support technology for patients with the most severe heart and lung illnesses, who formerly needed to be transported to facilities outside the area for this type of advanced care. “At Renown Health, we are constantly investing in our clinicians, essential services, and medical innovations to help keep care local,” said Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center and Chief Operating Officer for Renown Health. “We are deeply grateful for our dedicated physicians and healthcare professionals, patients, donors and the northern Nevada community for their support. This national recognition serves as an inspiration to continue delivering world-class cardiac and vascular care so that people can stay close to home and loved ones and no longer need to leave Nevada for advanced care or treatment.” For more information about Renown’s Institute for Heart & Vascular Health, visit renown.org/heart. Patients with a referral can schedule their first cardiology visit online at renown.org; those needing a primary care provider can also book appointments online. 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. Organizations are presented in alphabetical order.
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