Leading Experts Convene in Tahoe To Focus On Scientific Advancements And The Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease, The #1 Cause Of Death Globally

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.

Renown Health today announced that patients seeking Renown cardiology care can now conveniently schedule their appointments online. The new digital scheduling option is available for both new and existing patients, providing easier access to high-quality heart care across northern Nevada. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Nevadans and people across the nation,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and CEO, Renown Health. “At Renown, we believe everyone deserves timely, expert care for their heart. By making it easier for patients to connect with our cardiology team, we’re helping people take proactive steps toward longer, healthier lives.” “This new online scheduling feature is one more way we’re improving access and convenience for our community, helping people get the specialized care they need quickly and easily,” said Rahul Mediwala, MD, MBA, CEO of Renown Medical Group. “Whether a patient is managing a chronic heart condition or seeking preventative care, we want to make every step, from scheduling to treatment to follow up, as seamless and supportive as possible. Our goal is to ensure that world-class cardiology care is easy to access for every member of our community.” “People experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or palpitations are encouraged to first contact their primary care provider,” said Marie McCormack, MD, Division Chief, Primary Care, Renown Medical Group. “Primary care providers can evaluate symptoms, provide guidance, and if needed, refer patients to a Renown Medical Group cardiologist for an appointment for specialized heart care” “The Renown Heart & Vascular Institute team has earned the trust and gratitude of the community with more than 18,000 patients rating their Renown Medical Group-Cardiology providers an outstanding 4.9 out of 5 stars for care,” said Darcy Ohm, Administrative Director, Cardiology, who led the project. “Now patients can schedule their cardiology appointments online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with more than 35 cardiology providers at Renown Heart & Vascular Institute locations in Reno, South Reno, Carson City and Fallon, Nevada.”

Dr. Nelson embraces a patient-centered approach to delivering comprehensive cardiac and vascular care.