Nevada's Academic Health System to Provide Health Services at 2026 Pride Festival
Tomorrow, Renown Health, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Orvis School of Nursing, UNR School of Public Health, UNR School of Social Work and UNR Department of Psychology will partner up in unified support of the local LGBTQIA+ community, for Northern Nevada Pride, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 12 in downtown Reno.
The Health Equity Corner is returning to the festival this year and is hosted in part by Renown and UNR. Clinicians, residents and students will provide access to a variety of healthcare services at their booths, including blood pressure checks, heat safety education, mental health resources and more. All festival attendees are invited to stop by.
"Northern Nevada Pride is one of the most meaningful days on our calendar, because it represents exactly what our brand promises: that every person in this community belongs and will be cared for," said Cristal Herrera Woodley, MBA, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at Renown Health. "As a proud northern Nevadan, I know how important it is for people to see themselves reflected in the organizations they trust with their health. Being at Pride is about building genuine, lasting relationships with the LGBTQIA+ community and demonstrating that our People First mission extends to everyone."
"At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, we are committed to preparing the next generation of researchers, physicians, physician assistants, and speech-language pathologists and audiologists to deliver culturally sensitive care to LGBTQIA+ individuals," said Nicole Jacobs, PhD, Associate Dean, Inclusive Excellence for UNR Med. “True health equity depends on a community where every member is understood, respected, and well cared for."
Earlier this year, Renown and UNR Med celebrated the first five years of a historic 50-year affiliation agreement that created the state’s first and only integrated academic health system. Formalized in June 2021, the affiliation has strengthened healthcare delivery, expanded medical education, advanced clinical research and bolstered workforce development throughout northern Nevada.
“Health equity is of utmost importance to our community, and we are dedicated to ensuring all students, faculty and healthcare professionals are represented and uplifted,” said Paul J. Hauptman, MD, Dean of UNR Med and Chief Academic Officer at Renown Health. “Inclusion, respect and integrity are the foundation of A Healthy Nevada. As UNR Med, Renown and Orvis continue to grow as an academic health system, it is an honor to join forces yet again as a part of Northern Nevada Pride, because every voice makes our region stronger.”
In 2023, Renown Health Foundation and the Orvis School of Nursing announced The Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic-Practice Partnership to provide 24 nursing students a year with full-ride scholarships, and in turn, assist in creating a sustainable nursing workforce in northern Nevada.
“At the Orvis School of Nursing, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their best possible health. Central to this commitment is fostering a strong sense of belonging, where every person is recognized, respected and valued,” said Jasen R. Brooks, MSN, RN, CNL, DNE (c), Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement at the Orvis School of Nursing. “This culture prepares future nurses to deliver compassionate, inclusive and equitable care to all individuals. By embedding respect, dignity and cultural responsiveness throughout our curriculum and community, we equip graduates to serve diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and other underserved groups. This commitment to inclusive excellence helps distinguish Orvis School of Nursing graduates as skilled, empathetic leaders who are prepared to advance health equity and improve healthcare outcomes.”
“At Orvis, we believe health equity and belonging go hand in hand,” said Tarnia Newton, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Associate Dean for Excellence and Belonging at the Orvis School of Nursing. “We strive to ensure every person feels seen, respected, and valued and has the opportunity to live, thrive and experience compassionate, affirming care.”
For more information about Nevada's academic health system, visit renown.org/together.
As the state’s first and only 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. Learn more at renown.org/together.
The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. For more information, visit unr.edu.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first public medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Since 1969, UNR Med has trained more than 3,900 students, residents and fellows. UNR Med continues to improve the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact and a culture of diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu.
The Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) at the University of Nevada, Reno is the state’s first and longest-standing nursing school, founded in 1956. OSN is committed to advancing health care through innovative education, research and community engagement. As part of a Carnegie R1 research institution with a Carnegie Engaged classification, OSN prepares nurse leaders to meet the diverse and evolving health needs of Nevada and beyond. The school offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-master’s certificates. With nationally Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited programs, flexible online and in-person learning, and coordinated clinical placements, OSN provides access to high-quality nursing education across the state and country. Guided by its 2023-2027 strategic plan, OSN focuses on academic excellence, inclusive excellence and belonging, and community partnerships to transform health outcomes and prepare nurses for leadership roles in complex care environments. For more information, visit unr.edu/nursing.
