Breaking Records: Renown Health Labs Conduct More Than Five Million Tests in 2024

Convenient Online Scheduling and 13 Locations Offer Quick and Accurate Diagnostic Results.

Renown Health Lab Services announces the historic milestone of completing more than five million clinically indicated lab tests, critical for patient care diagnosis and management in 2024 across 13 locations. The team of more than 300 lab professionals play vital roles in collecting, processing and analyzing samples and providing diagnostic testing to support public health and patient care across northern Nevada.

“With 70% of all medical decisions informed by laboratory results, completing over five million clinically indicated tests in one year is a significant accomplishment,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO, Renown Health. “Reaching this milestone means thousands of patients, their physicians and medical providers have received timely and accurate lab results, which may help diagnose early detection of disease and enhance treatment plans. I am very proud of our Lab and Pathology team. The team’s dedication to accuracy, efficiency and patient-centered service has positively impacted clinical care, ensuring safer and healthier lives for many families across our region.”

Expanding Lab Services with Renown Pathology

“As the region’s sole not-for-profit academic healthcare network and trauma center, our laboratory and pathology services are the trusted and preferred choice for thousands of physicians and patients alike,” says Chris Nicholas, FACHE. “Renown employs pathologists, phlebotomists, lab assistants and lab technicians, clinical lab scientists, cytotechnologists, pathologist assistants and histotechnicians — all of whom play vital roles in collecting, processing and analyzing samples. For us, this milestone is more than numbers, it represents lives impacted, healthcare improved and a commitment to excellence in diagnostic testing. Our congratulations to the Pathology and Lab team.”

“Pathology and Lab Sciences are the backbone of modern medicine, bridging science and clinical care, said Christie Elliott, MD, department chair for Renown Pathology, and interim chair of the Department of Pathology at University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. “Our dedicated team works behind the scenes to provide definitive diagnoses that guide critical medical decisions for patients. We also enjoy teaching medical students in their clinical years. Congratulations to the entire team on completing over five million lab tests in one year and maintaining the highest standards for accuracy and efficiency. You are appreciated!”

Quick Online Lab Appointment Scheduling or Walk-In Convenience

“To further enhance the patient experience, we offer online lab appointment scheduling, making it fast and easy for individuals and medical providers to obtain the tests they need,” says Amy McCombs, MSN, RN, Chief Operations Officer, Renown Regional Medical Center. “We encourage people to make their health a priority this year. Establishing care with a primary care provider, getting annual checkups and lab results help detect potential health concerns early, before they become more serious. Here at Renown Health, patients benefit from a seamless experience where their care team and lab services are perfectly aligned for fast, coordinated care.”

“People can easily schedule their lab appointments online through our website at renown.org or through MyChart,” says Justin Lloyd, MBA, Director of Lab Services. “You can also walk-in any time or call 775-982-5000 to schedule an appointment. We have 13 lab locations in Reno, Sparks, Fernley, Fallon and USA Parkway ready to serve you, 6 days a week, Mon-Fri. from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sat. from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. With both online scheduling and walk-in availability, it’s easier than ever to fit lab work into your schedule. Additionally, for those without insurance, Renown Health offers a 30% discount on all lab services because high-quality care should be accessible to everyone.”

Renown Health recently introduced an online appointment scheduling system, designed to make booking your primary care or pediatric appointments as easy as ordering a cup of coffee. You can now book primary care appointments with Renown Medical Group anytime, anywhere, no phone calls required. Our dedicated team of primary care physicians and pediatricians offers a full range of services, including annual checkups, physicals, immunizations, lab work and referrals to specialists.

Take charge of your health today by booking a primary care appointment or learning more about Renown Health’s lab services.

About Renown Health

Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, not-for-profit integrated academic healthcare 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. Renown is currently enrolling participants in a community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. To join the Renown Health team, visit renown.org/careers.

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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.

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