Reno, Nev. (Jan. 1,2026) - Reno's first baby of 2026 was born in the Labor and Delivery Childbirth Center at Renown Regional Medical Center.
Maria Jasso Rodriquez gave birth to baby girl Renata at 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Baby Renata weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and was the first 2026 birth at any of the region's hospitals.
Baby Renata is welcomed to the world by her father, Hector Juarez.
More than 4,100 babies were delivered by Renown Health in 2025. Renown Health’s Labor & Delivery Center, located at Renown Regional Medical Center, is nationally ranked for maternity care. The compassionate team of care providers are dedicated to ensuring all births are a joyous experience while delivering advanced maternity care with state-of-the-art amenities.
About Renown Health
Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated academic health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a workforce of more than 8,000 physicians, nurses and 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. For more information, visit renown.org.
Dr. Jason Knight Joins Renown Regional Medical Center As Chief Medical Officer
“We are truly excited and honored to welcome Dr. Knight to Renown,” said Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. “His experience leading clinical and operational teams, driving quality improvement, and fostering a culture of safety across an integrated academic health system will be critical as we begin our journey to becoming a High Reliability Organization. Dr. Knight leads with strong multidisciplinary collaboration, partnerships with nursing and data-informed decision making. He is a trusted and visionary physician leader whose commitment to excellence will continue to elevate care for the patients and families we serve.”
Renown Completes Second and Third Living Donor Kidney Transplants
Celebrating the anniversary of the world’s first kidney transplant, the Renown Transplant Institute team announces they have completed their second and third living donor kidney transplants, building on the success of northern Nevada’s first kidney transplant program. These recent surgeries highlight the team’s growing expertise, the generosity of local families and the William N. Pennington Foundation.
Renown Health Expands Leadership Role of Chris Nicholas to Include System COO
Renown Health announced that effective Jan. 1, 2026, Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, current CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center, will be expanding his responsibilities to also become the Chief Operating Officer for Renown Health. In this dual capacity, Mr. Nicholas will manage critical aspects of Renown Health strategic plan implementation, including overseeing the health system’s Transformation Management Office and Master Facility Plan, and leading the Accelerating Care Transformation (ACT) team to coordinate system-wide performance improvement efforts and ensure long-term sustainability.
