When patients are facing a serious infection, the path forward is not always simple. Treatment can require close monitoring, specialized expertise and a care team that knows how to navigate complex medical conditions with both precision and compassion. At Renown Health, the Infectious Disease department provides that level of support every day.
Our Infectious Disease team members (or “ID team” for short) help patients manage challenging diagnoses while working alongside providers across Renown to coordinate the best possible care. Their work may happen largely behind the scenes, but the impact is deeply felt by patients, families and care teams throughout our health system.
Whether treating acute infections, supporting long-term recovery or helping patients with chronic infectious diseases, the ID team plays a vital role in improving outcomes and guiding patients through some of the most uncertain moments in their health journey. The patients they care for battle a wide range of conditions that need highly individualized treatment plans.
This is exactly the challenge that the Infectious Disease team embraces. Their expertise supports patients with a diverse array of infections:
Because infectious diseases can affect many different parts of the body — and often intersect with other medical conditions — this work requires a thoughtful, collaborative approach. The team partners closely with hospitalists, primary care providers, surgeons, pharmacists, nurses and case managers to ensure patients receive timely, comprehensive care.
That collaboration is one of the defining strengths of the department. Rather than looking at a diagnosis in isolation, the Infectious Disease team helps connect the dots across a patient’s full health picture.
Naturally, Infectious Disease is a specialty where no two days are alike. Each team member is constantly working to make sure each patient receives timely, thoughtful and coordinated support.
“A day in the life on the ID team is never dull,” said Tiffany Gansch, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. “We see a variety of interesting cases. Antibiotic therapy works, and it is deeply rewarding to see our patients get better."
“As a Medical Assistant, my role encompasses a variety of responsibilities that support the team here and our patients,” added Megan Dawson, Certified Medical Assistant. "We help with administrative tasks such as scheduling visits, maintaining health records and coordinating care with outside providers. Additionally, we also assist with clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, assisting during procedures and reporting active symptoms of infection to providers while working closely with our patients and their support systems.”
That behind-the-scenes work is essential to each patient’s experience and achieving successful outcomes. It is also what helps the team respond to the complexity of this specialty with efficiency and care.
“A typical day in my life working in Infectious Disease includes reviewing and addressing patient messages and sending and receiving orders regarding patient treatment, such as medication, IV antibiotics, imaging orders and especially lab tests,” said Rose Ruiz Arguello, Senior Certified Medical Assistant. “Retrieving lab results and outside medical records is crucial in our patient care. Our patients with antibiotics are monitored through lab results. If any abnormalities are found, they are addressed promptly, and providers can modify treatment plans.”
Even before a patient is seen by a provider, the experience of care begins at the front desk, setting the tone from the moment a patient walks through the door.
“As a Patient Access Representative, I am the face of the office; I am the first person the patient sees when they come into the office and the last face they see when they are leaving after their appointment,” said Aimee Mendez, Patient Access Representative. “I greet our patients by name and help them feel comfortable. Patients often comment on how friendly our team is and how amazing our providers are, which we greatly appreciate. I try to make the patient feel cared for and ensure them that they matter and that we care about their healthcare journey.”
One of the unique aspects of Infectious Disease care is how interconnected it is with so many other areas of medicine. From inpatient consultations to outpatient follow-up, the team is often involved in cases that require close coordination across departments and settings. The team works hard to ensure everyone involved in a patient’s care is aligned. This expert coordination helps reduce gaps in care, improves efficiency and supports safer, more effective treatment plans.
And as conditions evolve, the ID team brings both clinical expertise and adaptability, helping providers and patients make informed decisions every step of the way.
For many patients, an infectious disease diagnosis can feel overwhelming. In addition to physical symptoms, they may be dealing with fear or the stress of a complicated treatment plan. The Infectious Disease team understands that caring for "the whole person" means addressing those challenges, too.
What stands out about these team members is not only what they do but why they do it.
“I am passionate about public health and patient advocacy,” said Megan Dawson. “Before joining the team here at Renown Infectious Disease, I was a phlebotomist at a local plasmapheresis center in town that produced medication to help manage certain chronic and rare diseases. Through this experience, I have learned the importance of building resilience in our communities and expanding access to care.”
This compassion leads the way every day. The team’s patient-centered approach helps build trust and gives patients confidence as they move through recovery.
“The ID team goes above and beyond to give the patient the care and reassurance that they need,” said Aimee Mendez. “Our providers are committed to making sure that our patients are taken care of, and their questions and concerns are answered and acknowledged.”
“Our goal is to always meet people where they are at to provide them with the best care possible,” added Megan Dawson. “Our team maintains high standards when it comes to collaborating with one another to ensure that each patient is cared for with dignity.”
In a specialty where cases can be complex and the stakes can be high, teamwork especially matters. And what’s the driving factor in their collaborative success? A shared purpose of compassion for patients and each other.
“It is a true honor to be a part of this department,” said Rose Ruiz Arguello. “It is admirable to be a part of a team that all have the same goal to set up patients and us for success. Our team has the trust and confidence to communicate within each other on expectations and goals for patient care and efficiency behind the scenes.”
“The care from the ID team and the appreciation from our patients is what makes coming to work everyday something that I love to do,” added Aimee Mendez. “I learn something new from our providers every day, and it truly amazes me how strong our patients are and how they stay so positive after everything they go through.”
The work of the Infectious Disease team extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment. Education is a major part of their mission, helping patients understand their condition, their treatment plan and what they can do to support recovery and prevent complications.
“Our team helps contribute to a healthier Nevada by treating infectious diseases as well as educating our patients on infection control,” said Tiffany Gansch. “Infections are serious. We always endeavor to keep our patients on track, whether it’s reminding them about completing lab orders or being tenacious with our scheduling.”
“Every day, we not only educate our patients but also ourselves on what is going on in their body,” added Aimee Mendez. “Before I started working here, I had no idea what would be considered an ‘infectious disease’ and what providers in this office would treat. I am constantly learning and am able to understand what our patients are going through, which impacts their road to recovery and becoming healthier. After being seen by our providers, they are better able to care for themselves.”
The team always empowers their patients to take an active role in their health. They also work to expand access to specialized care that may otherwise be difficult to find. That includes HIV care, an area where the department has seen important growth, through a specialized HIV clinic.
“Infectious disease has expanded with the onboarding of two doctors that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and HIV-related cases, as well as specified fungal diseases,” said Rose Ruiz Arguello ,”Our department is currently in the works of starting Midline and PICC line placements that can be done in office. We are looking forward to all our expansion opportunities.”
“The ID Clinic is growing! Now we have Dr. Samuel Lee, who specializes in HIV,” added Aimee Mendez. “Having the HIV clinic here at Renown is incredible. We are very fortunate to have these providers here for patients to get the care that they need, especially because there are not very many providers in the area that specialize in HIV. They aren’t just doing a job; they really care and work hard to make sure that patients who come to our offices are cared for and treated like family."
These efforts help keep care more accessible closer to home and strengthen the health of not only their patients but also the entire community.
Within Infectious Disease, like other departments at Renown, all five of our health system’s values are at the forefront of patient care — led, of course, by the commitment to a People First culture and mindset. The reward: seeing the health of their patients improve and witnessing them thrive free from infection.
“I am fortunate to work with such a talented team of physicians, nurse practitioners, medical assistants and a dedicated patient access representative that all value putting people first,” said Megan Dawson.
Our Infectious disease team masterfully combine skill, urgency, compassion and collaboration to care for patients facing serious infectious conditions. Whether they are coordinating treatment, educating patients, expanding access to HIV care or simply offering reassurance at the front desk, they are helping build a healthier community, one patient at a time.
“I truly enjoy my days in Infectious Disease. I cannot say enough about how much I admire and appreciate our team,” closes Tiffany Gansch.
