When the Renown Crisis Care Center (RCCC) reopened in November, it marked a significant milestone for behavioral health services in our community. At the heart of that success was the leadership and dedication of Jimmy Lao, MSN, CCRN, CNE, Director of Nursing, Emergency Services at Renown Health.
Bringing Essential Behavioral Health Services to Northern Nevada
In the weeks leading up to the reopening, Jimmy played a pivotal role in bringing the RCCC back online, ensuring the community had access to reliable, high-quality behavioral health crisis care. He worked closely with internal teams and external partners, met with local agencies, delivered presentations and cultivated strong relationships with other nonprofit organizations across the region. Through this collaborative approach, Jimmy helped align clinical operations, community expectations and care coordination, laying the foundation for a safe, effective and highly visible relaunch.
Jimmy’s commitment did not stop once the doors reopened. In addition to his responsibilities as Director of Nursing, he has maintained a hands-on clinical presence at the Crisis Care Center since opening day. By supporting staff, troubleshooting challenges in real time and helping guide daily operations, Jimmy has ensured a smooth transition and sustained excellence in care delivery. His ability to balance strategic leadership, partnership-building and direct patient care reflects Renown’s mission in action.
What is the Crisis Care Center?
The Renown Crisis Care Center provides immediate, compassionate care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Designed to deliver timely assessment, stabilization and connection to ongoing support, the center plays a critical role in ensuring patients receive the right level of care in the right setting. Click here to learn more.
New Inpatient Addiction Medicine Consultations for Substance Use Disorders
Renown Health has established a new inpatient consultation-liaison service with board-certified physicians to address the needs of community members facing substance use disorders (SUD). This initiative aims to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to patients in a supportive environment while also collaborating with hospitalists to strengthen best practices in the treatment of patients with substance use disorders.
Can Stress and Depression Affect Your Heart? Yes—Here’s How
Most people focus on blood pressure, cholesterol, and exercise when thinking about heart health. However, your emotional well-being is just as important. Problems like ongoing stress and depression can raise your risk of heart disease, heart attacks and other serious health issues.
The holiday season is right around the corner, and the promise of the new year follows closely behind. It is often seen as a time of joy, celebration and connection—but for many teens, it can also be a period of emotional strain. Laura Dykins, APRN, a nurse practitioner with Renown Children’s Primary Care, emphasizes how important it is to understand what hardships teens may experience during the holiday months and how we can offer meaningful support to teenagers and their families.
