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When it comes to your health, tests are not only common but often also required to receive the most ideal treatment plan. From your routine urinalysis to more complex hematology cases, these tests help open the doors to proper diagnosis. Thousands of patients are seen at Renown Regional Medical Center every year, which results in thousands of lab samples needing to be processed every day. So, who rises to the occasion?  Answer: The Core Laboratory team at Renown Regional. With the largest lab workload in our health system, the Renown Regional Core Lab is where compassionate care meets scientific excellence.  While under the care of the Core Lab Team, patients can rest assured that they are in the greatest of hands - literally and figuratively - with every scientist, technical specialist and lab assistant that serves in this department.  A Core Mission of Accuracy and Precision At Renown Regional, the only Level II Trauma Center in the region, the Core Laboratory works on a wide variety of lab tests to help providers diagnose, treat and monitor each patient’s condition. Those testing processes, known as “benches,” include: Blood Gas Chemistry & Immunoassay Coagulation Hematology & Differentials Urinalysis Working together in harmony, each member of the Core Lab team has an equally vital role in our health system, and all share a common goal.  “Our number one priority is to provide accurate results for our patients, ensuring that the providers have all the correct information they need to treat them,” said Lauren Anderson, Manager of Core Laboratory.  As one can imagine, there are several factors involved when it comes to ensuring those accurate patient lab results that Lauren mentioned above.  “Throughout the day in the core laboratory, there are many tasks to be performed for the accuracy and validity of our patient results,” said Jackie Blazquez, Sr. Medical Lab Scientist. “The medical lab scientists perform maintenance on the instruments daily while accommodating patient samples and releasing results. Our clinical lab assistants help the scientists with receiving samples, reviewing patient labels for any discrepancies, answering phone calls and assisting with the automated lab sample line.”  “The roles and responsibilities will vary depending on the bench assignment, but every bench will have one responsibility in common: performing preventative maintenance on our analyzers and running quality controls afterwards,” added Brittany Oliver-Stergiou, Medical Lab Scientist.  From start to finish, there is rarely a dull moment in Renown Regional’s Core Lab. In fact, this capable team can process up to 7,000 samples per day at this hospital alone.  "As a Medical Lab Scientist, for each instrument we use, we have to perform maintenance, calibration and quality control to ensure that the analyzer is ready for patient testing,” said Lauren Anderson. “Once the analyzers are ready for patient testing, we perform analysis on the samples, ensuring that the patient's results are consistent with their condition and no errors are found. Between our inpatient and outpatient centers, we run thousands of samples every day, prioritizing and juggling many tasks at once while producing accurate results.”  “Right when we get in, we are putting samples on the analyzers, reading results and calling critical alerts or recollects,” added Rosalina Lunsford, Medical Lab Scientist. “Our chemistry analyzers have all the analytes one can think of. Each individual chemistry test that the hospital uses is calibrated, quality checked and reviewed by our chemistry maintenance experts.”  Although there are many moving pieces when it comes to the work of our Core Lab experts, these team members work like a well-oiled machine in order to keep patient care at Renown Regional running efficiently.   “I start my shift by reviewing my pending worklist and verifying any outstanding STAT tests; then, I track all my untracked samples for easy retrieval, and I'll go through my pending worklist again to make sure that everything is on track for proper turn-around time,” said Lindsey Randle, Medical Lab Scientist. "I'll retrieve anything that may need further special testing, and before releasing results, I will check the sample for any interferences or contamination. This process is on a constant loop throughout my shift in addition to performing analyzer maintenance and quality control testing at timed intervals. This is all done to ensure that we are releasing precise and accurate test results so that patients can receive proper treatment.”  “We play a major role in keeping the hospital functioning,” added Rosalina Lunsford. “While the hospital doesn’t see us, we keep patient care moving. Core Lab is not stagnant; it is evolving each day. Tests are being added, machines are being updated and policies are changing. We see hundreds of patient results from different departments throughout the hospital. We analyze, question and conclude many times throughout the day and night.”  Think of discovering a diagnosis and monitoring a condition as an ongoing investigation. Our Core Lab professionals are key detectives in the investigation, playing an essential – and often life-saving – role in the diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of each patient’s condition.  “Oftentimes, we are the first to detect a patient's problem and escalate it to their provider,” said Lauren Anderson. “For example, looking under the microscope at a patient's white blood cells, Medical Lab Scientists may be the first to see a patient's leukemia and, with the collaboration of our pathologists, ensure that the next steps are taken towards diagnosis and treatment.

Read More About Department Spotlight: Core Laboratory at Renown Regional Medical Center

When you visit your provider for your annual exam or to address a health concern, or if you’re admitted to the hospital for any reason, lab draws – including blood tests, urine samples and saliva swabs – are common. When it comes to lab draws when you’re sick with a virus, such as strep, flu, RSV or COVID, or routine tests for chronic conditions, such as blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C, the last thing you’d want to do as a patient is wait a long time to get your results back. You’re focused on getting your results, receiving the proper medication and feeling better as soon as possible. Luckily for patients at Renown Health, we have a talented team to meet that need.  Meet the Point-of-Care team at Renown, an important subset of the larger Core Laboratory department. With decades of collective experience in the field and some of the finest point-of-care technology at their fingertips, this team works with our healthcare teams to ensure you have access to fast, accurate test results to help you on a quicker road to recovery.  Pointed Towards Efficient Solutions Point-of-care testing can be defined as exactly how it sounds – lab testing at or near the patient or their care area, otherwise known as “at the point-of-care.” While our clinicians utilize this specialized equipment every day for point-of-care testing on patients, they rely on the Point-of-Care department for training, everyday guidance, quality checks, audits and leadership.   At Renown, Point-of-Care testing is used in nearly every nursing unit across our hospitals and 53 outpatient care locations, including primary care, urgent care, pediatrics and women’s health – alleviating some of the workload of our central lab. Because so many teams rely on this crucial technology and test processes, this team accomplishes a great deal each day, from checking equipment to ensuring test accuracy.  “Our day starts early, with our first team member opening the department at 5 a.m. and circulating on the nursing units to address broken point-of-care equipment issues or supply shortages that could impact patient testing,” said Joni Boury, Lab Program Coordinator. “Once the point-of-care scientists arrive, they will address any charting issues that arose overnight and ensure all test results are correctly charted in Epic. After critical issues are addressed, we visit the testing locations and performing audits to ensure all testing equipment is functioning, clean and being appropriately maintained.”  In order to provide these efficient tests – in minutes! – to patients anxiously awaiting their results, our first step is to make sure our equipment and processes are up-to-code. Point-of-care testing is regulated at both the state and federal levels, and this team never leaves a checkbox unmarked when it comes to testing regulations.  “As a part of the ambulatory side of the Point-of-Care team, I make sure that state and federal licensing is maintained so the practices that perform these tests can continue to perform in-office testing for patients,” said Wende Lane, Clinical Lab Assistant Lead. “I also round in these practices to make sure they are adhering to state and federal guidelines, as well as Renown policies.”  And it’s not just existing equipment that needs oversight – the Point-of-Care department also implements new equipment and processes across Renown. These team members are expert jugglers when it comes to this effort, handling training, collaborating with leaders, recommending the proper placement of equipment and much more.   "Each day, we work on our many deployments scheduled throughout the hospital and outpatient locations,” said Joni Boury. “That work includes meeting with leaders to ensure new spaces are correctly built to accommodate the point-of-care devices, configuring new equipment, training new leaders and device operators and ensuring appropriate ordering and charting of the test results.”  “In being able to perform these tests in the outpatient setting instead of having to send them somewhere else for a test, providers can begin treating their patients within a matter of a few minutes, rather than hours,” added Wende Lane.  For a small-but-mighty team of six employees, the heights this team reaches knows no bounds. They’ve celebrated many achievements and expansions this year, including offering new-and-improved PCR testing across various outpatient practices.  “Our team has had several notable accomplishments over the past year,” said Breanna Van Dyck, Medical Lab Scientist and Lab Program Coordinator. “We successfully rolled out a massive Cepheid PCR testing initiative to over 30 Renown outpatient locations within the community. This expansion significantly improved our testing capacity and accessibility and will help ensure timely and accurate diagnostic tests for respiratory viruses and strep to a broader patient population, including our rural practices.”  By combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate patient care, our Point-of-Care team members are essential to contributing to Renown’s goal of providing efficient, high-quality care tailored to each patient’s individual needs.  Take a Point-of-Care Tour! The Point-of-Care department covers a lot of ground around Renown, reaching Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley and Fallon. Take a glance at the photo carousel below to put yourself in the shoes of our Point-of-Care team members on a regular day!

Read More About Department Spotlight: Point-of-Care

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, productivity is always a focus. Care teams need accurate and timely information to make decisions that directly impact our patients. However, without a reliable system to analyze and deliver complex data, noticing areas for improvement and making impactful changes can become overwhelming. This is where the power of data and analytics comes into play.  Renown Health’s Enterprise Data & Analytics (EDA) department are the leaders of this transformation. This team cares for the caregiver by delivering key data and insights with thorough analytics. Their data-driven approach ensures we are moving towards consistent progress and excellence in patient care, creating a better healthcare experience for everyone.  Dedicated Data Deliverers From patient volumes to quality-of-care metrics, our EDA department drives a lot of decisions that directly affect our patients and caregivers. A day-in-the-life as an EDA team member is where creativity meets science.  “Data is the lifeblood of the department and my role,” said Clayton Pettit, Senior Data Analyst. “Every day, I'm working with data – figuring out how to get certain pieces of data, visualizing it to provide users with clear insights and helping users of the data glean those insights and analyze the data.”  “We are builders of data tools, collaborating with team members and IT teams,” added Michelle Ebesu, Data Analyst. “We problem solve and design the most efficient way to deliver data. We work on large projects, small report requests and answer reporting related questions. We investigate and research daily.”  According to this team, every day brings a blend of exploration, engagement and discovery. Their role within our health system is central to turning data into useful ideas that drive meaningful change for all.  “A day on the Enterprise Data & Analytics team involves responding to diverse requests, some well-defined and others more open-ended, requiring exploratory collaboration with stakeholders,” said Kevin Crofton, Senior Data Analyst. “We harness the vast institutional knowledge within our organization to inform our analytics projects. This collaborative approach not only enhances our insights but also extends their impact across various groups within the organization.”  “Each day in EDA is fast paced,” added Ryan Fernandez, Manager of Data Analytics. “Our days are filled with a variety of different tasks ranging from data wrangling, building visualization to tell a meaningful story, responding to urgent business questions with analysis, training other team members on how to use analytical tools, and constantly learning more about the different clinical service lines and how to interpret their data.”  No two days are the same in EDA. In fact, every day brings a new challenge. And the best part? They’re never alone. This team thrives on working together, emulating Renown’s cultural commitment of Collaboration to a tee.  “Every day is different,” said Susan McDonald, Senior Data Analyst. “On larger projects we collaborate together, with each person taking a piece. We'll meet daily to gauge progress, exchange ideas and assist each other when needed. We'll sometimes have to troubleshoot issues that may come up with some reports. We often meet with our end users to get further details on their needs or to present their requested reports.”  “Up until the last couple of months, my day-to-day was creating, updating and fixing reports for all aspects of Hometown Health,” added Ryan Zinck, Data Analyst. “For the past two months we have begun the development of what will be an extensive reporting system in PowerBI that's intended to serve most groups within the company.”  Working with digital healthcare information that impacts how a health system operates and makes needed improvements can be complicated, since information is entered in various ways like calculations, statistics or measurements. Susan McDonald said it best: “It’s like solving puzzles every day.”   “We are Business Intelligence,” said Michele Warner, Data Analyst. “We answer questions the business proposes. We write queries and design reports/dashboards. We dig into the tables that store the data that is input by everyone at Renown through EPIC and other applications. We tell a story that will help the business be more efficient, make better decisions, solve a problem or report to government agencies.”  “We dive deeper into the front-end data and analyze it to get more detailed information and insights regarding the performance and certain project,” added Boqun Yin, Data Analyst. “Then, our colleagues working at the front line can utilize it when making strategic business decisions.”  EDA takes the definition of trendsetting to a whole new level. With the unique ability to predict future trends, this department can provide crucial information that helps care teams on the floor care for their patients to the best of their ability today, tomorrow and forever.  “I deliver data on all sorts of topics for Renown,” said Clayton Pettit. “With this data, I help Renown see where we are and where we need to improve. Beyond that, the data I provide can help us see how we can improve, what things we need to focus on and processes we need to change.”  “Our organization needs up to date robust data to ensure quality and integrity so that it’s reliable, secure and accurate,” added Uriel Duran, Data Engineer. “We also provide analytics and insights that can provide/predict patient outcomes and trends. For our patients, improving patient care is critical – and that can be done with data.”  Making Your Lives Easier As stated by Brian, Howell, Manager of Data Engineering, “we’re here to make everyone’s lives easier.” And Brian is exactly right – the EDA department’s work impacts the people who care for patients. Their data analysis and engineering skills help our care teams answer questions, give them information they can make decisions with and inform them statistically about well they are doing, along with showing opportunities for growth.  “EDA professionals like to think of themselves as the ‘wizard behind the curtain,’ a nuance from the ‘All Knowing’ Wizard of Oz; we are custodians of the company's data and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Dr. Justin Coran, Chief Analytics Officer. “When we partner with our clinical or administrative counterparts, we can help evolve decision-making from emotional to rational. The shift to rational decision-making allows the company to understand cause and effect of their business or clinical decisions.”   “I work directly with our customers on a daily basis to determine how our department can help them achieve their goals,” added Brian Howell. “I have been involved in data for over 20 years and love the technology, ever-changing landscape and challenges.”  The proof of their influence is in the numbers and the words they hear from our front-line care teams, from a significant financial impact to words of enthusiasm from providers. This reinforcement encourages the EDA team to continue going above and beyond.  “My goal is to make life easier for our clinicians and staff who do provide direct care,” said Helen Bahrke, Senior Data Analyst. “I feel accomplished if my work helps other staff reduce their time spent running reports or finding the data they need. Some providers have their own research questions they are studying in their patient population. Helping them get the data they need so they can provide better and more efficient care makes me happy.”  “Though we may not be the most visible department at Renown, the work we do and content we output drives decision making at the highest level,” added Sean Gollos, Data Analyst. “We make it easier for physicians to track patients, provide key employee data to the HR department and help ensure our organization is compliant with several requirements set by our industry.”  “I have seen my work bring in millions of dollars so that Renown can provide better care where it’s needed,” added Sean Richards, Senior Data Analyst.  Both patients and providers can lean on the EDA department for support in helping unravel data that may seem complex to the everyday eye, which has a direct impact on productivity and care quality.  “We take care of those who take care of patients,” said Mark Templeton, Manager of Data Analytics. “From descriptive analytics to measurements and dashboards, we provide a lot of support to those who manage patient care and productivity.”  “Our team provides critical datasets and insights into specific medical data that informs decision making stakeholders, which indirectly impacts patient quality of care,” added Sergio Pascutiu, Senior Data Engineer.  The impact of this team’s expertise can be felt beyond the hospital floor. Renown Health Leadership relies on the EDA to deliver data that affects important decisions at the top organizational level.  “A typical day for me revolves around data integration and extract, transfer, load (ETL) operations,” said Ken Vogel, Data Engineer. “The data and reporting that we provide to our end users and Renown leadership drive the decisions that impact the organization as a whole, which in turn impacts our patients.”  “Renown Leadership has business experience and training in order to navigate the challenges and opportunities that constantly present themselves,” added Michael Jesser, EDA Project Manager. “EDA helps them test their proposals with real data. This has been the meat and potatoes for our department if you've got a question about any process then we'll find the data that helps you form a reasonable answer.”   "We provide timely information to Renown leadership so that they may optimize our operational efficiencies that allow for improved patient outcomes,” added Todd Nicholas, Data Engineer.  This team thrives on challenges. Ryan Fernandez explains it beautifully: “I love challenges and learning new things, which is what happens almost every day being an analyst in healthcare, and that is what keeps me in this industry.”  Fighting the Good Fight for Today and Tomorrow Throughout the past year, the EDA department has been hard at work with many transformative projects that have improved several processes at Renown. What many may not know is just how large of a role these team members played in several of these endeavors, from a time-keeping platform upgrade for our employees to creating a one-stop-shop data warehouse.  As one can likely imagine, many of these projects are a large source of pride for this department, and deservedly so: “I am most proud of the Renown Regional Medical Center wall board conversion project, converting the patient lists that previously displayed to an Epic dashboard that displays data that is pertinent to the staff taking care of patients. The new wall boards provide at-a-glance information requested by nursing leadership.” - Michelle Ebesu “The last 12 months within EDA has been transformational. In May 2023, the data needed to run operations was scattered across 200 source systems and files, 20,000+ SQL tables and thousands of columns of data. Led by the vision of our executives, the team onboarded the technology (Microsoft Azure) and completed the development of a foundational Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) within 8 months, when the process usually takes 1.5-2 years. EDA produced Renown's first in-house developed risk stratification algorithm to optimize care for our Hometown Health members and produced a brand-new state-of-the-art reporting system for primary care.” - Dr. Justin Coran  “Our team contributed to the integration with the new UKG enterprise resource planning (ERP) system which comprises of a multi-tenant integration package that sources data from the UKG system.” - Sergio Pascutiu “I'm proud of the role our department has played in migrating from Kronos to UKG. It was a project that took over a year from planning to implementation, but our team had a key role that I think really opened people's eyes to how much they rely on the data that our team maintains.” - Sean Gollos Since this team’s work involves a large collaborative effort between the clinicians and themselves, according to them, the work that our care teams do generates “a gold mine” of health services data for them to dig through and answer crucial questions to create solutions, such as “What has happened in the past?” “What is currently happening?”  While figuring out the answers to those questions that will affect the future of healthcare at Renown, one solution often comes to the forefront: artificial intelligence.  “Under the direction of our new Chief Analytics Officer, the tool sets that EDA uses will expand into machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI),” said Michael Jesser. “We'll be answering questions about what is likely to happen or what data could influence an answer that we don't normally associate with the question. This is big – and getting bigger. EDA will put Renown at the forefront of this powerful future.”  “The new data science team that will onboard in 2025 will be able to utilize AI and machine learning (ML) applications that may impact patient care directly,” added Dr. Justin Coran. “EDA is looking forward to partnering alongside our clinicians and nurses to create the future in AI / ML healthcare products.”  Virtually everyone in the EDA department was excited about a career in high tech. To make matters even better, many of them had a passion for healthcare and the non-profit world.  “My healthcare experience led me to an understanding that there was a need for someone that understood healthcare workflows in the IT field, so I joined as an Epic analyst to help design those workflows and eventually found my way onto the EDA reporting team,” said Raffi Kilejian, Data Analyst. “The work-life balance, along with the fact that I work for a non-profit that gives back to the community are my main reasons for working for Renown.”  Other team members didn’t originally intend to use their technical talents in healthcare but are glad that they ended up taking the road to Renown. From the department’s strong culture to our health system’s impact on the community, this team consistently reports enjoying the work they do every day for Renown.  “I chose to work at Renown because of its stellar reputation as a leader in community-focused healthcare and the sense that individual contributions could genuinely drive change,” said Kevin Crofton. “Although I hadn't originally planned a career in healthcare, I've found a profound synergy in this department, where multiple disciplines converge to address diverse challenges. This welcoming and collaborative atmosphere has been key to our success. My transition into healthcare has been immensely rewarding, allowing me to apply my skills in ways that meaningfully impact our community's health and well-being.”  Finding “better ways to do things,” as the EDA team puts it, transcends the backend data. That philosophy also feeds into their departmental culture, always finding ways to bring each other together and uplift one another’s accomplishments and ambitions.  “I'm proud that we've been able to bring back some former valuable Renown employees,” added Brian Howell. “It is a testament to the culture at Renown that people recognize the meaningful work we do. I love working for a healthcare organization that makes a difference in people's lives."  “I was referred to Renown by a good friend during job hunting; since I started to work for Renown, I've seen the changes and effort that the EDA leadership has put into the development of the team,” added Boqun Yin. “I am glad to be part of this journey. That's why I choose to stay.”  “Renown also offers great benefits which I have taken advantage of, such as tuition reimbursement for my online MS in Analytics program I am currently enrolled in,” added Ryan Fernandez.  As proudly stated by Michelle Ebesu, “I believe in the values we have here at Renown.” And at the end of the day, this is what matters most to all who work in EDA.  “The opportunity to drive meaningful change and contribute to a mission that goes beyond profit—to truly focus on improving people’s lives—continues to inspire and keep me deeply committed to our cause,” closes Kevin Crofton.

Read More About Department Spotlight: Enterprise Data & Analytics

Did you know that about one in four adults and one out of every ten kids in the U.S. might have a liver problem called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)? This happens when too much fat builds up in the liver, and it's not because of drinking alcohol. The most serious type of this liver problem is called metabolic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (M/NASH). It means there's damage and can be scarring in the liver. About 20% of people with fatty liver disease have M/NASH. What's worrying is that many people don't even know they have it. Dr. Catherine McCarthy, a family medicine doctor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, talks about the main risks of M/NASH and how you can check your risk for liver disease during Liver Health Matters Month, or anytime.  Who Might Get M/NASH?  Doctors aren't sure exactly why some people get fatty liver or M/NASH. While anyone can get M/NASH, people who might be more at risk include those with:  Type 2 diabetes Insulin resistance or prediabetes High body mass index (BMI) or obesity High cholesterol or other fats in the blood High blood pressure Signs of liver problems from tests or biopsies A family member living with M/NASH How Do Doctors Find Out If You Have M/NASH? Doctors can do different checks and tests to see if someone has fatty liver or M/NASH. They might look at your liver health through non-invasive tests such as blood work, ultrasounds or MRIs. They might also suggest a special blood test called an Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test– offered at no-cost through the Healthy Nevada Project – to check your risks of advancing liver disease.  How Can You Treat Fatty Liver Disease or M/NASH?  Patients with moderate to advanced liver scarring may also be prescribed a recently approved therapy called Rezdiffra. However, prevention of advancing disease is still the best option.  Actions you can take to improve your liver health and reduce your risk include: Eating healthy, especially low-carb foods Exercising regularly Losing weight if needed Not drinking alcohol Keeping an eye on blood sugar if you have diabetes No-Cost Liver Screening Through the Healthy Nevada Project  If you live in Nevada and are 18 or older, you can qualify for a no-cost liver health screening by enrolling in the Healthy Nevada Project, one of the largest community-based population health studies in the entire country. This study helps doctors understand your liver health better and plan early treatments to stop liver disease from getting worse.  By joining the Healthy Nevada Project, you can: Get the FDA-approved ELF test to check your risks for liver disease See your test results in your medical record to help your doctor plan your care better Help doctors and researchers learn more about M/NASH and work on future treatments Participate in genetic sequencing for high-risk conditions linked to heart disease and certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer Gain high-level health insights, including food sensitivities, and ancestry information. Enrolling in the study is easy: Schedule a Virtual Consent Appointment through MyChart where a study representative will answer any questions, confirm your eligibility and sign you up. Once you’re signed up, your representative will schedule your blood test. Go to your blood draw appointment. By taking part in this study, you're helping to make a difference in liver health research!

Read More About Understanding Your Risks for Fatty Liver Disease

Entering the emergency room (ER) is intimidating for any person, let alone when you’re unsure what condition or illness you might have. Many may also spend their time in the ER wondering if they will need to be admitted to the hospital.  Now, let’s say you don’t need to be admitted. That’s great news! But in order to figure out what’s going on in your body, you may need to stay a little longer – say, under 24 hours – for observation, tests or further treatment. This work is done swiftly by a specific team at the hospital to get you home sooner.  That team at Renown Health is the Clinical Decision Unit (CDU). These nursing and acute care professionals seamlessly fill in the gaps between inpatient and outpatient care, helping patients return home sooner through rapid tests and treatment.  Quick Interventions for Efficient Care The key goal at the forefront of the CDU’s patient care philosophy lies in their name: decisions. The team makes quick decisions in order to deliver timely, accurate assessments so they can treat patients efficiently and get them home. Not only do these efforts help reduce the amount of time patients have to stay in the hospital, but they also achieve cost savings for both the patient and our health system. And in cases where patients do end up needing to be admitted, the CDU walks them through everything they can expect during their stay.  The main duties of our CDU team include:  Observation and monitoring, where patients with conditions that are not immediately life-threatening but need closer monitoring Diagnostic testing, including blood work and imaging, to help providers gather critical information quickly Treatment and stabilization to receive treatments like IV fluids, medications or other therapies to prevent the need for inpatient admission Decision-making to determine whether the patient should be admitted for further care or discharged with follow-up plans  Think of the CDU as the ER and inpatient admission go-between. By diverting patients who don’t necessarily need emergency intervention away from the ER, the CDU helps relieve high patient volumes and reduce wait times.  “The CDU offloads patients from the emergency room who require slightly longer observation status to complete more complex testing or exams,” said Kristine Barnes, RN. “You could consider us a ‘limbo’ unit between the ER and admission to the hospital, if required.”  As with many other teams at Renown, every day is different for this team. They enjoy the variety of cases they see and solving the puzzles that present with patient care.  "The CDU is always fast moving, with discharges and admissions all day,” said Tyler Cathcart, Acute Care Technician-Advanced. “As an observation unit, we function as both an extension of the ED and PACU, with Medical, Telemetry and post-op patients. We have a wide range of patients and responsibilities to keep the unit moving quickly.”  “We see a variety of patients and enjoy the variety each day brings,” added Angie Marrale, Acute Care Technician-Basic. “A day in the life as a tech on CDU is full of surprises because we have such a wide variety of patients. It requires all team members to be attentive, hardworking and communicative in order to provide our patients with the care they need.”  If you’re ever looking for an example of a team that moves and acts quickly, the CDU is a shining example of that. Due to their hyper-focused attention, patients are able to embrace better outcomes and higher satisfaction.  “We move quickly to get today's group of patients comfortable, complete the tests ordered, make the appropriate interventions and get them discharged back home or transferred in less than 24 hours; then, we refill the unit, and each patient receives excellent, expedited care,” said Tyler Cathcart. “Efficient patient care within 24 hours is our goal, and we strive to meet that goal daily.”  A place to get extra care and attention without needing to stay for a long time while also having a team of professionals solely dedicated to figuring out what is going on in your body? Sign us up!

Read More About Department Spotlight: Clinical Decision Unit

Celebrate Leap Day by leaping into the world of Pathology at Renown Health! Think of discovering a diagnosis like solving a mystery: the condition is the suspect, the nurses are the frontline police force and the doctors are the lieutenants or captains finalizing the results of the case. You may notice that one crucial role is missing on this list – the detectives. In the diverse network of healthcare, the detectives are a significant part of each patient’s mystery-solving care team and represent many roles across our health system. When it comes to figuring out the elaborate details of a growth, disease, organ abnormality or cause of death, one team of detectives, quite literally, goes as deep as possible. Those detectives are the team members within Renown Pathology. For each specialized field within medicine or surgery, the Pathology department is here to play a crucial role in accurate diagnoses. With each slide examined and each test meticulously conducted in their bright laboratories, these dedicated professionals shape a path towards wellness and recovery.  Meet Your Anatomy Experts  Whether you have a chronic disease that needs consistent testing, a high-risk birth that requires placenta testing, a suspected cancerous tumor that needs a biopsy or a gall stone that must be removed (or anything in between), Renown’s Pathology team steps in to provide biological answers to your body’s questions. This department offers the most comprehensive in-house diagnostic testing in the region, from routine histology to full pathology.  As the busiest pathology department in northern Nevada, this team boasts the fastest turnaround times from respected experts, including:  Pathologists Pathology Assistants Histotechnicians Histotechnologists Clinical Lab Assistants Let’s break down the complex nature of these team members' jobs by walking through their everyday responsibilities at work!  Pathologists  Pathologists are medical doctors who specialize in the study and diagnosis of disease. With every slide they scrutinize and every sample they analyze, pathologists unravel the mysteries of disease with precision and compassion. Their responsibilities include interpreting laboratory tests, analyzing tissue and fluid samples (obtained from a variety of different sources, including biopsies and surgeries), staging cancer diagnoses and providing diagnostic insights that guide treatment decisions.  “Our job is to help the patients and their doctors figure out what’s wrong,” said Dr. Christie Elliott, Pathologist and Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratory at Renown Regional Medical Center. “As the bulk of our cases deal with cancer, almost every day we start with a tumor board alongside fellow surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and geneticists. From there, we order extra studies, run through our cases to make diagnoses, review slides and ensure all information goes into the charts, which is especially important as 70% of data in medical charts is from the lab. A patient’s history is everything.”  Pathology Assistants With the steadiest of hands, pathology assistants, also known as PAs (not to be confused with physician assistants), guide the diagnostic journey from patient specimen to diagnosis. They can typically be found processing surgical and biopsy specimens (includes accessioning, gross examination, description, and sampling for microscopic analysis), preparing tissue samples for microscopic evaluation, helping the pathologist determine a cause of death for autopsies by conducting organ dissections and maintaining detailed records of all diagnostic findings.  “As a PA, I still impact patient care without being directly patient-facing,” said Andrew Whitner, Pathology Assistant. “I handle 300-350 small tissue blocks a day. During dissections, I identify landmarks, document what I see and turn those landmarks into slides, looking for things that don’t look normal.”  “Our job is 90% all about gross specimens, and we also do eviscerations for autopsies,” added Leslieann Haffner, Pathology Assistant. “We are trained on what normal looks like; our goal is to find the abnormal.”  Histotechnicians Histotechnicians work behind the scenes to help transform ordinary tissue into extraordinary windows of insight, revealing the inner workings of the human body. As vital members of the Pathology team, histotechnicians embed tissue specimens in paraffin wax blocks (a process that preserves the tissue's structure for examination), cut thin sections of tissue from the paraffin blocks using a microtome, mount tissue onto glass slides and stain the tissue slides using histological stains to highlight structures or cells.  “With all the patient specimens we work with, we get to see a lot of organs and learn what is causing the abnormalities,” said Reiny Hitchcock, Histotechnician. “I enjoy the opportunities to expand my knowledge, especially while working alongside the doctors.”  “Our job can change by the week,” added Jessica Fahrion, Histotechnician. “One week I’ll be in the grossing room, and the next week I might be training in cytology." Histotechnologists In a world where every slide holds the key to a patient's future, histotechnologists are the champions of progress. One career ladder step above histotechnicians, these team members often have a broader scope of responsibilities, including more complex laboratory procedures, developing and validating new techniques, managing laboratory operations, interpreting results and troubleshooting technical issues. You can count on histotechnologists for validating antibodies and handling orders from pathologists, oncologists, emergency physicians and more.  “My day always involves looking into cases, reading reports, getting orders together and working with pathologists to help them with their diagnoses; I also work a lot with immunohistochemistry, helping out with routine slides,” said Charles Koeritz, Histotechnologist. “I especially enjoy doing validations, which help maintain the integrity of lab testing and our diagnostic processes.” Clinical Lab Assistants Our pathology clinical lab assistants are the masters at “filling in the blanks,” assisting in whatever area needs it most, especially in cytology and the grossing room. They are essential aspects of the Pathology team, collecting and storing specimens for further testing, assisting in managing test results, gathering data, managing supply inventory and more.  “As a Clinical Lab Assistant, I can be scheduled anywhere, from tissue cassetting to grossing,” said Ellie Somers, Clinical Lab Assistant. “Working in cytology is one of my favorite parts of my job. It’s very rewarding to work with the doctors to uncover what treatments will help each patient. We do cytology very well here.” The Bottom Line Even though the Pathology department doesn’t always experience a lot of patient face-to-face time, they interact with patients in a different way – by uncovering the story that is the inner workings of the human body, one slide and one sample at a time.  “It’s important to remember that the slide IS a patient,” said Dr. Elliott. “We are constantly learning from every case so we can continue to provide the best patient care possible.”  Take a Photo Tour of the Pathology Lab!

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Meet newly minted Dr. Majid Khan, PhD., a native of Reno, and current MD-PhD candidate and first-generation medical student at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, who is on his way to a career as a Neurosurgery. While most graduate students often choose between pursuing a medical degree (MD) or a doctorate in philosophy (PhD), Majid has boldly picked both. He is one of three medical students currently in the UNR Med MD-PhD Program run by Dr. Caroline Cobine, PhD and Dr. Violeta Mutafova-Yambolieva, MD, PhD. "Research is not merely an act of sitting at a computer and reading papers – it's about answering the thought-provoking questions about things we come across on a daily basis. By critically evaluating these ideas we can implement solutions to enhance various aspects of the medical field and patient care with an overall goal of improving patient outcomes," Majid said. Majid recognizes that modern research extends beyond academia and holds significant value for hospitals. “Research contributes to improving patient outcomes. By reviewing the data from peer-reviewed research studies, medical professionals can be better prepared to deliver effective care following the most up-to-date guidelines and data,” he said. Majid's journey to pursuing his MD-PhD with a goal of becoming a physician-scientist-surgeon began following a summer in the PathMaker Cancer Research Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. "It was by fate that I stumbled into this field – ever since I saw my first brain surgery, I haven’t been able to look back," Majid said. Here are some of the valuable lessons that Majid has learned along the way. 1. Beyond the 9 to 5, Embrace both 5 to 9s To avoid burnout and nurture personal passions, make your time spent outside of work and school intentional. Harness any free time to reconnect with friends, pursue hobbies and engage with mentors and mentees. 2. Collaboration is Key Work collectively with colleagues locally, nationwide and even worldwide. Cultivate environments to share knowledge and innovation, as well as wisdom, which will evidently lead to more impactful outcomes. 3. Shine a Spotlight on Your Colleagues Acknowledge and celebrate your colleagues in group settings when you notice something outstanding that they’ve said or done – it could anything big or small. Shining the spotlight onto those who are making positive changes within the hospital can inspire a beautiful culture of academic healthcare, which ultimately improves patient outcomes. 4. Redefine Mentorship Mentorship does not need to be confined to traditional frameworks. Seek out guidance in unexpected and untraditional places; sometimes, the most enlightening lessons and opportunities emerge from the most unlikely sources. 5. Diversify Your Experiences Embracing a diverse range of experiences enriches one's medical acumen. You never know when a seemingly unrelated job or experience will help in a scenario in your career. 6. Live By the Mamba Mentality Follow the late Kobe Bryant’s approach to life and work, the Mamba Mentality. This includes planning long-term goals, placing meaning in everything, striving for constant personal growth, following your passions and focusing on the process rather than the end goal. 7. Make Time for Your Loved Ones Don’t forget who helped you get to where you are in your life, specifically your family, friends, teachers and mentors. By making time for the most important and loving people in your life, you will be surrounded by positivity which will help propel you to new heights. 8. Plan your Next Five Moves We all have the ability to come from nothing and become something. Take the time to plan out everything and execute your moves with careful precision. Majid has plans to return to the Biggest Little City after completing Neurological Surgery Residency Program. If you would like to get in touch with Majid, please reach out to him via email at majidk@med.unr.edu.

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Did you know that the Renown Research Office has partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Clinical Research Office to form the Integrated Clinical Research Office? This means we are able to provide more clinical research opportunities and expertise to our northern Nevada community than ever before. Over the past two years, we have significantly expanded our clinical trial offerings from 35 to 101 studies to meet the healthcare needs of our community members and keep care options local. Currently, we offer clinical research as a care opportunity in areas such as cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, oncology, pediatrics, neurology and immunizations. What is Clinical Research? Clinical research is simply medical research that involves human volunteers (participants). Research studies have to be reviewed and approved by ethics committees to ensure that the questions researchers want to answer are appropriate and that research participants are protected throughout the study. Often when we talk about clinical research, we are referring to a clinical trial. Clinical trials are a type of clinical research study that places research participants into groups to study the safety and effectiveness of new medications and devices on a specific health outcome. Clinical trials follow rigorous standards and must pass four phases of testing, where each phase works progressively to understand the correct dosing and effects in larger and more diverse groups of people. Why is Clinical Research Important? Did you know that all medications, diagnostic tests and medical devices prescribed and used today by physicians and health practitioners were once tested in clinical trials? Clinical research advances medical care by helping us understand how to prevent disease and to provide new and better treatments for a wide range of health conditions. At Renown Health, we know the importance of offering the latest opportunities in healthcare, especially when standard of care options have been exhausted. What Are Some Considerations for Participating in Clinical Research? Research volunteers are often drawn to participating in studies because they are interested in accessing the latest health care treatments and/or they want to contribute to scientific discovery. If you are interested in becoming a research volunteer, you should first make sure you fully understand what the study and researcher is asking you to do and consider whether you are comfortable with the study activities and commitments to time and travel such as for required study appointments. Remember, participating in a research study is completely voluntary. That means you choose whether to participate, and you can choose to stop participating in a research study at any time, for any reason. Where Can I Find More Information About Clinical Research? There are many resources you can access if you have questions or want to learn more about clinical research. Your healthcare provider can assist you in your healthcare journey by discussing care options and exploring if participating in a clinical trial may be right for you. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health recently launched their Clinical Trials Info for Nevadans webpage which provides information on finding clinical trials in Nevada, understanding the importance of diversity in clinical trials, and linked resources to learn more about clinical trials. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections provides informational videos, questions to ask researchers prior to participating and information on regulations in place to protect research participants. Finally, at the Renown Research Office, we are always here to support your clinical research journey and can be reached at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646. At Renown Health, our goal is to make it easy for patients to access clinical research as a care opportunity where patients can access a variety of standard care treatment options for their health condition or choose to participate in a clinical trial. For more information about clinical trial opportunities available to you or to ask any questions, contact the Renown Research Office at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646.

Read More About Clinical Research: Advancing Healthcare in Northern Nevada One Study at a Time

© Arthon Meekodong via Canva.com Breast cancer screening has long been a cornerstone of women's healthcare. With 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime1, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has developed screening recommendations to help detect early-stage cancer. Notably in 2023, the USPSTF revised the recommended age for biennial mammogram screenings for women with average risk to start at age 40 instead of 502, estimated to result in 19% more lives being saved3 by starting screening earlier. While initiating screening at an earlier age offers advantages to a wide demographic, concerns about the potential of over-screening prompted research into the feasibility of identifying women with lower breast cancer risk who could safely delay mammograms. While guidelines address high-risk individuals, a notable gap exists in providing recommendations tailored to those at lower risk. To gain insight into a patient's risk level, physicians are able to utilize genetic testing to understand an individual's genetic makeup, providing precise insights into their predisposition to various health conditions, including breast cancer. Armed with this genetic information, healthcare providers could craft tailored screening strategies that align with an individual’s specific risk profile. This genetic risk-based approach underscores the value of genetics in individualizing the onset of screening to help avoid over-screening and its associated costs. Surprisingly, genetic information is not currently being widely utilized to identify women at risk of breast cancer or other diseases in clinical practice, despite its potential to make a significant positive impact for patients. A recent retrospective analysis of 25,591 women from the Healthy Nevada Project4 sheds light on the potential benefits of this genetic risk-based approach. The study classified 2,338 (9.1%) of these women as having a low genetic risk for breast cancer. What's remarkable is that these women exhibited a significantly lower and later onset of breast cancer compared to their average or high-risk counterparts. This finding suggests that it might be safe for low-risk women to delay mammogram screening by 5 to 10 years without compromising their health.

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As the holiday season draws near, we find more reasons to celebrate with loved ones. At Renown Health, we are kicking off the celebrations early this November with American Diabetes Month. Approximately 37 million Americans, including 270,000 Nevadans, have been diagnosed with diabetes with as many as 95% of those diagnosed living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs because your body is not using insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas to help cells use the food we eat for energy) as well as it should, resulting in high blood sugar levels. It is important to obtain a diagnosis for T2DM and ensure it is well-controlled to prevent serious health complications. Those with diabetes are at higher risk for blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and amputation. Tips for Supporting Your Health with Type 2 Diabetes Know Your Blood Sugar Levels: Work with your healthcare provider to establish target blood sugar levels, and make sure to monitor your levels regularly as advised by your healthcare provider to prevent or delay health complications associated with T2DM. Focus on Your Plate: Eating foods such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats or plant-based proteins, healthy fats and whole grains supports diabetes management. If choosing healthy foods is difficult due to your busy schedule, cost or simply because you aren’t sure where to start, talk with your healthcare provider who may refer you to a registered dietitian. Registered dietitian nutritionists are certified nutrition specialists who can provide education and practical tips for eating to support your T2DM diagnosis with visits covered by many insurance plans. Prioritize Staying Active: Engaging in regular exercise is good for everyone, especially those living with T2DM. Exercise helps your cells become more sensitive to insulin and therefore supports healthy blood sugar levels. Always check with your healthcare provider prior to beginning a new exercise plan. Support Stress Reduction: Stress is unavoidable but can be managed through regular exercise, getting enough quality sleep (7-8 uninterrupted hours per night) and practicing meditation and other mindfulness techniques. Plan Ahead for Holiday Gatherings: There’s still room for celebration while focusing on blood sugar management. Consider bringing a healthy dish to your gathering, focus on filling your plate with vegetable sides and eating those first and incorporate a family walk after dinner. If traveling, pack nutritious snacks that support your health and keep you full. Lastly, enjoy the special dishes and desserts this season has to offer in single-serving portions.

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Renown Health, the region's leading cardiology care provider, is offering a clinical trial for eligible patients struggling to control their high blood pressure. Nearly half of adults (119.9 million) in the United States have hypertension, or blood pressure that is higher than normal. Hypertension can put you at risk of other life-threatening disease, such as a heart attack or stroke. There are methods that cardiologists use to manage high blood pressure, but only 1 in 4 adults with hypertension (27.0 million) have their blood pressure under control.* Some patients with high blood pressure experience resistant hypertension, which does not respond well to multiple antihypertensive medications given at the same time. This means that there are many important opportunities for healthcare professionals to explore new ways to treat hypertension.  At Renown Health, we lead the region in cardiology care with our technological expertise and patient-centered approach. That is why our cardiology team is partnering with the Renown Research Office to offer the RADIANCE Continued Access Protocol (RADIENCE CAP) clinical trial to eligible patients. RADIANCE CAP is a non-randomized study designed to allow for continued access to ultrasound renal denervation therapy via the Paradise System, and to allow for the on-going collection of safety and effectiveness data in patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite the prescription of antihypertensive medications. The body’s complex communication system between the brain, heart and kidneys can sometimes become overactive, increasing your blood pressure through messages in the nervous system. Renal denervation is a minimally-invasive procedure which reduces activity from the nerves in your kidneys to lower blood pressure.  This is the third in a series of renal denervation clinical trials Renown Health has offered to patients with resistant hypertension over the last several years, with over 40 local participants.  “All the participants that I have had the pleasure to work with on these studies are very excited and grateful to have this option for helping control their blood pressure” states Lisa English, Lead Clinical Research Coordinator for Cardiology studies at Renown Health. “I love getting to know each one of them and helping on their healthcare journey. We have an amazing team of providers and staff at Renown that go out of their way to make patients experiences positive and the studies successful.” Dr. Michael Bloch, Cardiologist and Principal Investigator for the RADIANCE CAP study at Renown Health’s Institute for Heart and Vascular Health adds, “Despite lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise and the widespread availability of effective and well-tolerated medications, approximately 50% of all people with hypertension have inadequate blood pressure control putting them at risk for stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. As a one-time durable procedure, renal denervation with the Paradise endovascular system from ReCor Medical, Inc. may help millions of patients improve their blood pressure control without necessarily needing to increase their medications.” Our teams of expert providers and researchers are here to support you on your healthcare journey. Talk to your provider about the RADIANCE CAP clinical trial at your next appointment to see if participation may be right for you.

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Stepping into the Renown Transfer and Operations Center (RTOC) means stepping into a transformative hub of excellence where lives are saved and healthcare is reimagined. As a cornerstone of Renown Health's commitment to exceptional patient care, the RTOC serves as a dynamic nerve center that seamlessly coordinates medical resources, ambulance rides, hospital bed space, remote home systems, hospital transfers and emergency preparedness. In this best-in-class facility, the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare are constantly pushed, and new horizons of patient care are discovered.   Staffed with a dedicated team of skilled professionals, the RTOC harnesses the power of advanced technology and compassionate expertise to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care and support, no matter where they are. Through a synchronized network of communication, coordination, and compassionate care, the RTOC team ensures that patients receive the critical support they need when it matters most, working tirelessly to redefine what it means to deliver world-class healthcare.   A National Standard  Charged with the goal of overseeing the placement and transportation for every patient, the RTOC officially launched in 2021 as northern Nevada’s first and only transfer center of its kind and a nationally celebrated facility. As Renown’s highly coordinated care logistics system, this team uses the cutting-edge technology at their fingertips to customize healthcare to the needs of every patient, manage patient flow and drive healthcare innovation.  “Compared to where we’ve started to where we are now, it’s a 180-degree difference,” said Kelli McDonnell, Manager of RTOC. “When we first started building our facility right before the pandemic happened, we took what was six conference rooms and classrooms and turned it into a command center that organizations across the country admire and come to Reno to see what we do. Mel Morris, the Director of RTOC, was recruited exclusively to build our facility with her history of building successful hospital command centers. Many people didn’t realize what a transfer center was or that Renown was the only center in the region – and we only continue to grow.”  This best-in-class facility, and the masterful team behind it, handles:  Coordinating all incoming patients transferred from neighboring hospitals and 27 counties across northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe, northeast California and neighboring states. Matching patients to the most appropriate bed placement using diagnostic, triage and Epic electronic medical record clinical information in conjunction with medical staff expertise to outline a plan of care that determines the best bed assignment given the patient’s needs.  Coordinating video-enabled Telehealth monitoring capabilities for Renown’s four Intensive Care Units (ICUs), as well as Renown patient Telehealth and virtual visits. Monitoring Remote Home systems with Masimo during the COVID-19 pandemic, where some patients received hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes while Renown clinicians monitored and evaluated their data and plan of care.  Serving emergency and disaster management for area hospitals, first-responders and the community with local, regional and statewide emergency and disaster management for sudden-onset emergencies.  The RTOC is home to many different critical roles for our health system, including Transfer Center Nurses, Ride Line Coordinators, RTOC Coordinators and more, many duties of which each team member cross-trains on to be able to fill in whenever needed. While their roles may differ, their commitment to their patients remains the same – and they all work together to achieve the same outcome: delivering the right care, at the right time and place.  “As an RTOC Coordinator, we do a variety of different things,” said Anna Schaffer, RTOC Coordinator. “We do triage coordination to help our nurses and hospitalists get patients in the emergency department admitted, and we also do bed control to find patients appropriate bed placement. Communication is important, so we always make sure to stay closely connected with the charge nurses on those floors.”  “We start with a basic ‘need to know’ and place patients accordingly,” added Karly Brown, RTOC Coordinator. “We get surgery numbers, ICU capacity and discharges and find beds for all patients as quickly as possible. We have the advantage of being able to see the entire hospital.”  “I primarily schedule transportation for patients at the hospital who are either going home or going to a skilled nursing facility,” said Sarah Clark, Ride Line Coordinator. “I get requests from case managers to schedule rides, and I work with REMSA and other ambulance services to schedule them. It relies a lot on appropriate and efficient communication and critical thinking.”  Patients in facilities across northern Nevada and northeastern California, especially the rural communities, look to the RTOC to help guide ambulances, bed coordinators and hospital staff in finding care for our rural patients.  “As a transfer center nurse, I facilitate incoming patients from rural facilities in Nevada and surrounding areas in California,” added Meg Myles, Transfer Center Nurse Specialist. “There are days we may take up to 30 direct admissions from these areas.”  “We are the point of contact for inter-facility transfers, whether we are sending patients out or bringing them into Renown,” said Lisa Lac, Transfer Center Nurse Specialist. “We take phone calls from those rural areas, identify what services are needed, connect them to the appropriate provider and coordinate any transfers.”  “Simply put, we are the bed wizards,” said Addison Rittenhouse, RTOC Coordinator.  The RTOC team continues to break barriers and push the boundaries of medical excellence through leveraging the technology at their fingertips and their unwavering dedication to the health of our community. Inspiring a new era of medical possibilities, these team members have achieved a multitude of accomplishments for both their department and their patients since the birth of the center.  “We have significantly reduced the time it takes to get patient admit orders in, thanks in part to the new Triage Coordinator role, and we provide easier access for patients to transfer to us from other facilities,” said Beth Rios, RTOC Coordinator. “We have taken a bigger role in helping the smaller hospitals in our area in caring for patients and improve patient throughput.”  “As a team, we’ve done a lot of work in creating an engaging and positive environment, and our internal morale committee has been a huge help with that,” said Kelli McDonnell. “We’ve been working tremendously over the last year and taking all the feedback that we received from the Employee Engagement Survey to make improvements. We had 100 percent survey participation within five days, which is incredible.”  “I am so proud of our escalation and problem-solving skills,” said Becca Dietrich, RTOC Coordinator. “When an issue is raised to us, we will always find a timely solution on our end so our care teams can focus on the issue in front of them. We are the eyes in the sky, seeing movement everywhere.”  Each day in the life of our RTOC team members is a testament to their commitment, resilience and timework, making a profound impact on countless lives.

Read More About Department Spotlight: Renown Transfer and Operations Center