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Located on the 5th floor of the Tahoe Tower, Renown’s newly updated Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is decorated with colorful artwork on the walls, the lights dim for the newborns resting, and parents conversing next to the bassinet with nurses on their baby’s journey to health. In the quiet, shuffling hallways stands Mariah DaSilva, a Renown NICU Nurse, whose own birth story showed her true compassion and professional dedication to what it means to care for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients. From the Medical Floor to the NICU Mariah started her nursing career on the medical floor at Renown; however, after a year, she was excited to see her dream job open in the NICU and helping to provide compassionate care for the most fragile patients. “I’ve always known that I wanted to work with babies so being a NICU nurse was a dream of mine,” said Mariah. “I truly love what I do, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else than the NICU.” A high-stakes environment, the NICU is where babies are transferred to after birth when they require medical intervention. They care for babies as young as 23 weeks gestation, up to full-term babies. Any babies born less than 35 weeks are automatically admitted into the NICU for treatment. Other than prematurity, babies can be admitted to the NICU for respiratory distress, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), cardiac anomalies, birth defects, seizures and other medical conditions that need treatment or assessment. A Day in the NICU: The Heart of Care A typical day for Mariah starts with reviewing her assignments and receiving a detailed report from the night shift. Preparing for the day involves scrubbing in and wiping down patient care areas to maintain a clean environment. Once everything is set, she begins a series of scheduled care tasks, which include performing assessments, feeding, changing diapers and facilitating parent involvement in their baby’s care “There are so many exciting ‘firsts’ that happen in the NICU; parents holding their baby for the first time, parents' first time changing their baby’s diaper, bathing their baby for the first time, first time breast-feeding or bottle-feeding, the baby’s first time taking a full bottle, watching a baby breathe on their own without any respiratory support, etc.,” said Mariah. “There are so many big milestones that happen in the NICU that I am so incredibly lucky to be a part of.” The NICU nurses work closely with neonatologists, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other specialists to deliver comprehensive care. This teamwork and collaboration ensure that each baby receives the best care possible for their health journey. Mariah shared a reflection on her team: “Our NICU team is amazing. Being a part of a team that is so compassionate and collaborative is amazing. We all work closely together to ensure we’re providing the best care possible for every single baby that comes to the NICU. We are all very protective of the babies that we care for in the NICU and truly want the best outcomes for them and their families. Taking care of such a vulnerable population comes with a lot of responsibility and we take pride in what we do each day.” As with all healthcare professionals, NICU nurses require immense strength and compassion to care for the youngest patients in a highly sensitive environment. “More often than not, we have really good days in the NICU, but we also have really hard days that affect every single person in the NICU,” said Mariah. “The loss of a baby, delivering bad news to a parent, an extended NICU stay and a baby withdrawing from drugs are all situations that we unfortunately deal with in the NICU. These situations are all very challenging, but we have to stay strong for the babies and their families.”

Read More About From Renown NICU Nurse to NICU Mom: Mariah DaSilva’s Inspiring Journey

In 2021, Renown Health partnered with the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to construct outdoor “Fitness Courts” in public spaces across the state. The partnership was formed to fight obesity, improve quality of life and create equitable access to outdoor exercise programs for communities around the state – bringing community wellness programs and free digital workouts to thousands of people. The Renown Health and NFC Campaign in Nevada is delivering outdoor wellness infrastructure to help communities stay active across the state and to change health outcomes. Out of Nevada's 16 counties, Fitness Courts® are now open in three. A Complete Bodyweight Workout at Seven Exercise Stations The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created for people ages 14 and over and with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users may also download the free Fitness Court App, which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. "Proximity to exercise opportunities, such as parks and recreation facilities, has been linked to an increase in physical activity among residents,” said Dr. Brian Erling, President & CEO of Renown Health. “Regular physical activity has a wide array of health benefits including weight control, muscle and bone strengthening, improved mental health and mood, and improved life expectancy. We are proud to bring additional access to exercise opportunities – at no charge, to everyone in our community.” Renown-Sponsored Fitness Courts Across Northern Nevada Rancho San Rafael  1595 N Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89503 South Valleys Regional Park 15650 Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV 89511 Ardmore Park 1200 12th Street, Sparks, NV 89431 Angel Park W Sage Street, Elko, NV 89801 Elquist Park 561 Altenburg Ave., Battle Mountain, NV 89820 To learn more visit Nevada Fitness Courts.

Read More About Renown Health Partnership with the Nevada Fitness Campaign

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

Many Renown Health employees have deep roots in the northern Nevada community and Haley Longfield is one of them. She’s a fifth-generation northern Nevadan currently living in Fernley and commuting to Reno three days a week for her job as a Radiation Therapist for the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute at Renown Health. She’s also a wife, mother of a 1-year-old, and an avid horseback rider who enjoys the western way of life. This year, Haley is excited to compete in the Reno Rodeo for a second time.   A Life-Long Passion Haley started riding horses in the fourth grade and quickly fell in love with it. A few years later, she started barrel racing and developed a profound love for the adrenaline-filled sport. “When I turned 18, my dad gave me all of the responsibility of owning a horse,” said Haley. “Ever since then, I’ve been paying for and taking care of my own horses.” As many who know and love horses would likely agree, Haley says they are therapeutic for the mind, body and soul. “Riding horses is a great way for me to use my brain and focus, or think about nothing at all,” said Haley.  Recently, Haley qualified to compete in this year’s Reno Rodeo in barrel racing with her 7-year-old mare named Hershey. “The first time I competed in the Reno Rodeo was quite a few years ago with my high school rodeo horse, and Hershey is the granddaughter of that horse,” said Haley. “The thing that I’m most excited about in competing at this year’s Reno Rodeo is getting to ride a homegrown horse in my hometown rodeo – she’s gorgeous, easy-going and gives it her all.”    Above: Haley Longfield on her horse Hershey at a barrel race Circle of Support  Haley feels grateful to have the support of her family, friends and team at Renown. “In addition to my family and friends, I have an incredible team at Renown that cheers me on both in my professional and personal endeavors,” said Haley. “I couldn’t do it all without them.” Alongside qualifying for the Reno Rodeo, Haley also recently received her bachelor's degree in applied science with an emphasis in radiation therapy.  Her career development goals consist of moving into leadership within her department. “My leader and team have been nothing but supportive of my goals. Our leader is invested in everyone’s personal development and aspirations, as well as our professional and career development,” said Haley. “I’m excited to one day follow in my leader’s footsteps and help employees in our department reach their own goals. I aspire to become a great leader like she’s been to us.”

Read More About Meet Haley Longfield: A Renown Radiation Therapist & Barrel Racer

Want to know more about osteoporosis and osteopenia? We'll dive into these conditions and give you some handy tips on preventing future problems and taking care of your bones. What is Osteopenia? Osteopenia (low bone density) is the initial stage of bone mineral density loss, which can eventually progress to osteoporosis if steps are not taken to prevent it. What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens our bones. While it literally means “porous bone," it doesn’t mean that our bones are doomed to succumb to the changes that can happen to us silently over time. Our bones are living tissues that are constantly breaking down and remodeling themselves.  Osteoporosis and osteopenia are typically diagnosed by testing bone mineral density using scans that your primary care provider can easily order. This is important testing because it dictates your risk of breaking a bone in common areas like your hip, wrist or spine. It also helps set the stage for talking with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan. Most people will reach their peak bone mass in their mid to late twenties. There are several factors that increase our risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia as we age, such as menopause, genetics and other lifestyle factors. However, there are several things you can do to mitigate this breakdown and assist your body in the constant remodeling it does to our bones. 3 Controllable Factors to Build Strong Bones 1. Talk to your primary care provider They can go over a plan and prescribe things such as vitamin D, calcium and medications that can help if you are at risk or have osteoporosis or osteopenia. 2. Maintain a healthy diet Talk to a dietician if you need further help as they can be an invaluable resource to develop a plan.  Eat foods rich in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin C. These assist with the rebuilding of bone. Examples include but aren’t limited to leafy greens, legumes, salmon and healthy dairy products.  Don’t smoke — it directly correlates with a decrease in bone mass. Smokers also take longer to heal from a fracture.  Limit alcohol to two to three beverages per week. Alcohol interferes with the production of vitamins needed to absorb calcium and the hormones that help protect bones. 3. Exercise Talk to your primary care provider to get a referral to physical therapy if you need help with exercise.  Our bones adapt to the stresses we put them through. Therefore, exercise should be tailored to putting the right stress on our bones. There is good quality research that most exercise is safe when dealing with less bone mineral density.  The exercises should be progressively challenging and increase the load for resistance and weight training at least two to three days a week. Examples include squats, step-ups, chest presses and rows.  Exercises higher in velocity will lead to more power and bone adaptation. Examples include quicker push-ups, marching and quicker walks.  Exercises that are weight-bearing will lead bones to adapt to the stress placed on them. Movements such as mini stomps, step-ups, jumping, jogging and so forth may be used depending on how your body tolerates these things to really stimulate bone adaptation. There are aspects of aging and bone health we can’t control, but we can take steps to minimize the chances of bone loss and osteoporosis. Talk to your healthcare team to determine your risk and don’t forget to show your bones a little TLC – you’re going to need them.

Read More About A Therapist's Tips to Prevent and Manage Osteoporosis

Snowshoeing is an excellent winter workout that can help burn calories, strengthen muscles and boost cardiovascular health. Explore the top 8 snowshoeing spots and experience this ultimate workout adventure! Significant Health Benefits: Exceptional cardiovascular workout – burn up to 1,000 calories per hour! Low-impact muscle building Endurance building Balance strengthening and agility Improves your sense of well-being by connecting to nature Prepping for Your Adventure There are some crucial details to think about when it comes to snowshoeing, especially if you are a beginner. Make sure to pick the right kind of footwear to go on top of your snowshoes; a pair of comfortable waterproof boots are a great choice and remember to wear lots of layers. Several local places rent snowshoes if you aren’t sure about spending money on a pair. Check out Bobos Ski and Board Patio or our local REI Co-Op. Check out REI’s Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing for reference. 8 Cool Snowshoeing Spots 1. Galena Creek Park Close to Reno, this beautiful, low-altitude park offers several trails. You’ll find various creeks and streams under cover of pristine ponderosa pines. From beginner to advanced, the differing trail systems provide a challenge for everyone! Head west on State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) for about seven miles until you see the park sign on the right side of the highway. 2. Tahoe Meadows – Chickadee Ridge This local favorite not only gives fantastic views of Lake Tahoe but the best part? – friendly little chickadees will eat seeds right out of your hand! Be sure to pack plenty of sunflower birdseed, as that seems to be their favorite. From the trailhead parking lot, head southeast into the open meadow. Then follow the ridgeline to your right (southwest). Continue southwest up toward the top of the ridgeline to the west, and you’ll get to Chickadee Ridge in just under two miles. 3. Spooner Lake Trail The easy 2.5-mile loop around Spooner Lake is excellent for all skill levels. This alpine lake is surrounded by aspen trees which house varied bird species, so bring your binoculars! Dogs are allowed on a leash, and all-day parking is $10. 4. Kirkwood Ski Resort You’ll need a trail pass, but this South Lake Tahoe resort has various routes from beginner to advanced, with roughly 50 miles of terrain. Nighttime snowshoe treks during the full moon are also available throughout the winter. Kirkwood is located on Highway 88, close to Carson Pass. 5. Camp Richardson Heading north, you can find this well-established and favorite local snowshoeing spot. If you’re up for an adventure, you can trek up to Fallen Leaf Lake. It’s located off Highway 89 and near Fallen Leaf Road. 6. Dry Pond Loop This moderate, 6.5-mile loop near Washoe Valley has impressive views of Carson Valley, Washoe Lake, and the Mt. Rose Wilderness. If you like the sound of rushing water, most of the trail meanders along White’s Creek. This area is dog-friendly and kid-friendly, which makes it a family favorite. 7. Royal Gorge Soda Springs is home to this resort, which is well known for its cross-country skiing trails. Enjoy extensive trails leading deep into the trees with spectacular views. Find Royal Gorge from the Soda Springs exit on West Interstate 80. 8. Ash Canyon Creek Tucked away in the Carson Valley, these trails are filled with mountain bikes in the spring and provide excellent snowshoeing trails in the winter. Find it from Interstate 580 by taking the Highway 395 Business exit to Winnie Lane.

Read More About The Unmatched Health Benefits of Snowshoeing

When you meet Poeth Kilonzo, Director of Oncology Nursing at Renown Health, you are immediately greeted with a warm smile that puts your mind at ease. Within the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute, Poeth enjoys a strong reputation among her employees and patients as someone they can always rely on, no matter how rough the tides may flow.   As an incredibly humble oncology professional, you may not realize that behind that smile is the power of a best-in-class nurse and leader holding a 20+ year career of diverse nursing experience and leadership excellence – dedicating the majority of her service to Renown Health.  Join us as we dive into Poeth’s unique journey through Renown.  Finding Her Passion  Ever since she could remember, Poeth has been a “people person.” Above all else, she cared for people – and she cared a lot. What better place for her to be than healthcare?  After moving to northern Nevada from Kenya, she began working in private patient care working with home health and dementia patients while taking classes at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) in 2000. One day, a patient asked her a question that would change the course of her career journey: Did you ever think about becoming a nurse?  Driven by not only the words of encouragement of her patients and supervisors in home health but also the rallying support from her family and friends, including her husband and high school friend, who both have decades of experience interacting with nurses in healthcare (with her husband spending many of those years at Renown), Poeth knew this was the path she was meant to take.  “That was it; it was like a light switch had flipped,” said Poeth. “I switched to nursing overnight.”  According to Poeth, TMCC’s nursing program offered her an incredibly supportive environment, which was especially important as she was a young mom at the time. Working in healthcare, going to nursing school and raising a family all at the same time is no easy task, but to Poeth, this was her calling.  “Regardless of my path, I knew I wanted to be a nurse that was close to patients, sitting with them and holding their hand throughout their treatment,” said Poeth.  During nursing school, Poeth completed clinicals at several hospitals in Reno – three of them were at Renown Health (known as Washoe Medical Center at the time). What immediately stood out to her was the passion of the pediatrics unit, especially in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  “While I knew that pediatrics wasn’t going to be my arena, some of the best times in my life were during my pediatrics clinical,” said Poeth. “It opened me up to how welcoming Renown is.”  While doing her rotations, nursing leaders helped Poeth and her fellow classmates discover Renown’s Nurse Apprentice program, an apprenticeship designed exclusively for local northern Nevada nursing students. One of those leaders asked her, “have you considered doing a rotation in oncology?”  And another light switch flipped.  “Bingo. I am becoming an oncology nurse apprentice,” Poeth recalls. And that’s exactly what she did.   After her four-month apprenticeship ended in February 2002, she walked into her interview with Joanna Gold, who would end up being her supervisor and one of her greatest mentors until she passed away in recent years. With her experience and enthusiastic spirit on her side, Poeth fervently expressed her passion and interest in working in oncology. And Joanna saw all of that and more.  In June 2002, Poeth was presented with a two-year oncology RN contract, which she easily signed – however, she knew right then and there but she was not going anywhere. Renown was her home, and oncology ignited the fire within her.  “The nurses in this unit are part of what kept me here,” Poeth remembers. “These nurses would really do anything for their patients. The commitment and love they all had for one another truly was like family. It inspired me to learn more and give even better care to my patients."  To Poeth, it didn’t feel like she was coming to work just to do a job – she was following her dreams.  “You don’t think about the work you do; you think about the service,” said Poeth.  From there, Poeth spent three years on the floor as an oncology RN and became a night shift supervisor in 2005. She was thriving.  But this part of her journey was only the beginning.  When Opportunity Arises, Take It  In March 2007, Poeth and her husband welcomed their third child – and for her, working a day shift position would serve her the best at her current stage of life. This revelation led her down to Renown South Meadows Medical Center, where she became a staff nurse in Medical Telemetry.  It was in the telemetry unit where Poeth contributed to one of the largest digital transformations Renown would ever go through: transitioning from paper records to electronic records on EPIC.  From there, Poeth was inspired to get back into leadership in 2012 as the Supervisor of Clinical Nursing overseeing nurses, clinical outcomes and payroll in the medical/telemetry unit and intensive care unit (ICU). The timing of her leadership role lined up perfectly with her decision to take her skills to the next level, achieving a bachelor’s degree from Nevada State College in 2016. The timing of her degree lined up perfectly with what was about to come; she embarked on her first leadership role at Renown  This is where she would happily stay for 11 years, eventually becoming the Manager of Nursing in telemetry and the ICU, noting that Renown South Meadows felt like a second home to her.  “I wore many hats at South Meadows,” Poeth recalls. “From piloting back coding and handling compliance work to being on the patient floor and heading up South Meadows’ first high school hospital volunteer program, I got very involved. We had seven years without having a single nurse traveler in our unit."  It wasn’t long before Poeth was inspired to expand her education even further, and she graduated in January 2018 with a master’s degree in nursing clinical leadership from Western Governors University. Thanks to Renown’s educational assistance programs, our health system invested directly in Poeth’s education with tuition reimbursement and a $1,000 nursing scholarship.  Soon after celebrating her achievement, Jennifer Allen Fleiner – who was the Director of Nursing at Renown South Meadows at the time – asked Poeth yet another question that would bring her to the precipice of another career detour: “Have you ever considered transferring from South Meadows to Renown Regional?”   Moments later, Alicia Glassco, Director of Nursing for Renown Regional, asked her the same question, noting that the hospital’s neurosurgery unit needed the leadership of someone just like Poeth.  “It took me a whole week to make a decision, because this was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” said Poeth. “I truly loved South Meadows. After that week, my leader told me, ‘you know what, Poeth? You’ve reached your pinnacle. You need and deserve a new challenge. Learn from this new team and teach them something. I think you have a huge opportunity for growth.”  So, Poeth decided to apply for the position and shadow the neurosurgery team, where unlike her unit, the majority of the team at the time were travelers. But this was a challenge Poeth was up to – so she was accepted into the role.  “At the end of the day, these patients deserved consistent care,” Poeth emphasized. “I knew I had to take this position for the patients – they were the ones who sold me on this job. They are the reason why we are all here. It was important for me to be an advocate for them.”  The big hills to climb didn’t slow down Poeth; in fact, the exact opposite happened. Within her first year in the neurosurgery unit, her team onboarded 18 new graduates and replaced travelers.  “We were hiring like crazy,” said Poeth. “My standing agenda at all section meetings focused on hiring and our quality metrics. I started having a relationship with our doctors. Once we created a strong doctor/nurse collaboration, our nurses started staying with us longer.”  Everything on the unit was going great.  Then, COVID-19 hit.   “Since we had private patient rooms, our unit became the first COVID unit at Renown Regional,” Poeth recalls. “My whole staff that I had built up had to be distributed elsewhere. I started caring for COVID patients. We relied on our Infection Prevention team a lot. And at the same time, I was worried about my family in Africa.”  Despite the stressful nature that the pandemic brought upon health systems everywhere, according to Poeth, she knew she had to continue on.  “The neurosurgery team ended up merging with orthopedic trauma, which was very difficult,” said Poeth. “We went from 28 beds to 58 beds. The key to success here was training. Nurses are very resilient, and through training, we were able to stabilize the unit.”  Noticing the opportunity for virtual demonstrations that were previously offered only in-person, Poeth spearheaded online trainings for nursing, physical therapy, mobility, head injuries and more, allowing teams across Renown to upskill in safe spaces.  These programs continued throughout the pandemic, and Poeth was proud to be a figurehead through it all, helping to stabilize the unit while creating strong relationships with the entire team, many of whom followed her from Renown South Meadows to Renown Regional.  Then, she gets another visitor – her Chief Nursing Executive – in her office with yet another opportunity.  Have You Considered...  In September 2022, Chief Nursing Executive Melodie Osborn walked into Poeth’s office with those three words that Poeth has heard for decades: “Have you considered...”  “Before Melodie could even finish, I thought, ‘I have considered A LOT in my career!’” said Poeth.  Melodie told Poeth that the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute was looking for a Director of Oncology Nursing, noting that this could be yet another growth opportunity for her and a chance for her to go back to her roots.  “I had just celebrated my twentieth year at Renown; I knew this was going to be a decision I really had to think about,” said Poeth. “Everyone believed in me. Alicia Glassco told me, ‘Poeth, you are ready for this. Go for it.’ Once I applied for the position and started getting my updated chemotherapy certifications, I thought, ‘they are right; I got this.’”  At this point in her career, Poeth had been hyper-focused on inpatient care, and this role would be her first time caring for patients in the outpatient setting. After going through the interview process, however, Poeth knew that this was where she was meant to be yet again – and colleagues she hadn’t seen in years reaffirmed that commitment.  “I felt the most excited about the job when I toured the facility,” Poeth recalls. “I’ll never forget what one of the infusion nurses told me on my tour. She told me, ‘I don’t know if you remember me, but I remember you; I came from Renown South Meadows, and you were so nice to me as I was precepting as a new nurse. Your kindness was unforgettable to me.’ The fact that people like her wanted me in the unit so badly inspired me to come back.”  Soon enough, Poeth became the Director of Oncology Nursing, a position she still proudly holds to this day. Once she was hired, she immediately went into deep learning mode, mastering skills such as revenue integrity, credentialing and the insurance process. She attributes Supervisor of Infusion Kaitlin Hildebrand and Director of Radiation Oncology Services Susan Cox for helping her succeed.  Shortly after assuming the position, Poeth noticed yet another opportunity for cross-training within the organization to combat short staffing – training nurses from the Float Pool to care for patients in Infusion Services.  “Between May and July of this year, we trained six nurses from Float Pool to do infusion therapy services, which offered so much relief to my team; I am so thankful to Rendee Perry, the Manager of Nursing in our Float Pool unit, and her team for their support,” said Poeth. “My mission in outpatient oncology is to serve the staff and patient population and create those strong relationships."  Poeth's efforts to circumvent nurse burnout go beyond cross-training – as a director, she is always there for her team members no matter what, leading with kindness every step of the way.  “I never miss a 7:45 a.m. huddle unless I am in a ‘cannot miss’ commitment; I want my employees to always know that I am there for them and that they are cared for both on and off the job,” Poeth emphasizes. “I want them to feel like they are valued, their families are valued and their mental health is valued; after all, without my team, we cannot care for patients. It’s important for them to know that I am here to be a security blanket and that there is always something we can do to solve a problem."  Today, Poeth enjoys a full team of core Renown staff members whom patients look forward to seeing – and the high patient satisfaction scores to prove it.  “Our team is so established that patients feel comfort in knowing they are always going to know exactly who they are being treated by,” said Poeth. “We will always work to maintain that consistency.”  Staying True to the Mission  Renown’s mission of making a genuine difference in the health and well-being of our community resonates closely with Poeth. Before she arrives at the infusion unit every day, she asks herself: What can I do to make it easier for my team to deliver care?  “It takes a village to deliver the care we do,” said Poeth. “Our nurses are priceless. You can’t place a monetary value on dealing with life and death every day. This is what inspires me. It’s all about helping each other out and keeping those relationships strong.”  Maintaining those relationships on the floor, according to Poeth, requires one main ingredient: work-life balance.  “I want my nurses to be able to balance sending their kids to kindergarten and giving their patients their first chemotherapy treatments,” Poeth emphasizes. “I genuinely care about their lives. It’s nice when you get to know your team’s children, grandkids, spouse and hobbies. I’m grateful that Renown has given us the autonomy to foster that flexible environment within our teams. It is so rewarding to have such a strong impact on these employees.”  To Poeth, it’s all about doing and then duplicating. Luckily for her team and infusion patients in northern Nevada, a new infusion center at Renown South Meadows is planned to open in the coming years as part of our commitment to expanding care. Her team is excited to grow their expertise down to south Reno – Poeth's original home hospital.  “I strongly believe that as nurses, we are meant to be where we are meant to be at the time,” said Poeth. “Be kind to yourself and remember your ‘why.’ Take advantage of the opportunity you have.”  To all nurses (and future nurses) out there, Poeth wants you to know that you are welcomed and valued. You are saving lives every day, and to her, that is worth everything.  “Always remain focused, even throughout all the challenges. Never forget why you got into nursing. And lastly, always stay true to your own mission,” closes Poeth.

Read More About 20 Years of Compassion and Dedication

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

Injuries happen to everyone. They are caused by participating in sports, recreational activities like hiking, and even by accidentally stepping off a curb wrong. If you experience a sprain or strain, the first few days are often the most painful. Renown Sports Medicine physicians Luis Palacio, MD and Brandon Hockenberry, MD walked us through what to do after an injury.  Listen to Your Body See a medical professional right away if: You know or suspect that a bone is broken You are having difficulties putting full weight on a joint of the leg Pain or swelling is severe There is a sign of an infection, such as redness and warmth in the joint  The First 24-72 Hours Joint sprains tend to swell more than muscle strains. You can use ice as needed for comfort and to relieve any pain, but do not use ice for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. Ice and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) can help prevent excessive swelling and mask the pain, but they do not speed recovery. Some research shows that overuse of ice actually delays recovery.    During the first 24-72 hours, your injury will go through an inflammation phase. Inflammation is your body’s natural way to dispose of dead tissue cells, build new healthy structures, and hopefully heal even stronger than before.

Read More About How to Treat a Sprain or Strain

It’s July 23, 2022, and I am arriving in Downtown Reno to walk in my first-ever Pride Parade. Even more amazing, I am going to be walking with a group of my coworkers, announcing to our entire community that our employer supports us being our full and truest selves. I arrived alone, but in the staging area I met new people who worked in other departments of Renown, coworkers I might never have met if not for Pride. I even took a selfie with one of these new friends. Someone passed around flags for us to hand out to the audience as we marched by. I took a rainbow-striped temporary tattoo in the shape of the Renown “R” and used my water bottle to apply it. There was an overwhelming atmosphere of excitement and joy that can only come from gathering with other human beings who are overflowing with love. We started the Parade waving handfuls of Pride flags high and gave those flags out to the audience as we passed. By the time we were done walking, our hands were empty, but our hearts were full. I couldn’t have stopped smiling if I’d tried. I’d joined the parade as a single person, but as we walked, I became part of a community. Not only the Renown community, but a community of Proud queer people across northern Nevada. And by extension, the LGBTQIA+ community all around the world – past, present and future.  With the multiple recent state laws proposing to strip away the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, many of us have felt a noticeable decline in our mental health and feelings of personal safety.  As a member of the queer community, I have felt these mental health effects too. I am fortunate and privileged enough to not have experienced workplace discrimination in my current position. But before Renown, I – like so many others in the LGBTQIA+ community – had a negative experience at a previous job, and afterwards I was hesitant to share my full self while at work. To be able to walk in a Pride Parade with my current employer, healed a little bit of that past pain inflicted by my former employer.  When our liberties are under attack, Pride is more important than ever. We must remind ourselves, especially when others cannot seem to remember, that we are loved and worthy of love. I am grateful to work for an organization that is willing and able to fight this good fight with us.  I will certainly be back to walk in this year’s Pride Parade, and I sincerely hope to see you there too! Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and of course keep your skin safe with sunscreen. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or just an ally, you are welcome.

Read More About Employee Blog: Team Renown at Northern Nevada Pride

Over the past couple of years, pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport among people of all ages.  It’s a combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton that originated in 1965. This sport can be played indoors or outdoors on a pickleball court where two players (singles) or four (doubles) hit a perforated hollow plastic ball over a 36-inch-high net using solid-faced paddles. A pickleball court is the same size as a double’s badminton court and measures 20×44 feet.  Pickleball is a fun, low-impact game that keeps people healthy and active. Kaitlyn Jacobson, Physician Assistant at Renown Urgent Care – Ryland, plays pickleball herself and is a big fan of the sport. Here she shares the top five health benefits of playing pickleball.

Read More About Top 5 Health Benefits of Pickleball

As many nurses can attest, the journey they have taken to arrive at where they are today is full of twists and turns. For Zarah Jayco, an operating room nurse at Renown Regional Medical Center, her journey is nothing short of a fulfilling and exciting one. Zarah is no stranger to taking detours to find what truly makes her feel the bursts of passion she had been looking for her entire life. She found that passion in the operating room – and travel nursing led her to Renown Health. Today, she is a firm believer that she is exactly where she is supposed to be.  “I Just Want to Help People”  Throughout her life, Zarah knew she was destined for a meaningful career – but didn’t exactly know what. One day, she sat down with her mom, a nurse herself, where she asked the question that would ignite Zarah’s curiosity: What is important to you?  “That’s when I told my mom: ‘honestly, I just want to help people.’”  It was at that moment that she realized nursing could be a fit for her. Everything about venturing into the nursing field started to make sense.  So, that’s precisely what she did. Zarah went to nursing school. When she stepped into the OR during her clinical rotation, she was immediately inspired.  Zarah’s core values as a nurse were rooted from caring for her 90-year-old grandmother while she was in hospice. Her grandmother gave her some powerful lessons and words as she set off on her career: “You are in the right place.”  Upon completion of her perioperative program, Zarah the OR Nurse we know and love started her journey. She began her trek as a travel nurse, going up and down California to do exactly what she was meant to do: care for surgical patients.  “I Traded the Ocean Waves for the Mountains”  As Zarah continued to travel and find different locations for new assignments, her husband received an opportunity for work to transfer to the Biggest Little City. The duo packed up their California lives and moved to northern Nevada, where Zarah signed up for a night shift OR nurse position at Renown Regional Medical Center.  But the traveler’s mindset wouldn’t last long.  Renown embraced Zarah with open arms, and she was immediately drawn into the community-feel that our health system offered. She felt welcomed and surrounded by “loving, hardworking people” across her department and all other teams she encountered.  As Renown cares for patients across 100,000 square miles, Zarah was especially impressed with how rooted Renown is in northern Nevada, noting how it “truly feels like we are caring for the community” with our health system’s wide reach. She was inspired to live up to that mission and more.  “Reno and Renown really reeled me in, and I fell in love with the city and everything it has to offer,” said Zarah. “I traded the ocean waves for the mountains, and the more we got to know Reno, the more we realized that this change of pace and lifestyle was definitely a good fit for us.”  Zarah the OR Travel Nurse became Zarah the Renown OR Core Staff Charge Nurse. And she knew she made the right decision.  Working in the OR, according to Zarah, is challenging in the best way possible. At night, all surgery cases at Renown are emergencies. The team springs into action to answer one vital question: How do we provide the best care for this patient?  “It is essential for us to anticipate potential outcomes,” said Zarah. “When we book a surgical case, we look at everything to make sure we are absolutely prepared and ready.”  Staying at Renown was an easy choice for Zarah. To her, there is nothing like being a part of a core team that inspires her every day and ‘has each others’ back,’” Zarah stated. “During the course of my assignment at Renown, the culture harnessed a kind of environment that felt like a hardworking family. This was the hook that reeled me into considering being part of core staff. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build relationships that I hold in the highest esteem.”

Read More About Zarah Path from Traveler to OR Nurse