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Listening to what employees need most now and for the future; ensuring families are healthy, financially secure The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate last week for the first time since March 2020. This will mean a higher cost of borrowing on credit cards, student and home loans, car financing and more. It could also mean more returns from savings accounts, depending on the institution. This news, coupled with concerns about mental health and physical well-being as caregivers come through the pandemic has presented leaders at Renown with a unique opportunity to reframe approaches to how to help their employees grow, feel financially supported and engage as part of a healthy and thriving team. After listening to concerns of employees and their leaders, Renown Health’s Human Resources department and leading industry partners have announced a number of additional benefits to promote ways to increase work/life balance; support rest-and-recuperation strategies, and new financial resources essential to sustaining happy, high-performing teams. Renown Health is hiring key roles to support the health and well-being of our community, and encouraging those with a passion for service to join the Renown family to Fight the Good Fight, by applying on line at careers.renown.org. Expanded and new employee benefits for 2022 include: 1. Expanded Physical Health, Medical and Dental Plan Benefits. The MOBE program, offered at no charge, offers each employee a personal Health Guide to support four core elements of health; diet, sleep, physical movement and emotional well-being to help build healthy habits, fuel a better life, provide energy and promote healing. This year, Renown expanded its Medical Plan coverage, adding new benefits, without increasing rates paid by employees. Renown offers health insurance benefits through Hometown Health, northern Nevada’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company with wide-ranging medical coverage. Hometown Health offers access to the largest network and highest quality clinical services provided by 1,200 medical doctors and specialists in 150 sites of care, including those with Renown Medical Group; urgent care centers; lab and imaging services; and the state’s #1 Us News & World Report hospitals, Renown Regional Medical Center (2022) and Renown South Meadows Medical Center (2021). New medical benefits added this year include telehealth visits with a $0 copay; Renown Pharmacy prescriptions with no deductible; and if employees and their families need to travel out of the area for essential care, there is now a travel stipend offered for University Medical Center in Las Vegas or to University of Utah Health. The organization also reduced the cost for health insurance premiums paid by part-time employees (20-30 hours). In addition to improved health benefits, the dental network was expanded through MetLife Dental, with no increases in dental rate premiums paid by employees in 2022. As a non-profit organization, Renown is able to offer employees the ability to establish Flexible Spending Accounts as way to use tax-free dollars to pay medical expenses not covered by other health plans. 2. Enhanced Wellness and Mental Health support programs. Renown Health is home to the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addictions Institute. As leaders, they are working to remove the stigma and barriers to using mental health services when needed; reinforcing that seeking help indicates strength, not weakness. This includes encouraging team members to take a day off to refresh and recharge or take advantage of confidential, mental health counseling visits at no charge. Renown updated their policy to include mental and emotional well-being as eligible for use of sick leave. Through the pandemic, to be sure employees had the time should needed, leadership added 80 hours of sick time to employee’s sick banks as well as $0 copay for Teladoc behavioral health sessions and nutrition services (virtual). Renown encourages physical fitness and inspires the health and well-being of employees by supporting participation in races (on foot or via bike) in their communities. Employee who race, run, walk, triathlon or bike may submit for reimbursement for an individual entry fee up to $100. 3. Appreciating and Engaging Employees. Many teams may now be working on-site, hybrid and remotely, which means getting together to make new memories is more complicated. Renown Health leaders continue to bring camaraderie and bonding into the workplace by investing in holding monthly Pride events for staff, hosting everything from online socials to game nights to help re-establish bonds. At Renown, employee engagement also takes the form of employee recognition programs. The Everyday Amazing program encourages employees to thank each other for outstanding service via an online platform, and earn certificates and points towards gift cards and prizes. Employee and organization-led leadership and career education programs are encouraged, as well as paid volunteer opportunities (four hours each quarter), and matches of up to $1000 for non-profit organization boards on which Renown Health employees serve. Renown offers events and yearbooks to help employees celebrate their history and accomplishments, as well as Celebrate Amazing, a special event to honor Service Milestones, Top Talent and Women of Achievement award winners. Renown supports the community and engages medical providers and employees to attend events with the Reno Aces, UNR football and basketball games, the Great Reno Balloon Race and hundreds of community events each year. 4. Living Debt Free with Financial Wellness Programs. A free financial wellbeing program from Salary Finance is available at no cost to employees, with a salary-linked loan product. This benefit enables employees to borrow or save money directly through their paycheck. Salary-linked loans allow employees to access affordable credit that they can easily repay through their salary, helping them pay down existing debt or avoid high-interest credit cards, overdraft fees, or payday loans. Salary Finance provides affordable borrowing options in times of need, as well as a financial education component, which helps employees understand their current level of financial content specific to their needs. Since launching, over 40% of employees have engaged with the Salary Finance offering, and over 500 have accessed affordable credit through Renown's custom-branded Salary Finance Financial Wellbeing Hub. “It has made a wonderful impact and has lessened my frequent stress regarding my debt," said a Renown employee enrolled in the program. In total, it is estimated that employees have saved nearly $275,000 on interest, and that number continues to grow as more employees take advantage of the benefit. The Greater Perks program from Greater Nevada Credit Union, the official credit union for Renown employees, offers a number of benefits including a $100 bonus for opening a new checking account, $25 when opening a new “I Can Save” account, $500 credit towards an appraisal for a home loan, low-cost rates on short-term personal loans and auto loans, and regular online financial wellness seminars. Membership with the credit union is not required to take advantage of Greater Nevada Mortgage’s offerings. In addition, donors have supported, through the Renown Health Foundation, funds for help employees who have suffered a personal financial catastrophe, and are in need for emergency funding to pay bills, with no repayment required. 5. Educational Assistance Reimbursement, Student Loan Repayment, Continuing Education for Learners. Renown values and encourages employees to continue their education and supports career aspirations and goals. The education assistance program offers loan reimbursement and repayment opportunities as well as educational and financial guidance from experts. College tuition, certification and certificate reimbursement is provided for employees who are currently enrolled in college/university or taking the extra steps to receive a professional certification or certificate. In addition, the organization supports employees who have previously completed their education and are now managing the burden of student loans. Employees also have the option to invest in a 529 college savings plan, an investment program designed to help people save for future education expenses for children/dependents at almost any private or public college or accredited higher education institution. 6. Onsite Childcare & Adult Care Assistance. Figuring out the childcare puzzle has been a hurdle for working parents through the pandemic. Renown is one of a select number of health systems that offer onsite childcare. Renown Health Child Care Center welcomes employees' children ages six weeks to six years (and not yet in kindergarten). The center is licensed for 176 children and features 11 classrooms: three infant classrooms, four toddler and four preschool classrooms. Staff help parents with resources to find care for their children onsite, or with licensed daycare providers in the community. Employees increasingly are caring for older adults in their families. As a non-profit organization, employees are able to contribute to tax-free savings FSA accounts that cover dependent care for children and older adults. 7. Flexible Schedules and Locations. Renown now provides the ability for medical providers and employees to work on-site, hybrid and remotely. This year as many employees working remotely moved out of state to be closer to friends or family, Renown kept pace, employing a Professional Employment Organization called Tri Net, in a co-employment model to assist with national benefits and tax administration. Renown is now able to recruit and retain remote employees from Maine to Minnesota and offer, for a wide range of positions in IT, finance and other support services, remote and flexible schedules that are attractive to many across the country. For clinicians, there are a large variety of positions now available at over 100 locations across the state. On March 7, Renown increased the cap of shift differential to 10% up to $6 an hour and added a weekend differential for staff for up to 5%. At Renown’s hospitals, there are employment positions available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve the community. Other providers and employees take advantage of a compressed workweek, 12-hour shifts and other options, which allow them the flexibility to live their best life at work and at home. 8. Renown’s Retirement Savings Plan. Retirement savings plans including a full 401(k) plan through Vanguard are available for employees to save for retirement. Employees can contribute from1-75% of pre-tax pay (up to annual IRS limit) and receive a matching contribution from Renown of 4% when you contribute 4% or more to a 401(k) plan. Rollovers of a former employer's 401(k), 403(b), 457 or other qualified plan can be made into a Vanguard plan at any time. In addition, in-service withdrawals are allowed at age 59 1/2 from 401(k), and a new Roth 401(k) option was added. Join the Renown team: Renown Health is now hiring key roles in our organization to support the health and well-being of our community. To join the Renown family to Fight the Good Fight, apply on line at careers.renown.org. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org.

Read More About 8 Financial & Wellness Benefits for Employees

Los hospitales de Renown se encuentran entre los primeros en el país en levantar las restricciones de visitantes para pacientes con COVID-19 y alentar a la familia a estar junto a la cama del paciente. El Dr. Dave y Darlene, verdaderos cazadores de tesoros, disfrutaban explorar tiendas de antigüedades y ventas de garaje para encontrar piezas antiguas dañadas o desechadas. Después de llevar el artículo a casa, Dave pasaba muchas horas raspándolo para limpiarlo, lijándolo y restaurándolo, hasta que relucía y se convertía en un mueble pulido, funcional y hermoso. Cada pieza de su hogar reaviva un recuerdo y tiene una historia que contar. El día de Acción de Gracias, cuando Dave estaba demasiado enfermo para reunirse alrededor de la mesa del comedor antiguo, Darlene llamó a la ambulancia. Dave había estado enfermo con COVID-19 durante dos semanas y no había mejorado. Cuando los técnicos de emergencias médicas llegaron a su casa y le preguntaron a Darlene qué condiciones preexistentes tenía, ella dijo, "todas". David estaba gravemente enfermo. Hospitalizado por COVID-19, sus opciones de comunicación eran limitadas. La única forma en que Darlene podía comunicarse con Dave era mediante una video llamada o por teléfono. Dave pasó 17 días hospitalizado en Renown Regional Medical Center en Reno. Darlene pasó 17 días esperando pegada al teléfono para obtener más información. Darlene dijo que tenía "días buenos y días malos", pero pensó que podría estar de regreso a casa, sentados en su mesa antigua para la cena de Navidad. David Ivan Randolph nació en Boston, Massachusetts el 29 de agosto de 1936. Creció en Roxbury y se graduó de la prestigiosa preparatoria Boston Latin Boys School. Obtuvo una licenciatura en psicología general, una maestría en Psicología experimental de la Universidad Northeastern y un doctorado en psicología y fisiología sensorial de la Universidad de Massachusetts, Amherst. Mientras estaba en la universidad, se unió al ROTC y al graduarse fue comisionado como Primer Teniente en el Cuerpo de Especialistas Médicos del Ejército. Después de una capacitación básica en la Escuela de Capacitación Médica de Fort Sam Houston, fue asignado como Capitán, Psicólogo de Investigación del Ejército de los EE. UU. División en Natick, Massachusetts. Durante los siguientes 30 años, realizó una investigación de la visión en Fort Knox, KY; Filadelfia, Pensilvania y luego con el recién construido Instituto de Investigación del Ejército Letterman (LAIR), División de Riesgos Oculares en el Presidio de San Francisco, CA. David continuó su investigación de la visión en LAIR hasta su jubilación en 1992 cuando el Presidio fue desmantelado. Los hallazgos de la investigación del Dr. Randolph sobre ceguera por destello y visión nocturna lo convirtieron en un presentador solicitado en conferencias de investigación en los Estados Unidos y en el extranjero. En un documental de PBS, fue entrevistado como parte del equipo que desarrolló unas gafas que protegen a los soldados del daño ocular del láser. El Dr. David Randolph perdió su batalla con COVID-19 el 13 de diciembre de 2020 y murió mientras dormía en una cama de hospital. Cuando Darlene escribió su obituario para el periódico, agradeció a las "excelentes enfermeras y médicos del Renown Regional Medical Center, por brindarle atención durante una época en que la familia no podía estar con él". Darlene deseó haber estado allí. Durante su matrimonio de 45 años, ella siempre había estado allí. Darlene dijo, "Siempre había estado junto a su cama, como su defensora, para ayudar a comunicar y aclarar las cosas". Como dietista registrada, trabajaba en hospitales y conocía el protocolo. Sabía que, al igual que los hospitales de todo el mundo, Renown había restringido las visitas de los miembros de la familia para detener la propagación del virus a otros pacientes, el personal y sus familiares. Aun así, deseaba haber pasado más tiempo con él. En Nochebuena, se sentó y le escribió al Dr. Anthony Slonim, presidente y director ejecutivo de Renown Health en Reno, Nevada. “Estimado doctor Slonim, como esposa de un paciente de COVID que falleció recientemente en su hospital, quiero expresarle mi agradecimiento a usted ya su personal por la atención que recibió en los últimos días de su vida. Estoy consciente que las enfermeras y el personal están trabajando en condiciones peligrosas y arriesgando su salud y sus vidas al atender a varios pacientes con COVID. El personal fue amable, se preocupó e hizo todo lo posible por mi esposo y por mí ". Ella continuó, "Sé que los procedimientos están cambiando cada hora para tratar de mantenerse a la vanguardia de este virus peligroso y estoy compartiendo mis experiencias con la esperanza de que sean útiles al establecer políticas que impacten a las familias". Darlene explicó que a pesar de recibir garantías de que la enfermera de Dave o incluso un médico llamarían a diario, a veces se olvidaban. Ella explicó en su carta, “lo importante que era, en estos tiempos en que la familia no puede visitar, y solo tienen comunicación ocasionalmente y están esperando ansiosamente en casa para saber de su ser querido, cuánto significa recibir una llamada de alguien quien cuidaba de él en el hospital ". Darlene pidió, "Si hay alguna forma en la que pueda ayudar a asegurar que las enfermeras tengan tiempo para hacer llamadas o ayudar a los pacientes a hacer llamadas, porque es una parte importante de la atención al paciente". Después de recibir su carta, el Dr. Slonim llamó a la Sra. David Randolph para agradecerle, ofrecerle sus condolencias y preguntarle si Renown podía ayudar de alguna manera. Darlene preguntó si podría reconsiderar permitir que las familias visiten a los pacientes del hospital que reciben tratamiento por COVID-19. El Dr. Slonim, quien también había perdido a su padre a causa del COVID-19 en abril en un hospital de Nueva Jersey, le pidió a su equipo de liderazgo que evaluara la solicitud de la Sra. Randolph e hiciera una recomendación. El equipo de liderazgo del hospital hizo una recomendación al Dr. Slonim que fue aprobada de inmediato. A medida que la situación del COVID-19 ha evolucionado, la política también lo ha hecho. Con un alto porcentaje del personal del hospital Renown ahora vacunado contra el COVID-19, disminuyendo las hospitalizaciones de pacientes con COVID-19 y entendiendo que las mejores comunicaciones son en persona, a partir del miércoles 27 de enero de 2021 por la mañana, los hospitales de Renown los consultorios médicos ahora fomentan el número limitado de visitantes para todos los pacientes, incluidos los diagnosticados con COVID-19. Renown continúa implementando medidas de seguridad adicionales para proteger la salud de los pacientes, visitantes y empleados de atención médica, y a medida que la situación cambia con el COVID-19, estas pautas están sujetas a cambios. "A partir de hoy, un Adulto de Apoyo para Pacientes sano puede acompañar a cada paciente a su visita médica o hospitalización de Renown", dijo Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, presidente y director ejecutivo de Renown, "Vivimos según nuestros valores de empatía, integridad, colaboración y excelencia. Agradecemos a Darlene por recordarnos que la mejor atención es la 'atención centrada en la persona', un enfoque que abarca la perspectiva del paciente y sus seres queridos, al tiempo que promueve un entorno saludable y alentador para los cuidadores y aborda las necesidades de salud de nuestra comunidad. " “En Renown, la definición de" familia "la define el paciente", dice Debra Adornetto-García, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, AOCN, Directora de Enfermería de Servicios Agudos. “Nuestros pacientes pueden designar a cualquier persona que elijan como su Persona de Apoyo para Pacientes. La Persona de Apoyo para Pacientes es increíblemente importante y forma parte del equipo de atención. Se le pedirá a la Persona de Apoyo para Pacientes que se asocie con el equipo de atención médica del paciente para ayudar a comunicarse con otros familiares y amigos, participar en actividades de capacitación y educación y ayudar al paciente a cumplir con las instrucciones de atención y medicación ". “Cuando se trata de curación y recuperación, el papel de todos es importante”, enfatiza Paul Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FACEP, Director Médico de Servicios Agudos. “Lo que podemos hacer juntos para apoyar la atención del paciente y obtener excelentes resultados es más grande que lo que cualquiera de nosotros puede hacer solo. Esta creencia da forma a nuestro trabajo, nuestros servicios y la atención que brindamos a los pacientes, sus familias y amigos en Renown.” “Me complace que Renown Health haya modificado las políticas de visitas para que cada paciente pueda tener un visitante designado. Como ex paciente de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y médico actual de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, sé la importancia de contar con el apoyo de un ser querido en el hospital y estoy encantado de que podamos adaptarnos a este aspecto increíblemente importante de la atención al paciente”, dice Jacob B Keeperman, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FAEMS, FCCM, Director Médico, Centro Regional de Transferencia y Operaciones de Renown, Intensivista. Cuando le dijeron a Darlene que su carta inspiró este cambio en las políticas de visitantes para pacientes con COVID-19, se mostró muy complacida y dijo, “Siempre he tratado de pensar en formas en las que podría ayudar a otras familias, especialmente a las parejas mayores donde uno está hospitalizado y el otro en casa. Mi deseo es ayudar a los demás ". De acuerdo con las pautas nacionales, a partir del 27 de enero de 2021, una Persona de Apoyo para Pacientes por paciente podrá acceder a Renown Regional Medical Center y Renown South Meadows Medical Center como se indica: El horario de visita para todos los pacientes, incluidos los diagnosticados con COVID-19, se extenderá de 8 am a 8 pm (antes era de 3 a 8 pm). Ahora se alienta a todos los pacientes a que designen hasta dos Personas de Apoyo para Pacientes. Debido a las limitaciones de espacio, pedimos que las Personas de Apoyo para Pacientes visiten uno a la vez). Los pacientes proporcionarán los nombres de hasta dos Personas de Apoyo para Pacientes durante la admisión/registración del paciente. Los nombres de las Personas de Apoyo para Pacientes se ingresarán en el registro médico electrónico del paciente para su privacidad y seguridad. El Renown Children’s Hospital/Hospital de Niños: Acceso abierto. (Se pueden designar dos padres y/o tutores como Personas de Apoyo para Pacientes, sin embargo, debido a las limitaciones de espacio actuales, le pedimos que visite uno a la vez). Para obtener información más detallada sobre el programa de Persona de Apoyo para Pacientes, visite https://www.renown.org/interact/     Acerca de Renown Health Renown Health es la red de atención médica integrada sin fines de lucro más grande de la región, de propiedad y administración local, que presta servicios a Nevada, Lake Tahoe y al noreste de California. Con una fuerza laboral diversa de más de 7,000 empleados, Renown ha fomentado una cultura de excelencia, determinación e innovación de toda la vida. La organización está conformada de un centro de traumatología, dos hospitales de cuidados intensivos, un hospital infantil, un hospital de rehabilitación, un grupo médico y una red de atención de urgencia, y la compañía de seguros sin fines de lucro local más grande de la región, Hometown Health. El modelo del instituto de Renown aborda los determinantes sociales de la salud e incluyen: Salud Infantil, Salud del Comportamiento y Adicciones, Envejecimiento Saludable e Innovación en Salud. Los institutos clínicos incluyen: Cáncer, Corazón y Salud Vascular y Neurociencias. Actualmente, Renown está inscribiendo a participantes en el estudio de salud de la población genética basada en la comunidad más grande del mundo, el Healthy Nevada Project®. Para obtener más información, visite https://www.renown.org/.

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The best protection continues to be getting a COVID-19 vaccine and booster, wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands often. For the thousands of physicians and health care workers of Renown Health, this week is etched into the pandemic timeline as the start date of a nationwide wave that signaled the first vaccinations against COVID-19 and a beacon of hope for the future. A year ago, the nation’s health care systems in communities across the U.S. first began vaccinating physicians and health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19, and thousands received their first vaccine. One year ago, Renown Health, the Washoe County Health District (WCHD), the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to distribute the initially available, limited supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines in Washoe County. Media representatives viewed the first healthcare workers as they obtained their first dose of the life-saving vaccines. Luis Martinez, first health care worker vaccinated, now plans to attend medical school Luis Martinez, who served on the front-line of the pandemic at Renown Regional Medical Center, received the first of his Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine a year ago this week, after it received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. He received the second and final vaccination in the series 21 days later. Luis has been at Renown since 2016, where he started as a phlebotomist and has been encouraged to advance his career in the medical field. He works as a technician on Renown’s Clinical Decision Unit — a short stay unit within the hospital for people who need clinical care, but do not need admittance to the hospital. Luis worked with patients and clinicians in the Clinical Decision Unit for a year before requesting to work in Renown’s Alternate Care Site, built in the Mill Street parking structure as a place to care for patients recovering from COVID-19 before they returned home. Today, Luis is working to fulfill his dreams of becoming a doctor. He took the Medical College Admission Test® earlier this year, interviewed virtually and applied to 24 medical schools. Luis has shadowed physicians in a number of medical fields, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology and orthopedics, and would be thrilled to train in any one of those areas. As for medical school, Luis was excited to hear about Renown’s new clinical affiliation with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med). He is enthusiastic about becoming part of the next generation of Nevada's health care professionals, and his first choice is UNR Med. He expects an admission decision by UNR Med this winter. If that doesn’t work out, he says, he has an interview with leaders at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV in January. Luis is bilingual and understands that Nevada continues to face a shortage of physicians and affordable medical care. He volunteers with CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada, a non-profit organization that provides free medical equipment, supplies, and prescription assistance to underserved populations when he is not working at Renown. His dream is to graduate medical school and stay in the community to provide medical care as a physician. Luis knows the importance of excellent medical care, and the importance of the vaccines against COVID-19. Last October, Luis turned 33 and contracted COVID-19 after a family birthday party. Because of his experience, his interest in medicine and his research, Luis obtained his COVID-19 vaccines- and his booster, and is pleased that everyone in his family is triple vaccinated too. He says they are all feeling well and looking forward to being together at the holidays. “As we celebrate this holiday season, we give thanks for Luis and the thousands of health care heroes who have been fighting this pandemic with care and compassion; continuing to safely screen, diagnose, care for and vaccinate thousands of employees and community members,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, President & CEO of Renown Health. “It has been an honor to assist local and statewide health partners in the herculean vaccination effort. Over the past year, Renown’s vaccine team administered more than 58,000 dose 1 and dose 2 vaccinations to Nevadans ages five and older. We continue to work closely with our community health leaders and are always ready to assist. We are proud to be part of the solution for our community and pleased to have made a genuine difference in the health and well-being of others throughout this unprecedented time in our history.” Renown continues to use current local and national data, analytics, and public data sets for predictive modeling in service to our community. When there is heightened concern around an illness, enhanced infection prevention strategies are in place to ensure Renown is ready with the appropriate supplies and alternate plans should the need arise. Vaccination is still the best protection against Omicron and Coronavirus Today also marks a dark new milestone for Washoe County — over 1,010 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, and over 70,549 total cases in our population of nearly 500,000. The bright spot is that over 65,714 people have recovered in Washoe County, although many still grapple with long-term effects of the illness. The world and the U.S., continue to experience an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations with the highly contagious Omicron variant, which now accounts for 50 percent of the coronavirus cases in parts of the country. In some areas, there is a significant stress on the hospital system, particularly where vaccination rates are low. “The most important action you can take to protect yourself from the Delta and Omicron strains and the COVID-19 virus is to get fully vaccinated,” says Susan Lee, DO, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Acute Care. “The COVID 19 virus and its related strains are preventable and controllable through safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, which are free and now widely available in our area. The CDC recommends all people 5 years and older be vaccinated against COVID-19. Data shows that nearly all COVID-19 deaths are now occurring among unvaccinated individuals.” A list of providers in our area offering vaccines is available at vaccines.gov.” “The best protection from COVID-19 has been a combination of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands often,” says Amy McCombs, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNML, vice president of Quality for Acute Services for Renown, and a champion of the vaccination effort for Renown. “No one tool alone will stop this pandemic; it will take a combination of all of us using all of these efforts to fight the spread of this virus, especially through the holidays.” “Vaccinations have been a game-changer in terms of improving the health of our community,” said Rahul Mediwala, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Health Services. "Given the demands of this COVID-19 pandemic, we have been pleased to help in the fight by providing vaccinations. Our goal a year ago, was that all Renown physicians; employees and their family members; and all Hometown Health members and Renown patients interested in receiving the vaccine would have an opportunity to be vaccinated, we are excited to help make that dream a reality for all.” The COVID-19 vaccine is now mandatory for all Renown employees in an effort to protect those who are ill and physically vulnerable, and ensure a safe environment for patients and health care workers. Renown is covering all costs of the vaccine, and it is being offered free of charge to employees. As of today, 97% percent of all 6,750 Renown Health employees are vaccinated or have an approved exemption or deferral. “This year was a year no one will forget. For everyone- and for our health care workers at Renown, the year presented countless challenges and opportunities. Those of us who choose healthcare as our life’s work answer a true calling to serve others; this field requires a self-less commitment and a tireless dedication to caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Renown’s Chief of Staff, Sy Johnson, MBA. “I applaud the entire team- every physician, nurse and health care hero for their valor, their strength and perseverance in serving our patients and community during these unprecedented times.” What follows are highlights of some of the most remarkable moments and events that have taken place at Renown Health over the past year in relation to the response to COVID-19. Temporary Deployable Medical Structure Outside Renown Regional Emergency Department On March 12, 2020, Renown erected a deployable medical facility to serve as a respiratory illness evaluation and screening center for Emergency Room patients at Renown Regional Medical Center. A similar tent was also set up outside the Emergency Room at South Meadows Medical Center. An additional layer of protection, this proactive measure helped to care for people with symptoms of respiratory illness, and to protect patients and staff in the Emergency Department and other areas of the hospital. The tents were dismantled on January 20, 2021. (See photo here.) Alternate Care Site at Mill Street Parking Structure at Renown Regional As many communities across the nation experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases, including significant surges in hospitalized patients, Renown’s leadership had the foresight to create an Alternate Care Site (ACS) in the Renown Regional Medical Center Mill Street Parking structure. The ACS served additional hospitalized patients and allowed caregivers to remain on campus and still have access to existing hospital infrastructure such as lab, pharmacy, imaging, food services and other critical services. This solution also supported an efficient level of care escalation and other emergent interventions as needed. After just 10 days of intricate construction, including flooring, electrical infrastructure, lighting, water, technology and wall partitions, the ACS was completed on April 3, 2020 with space to hold up to 1,400 patients. On Nov. 12, 2020, Renown opened the ACS to serve additional hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were clinically stable or improving. Healthcare workers at Renown cared for hundreds of patients in this site. In early Jan. 2021, the remaining patients returned home. The Site has been decommissioned and leaders expect the area to be available for additional parking later this winter. (Alternate Care Site B-Roll.) Renown invests in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) ‘Hospital at Home’ Monitoring Systems Appropriate patients (including those recovering from COVID-19) are now offered a telehealth solution using wearable, continuous pulse oximetry, and the convenience of being in their own homes, with the confidence and security of knowing that Renown clinical staff are closely monitoring their health data through the Renown Transfer and Operations Center, and regularly communicating with them through their recovery process. The Renown Transfer and Operations Center spans 6,000 square feet, and is one of the largest centers of its kind in the nation, equipped with 28 high-definition dashboards on the front wall, two in the center of the room and four hanging monitors toward the back. Large plasma screens display important metrics such as patient vital signs, bed availability, facility capacity, staffing, technology and more. Registered Nurses and dispatchers continuously monitor activity around the clock, across Renown’s 100,000 square mile service area, 100+ locations and partner facilities to make the best decisions for patients, providers and care teams. “LOVE” Makes its Way to Renown On April 16, 2020, during a time of darkness and uncertainty, Artown loaned the “LOVE” sculpture, a one-ton, welded-aluminum artwork created by artist Laura Kimpton and fabricated by Jeff Schomberg to Renown, where it lit up Regional Medical Center’s main entrance on Mill St. The sculpture formerly debuted at Burning Man in 2019. On July 13, 2020, thanks to the support of former board chair and community supporter, Blake Smith and the Keyser Foundation, “LOVE” continues to glow in Renown’s signature purple every evening, shining brightly for patients, employees, visitors and passersby to enjoy. Throughout the pandemic, this sculpture has served as a source of inspiration, hope and positivity for our community. (LOVE sign B-Roll.) When Words Fail, Art Speaks Recognizing art’s powerful healing capabilities, Renown collaborated with prominent artist and fine art photographer, Anicia Beckwith, to immortalize the many battles fought against and amidst COVID-19 within the healthcare system’s walls. Beckwith captured portrait images of Renown caregivers, patients and their loved ones, showing raw and touching scenes from the COVID Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Departments, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Wilbur D. May Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Alternate Care Site field hospital. A group of Renown caregivers hold a COVID patient’s hand. Tears well up in their eyes as the patient takes his last breath. Care providers respond to a patient’s only request – a facial shave. The man beams at the sight of his freshly groomed face, and is visibly touched by the tender care he received to make it happen. Lupe, an environmental services worker, takes special care in her efforts to clean and sanitize patient rooms—a craft she has perfected and taken pride in for the 25+ years she’s worked at Renown. These are just a few of the captivating moments Beckwith illustrates through her art. Beckwith’s full photo gallery of images from Renown are located here; and downloadable visual assets are available here. Evolving in an Ever-Changing World: Long-Term Remote Work for Renown Employees The COVID-19 pandemic pushed healthcare leaders throughout the world to determine how best to provide care in this ever-changing environment. Leaders in Renown’s Human Resources department evaluated the thoughts and opinions of employees working remotely throughout Renown Health. Due to the positive feedback from employees, including decreased commute times, fewer distractions, improved work-life balance and a reduced carbon footprint, over 700 Renown employees will continue working remotely. Renown Offers In-House COVID Testing In June 2020, the Renown Laboratory team sprang into action to help meet Washoe County residents and businesses’ growing demand for COVID-19 testing. Renown invested in expanded staffing and in-house testing capabilities to be able to swab and process up to 1,000 COVID tests for patients each day, with return of results within hours. Renown’s CEO, Dr. Tony Slonim also collaborated with the Mayor’s COVID-19 Task Force, local faith and community leaders beginning in Oct. of 2020 to address health equity by providing free COVID-19 testing for communities of color. (Lab B-Roll). An Extraordinary Year of Service Renown’s leadership remains steadfast commitment to keeping our community safe. “We thank the community for standing by us and helping us all emerge as stronger people with hope for the future. We continue to fight the good fight,” said Dr. Slonim. “With COVID now imbedded into our daily lives, it’s remarkable to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the obstacles we’ve overcome. I will be forever grateful for the precautionary measures, innovation, and acts of service and love implemented by our dedicated team over the past two years. We hope by demonstrating our caring values and exhibiting hope and determination, we are inspiring others.” Stay Up-to-date on COVID-19 Renown Health is prepared to safely screen, diagnose and care for patients with respiratory illness, including COVID-19. To stay up-to-date on communications regarding Renown’s distribution of the COVID19 vaccine, FAQs and the scientific evidence behind the vaccine, visit https://covid.renown.org/ Join the Renown team Renown Health remains committed to hiring key roles in our organization to support the health and well-being of our community. To join the Renown family to Fight the Good Fight, apply on line at https://careers.renown.org/ Support the Renown team Renown Health, a charitable, not-for-profit organization, is grateful for our community’s support during these unprecedented times. If you are interested in supporting Renown Health, a charitable, non-profit health organization, please consider giving to Renown Health Foundation. Donations are accepted through the following ways: Make a gift at www.renown.org/give Call Renown Health Foundation at 775-982-5545 Mail a check to Renown Health Foundation, 1155 Mill St., O2, Reno, NV 89502 Venmo: @RenownFoundation     About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 6,500 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org.

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