March is Child Life Month, a time to recognize the critical work of Child Life Specialists who help kids and families during hospital stays. Being in the hospital can feel scary, but Child Life Specialists make the experience easier by offering support, play, and education to help children understand what’s happening.
As the weather cools and the days grow shorter, many people find themselves battling seasonal illnesses. Two of the most common culprits are the flu and the common cold. We asked Marie McCormack, MD, Primary Care Division Chief at Renown, about flu prevention and how to know the difference between the flu virus and the common cold.
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisper, it's not just pumpkin spice lattes that should be on your mind – it's also time to think about your health. Fall time also means it’s flu season and with new cases on the rise, we at Renown Health encourage you to do your part in keeping your Fall activities community safe. How can you protect your whole community you ask? Through something called Herd Immunity.
Flu shots don’t just protect those who get vaccinated; they protect everyone, including your family and the community. As we continue navigating the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Renown Health infection prevention expert Whitney Robinson explains how getting your flu shot is vital for staying healthy.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency, it's essential to seek immediate attention by calling 9-1-1 or visiting the ER for a thorough evaluation by a trained medical professional and timely intervention.
Renown patients share how early mammogram screenings transformed their lives. From detecting cancer in its earliest stages to celebrating successful recoveries, these stories emphasize the importance of regular screenings and taking charge of breast health.
A New Therapy Garden: Enhancing Recovery at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital
Last fall, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital unveiled the Rehabilitation Therapy Garden, supported by the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation, a space designed to support rehabilitation patients on their path to recovery. Made possible through the generosity of donors, this innovative garden provides therapeutic tools to help individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life.
"If a patient is recovering from a spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain injury, they might face challenges like stairs, ramps, and uneven surfaces for the first time. Without training, these obstacles can be hard to navigate. The Rehabilitation Therapy Garden gives patients and their families the chance to practice and gain the skills they need to move confidently in the community and become more independent,” said Shawn Morris, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital Director of Rehab Operations.
One of the garden’s highlights is a wheelchair course with ramps of varying difficulty, allowing patients to practice navigating different terrains. This hands-on therapy is essential for those recovering from strokes, brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, or trauma. It builds strength, mobility, and confidence by simulating real-world challenges in a safe and supportive environment. “The garden is great, it’s all set up to practice things like stairs and ramps, plus it’s nice to look at,” said a patient at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital.
Cancer changes everything; it takes, it challenges, and it reshapes lives forever. For Yvonne Murphy, a cancer survivor and development officer at Renown Health, the experience has been profoundly transformative.
March is Child Life Month, a time to recognize the critical work of Child Life Specialists who help kids and families during hospital stays. Being in the hospital can feel scary, but Child Life Specialists make the experience easier by offering support, play, and education to help children understand what’s happening.
Safe Sleep for Babies: Crib Safety Tips for Parents
When it comes to preparing a safe sleep space for your baby, choosing the right crib and following a few simple safety guidelines can give you peace of mind and help your baby sleep soundly. Here’s a straightforward guide to what you need to know about crib standards and design so that you can create a cozy and secure environment for your little one.
Reviewed by Dr. Takesha Cooper, MD, MS, FAPA, Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor of Psychiatry at University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Chief of Behavioral Health at Renown Health
Avoid Viruses, Colds and the Flu With Expert Hand-Washing Advice
Shaking hands, turning doorknobs, drafting emails — all regular activities of everyday life. But whenever you touch another person, or touch an object another person has touched, you’re collecting their germs on your hands. And touching your own mouth, eyes or nose also exposes you to whatever germs you’ve collected.
We’ve all experienced a pesky health issue at one time or another that, while not an emergency, is annoying nonetheless. Whether it be a respiratory illness like the flu, a cold or a minor injury such as a cut or a sprain, you have likely felt the need to get seen promptly to start feeling better as soon as possible. So, where do you go? What care team can you turn to?
Answer: Renown Urgent Care. This dynamic department of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, radiology technologists, practice site leaders, patient access representatives and more sees patients every day of the year both in-person and via telehealth for a diverse list of acute health conditions. For patients who need quick yet non-emergent care, the ease and convenience of walking into a practice just a short distance away is a result of our talented team at our Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley and Fallon Urgent Care locations.
Renown Health welcomes you back from Burning Man. To make sure you have the support you need, here are some tips on where to get healthcare after your return from the playa. Our urgent cares see patients 365 days a year for medical concerns that are urgent but not life-threatening. This can include fractures, cuts, burns, sprains, fevers, animal bites, rashes, sore throats and fevers.
Celebrate American Heart Month this February with the Outpatient Cardiology department at Renown Health!
The heart provides life for us every day. After all, without a functioning heart, there would be no human life to begin with. Therefore, keeping it beating healthily - is not a luxury – it's a necessity. For such a vital everyday organ, there is a team - specifically dedicated to taking care of your heart, well, every day!
Meet the Outpatient Cardiology team, a member of the Renown Institute for Heart and Vascular Health. Being treated for a heart condition is one step – ongoing maintenance is another. And this is the team to help patients do exactly that: stay on top of their heart health so they can continue to live their lives to the fullest.
We’ve all experienced a pesky health issue at one time or another that, while not an emergency, is annoying nonetheless. Whether it be a respiratory illness like the flu, a cold or a minor injury such as a cut or a sprain, you have likely felt the need to get seen promptly to start feeling better as soon as possible. So, where do you go? What care team can you turn to?
Answer: Renown Urgent Care. This dynamic department of doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, radiology technologists, practice site leaders, patient access representatives and more sees patients every day of the year both in-person and via telehealth for a diverse list of acute health conditions. For patients who need quick yet non-emergent care, the ease and convenience of walking into a practice just a short distance away is a result of our talented team at our Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley and Fallon Urgent Care locations.
You may recognize Debe Fennell from the Senior Care Plus advertising campaign that premiered last October. Debe is a Reno resident who enjoys staying busy with her career, gardening, music and more. We’re excited to introduce her as our featured Sterling Silver Club member for this fall.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of three adults aged 65 or older, fall each year. But less than half of those who fall talk to their healthcare provider about it. What’s more, among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
Meet Janelle Wood: Family, Hobbies & Everything In Between
Janelle Wood’s life has been filled with moves across several states, travel, different jobs, multiple hobbies and best of all – her big family. She is very close to and proud of her entire family, including her six children, six grandchildren and extended family members.
Did you know that about one in four adults and one out of every ten kids in the U.S. might have a liver problem called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)? This happens when too much fat builds up in the liver, and it's not because of drinking alcohol. The most serious type of this liver problem is called metabolic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (M/NASH). It means there's damage and can be scarring in the liver.
As we approach the warmer months, many plants bloom in northern Nevada, leading some to deal with the bothersome symptoms of seasonal allergies. Dr. Michael Babcock, a family medicine physician at Renown Medical Group—North Hills, discusses the effects of seasonal allergies and how to manage them.
Why Am I So Tired? 9 Reasons for Your Chronic Exhaustion
Do you find yourself struggling to stay awake during the day or having no energy? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a full-time employee, a student or retiree, that “I’m tired” feeling comes in all shapes and sizes. What’s even more frustrating is not knowing the source of your exhaustion.
Celebrate American Heart Month this February with the Outpatient Cardiology department at Renown Health!
The heart provides life for us every day. After all, without a functioning heart, there would be no human life to begin with. Therefore, keeping it beating healthily - is not a luxury – it's a necessity. For such a vital everyday organ, there is a team - specifically dedicated to taking care of your heart, well, every day!
Meet the Outpatient Cardiology team, a member of the Renown Institute for Heart and Vascular Health. Being treated for a heart condition is one step – ongoing maintenance is another. And this is the team to help patients do exactly that: stay on top of their heart health so they can continue to live their lives to the fullest.
Did you know certain medications can interact with everyday food and drink? We asked VP of Pharmacy Services Adam Porath how to take these important medications safely.
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in America and doctors face many challenges treating this and associated heart and vascular conditions. Renown is hosting a three-day conference to discuss the latest in cardiac care.
