Nevada faces a well-documented healthcare workforce challenge. The state ranks near the bottom nationally in physician availability, ranking 48th for primary care physicians and 49th for general surgeons.
Addressing those shortages requires more than recruiting providers from outside the state. It requires investing in the next generation of physicians, physician assistants, researchers and healthcare leaders who understand Nevada's communities and are committed to serving them.
That investment is at the heart of the affiliation between the 夜色视频 School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Renown Health. Together, the two organizations have established Nevada's first and only integrated academic health system, one designed not only to deliver exceptional patient care, but also to expand opportunities for learners at every stage of their training.
From early clinical experiences and research opportunities to scholarships, mentorship and advanced simulation training, the partnership helps students gain the skills, experience and support needed to build their careers right here in Nevada.
Earlier clinical experiences, stronger connections
One of the partnership’s most visible impacts has been expanding opportunities for learners to engage with patients early in their training.
UNR Med and Renown have increased clinical placements for first- and second-year medical students, allowing them to work directly with physicians and gain hands-on clinical experience well before traditional clerkships begin.
"By showing students what the clinical practice environment is like at Renown early on during their educational journey, it makes students more likely to want to stay here for training and then want to stay here to practice," said Timothy Baker, M.D., vice dean at UNR Med and vice president of education at Renown.
During the 2025-26 academic year, more than 350 learners participated in clinical learning experiences across the Renown Health system. Those placements generated more than 5,800 scheduled learning events and more than 218,000 hours of clinical education.
Across 23 departments and more than 112 Renown locations, 460 providers helped mentor students, residents and trainees as they develop the skills needed for careers in healthcare.
"Training at Renown has given me confidence that academic and community-based medicine can work in tandem to address physician shortages, improve access to specialized care, and better serve the diverse communities of Northern Nevada," said Katrina Kozak, a fourth-year medical student. "As a Nevadan, I am proud to be part of that mission and hope to contribute to a future in which patients can receive excellent care close to home, regardless of where they live."
Supporting success inside and outside the classroom
Clinical training is only one part of the learner experience.
Renown provides dedicated work and study space for learners, as well as access to the Savitt@Renown satellite library. Open 24 hours a day, the facility offers computer workstations, library collections and research support services.
Students also have access to expert librarians who assist with literature reviews, database searches, publishing guidance and scholarly research.
Additional educational resources continue to expand. A new simulation center under development in Renown's Sierra Tower will offer advanced training opportunities featuring high-fidelity manikins, operating room simulation space and a Da Vinci robotic surgery simulator.
Learners and faculty also benefit from continuing medical education programs and conferences offered through the partnership, including the Renown Neuroscience Symposium, Renown Sports Medicine Conference and Wolf Pack Pediatric Symposium, along with grand rounds and other educational series.
Faculty development remains a key priority as well.
"When we invest in faculty development, we're also investing in our learners," Baker said. "Providing faculty with the tools to excel as educators helps ensure students receive the highest-quality training and mentorship possible."
Financial support also plays an important role in student success. During the 2025-26 academic year, 25 learners received Renown Health Scholarships. By helping offset educational costs, these scholarships help students to focus on their training while pursuing careers in Nevada.
“Renown Health scholarships do more than ease the cost of medical school,” said Lauren Schwarz, Ph.D., associate dean of student affairs and chief wellness officer. “They tell our students that this community believes in them. That support lets students concentrate on learning, caring for patients and becoming the physicians Nevada needs, and many of them will go on to serve the very community that invested in them.”
“Renown has been a partner to the PA program since the very beginning, from providing clinical training opportunities to supporting our students through these scholarships,” said Brian Lauf, DMSc, PA-C, founding chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at UNR Med. “The scholarships do more than support individual students. They help build the next generation of PAs Nevada needs, and they encourage our graduates to stay and serve the communities that invested in them.”
Expanding opportunities through research
The affiliation strengthens UNR Med's research enterprise, creating additional opportunities for students, residents and faculty to engage in meaningful scholarship.
Faculty recruited through the partnership bring specialized expertise and active research programs that expand opportunities in clinical investigation, translational science and medical education. By working alongside investigators, learners gain hands-on experience that deepens their knowledge and prepares them for future careers in medicine.
Research is a cornerstone of the educational experience at UNR Med. Students engage in research through a variety of opportunities, including the longitudinal Independent Data Exploration and Analysis Project, led by John Westhoff, M.D., assistant dean of student research, as well as summer research experiences, independent studies and scholarly concentrations. Working alongside faculty mentors, they explore scientific questions while developing skills that support future residency training and clinical practice.
Many students begin research projects early in medical school and continue them throughout their training. Summer research experiences between the first and second years often provide dedicated time to launch projects that lead to presentations, publications and ongoing scholarly work.
For second-year medical student Benjamin Vincze, the affiliation created an opportunity to pursue research with physician mentors at Renown’s Pennington Cancer Institute. Vincze is working with Katharine Thomas, M.D., MSc, medical oncologist at Renown and assistant professor of medicine at UNR Med, and Harry Menon, D.O., MPH, section chief of hematology and medical oncology at Renown and assistant professor of medicine at UNR Med. Their study examines recognition and molecular testing of NUT carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that is often misdiagnosed.
"Taking part in research as a medical student keeps us at the cutting edge and teaches us how to translate discoveries into patient care," he said. "It also helps train physicians who understand Nevada's healthcare needs and are committed to serving communities across the state."
The project carries special significance for Vincze, who lost his brother to NUT carcinoma. Drawing from his family's experience, he hopes to identify gaps in diagnosis and testing that could help future patients receive answers sooner.
Vincze has gained hands-on experience with every stage of clinical research. "The partnership between Renown and UNR Med connects students with physicians who genuinely want to teach and mentor," Vincze said. "Dr. Thomas and Dr. Menon guided me through the IRB approval process, helped me navigate the Renown system to build my patient dataset and have helped me think through next steps at every stage."
The experience has strengthened his interest in research, provided early exposure to oncology and helped develop critical thinking skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Beyond expanding educational opportunities, the affiliation is helping build a stronger research ecosystem that supports scientific discovery and improved patient care. The M.D.-Ph.D. Collaboration Pilot Award fosters collaboration between clinicians and scientists, helping move promising discoveries closer to clinical application. Complementing those efforts, a seed-grant program established with the PCI has awarded more than $667,000 to researchers advancing innovations in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient outcomes.
Building a workforce that stays in Nevada
For many learners, the greatest value of the affiliation is the opportunity to train in the communities they may one day serve.
Adam Serfoss, DMSc, PA-C, Class of 2025, now practices at Renown Urgent Care after completing clinical training throughout Nevada.
"Training in the same communities I now serve gave me critical experience and understanding of the unique patient populations, healthcare challenges and resource limitations that exist across our state," Serfoss said. "Most importantly, my clinical education gave me the confidence to transition into practice at Renown Urgent Care."
He believes the partnership's greatest strength is its ability to connect students with physicians and communities across Northern Nevada.
"Students graduate not only with strong clinical skills, but also with established professional relationships and an understanding of the healthcare needs unique to our state," Serfoss said.
A lasting impact
As Nevada works to address provider shortages and meet the growing healthcare needs of communities across the state, the affiliation between UNR Med and Renown Health represents more than an educational partnership — it is an intentional investment in Nevada’s future healthcare workforce.
With expanded clinical experiences, research opportunities, faculty mentorship, simulation training and scholarship support, the affiliation creates pathways for learners to train, practice and build their careers in Nevada.
The impact of that investment is already evident. Eighty-four percent of UNR Med’s PA graduates remain in Nevada, and as of 2025, one in five PAs employed by Renown graduated from the program. Among medical school graduates in Nevada, 40% go on to practice in the state. More than 60% of physicians who complete residency or fellowship training in Nevada remain here, and that figure rises to nearly 80% for physicians who complete both medical school and residency training in the state.
As more graduates choose to build their careers in Northern Nevada, the impact extends far beyond the classroom and clinic. By educating, training and retaining the healthcare professionals the state needs, UNR Med and Renown are strengthening access to care, creating healthier communities and building the foundation for a stronger Nevada, one that can attract businesses, support economic development and grow for generations to come.
