The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents signed off on the now-finalized clinical affiliation between Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
The 50-year agreement will combine the clinical practice, teaching and research programs of the Reno, Nev.-based not-for-profit health system Renown and UNR Med. They aim to add new services, create clinical training programs, boost access to clinical trials and increase UNR Med's class sizes, the organizations said.
"With this new level of integration, we will be able to drive innovation, research, medical education, grant funding for public health, clinical trials and integrate our medical practices to improve access and affordability of care," Renown CEO Dr. Tony Slonim said in prepared remarks.
More health systems are partnering with medical schools to better coordinate training programs, retain more graduates and expand service lines. Ochsner Health partnered with Loyola University New Orleans in October to launch a pre-licensure undergraduate nursing program.
Renown and UNR Med announced a letter of intent to affiliate in August. Renown's board unanimously approved the agreement and Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed Senate Bill 342 to facilitate the affiliation.
"The affiliation with Renown Health enhances and leverages the fundamental missions of UNR Med as a state-funded, accredited public medical school governed by the Nevada System of Higher Education so as to remain accessible to Nevada residents and provide opportunities to serve the state in new and expanded ways," UNR Med Dean Dr. Thomas Schwenk said in prepared remarks.
