The state's first public medical school launched its new look today, complete with updated logo and branding identity. The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine on July 1 officially added "Reno" to its name after a decades-long history of being the University of Nevada School of Medicine, following approval of the new name by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents in June. 

"An organization's branding is far more than a name or logo; branding is the perception of our school in the minds of our many constituents," said Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D., dean of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. "Our new name and logo represent the stunning and positive changes taking place as we build a full clinical, teaching and clinical research campus in Reno. The School of Medicine has not gone through a transformational change of this magnitude since its founding, and the branding campaign is our opportunity to share this exiting story widely."  

The changes more closely align the School of Medicine with its parent university, the University of Nevada, Reno. The new branding also further clarifies the school's affiliation, location and distinct role in the state. In partnership with Renown Health, the School of Medicine is in the final stages of implementing a full, four-year campus in Reno, by focusing its operations in Reno and rural Nevada, with continued selective offerings in Las Vegas.

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The school originally was established in 1969 by the Nevada Legislature as the University of Nevada School of Medical Sciences, with a name change in 1981 to the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and KPS3, its partner in a branding study, have been engaged in a six-month comprehensive process to analyze the school's branding, image, reputation and identity. Almost 2,000 individuals, including patients, faculty and staff members, students, residents, alumni, community physicians and statewide leaders responded to surveys, focus groups and in-person interviews regarding how the School of Medicine is perceived and how it is represented through its name and logo.

The new branding rollout campaign will take place over the next several months.