The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), and Renown Health are pleased to announce the E. L. Wiegand Foundation awarded a donation of more than $500,000 to the new Pediatrics Residency Program. The contribution will help fund the program’s startup of operations and salaries, playing a pivotal role in addressing the critical shortage of pediatricians in Nevada, as well as nurturing the next generation of pediatric healthcare professionals to ensure quality medical care for northern Nevada communities.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation and for sharing our vision to bridge the gap between pediatric services and Nevadan communities, giving our children the resources they need to become healthy and prospering adults,” said Paul Hauptman, MD, Dean of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and Chief Academic Officer for Renown Health. “The Foundation’s grant will not only help facilitate our residency program’s development but also serve as a magnet, drawing medical students from across the nation and around the world to Nevada,” Hauptman added.

Nevada communities have long grappled with a shortage of pediatricians, which has left many families, specifically those in rural and underserved communities, without access to essential healthcare services for their children. In 2022, the state ranked 47th in the country, with fewer than ten pediatricians for every 100,000 people. The shortages of pediatricians at both the state and local levels have placed a significant burden on families, resulting in prolonged delays in care and limited access to specialized healthcare services close to home.

“To address this dire need, we initiated the Pediatrics Residency Program in collaboration with UNR Med, offering the best possible training and learning experience by prioritizing a community-based approach that allows residents to connect with the people and populations that make up our community,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and chief executive officer of Renown Health. “With the additional support from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, pediatric residents will provide accessible care for some of northern Nevada's most vulnerable and underrepresented children, fostering a brighter, healthier future for our region's youth.”

The inaugural cohort of pediatric residents commenced their training in July 2023. Over the course of the three-year residency program, four newly trained physicians will be carefully selected each year, ultimately reaching a full complement of 12 residents. Nevada’s graduating medical students have the opportunity to train and practice in northern Nevada, where they will complete a primary care-focused clinical training program with rotations that allow them to learn while caring for children in inpatient and outpatient settings. The program includes all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) required rotations, as well as weekly lectures, seminars, and skill-building initiatives.

Currently, there are only 71 licensed pediatricians in Washoe County despite the continued growth in population. However, when the program reaches its full complement, it will increase the region's pediatric providers by a minimum of 17%. Additionally, the program offers the advantage that residents are more likely to stay in the region after completing their training, creating a dedicated pipeline of new physicians in northern Nevada and expanding access to care for hundreds of children each year.

“The E. L. Wiegand Foundation is thrilled to support the establishment of the inaugural Pediatric Residency Program in northern Nevada,” said Marisa M. Avansino, co-vice chair, president and executive director of the Foundation. “The Program will help provide a critical resource and an important pipeline of talent dedicated to providing specialized care in our community. This experience will provide UNR Med students with the opportunity to train and practice in northern Nevada as well as attract students from other regions who seek a premiere destination training program. All of us at the E. L. Wiegand Foundation look forward to witnessing the success of this meaningful endeavor.”

Through a collaborative effort, UNR Med, Renown Health, and the E. L. Wiegand Foundation are committed to delivering an exceptional medical education experience while cultivating compassionate physicians who will serve the communities of northern Nevada to ensure every child receives the high-quality care they deserve.