Pediatric care in northern Nevada is changing. In September 2022, UNR Med and Renown Health announced accreditation of a new, three-year Pediatric Residency Program committed to recruiting and retaining pediatricians, investing in clinical research, and ultimately, bridging the gap between the health care workforce and the needs of northern Nevada families.
Now, the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, a Philanthropist in the University Honor Court, is ensuring the program’s success by generously supporting its startup operations and salaries.
“The E. L. Wiegand Foundation is thrilled to support the establishment of northern Nevada’s inaugural Pediatric Residency Program,” 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 sentiment is echoed by UNR Med Dean and Renown’s Chief Academic Officer, Paul J. Hauptman, M.D. “This grant will not only help facilitate our residency program’s development but also serve as a magnet, drawing medical students from across the nation to Nevada,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful for the E. L. Wiegand Foundation’s generous support.”
Nevada has long grappled with a pediatrician shortage, limiting local access to essential care for children. In 2022, the state ranked 47th in the country with fewer than 10 pediatricians for every 100,000 people. “We can, and must, do better, as our population grows and the demand for pediatric services continues to rise,” Hauptman added.
Studies have shown residents are more likely to stay and practice where they train. As a result, the new program — which started in July 2023 and is currently recruiting its second cohort to start this July — aims to increase the region’s number of pediatricians by up to four each year.
“This program will provide UNR Med students the opportunity to train and practice in northern Nevada and attract students from other regions who seek a premier destination training program,” Avansino said. “All of us at the E. L. Wiegand Foundation are proud to be a part of this meaningful endeavor.”
To learn more about the Pediatric Residency Program, scan the QR code below.