UNR Med and Renown Health Build Nevada's First Integrated Academic Health System, Expanding Clinical Trials and Research Infrastructure
核心洞察
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (搜索) and Renown Health have formed Nevada's first and only integrated academic health system through a 50-year affiliation agreement formalized in 2021.
Renown's clinical trial portfolio has grown from approximately 35 to more than 140 active trials since 2021, with the research team expanding from five to 35 staff members.
A new biobank in the Translational Research Center at UNR Med will open in September 2026, providing researchers on-site access to biological samples for developing new treatments, biomarkers and medications.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (搜索) (UNR Med) and Renown Health have established Nevada's first and only integrated academic health system, a landmark partnership that is reshaping clinical research and patient access to innovative treatments across the state. Five years after formalizing a historic 50-year affiliation agreement in 2021, the two organizations are expanding research infrastructure, growing their clinical trial portfolio, and building a stronger pipeline from discovery to patient care.
At the center of this progress is a growing network of physician-scientists, expanded research capabilities, and strategic investments in infrastructure, including a new biobank in the Translational Research Center at UNR Med, which will open in September 2026.
Building the Foundation for Breakthroughs
As a Carnegie R1 research university, the University of Nevada, Reno is recognized among the nation's top research institutions, placing it in the top 3% of universities for research activity. Faculty at UNR Med advance biomedical and translational research in areas ranging from muscular dystrophy (搜索) and infectious diseases to cardiac arrhythmias, cancer and women's health.
"We now have a number of research projects that incorporate pivotal collaborations between clinicians and researchers," said Lucia Notterpek, Ph.D., senior associate dean of research at UNR Med. "Research is a team sport, and we all bring unique expertise to the problems we study."
For physicians like Eric Kim, M.D., associate dean of clinical research at UNR Med and chief of urology at Renown Health, investments in research infrastructure, core services and seed grant mechanisms make Northern Nevada an increasingly attractive place to combine clinical practice with research.
"Building research infrastructure represents a core investment by UNR Med and Renown, paving the way for recruitment of clinician researchers who will perform clinical trials, partner with colleagues and compete for external funding opportunities," Kim said.
Clinical Trial Expansion Close to Home
The partnership has helped establish clinical research as a core component of care delivery, accelerating growth across the program. Since 2021, Renown's clinical trial portfolio has expanded from approximately 35 to more than 140 active trials, while the research team has grown from five staff members to 35. Today, more than 50 investigators support clinical research efforts across a wide range of specialties, including cancer and lung care.
Reflecting this commitment to research excellence, Renown Health has earned accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), a distinction held by only 63 institutions nationwide. The accreditation recognizes Renown's commitment to the highest standards of research quality, ethical oversight and participant safety.
"Clinical research has benefited significantly from the affiliation of Nevada's oldest public medical school and the regional healthcare system," Kim said. "UNR Med brings important scientific expertise with laboratory infrastructure, which substantially broadens the type of clinical research that can be performed."
Clinical trials conducted at Renown have supported advances in treatment, diagnostics and patient care, including a newly approved therapy for pulmonary fibrosis (搜索), enhanced lung biopsy technology and innovative approaches that reduce the burden of care for patients. Renown researchers have also earned national recognition as the highest-enrolling site for two national prostate cancer (搜索) studies.
"One of the greatest benefits of clinical research is that patients are supported by an entire team focused on their care, safety and well-being," said Kristen Gurnea, MPH, director of clinical research at Renown Health. "Through our affiliation, we've expanded access to clinical trials so more patients can benefit from innovative treatment options and the additional support that comes with participating in research, all while staying close to home."
A New Biobank, A New Era
One of the most significant investments in Nevada's research future will open this September with the launch of the new biobank in the Translational Research Center at UNR Med. A biobank is a secure repository that stores biological samples, such as blood, urine and tissue, along with associated health information for use in research.
"The new biobank provides our researchers with on-site access to a wide variety of biological samples," said Samantha Sipusic, CCRP, coordinator of translational research at UNR Med. "With the biobank coming to campus, we will have expanded research infrastructure that can assist principal investigators in developing new treatments, biomarkers and medications."
Supporting Breakthroughs in Cancer Research
Through seed grant funding, UNR Med and the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute (搜索) (PCI) support investigator-driven research, enabling biomedical and clinical faculty to pilot original research. In 2026, PCI awarded more than $667,000 through its PCI Research Awards program to support six promising cancer research projects spanning cancer biology, virus-associated cancers, glioblastoma (搜索), rectal cancer (搜索) and patient wellness.
Additional seed grant funding through the M.D.-Ph.D. collaboration pilot award is designed to support clinicians and biomedical researchers at UNR Med and Renown Health. By pairing M.D. and Ph.D. investigators, the program helps translate discoveries directly to the bedside. Collaborative projects range from cancer and infectious disease research to studies of neurological, gastrointestinal and urological disorders.
Turning Discoveries into Better Care
Researchers are also pursuing discoveries that could benefit patients with rare diseases. UNR Med is an international leader in muscular dystrophy (搜索) research, specifically the facioscapulohumeral and Duchenne variants.
Heather Burkin, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and one of this year's inaugural recipients of the President's Award for Research, Innovation and Scholarly Impact, is among the researchers benefiting from the growing partnership. For Burkin, access to human tissue samples is critical because laboratory models can only go so far.
"The affiliation has allowed more opportunities for communication between Renown physicians and UNR Med scientists," Burkin said. "I believe developing these collaborations will yield more clinically relevant discoveries."
Addressing Nevada's Healthcare Challenges
The academic health system model is especially impactful for Nevada, a state that has long faced physician shortages and limited access to specialty care. The state ranks 45th in physician coverage nationwide, with even lower standings in key areas: 48th for primary care physicians and 49th for general surgeons.
More than 60% of residents and fellows who train in Nevada remain in the state to practice, and that retention rate increases to almost 80% among those who complete both medical school and residency training in Nevada. Nearly 1 in 3 doctors in Washoe County trained at UNR Med.
"The state ranked poorly in many measures of healthcare quality and access," said Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D., former UNR Med Dean. "Nevada has faced challenges in physician workforce development, training opportunities, research capacity and access to care. The affiliation represented an entirely new approach to addressing those needs."
As Nevada continues to invest in research and the biomedical workforce, the affiliation between UNR Med and Renown shapes the future of healthcare. For Northern Nevada residents, the result is more than scientific progress — it means greater access to cutting-edge care, expanded clinical trial opportunities, and the promise that the next breakthrough may happen right in the local community.