Renown Health revealed plans for a dedicated children’s hospital in Reno, made possible by a historic $40 million gift from local philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Golisano. The donation marks the largest charitable contribution in Renown’s history and positions the facility as the westernmost member of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a national network of 21 pediatric hospitals.
Why the new hospital matters for families
“This $40 million investment from Tom Golisano is transformational for Renown and our community as we plan our new expanded children’s hospital,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. Erling emphasized that the funding will allow the health system to broaden its already‑extensive pediatric offerings, which now include 24 specialty disciplines.
Renown Children’s Hospital currently operates on several floors of the Renown Regional Medical Center. It houses northern Nevada’s only dedicated children’s emergency department, staffed by board‑certified pediatric emergency physicians, and earned the region’s first verified Level II pediatric trauma designation in 2023. The hospital also features a 55‑bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and a 16‑room pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) that serve the most vulnerable patients.
Impact on the community
More than 4,000 babies are born at Renown each year, and in 2025 the hospital cared for over 84,000 children. Through its affiliation with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Renown trains the next generation of pediatric physicians, reinforcing the region’s medical workforce.
“Renown Children’s Hospital cares for more children throughout northern Nevada every year, and this investment creates opportunities to meet the growing needs of children and families across our region,” said Paige McCall, Vice President of Women and Children’s Services. McCall added that the gift will expand the hospital’s healing and teaching mission, enhancing services for families who rely on Renown for critical care.
Golisano’s vision for families
“As a father and grandfather, I’ve seen firsthand what it means for a family to have a great children’s hospital close to home in a difficult moment,” Golisano said in the press release announcing the alliance. “My hope is that no family, no matter where they live or what they can afford, has to travel far or wonder if their child will get the best care available.”
The new standalone facility will consolidate pediatric services under one roof, reducing the need for families to navigate multiple locations within the larger medical center. It also promises to attract additional specialists, further expanding the range of treatments available locally.
How to support the effort
Renown Health encourages community members to contribute to the hospital’s ongoing development by visiting renown.org/donate. Continued public support will help ensure that the children’s hospital remains a beacon of hope and high‑quality care for generations to come.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
