Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center Celebrates Its First Year

Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center (SMC) opened to patient care on April 4, 2022, and has celebrated its first year serving the community. In one year, SMC has cared for more than 23,000 patients in our community, including the birth of more than 700 babies.

“Opening a new hospital is no small feat and I’m proud to stand with and celebrate our staff who have worked endlessly to bring this new facility to the market,” said Alan Olive, Chief Executive Officer at Sierra Medical Center. “In one year, we have elevated quality, focused on safe patient care and improved services available to patients, including oncology, labor and delivery and a level II neonatal intensive care unit.”

Since opening day on April 4, 2022, the hospital has hired more than 630 employees, which include more than 280 registered nurses and 500 credentialed providers to treat those who seek care at the new hospital.

In one year, the hospital has launched programs unique to Northern Nevada Health System including a medical oncology unit, The Family Birth Center and level II NICU, and advanced cardiovascular services inclusive of open-heart procedures. SMC has also introduced the latest surgical technology to the market. Additionally, the campus will soon open its Medical Office Building featuring outpatient services to be announced late 2023.

“The growth that Sierra has experienced in the last year speaks to our community’s want and need for additional services,” said Katie Grimm, RN, BSN, MBA, Chief Nursing Officer at Northern Nevada Health System. “Our team continues to focus on Service Excellence and ensuring patients receive care from highly trained medical professionals working with advanced technology.”

A Year of Firsts

We thank those in our community who have supported the opening of the region’s newest hospital, and those who contributed to our one-year milestones. We proudly share some of our first achievements.

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The first surgery, a total hip replacement, was performed by Jessell Owens, MD, of Great Basin Orthopedics

Welcomed its first baby, a girl, on Saturday, April 9, 2023, at 11:58 a.m.

The first open-heart procedure was performed in late September 2022 by our cardiothoracic team led by Theodore Pratt, MD

The first New Year’s baby was welcomed on January 1, 2023, at 4:52 a.m.

We proudly opened our Level II NICU on January 3, 2023

Our First Year in Numbers*

• 632 staff hired
• 23,000+ patients cared for
• 4,000+ admitted patients
• 14,000+ Emergency Department visits
• 4,000+ surgical cases
• 700+ babies born
• 500+ medical providers credentialed
• 35 NICU babies cared for (opened January 2023)

Thank you for being part of this journey and supporting our team as we take steps to elevate care for those in our region.

*All First Year in Numbers data pulled from opening day to February 2023.