The National Kidney Foundation Opens New Office at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center

-Facility to educate northern Nevada residents about kidney disease-

RENO, Nev.– In an effort to expand patient services and provide greater resources to the local community, the National Kidney Foundation will open a new office in Reno, Nev. at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The new office, opening on Aug. 28 will provide northern Nevada patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and the public with programs on kidney disease and its two leading causes, diabetes and high blood pressure. The priority of the foundation and Saint Mary’s is to educate the public about kidney disease and organ donation, health screenings for those at risk, patient services, and policy initiatives; all in an effort to combat rising levels of chronic kidney disease in Nevada.

“Saint Mary’s is dedicated to providing the best possible care to those suffering from kidney disease and with the recent opening of our Saint Mary’s Center for Kidney Care, it is a natural fit have the National Kidney Foundation on our campus,” said Mike Uboldi, president and CEO of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. “Having Nevada’s office of the National Kidney Foundation at Saint Mary’s enables us to offer those suffering from kidney disease yet another resource.”

Approximately 26 million Americans have some level of kidney disease and more than 425,000 Americans are currently undergoing treatment for kidney failure. In northern Nevada, more than 65,000 people have chronic kidney disease and more than 560 patients are receiving dialysis treatment, which is expected to double within ten years. In addition to these growing numbers, northern Nevada currently does not have a transplant center, making it difficult for patients to receive lifesaving transplants.

“One in eight people in northern Nevada have chronic kidney disease though a majority do not know it and over 200 await a lifesaving kidney transplant,” said Christopher Kelly, division president of the National Kidney Foundation. “From our new partnership with Saint Mary’s we look forward to helping those suffering from kidney disease by educating them about programs and other resources available.”

The northern Nevada Kidney Foundation office will be located on the fourth floor of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and opens on Aug. 28. Those interested in learning more about the National Kidney Foundation and its programs can call 775-770- 6530 or visit www.kidneynca.org.

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About Saint Mary’s
In 2009 Saint Mary’s celebrates 101 years of delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health services to northern Nevada. Founded in 1908 by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Saint Mary's is a member of the Catholic Healthcare West family of hospitals and medical centers in Arizona, California, and Nevada. As a fully integrated, faith-based healthcare system with 380 licensed beds, approximately 2,300 employees, 850 affiliated physicians, and 300 volunteers, Saint Mary’s provides a wide variety of inpatient, outpatient, and community services to go Well Beyond for the community we serve. For more information, please visit www.saintmarysreno.org.

About Catholic Healthcare West
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) is the eighth largest hospital system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit hospital provider in California. Founded in 1986, the CHW network of more than 10,000 physicians and approximately 53,000 employees serves a population spanning 22 million people at 41 hospitals across California, Arizona, and Nevada. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. In 2008, CHW provided $967 million in charity care, community benefits, and unreimbursed patient care. For more information, please visit our website at www.chwHEALTH.org.

Contacts:

Gary Aldax
(775) 770-3038
gary.aldax@chw.edu

Frankie Vigil
(775) 287-5924
frankie.vigil@rrpartners.com

Christopher Kelley
(415) 902-8115
chris.kelley@kidney.org