Press Release Archive

State-of-the-art repository strengthens research infrastructure and fuels scientific innovation

September 15, 2026

RENO, Nev. – Today, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) celebrated the grand opening of its new biobank, a major expansion of the institution's research infrastructure that will support scientific discovery, innovation and improved health outcomes for Nevada and beyond.

Located within UNR Med's Translational Research Center, the biobank serves as a secure repository for biological samples, including blood, urine and tissue, along with associated health information that can be used in research studies. By providing researchers with access to high-quality biological specimens and data, the biobank will help accelerate discoveries across a variety of fields, from genetics to cancer research to infectious diseases.

"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.”

The opening of the biobank represents one of the most significant investments in Nevada's research future. Similar repositories at leading research institutions nationwide have transformed how scientists study disease, identify potential therapies and translate discoveries into clinical practice. The new facility positions UNR Med researchers to pursue more complex and collaborative studies while strengthening the University's capacity to attract research funding and partnerships.

As UNR Med continues to expand its research enterprise, the biobank will serve as a foundational resource for advancing scientific knowledge, supporting innovative studies and helping researchers address some of the most pressing health challenges.

About the Translational Research Center

The Translational Research Center at UNR Med supports faculty, students and research teams by providing expertise in clinical and translational research. Working closely with Renown Health and other partners, the center facilitates research collaborations, supports clinical studies, connects learners with research opportunities and helps investigators access resources that move discoveries from the laboratory to patient care.

– @unrmed –

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of respect and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. 

Media Contact: 
Dana Reynolds 
Manager, Marketing & Communications 
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine 
(207) 749-3653
danareynolds@med.unr.edu 

Annual tradition marks PA student’s official entry into the healthcare profession

September 10, 2026

What: The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) will welcome 25 students into its nationally ranked Physician Assistant Studies program during the Class of 2028 White Coat Ceremony. As part of the longstanding tradition, students will receive their first white coats, symbolizing their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and the beginning of their journey as future physician assistants.

Who: The ceremony will honor members of the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2028. Attendees will include UNR Med leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, students, family members and friends.

When: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at 3 p.m. (Doors open at 2:30 p.m.)

Where: Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building, University of Nevada, Reno (1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557); Complimentary parking in the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex.

Why: The White Coat Ceremony is a significant milestone for first-year physician assistant students, formally welcoming them into the healthcare profession and reinforcing the values of professionalism, service and patient care. UNR Med’s Physician Assistant Studies program is ranked No. 21 nationally among 206 physician assistant programs by U.S. News & World Report (2025).

Media Opportunities: UNR Med leaders, faculty members and first-year physician assistant students will be available for interviews before and after the ceremony. Media representatives are encouraged to arrive early to capture student arrivals, ceremony preparations and pre-event interviews.

Social Media: Follow and share the celebration @unrmed, @unrmedpa, and #UNRMed.

Media planning to attend can contact Dana Reynolds, (207) 749-3653.

– @unrmed –

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of respect and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. 

73 future doctors take symbolic step into the medical profession at annual White Coat Ceremony

August 7, 2026

What: The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) will welcome 73 future physicians into the Doctor of Medicine Class of 2030 during its annual White Coat Ceremony.

Who: The ceremony will welcome the Doctor of Medicine Class of 2030. Attendees will include medical students; UNR Med leadership, faculty and staff; alumni; families and friends.

When: Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. (Doors open at 4:45 p.m.)

Where: Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building, University of Nevada, Reno (1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557) and livestream; Complimentary parking in the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex.

Why: Since 1996, the ceremony has served as a meaningful milestone for first-year medical students, marking their official entry into the medical profession. Donning the white coat for the first time is more than a rite of passage; it’s a public pledge to uphold compassion, integrity and excellence in patient care, and the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to service.

Media Opportunities: UNR Med leadership, faculty and first-year medical students will be available for interviews. Members of the media are encouraged to attend early to capture arrival coverage and pre-ceremony interviews.

Social Media: Follow and share the celebration @unrmed and #UNRMed

Media planning to attend can contact Dana Reynolds, (207) 749-3653.

– @unrmed –

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of respect and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. 

Media Contact: 
Dana Reynolds 
Manager, Marketing & Communications 

Class of 2026 to be hooded at Master of Physician Assistant Studies Commencement Ceremony

July 30, 2026

What: The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) will celebrate the graduation of 25 physician assistant (PA) students at the Class of 2026 Master of Physician Assistant Studies Commencement Ceremony.

Who: The ceremony will honor the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2026. Attendees will include PA students; UNR Med leadership, faculty, and staff; alumni; families and friends.

When: Friday, July 31, 2026 at 3 p.m. (Doors open at 2:30 p.m.)

Where: Joe Crowley Student Union, Milt Glick Ballrooms, Fourth Floor (1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557) and livestream

Why: Commencement marks the official conferral of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. On July 31, 2026, these students will be graduating from UNR Med’s Physician Assistant Studies program, which is nationally ranked No. 21 out of 206 programs by the 2025 U.S. News and World Report.

Media Opportunities: UNR Med leadership, faculty and graduates will be available for interviews. Members of the media are encouraged to attend early to capture arrival coverage and pre-ceremony interviews.

Social Media: Follow and share the celebration @unrmed, #UNRMed, and #NVGrad2026.

Media planning to attend can contact Dana Reynolds, (207) 749-3653.

– @unrmed –

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of respect and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. 

Nevada Health Authority funds support three new programs for residency and fellowship training

July 27, 2026

RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) was awarded over $4.5 million to support the expansion of Graduate Medical Education (GME) in Northern Nevada. The funding was awarded to nine GME programs statewide after a review process conducted by the Nevada Health Authority (NVHA) in consultation with the GME Advisory Committee. Applications were reviewed based on program quality, workforce impact, and the ability to expand training capacity in communities with the greatest need. GME funds awarded to UNR Med from the Grant Round VIII (SFY27-30) included $1,672,444 for the development of a General Surgery Residency, $1,957,173 for the new Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency (set to accept its first cohort in 2027), and $919,303 for a Fellowship in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine.

“The expansion of graduate medical education in Nevada is an essential part of our strategic plan to build the workforce pipeline and retain more physicians to practice in our state,” said Paul J. Hauptman, M.D., Dean of UNR Med and Chief Academic Officer at Renown Health. “Statistics show that nearly 60% of resident trainees remain in the state when they complete their GME training to practice. We are now better able to address physician shortages across our state with this pivotal support from the NVHA.”

In February, UNR Med received ACGME accreditation to officially launch the region’s first OB/GYN residency training program. The program is expected to welcome its inaugural class of three residents in July 2027, addressing a critical need for specialized women’s health providers in the region.

“Nevada has one of the lowest ratios of OB/GYN physicians to population in the United States,” said James Alexander, M.D., chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UNR Med and Renown Health. “This residency will provide critical training for physicians who desire to practice obstetrics and gynecology, many of whom will remain in Nevada after their training is complete. This will have a great impact on meeting the need for high-quality healthcare in our state.”

Also set to launch soon is a new Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, led by the Department of Medicine. Pulmonary and critical care physicians play a central role in modern hospital systems, providing care for patients with respiratory failure, complex pulmonary disease, trauma, and severe critical illness requiring intensive care. Nevada continues to face a shortage of physicians across many specialties, including pulmonary and critical care medicine, creating challenges for hospitals seeking to maintain adequate critical care coverage and expand services.

The third GME program expected to launch at UNR Med is a five-year General Surgery Residency, with an anticipated inaugural class beginning in 2028 or 2029. The program will be implemented through a phased development plan leveraging UNR Med’s established Sponsoring Institution infrastructure and strong clinical partnerships with Renown Health, the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, and regional rural hospitals.

“A surgical residency will establish a sustainable in-state pipeline of general surgeons, improve physician retention and expand access to surgical care, particularly in rural and underserved communities,” said Christos Galanopoulus, M.D., Chair of the Department of Surgery at UNR Med and Renown Health. “Residents will contribute meaningfully to patient care delivery during training, increasing capacity in high-need settings and supporting health system efficiency. By expanding surgical training capacity, this program will improve health outcomes, improve access, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and contribute to the long-term economic and healthcare infrastructure of the state.”

As the first and only integrated academic health system in the state, UNR Med and Renown Health are committed to the investment of expanding graduate medical education in Northern Nevada. Grant funding from the state government is an essential additional support to increasing the training and retention of physicians in Nevada.

– @unrmed –

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of respect and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. 

Media Contact: 
Dana Reynolds 
Manager, Marketing & Communications 
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine 
(207) 749-3653
danareynolds@med.unr.edu 

Nevada Aphasia Camp offers an inspiring weekend of growth and belonging for people with aphasia and their loved ones

June 1, 2026

RENO, Nev. — This June, during Aphasia Awareness Month, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) is highlighting the impact of Nevada Aphasia Camp, an annual program that brings together people living with aphasia, care partners, students and clinicians in a shared environment focused on communication, confidence and community.

Hosted by UNR Med’s Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology in partnership with the Aphasia Center of Nevada, the camp is designed for individuals affected by aphasia — a language disorder most commonly caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury or brain tumors that impacts speech, comprehension, reading, writing and calculation.

More than two million Americans live with aphasia, yet public awareness remains limited. Nevada Aphasia Camp works to address that gap by creating an inclusive environment where all forms of communication are valued equally — spoken, written, gestured or supported through communication partners — and where participants are encouraged to express identity beyond diagnosis.

At the 2025 camp, participants gathered at Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Grizzly Creek campus for a weekend of guided reflection, shared experiences and adaptive outdoor activities.

Throughout the weekend, participants engaged in team-based outdoor challenges and communication-focused activities. For many, the experience provided a rare opportunity to communicate freely without the pressure of being misunderstood in daily life.

“This camp was founded in partnership with people who have aphasia,” said Tami Brancamp, Ph.D., associate professor of speech pathology and audiology and co-founder of camp. “We let our members drive the programs. Camp provides opportunities for stroke survivors to reclaim independence and joy in the things they used to love.”

Returning campers describe the experience as a place of ongoing growth, friendship and renewed confidence in communication.

“This is my third year at camp, and it feels like a family,” said Zack Holm, a co-founder and participant living with aphasia following a stroke. “Every year, the friendships grow, and we all get a little stronger together.”

The camp also serves as a hands-on learning environment for UNR Med speech-language pathology students and medical students, who work directly with participants in immersive, real-world communication settings. Students share that the experience deepens their understanding of aphasia beyond clinical instruction.

“In class, we learn about aphasia, but here we see how it truly affects lives,” said Chloe Yocom, ‘26 M.S., CFY-SLP, a recent graduate of the speech-language pathology master’s program. “I’ve heard the most amazing stories and seen so much resilience from these people.”

By the end of the weekend, participants, care partners, students and facilitators leave with strengthened connections and a renewed sense of possibility. Nevada Aphasia Camp continues to grow as a model for community-based rehabilitation and inclusive communication.

About Nevada Aphasia Camp

Nevada Aphasia Camp is an annual program hosted by the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine’s Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology in collaboration with the Aphasia Center of Nevada. The camp provides an immersive, community-based experience for individuals with aphasia, their care partners, students, and clinicians focused on communication, independence and connection.

Giving

Support for Nevada Aphasia Camp helps expand access to communication-based programming, reduce isolation for people living with aphasia, and train future healthcare professionals in person-centered care. To support the Nevada Aphasia Camp, please visit this link.

Learn More

Learn more about Nevada Aphasia Camp and the Aphasia Center of Nevada.

– @unrmed –

Photo cutline: People with aphasia, care partners, speech-language pathology students and facilitators come together for the annual Nevada Aphasia Camp at Sierra Nevada Journeys. Additional photos from the 2025 Nevada Aphasia Camp are available on Flickr.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu. 

Media Contact: 
Reilly Moss
Specialist, Marketing & Communications 
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine 
(775) 682-6011
reillym@med.unr.edu

Class of 2026 to be hooded at Doctor of Medicine Commencement Ceremony 

May 12, 2026

What: The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) will celebrate the graduation of 64 medical students at the Doctor of Medicine Commencement Ceremony. This milestone event marks the transition from student to physician, as graduates are ceremonially hooded by faculty, mentors and loved ones.

Who: The ceremony will honor the UNR Med M.D. Class of 2026. Attendees will include medical students; UNR Med leadership, faculty, and staff; Renown Health leadership; alumni; families and friends. This year’s keynote address will be delivered by John Spertus, M.D., MPH, a nationally renowned cardiologist and the Lauer/Missouri Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. (Doors open at 12 p.m.)

Where: Lawlor Events Center (1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557) and livestream

Why: Commencement marks the official conferral of the Doctor of Medicine degree. In March 2026, these graduates learned their residency placements during the highly anticipated Match Day. This year, 24% of students matched into primary care and 15% will remain in Nevada for some portion of their graduate medical education training.

Media Opportunities: UNR Med leadership, faculty and graduates will be available for interviews. Members of the media are encouraged to attend early to capture arrival coverage and pre-ceremony interviews.

Social Media: Follow and share the celebration @unrmed, #UNRMed, and #NVGrad2026.

Media planning to attend can call Dana Reynolds, 207-749-3653.

– @unrmed –

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), Nevada’s first medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact, and a culture of respect and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu.