Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Today Saint Mary’s is one of the main hospitals located in Northern Nevada right along with Renown Regional Medical Center. Just recently Saint Mary’s was purchased by a larger company called Prime Health and was to have a name change to Dignity Health but due to “historical” issues the new name has yet to stick. Saint Mary’s “is a 380-bed acute care and general medical/surgical hospital with a complete range of services, including Women's and Children's services, Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, a nationally accredited Center for Cancer, a full-service Heart and Vascular Institute and a multi-specialty Medical Group” (Saint Mary’s).

For decades, Saint Mary’s has helped individuals with many services and they were able to help Allison Johnson, from Northline, with her pregnancy. ‘“Remember there are people who can help. I think St Mary’s Hospital in Reno also has a program set up specifically for women in situations like yours. Adoption agencies can help, too’…” (Vlautin 58). When Allison was still in Las Vegas she spoke with Nancy Collins about who would be able to help her and Saint Mary’s was definitely the hospital that could. When Allison arrived in Reno and went to the hospital, there was a nurse that was immediately there to help her with her pregnancy and the future care of her child: “the girl took another pregnancy test and confirmed her situation, and by the end of the second week they had decided on an adoption agency, a doctor, and had even seen folders of prospective parents” (Vlautin 63). Although in the end Allison regretted giving away her baby, the baby was in safe hands and Allison was taken care of along the way living in a secure, little apartment right next to the hospital with other ladies of similar situations.

Just like her experience, I believe people still do encounter Saint Mary’s welcoming environment and genuine care. Whenever in need for help, a nurse will be there to help assist you and doctors are on call to diagnose and/or treat any conditions you may have. Like any health care professional, they are there to care for you in any way possible to make you feel more comfortable. Places such as Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center give people, like Allison Johnson, the opportunity to get better and find a new start. It was the place where she could turn over a new leaf and get healthier both physiologically and mentally, although she still had some alcohol and anxiety issues afterwards. Nevertheless, she was given a chance at a new life and I am sure many people still do get that chance as well.