Because Reno/Tahoe is such an attractive place to live, it’s not hard to understand why many doctors choose to live here. After all, if you can choose where to practice medicine, why not select a beautiful area with unlimited opportunities for recreation? Just a glance in local telephone books will show more than 800 physicians and surgeons practicing in every field of medical specialization. Almost any medical procedure you might need is available locally except organ transplants, which are routinely done in Sacramento, California, about two hours away by car.
In addition to the hundreds of medical doctors, about 100 podiatrists and doctors of osteopathy and more than 300 dentists have hung out their shingles here. Although most of these medical personnel practice traditional medicine, alternative care, such as acupuncture and homeopathy, is also available.
But despite the large numbers of medical people who live and work here, it can sometimes be difficult to find a doctor. If you’re considering relocating to Reno/Lake Tahoe I strongly recommend finding a primary care physician before you actually move here. The physician referral services listed further on in this chapter is a good place to start. Because of the strong population growth the area has experienced in recent years, the demand for doctors in some areas has exceeded the supply.
Since the Reno/Sparks area is the largest center of population, it serves the medical needs of not only its own residents but also of people living in nearby rural communities in Nevada and California. And while Lake Tahoe has a high number of doctors per person and two small hospitals, the variety of medical care available in Reno and Sparks and nearby Carson City is much greater. Although the good news is the high quality and diversity of care available, the bad news is that it costs about 20 percent more than the national average.
You might not think that an area well known for its 24-hour lifestyle would be especially conscious of health care and wellness. Statistics also paint a rather grim picture, showing high rates for suicide, smoking, and alcohol abuse, particularly in Reno and Sparks. But in spite of this, a healthy lifestyle is a priority for an increasing number of residents because they want to participate fully in the outdoor activities available in the area. Insiders also know that many people living at Lake Tahoe are sports enthusiasts who spend as much time as possible hiking, biking, and skiing.
When not exercising outside, many people stay in shape at one of the more than 30 health clubs in the area. While some clubs are fitness studios emphasizing exercise machines and individual workouts, others are full-service health centers, with lap pools, child-care facilities, racquetball and tennis courts, tanning salons, massage therapy, clothing shops, restaurants, personalized training, and a large variety of classes. And because Reno is a 24-hour city, you can work out around the clock in many of its health clubs. Before joining a club, it’s a good idea to shop around, since membership packages and prices vary a lot. Check local phone books under “Health Clubs” for complete listings.
But even athletes who are in good condition occasionally have accidents and get hurt. If that happens to you, you can take some comfort in knowing that the Reno/Tahoe area has attracted a number of athletically inclined physicians who specialize in sports medicine. They understand not only the clinical aspects of sports injuries but the practical side as well, since it’s likely they spend a lot of their free time hiking, biking, and skiing. If you’re looking for knee reconstruction or joint replacement, just let your fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages, where you’ll find a variety of highly qualified orthopedic surgeons listed. After all, with more than 20 ski resorts in the area, they have plenty of ski-related injuries to practice on.
While the variety of available medical care reflects in part the lifestyle of area residents and visitors, the medical community is further enriched by the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno. Established in 1969 by the Nevada State Legislature and funded in part by the late eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, the School of Medicine is integrated with local hospitals, clinics, and physicians. More than 900 community physicians throughout the state are involved in its mission to provide medical education and training for Nevadans. The school is also an important center of medical research, focusing on problems that affect Nevada in particular. The University of Nevada, Reno, also trains registered nurses in its Orvis School of Nursing; Truckee Meadows Community College, also in Reno, trains registered nurses as well as certified nursing assistants. The Reno/Tahoe area is also home to a number of licensed schools of massage.
In this chapter I give you a general overview of the kinds of health care offered in the Reno/Tahoe area. I tell you about the major hospitals, which are comprehensive health-care delivery systems, as well as the smaller specialty hospitals and clinics. I tell you how to find a doctor, where to get emergency care, what support groups are available, and where to get alternative medical care. And last, but not least, I tell you how to get medical attention for the family pet.