• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Critical care physician named to cardiovascular clinical faculty in UNR Med, Carson Tahoe Health partnership

Following a collaborative recruitment between the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Carson Tahoe Health, Lorrel Toft, M.D., F.A.C.C., a cardiovascular critical care physician and researcher, has been recruited as an associate professor for UNR Med’s Department of Internal Medicine as well as a cardiologist on staff with Carson Tahoe Health.

Dr. Toft’s appointment comes as both healthcare partners collaborate to improve patient care and community well-being, as well as increase research opportunities for health professionals and scientists.

In her new roles, Toft will utilize her experience in clinical, educational and research settings while expanding community cardiac care. She will serve as a full-time faculty member at UNR Med while providing integrated clinical activities with the Carson Tahoe Health cardiology program.

The collaborative appointment will benefit UNR Med, Carson Tahoe Health, and most of all the northern Nevada community, by expanding access to an additional high-quality clinical cardiologist. The appointment will increase clinical cardiovascular research innovation that Toft will lead at UNR Med.

“Cardiovascular disease is a major problem in our community and in our nation,” said UNR Med Dean Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D. “We’re extremely pleased to be partnering with Carson Tahoe Health to bring a physician of Dr. Toft’s expertise to our community. Toft will work alongside established cardiologists to help expand top cardiovascular care in the region, grow care in rural areas and give patients more choice in their health care. It’s extremely exciting to have Dr. Toft coming on board.”

In addition to being a critical care cardiologist, Toft is a leading national authority on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education in U.S. schools. According to the American Heart Association, 38 states, including Nevada, have passed laws requiring CPR training before graduation. Toft directs a CPR training program called HEART CLASS, an interactive film-based training she produced for schools, offices and even homes.

Toft will bring a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to UNR Med to continue her work in using interactive digital media to teach CPR to high school students. The grant, facilitated through CORAM technologies, was awarded from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

As a cardiologist at Carson Tahoe Health, Toft will work with regional cardiology patients in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

“We are very pleased to have another high-caliber physician on staff at Carson Tahoe to accommodate the increasing number of patients in our community dealing with heart disease,” said Alan Garrett, president and CEO of Carson Tahoe Health. “We’re thrilled to see our partnership between Carson Tahoe Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine continue to grow, especially when it directly benefits our patients and community.”

“I’m extremely excited and feel privileged to be joining some incredible people at UNR Med and Carson Tahoe Health — and to be a part of the northern Nevada communities which they serve,” said Toft. “I look forward to making a difference in the health and wellness of our community through growing and advancing cardiology health care, while helping to train the next generation of physicians and medical researchers to ensure a healthy future.”

As an associate professor at UNR Med’s Department of Internal Medicine, Toft will teach, train and mentor future doctors and medical providers in cardiology, cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine about the importance of cardiac health across specialties. She will also foster partnerships with UNR Med’s community physicians specializing in cardiovascular diseases and help expand the school’s health care partnerships.

Toft brings over five years of cardiovascular critical care and research to northern Nevada. She is a nationally-recognized expert in cardiovascular medical education, and creator of a popular YouTube lecture series for medical students and residents, with over 430,000 views/downloads.

Most recently, she served as an assistant professor of medicine in the department of medicine, division of cardiology at the University of Louisville. Prior, she was a clinical instructor/assistant chief of service for the department of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Toft earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (summa cum laude) from the University of California, Irvine; her Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha), completed residency in internal medicine and a cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she won multiple awards for her clinical and educational endeavors

Toft’s professional affiliations are extensive, including serving with the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and speaking regionally and nationally on cardiovascular topics.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called Sunday evening to a possible structure fire and brush fire in the 1200 block of Mountain Park Drive off of Marian Avenue.

Dear honorable neighbor, it’s no longer us or them. We are one big quarreling family trying to get along. Compassion lingers as our common bond, yet we sometimes bow to feelings, and mistake those feelings for thinking.

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, the extreme-value grocery retailer, today launched its 14th Annual Independence from Hunger Food Drive, to combat food insecurity and support families in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities throughout America. From June 26 to July 31, 2024, Carson City Grocery Outlet is teaming up with the Northern Nevada Dream Center, to collect food and cash donations in-store.

Today I started pruning out the water sprouts in my four crabapple trees. Some people might call these “suckers,” but suckers grow up from the bottom of the trunk and water sprouts grow in the upper parts of the tree. I have been training three of these trees into a somewhat flattened umbrella shape for almost 20 years. The water sprouts just ruin that effect. So, out they come.

Unquestionably one of the most entertaining groups of celebrities at the pro-athlete dominated American Century Championship this year is the star-studded lineup of comedians playing in the July 10-14 edition of the tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

The plants and trees are on their best behavior at Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City as they celebrate their 50th anniversary of this awesome garden center, where flowers are in full bloom, trees are standing strong and tall in their pots, vendors are available to give gardening pointers, and there's lots of outdoor decor to make your garden more vibrant and interesting.

Carson City Fire Department, sheriff's deputies and Nevada State Police were called Sunday morning to a vehicle crash at the intersection of US-50, US-395 South Carson Street and I-580.

The annual Pony Express Re-ride, a re-enactment of the original Pony Express Route that spanned nearly 2,000 miles passing through what are now seven western states, returns to the Carson City area on Wednesday, June 26.

The much-anticipated Carson-Tahoe Home & Garden Show is happening this weekend, featuring an impressive array of vendors offering everything from home improvement services and products to health and beauty services and products, ensuring there is something for everyone. Admission is free to the public.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of June 24-30, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

UPDATE 9:44PM: Extinguished at around 8:45 p.m. the small brush fire was under a quarter-of an acre, said Carson City Fire Department Battalion Chief Jon Pedrini. The cause is under investigation.
***
Carson City Fire Department and sheriff's deputies were called Saturday night to a brush fire in the area of Lepire Drive in East Carson City.

Earlier this month, Dirk Roper, owner and CEO of Roper’s Heating and Air Conditioning, made the first of many deliveries of the summer of 50 fans to the Carson City Senior Center as part of the KOLOCares 2024 Fan Drive to help Carson City seniors stay cool this summer.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is gearing up for our most popular holiday weekend, the Fourth of July. Tahoe is a cherished place, welcoming to all responsible recreationists of diverse backgrounds, and it is essential that Tahoe visitors and residents alike take care of this spectacular place to protect Tahoe’s environment and improve the Tahoe experience for all.

Here are upcoming Carson City school-related activities and local community partner events.

Nevada’s unemployment rate was unchanged in May and remains at 5.1 percent. The state also saw an increase of 3,800 jobs, including 200 in Carson City, according to the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation's monthly economic report.

This weekend’s Capital City Brewfest checks all the boxes needed to have a great time. Plenty of breweries? Check. Live music in McFadden Plaza? Check. Food trucks, fun raffle prizes and great weather? Check, check, check.

The annual Capital City Brewfest takes place this Saturday, June 22nd, from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. along Curry Street at McFadden Plaza in Downtown Carson City.

A recent cyberattack is impacting casino operations at some northern Nevada casinos.

I had a great opportunity to meet and speak with many people last week at the Dini’s Car Show in Yerington, NV. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office continually has a booth at many local events. Our Administrative Assistant Kayla and I worked the booth for the entire day. We entered our armored vehicle into the car show, unfortunately it was not eligible to win any prizes, however it was a hit with the crowd.

A Clark County District Judge dismissed the case against six “fake electors” who signed documentation claiming that former President Trump won Nevada in 2020. President Joe Biden won Nevada with over 33,000 votes in the 2020 election.

According to Clark County district Judge Mary Kay Holthus, prosecutors with the Nevada Attorney General’s office filed the case in the wrong venue by applying it to Southern Nevada, when it should have been brought to Northern Nevada.

The Kid’s Monster Lab is for any anyone ages six through thirteen interested in bringing their imagination to life. In this three-week, six-session class, participants will dream up creatures, critters, and monsters to create with their art, their colors, then finally clay and paint. Classes are led by instructor, Kaleb Wyckoff.

Class is a 6 day series beginning July 9th and continuing every Tuesday and Thursday thru July 25th, from 5 to 6 pm.

Join Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery on July 6th and meet local realist artist R. Fox. New piece will be on display with a very rare sale. One day only, 25% off her artwork.
The show will be held both indoors and in the front yard.
Please, mark your calendars now.

According to RSVP, the lower Centennial Fields as well as Centennial Park Drive will be open to the public to view the Fourth of July fireworks which will be set off from Eagle Valley Golf Course this year instead of Mills Park.

More on that here.

Ready for some weekend warmup fun? Ditch the usual Friday night routine and head down to Mills Park in Carson City as Family Fun Fridays return, promising an exciting way to kick off your weekend. This free, weekly event at Mills Park is the perfect recipe for creating lasting memories, filled with vibrant entertainment, delicious eats, and movies under the stars.

Public invited to art and poetry show inside old Nevada State Prison

Far Beyond the Walls is an unusual exhibition that involves 22 artists, 7 solo exhibitions and 2 group shows. Visual art, poetry and soundscapes will temporarily transform the cell housing, medical and culinary spaces of the historic and recently decommissioned Nevada State Prison at 3301 Warmsprings Court, Carson City, Nevada 89701.

Carson City Supervisor Maurice White has set the Nevada Day Parade in his sights due to their policy disallowing campaigning within the parade.

During the 2022 parade, issues rose to their breaking point after fist fights broke out along the parade route, which turned out to be political in nature.

This Saturday, the Greenhouse Garden Center will celebrate its 50-year anniversary in the capital city.

As part of the celebration, the popular garden and home store will be hosting a customer appreciation day with music, food, vendors, and more.

A concert by Old West Trio and a discussion on Frank Sinatra, wrap up the month of June as part of the Dangberg Summer Festival.

The Menagerie Oddities Market Comes to Mackay Mansion Museum

The extravagant, lauded and inimitable Menagerie Oddities Market, whose credo is, “This Ain't Yer Grannies Craft Fair”, comes to the Mackay Mansion Museum in Virginia City, Nevada on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 11 am to 7 pm.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada has scheduled consumer sessions on Tuesday, June 25, to hear public comments regarding NV Energy’s applications to adjust deferred energy rates charged to customers.

This Saturday morning, volunteers will lace up their boots, pull on their gloves, and help protect Lake Tahoe with a few hours of intensely gratifying, land-healing work. Participants can choose from a range of hands-on projects taking place at the Tallac Historic Site on Tahoe’s South Shore.