Nevada State Public Health Laboratory
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Savitt Medical Building
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 688-1335
A division of the department of pathology of the University of Nevada School of Medicine since 1997, the State Public Health Laboratory is located on the campus of the School of Medicine in Reno. The Laboratory continues its historic mission of providing laboratory diagnostic support for diseases and environmental contaminants of public health interest for Washoe and Clark County Health Districts, as well as the Nevada State Health Division, and private health care providers and citizens.
The Laboratory maintains a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accredited water testing laboratory, in addition to testing milk and certifying other milk laboratories in the State to insure the purity and safety of milk produced in Nevada. As the only food diagnostic microbiology laboratory in the State, the Laboratory tests food suspected of causing food borne illnesses. Operating under a joint Federal/State Tuberculosis Elimination Grant, the Laboratory serves as the definitive reference laboratory for all TB cases in the State, and also provides microbiologic reference services to all laboratories upon request. In addition, a full range of tests for other diseases of public health concern such as hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and Hantavirus are available.
Since it's affiliation with the School of Medicine, the State Public Health Laboratory has embarked upon a program of test menu expansion and research to better serve Nevada, now providing uterine cervical Pap smear screening, ultra sensitive molecular biology based tests for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as viral diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV. The Laboratory has an ongoing research project based upon its Pap smear program, and participates in continuing education projects with local schools and community colleges. We publish a free quarterly newsletter, with pertinent findings, as well as interpretations in the context of national and international public health issues.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF
L. Dee Brown, MD MPH, Director
Stephanie Ernaga, MT(ASCP), MBA, Business Manager
