Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) is expanding its footprint to meet the demand for accessible 24/7 emergency care with the opening of a new freestanding emergency department (FED) in Sparks. The ER at Spanish Springs, an extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center, is located at 1511 Oppio Ranch Parkway off Pyramid Way. 

“We have seen great success with the freestanding emergency department model and want to bring care closer to home for our patients. The opening of the ER at Spanish Springs addresses a need for additional healthcare options driven by patient choice,” said Helen Lidholm, chief executive officer at NNMC.

The ER at Spanish Springs is Northern Nevada Health System’s second FED in the market with the first, the ER at McCarran NW, having opened in 2020. A third FED, the ER at Damonte Ranch, broke ground in December 2022 and is anticipated to open in late 2023. 

Similar to a hospital emergency department, the FED will treat a variety of emergency medical needs including heart attack, stroke, trauma conditions, lacerations, acute pain, and other life-threatening conditions. If a patient requires a higher level of care, NNMC will partner with local EMS providers to transport patients to an appropriate regional hospital.

“In alignment with providing the highest quality emergency care, we staff our FEDs with board-certified emergency medicine physicians, ER-trained nurses, and techs,” said Travis Anderson, MD, medical director of emergency services at Northern Nevada Health System. “When a patient experiences a life-threatening emergency, we want to instill confidence 

 that they have access to 24/7 medical services in their neighborhood.” 

The ER at Spanish Springs will be open 24/7 and welcomes all ages from pediatrics to seniors. The facility will feature nine treatment rooms, including fast-track exam rooms designed to efficiently triage low-severity patients. Also offered are advanced imaging services including CT, X-Ray, and lab draws. The FED delivery of care model is designed to produce shorter wait times for patients who do not require robust services offered at a full-service hospital. 

To contact the ER at Spanish Springs, call 775-567-5400, and to learn more about emergency care services at Northern Nevada Health System and view