Staff Report
After more than two decades of steadfast service to Banner Churchill Community Hospital, longtime advisory board member Mike Berney is being recognized for his leadership and dedication to improving healthcare in Churchill County. Berney has been nominated for the Nevada Hospital Association’s Trustee of the Year Award, a distinction that honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional vision, commitment, and impact within their communities.
Berney, who first joined the hospital’s advisory board more than 20 years ago and served as chair from 2000 to 2015, has been described by colleagues as the cornerstone of the board’s progress. His leadership helped guide the hospital through periods of growth, modernization, and community expansion.
Perhaps his most significant contribution came through his leadership in establishing Churchill County’s second ambulance station, a project that many once feared would never happen. The new west-side station on the Reno Highway went into service last fall and has already led to improvements in emergency response times.
“Through Mike’s dedication and support, our ability to provide emergency medical services has substantially increased, impacting thousands of lives every year,” said BCCH Ambulance Chief Steve Towne. “His leadership has allowed us to reduce response times significantly, provide better training for our team, and ultimately deliver a higher level of care.”
Churchill County covers more than 5,000 square miles, an area roughly the size of Connecticut, served by just one hospital-based ambulance team. As the community grew and 911 calls increased, especially on the west side of Fallon, it became clear that a second station was needed. Yet the project faced repeated setbacks, including difficulties securing land and limited funding.
Berney drew on his extensive community connections, helped locate a suitable property, coordinated renovations, and kept the project alive through years of delays. Thanks to his efforts, the new ambulance station became a reality.
Since its opening, the results have been remarkable: a 46 percent reduction in response times for calls in the west-side coverage area and a 15 percent decrease in countywide response times overall, despite a 16 percent increase in total call volume. The facility also includes a dedicated training space that hosts near-daily education sessions for emergency medical staff from across the state.
Berney’s leadership extends far beyond this single accomplishment. Nine years ago, he helped establish the Churchill Community Hospital Foundation, which raises funds for hospital needs and community healthcare projects. His guidance helped the foundation fund the purchase of a new ambulance and other critical medical equipment.
He also supports the hospital’s auxiliary, a volunteer organization that operates the Stuf N’ Such Thrift Store and the hospital gift shop. Volunteers often call Berney their “go-to guy” when maintenance issues arise, responding quickly, dealing with contractors, and ensuring the facilities are safe and functional.
“Mike is always just a phone call or text away, even when he’s traveling with his family,” said BCCH CEO Rob Carnahan, who nominated Berney for the statewide award. “He models the kind of hands-on commitment that keeps our hospital moving forward.”
Beyond his hospital work, Berney has devoted his life to serving the Fallon community in countless ways. He has served as president of the Fallon Board of Realtors and the local softball league, as a member of the Lions Club, the Churchill County Museum board, the Board of Equalization, and the county’s Debt Management Committee. He’s also served on the Western Nevada College Foundation board, coached the Churchill County High School girls basketball team for 15 years, and is active with the Fallon Theatre and the United Methodist Church.
A retired real estate broker and former owner of Berney Realty, Berney remains a familiar and respected figure in Fallon, and he and his wife Michele continue to volunteer locally.
“Mike embodies the spirit of public trust,” Carnahan said. “He doesn’t seek attention—he just quietly works to make things better for everyone. The second ambulance station, the foundation, the auxiliary—all of these successes are tied to his vision and determination.”
If selected as the Nevada Hospital Association’s Trustee of the Year, Berney’s recognition would honor not only his decades of leadership at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, but also his broader commitment to the health and vitality of Churchill County.
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