Christy Lattin
Tedd McDonald, M.D., has been named a "Community Star" by the Nevada State Office of Rural Health, joining an elite group of 40 honorees selected annually from across the nation. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant impacts on rural health, with 400 Community Stars honored over the past decade from all 50 states.
McDonald was formally recognized by the state office on November 20, which coincided with National Rural Health Day.
The recognition comes as McDonald celebrates a major milestone: the establishment of the Rural Residency Program at Banner Churchill Community Hospital. For McDonald, the achievement represents the culmination of nearly two decades of persistent effort.
"We've worked a long time to bring this to Fallon," he said. "It's exciting to see it finally come together."
McDonald has been working toward bringing graduate medical education to Fallon since 2006. The city came close to securing the program in both 2008 and 2012, but those attempts ultimately fell through. This time, conditions aligned perfectly. The program was made possible through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
A Fallon native, McDonald graduated from Churchill County High School in 1974 before attending the University of Nevada, Reno. He first returned to his hometown in 1984 as an optometrist, practicing until 1994, when he decided to further his medical education. He returned to the UNR School of Medicine to study obstetrics and gynecology.
After completing his residency in Fort Worth, Texas, McDonald returned home as an OBGYN, where he has served the community for over two decades. Throughout his career, he has delivered thousands of babies and provided compassionate care to mothers across Churchill County.
His commitment to healthcare extends beyond his medical practice. McDonald has served as Chief Medical Officer at Banner Hospital and as Community Health Officer from 2013 to 2023. When the Central Nevada Health District was created in 2023, he became its Health Officer, serving until his contract expired in mid-2025.
Gerald Ackerman, director of the Nevada State Office of Rural Health, nominated McDonald for the award. The two have collaborated for years on the UNR School of Medicine Admissions Committee, worked together to establish the Rural Residency Program, and served on the Nevada Board of Health.
"I've known him a long time," Ackerman said. "What a guy, he's what you want in a physician. He's the poster model for the Community Star Award. He's invested in the community. He originally trained as an optometrist, then returned to medical school for obstetrics and gynecology care."
Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford, who has known McDonald since childhood, spoke highly of the honoree's decades of service.
"I have known Dr. Tedd McDonald and his family since childhood. Tedd was three years behind me at Churchill County High School, graduating in 1974, and later attended the University of Nevada while I was also a student there," Tedford said.
The mayor noted McDonald's extensive community involvement, including service on the Churchill County School Board, leadership as Chairman of the Churchill Arts Council, and work with the Churchill County Republican Party.
"I hold Tedd in the highest regard and am grateful for his lifetime of service and commitment to our community," Tedford said. "Dr. McDonald has made a lasting impact on our community, delivering thousands of babies and providing compassionate care to their mothers."
Tedford, who chairs the Central Nevada Health District, added, "We have worked closely together in advancing healthcare in Churchill County, and I have witnessed firsthand his dedication to patients and families. I applaud Dr. Tedd McDonald for his outstanding service and congratulate him on his well-deserved recognition as a Community Star."
McDonald believes he may be the first person from Fallon to receive the Community Star Award. Despite stepping away from his role as Health Officer, he plans to remain involved in public health. McDonald noted that one of his motivations for entering medical administration was "to improve care and provide tools to physicians so they can be more effective health care providers."
Reflecting on the often-unseen nature of public health work, he offered a candid observation: "Public health is not as sexy because if you're doing things right, nothing happens."
As for his decision not to return as Health Officer, McDonald made it clear he's not slowing down.
"I'm always looking at ways to avoid being under-stimulated. I want to work, I'm healthy, and I haven't lost too many marbles."
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