The Central Nevada Health District (CNHD) Board approved a series of state-funded subaward grants and advanced several major project priorities during its April 16 meeting, with an emphasis on expanding services across all four counties in the district.
Subaward grants are pass-through funds from the state that allow local health districts to carry out specific programs such as disease tracking, testing, and prevention.
Board members approved multiple subawards totaling approximately $189,086, including: $6,942 for sexually transmitted disease screening, treatment, and prevention; $32,998 to establish healthcare-associated infection activities; $53,441 to expand those infection control efforts through July 2027; $89,997 for influenza A/H5N1 response and broader outbreak preparedness; and $5,708 for tuberculosis testing and case management.
An additional amendment increased an existing public health preparedness grant by $64,893, bringing that total to $225,000.
CNHD Administrator Shannon Ernst said the public health preparedness funding directly supports the district’s ability to respond to disease trends across the region. “This just helps increase support … for our epidemiologist program within disease investigation,” said Ernst.
The board unanimously approved a contract for $95,346 for one year and $55,116 per year, for four years, with Apex Computing. The contract covers cloud migration, hardware modernization, and IT services management, including the implementation of a computer infrastructure that connects CNHD offices in Churchill, Eureka, Mineral, and Pershing counties.
The board also moved forward with three priority projects for submission to the Rural Health Transformation Program: a $3.1 million remodel of the district’s South Maine Street building; $250,000 for the expansion of community health worker programs; and a proposed OnMed Telehealth Station in Crescent Valley in Eureka County in the amount of $1.8 million for a five-year term.
Ernst said the telehealth model is aimed at communities where distance and workforce shortages make access to care difficult. “The whole goal for these is really to reach areas that do not have healthcare or lack the workforce to be able to provide it,” she said.
The system would allow patients to connect with a live provider, complete an intake, and receive basic diagnostics without leaving their community.
Board Chairman Ken Tedford supported the projects, noting the long-term benefit of investing in facilities and access. While he said he supports doctors everywhere, the telehealth program can offer access to health care where little or no care exists. “I highly recommend these projects…this is a strong move,” Tedford said.
District Health Officer Tedd McDonald noted ongoing coordination with community partners, including Churchill County Juvenile Probation, to improve access to care. “We are working to make a closer relationship…with our partners,” he said.
“I’m really proud to say that our probation officers and the organization there are a remarkable group,” said McDonald. “I do not often walk into an environment where everybody’s on board, on mission, and providing… efficient services to our community.”
Staff also reported that the district will present at upcoming state and national conferences, including a presentation to the Nevada Public Health Association on the district’s response to last year’s H5N1 avian flu activity in Fallon, where more than 100 exposed dairy workers were monitored over several months.
A presentation is planned with the Washington Food Safety Coalition, where staff will outline how the district manages large-scale event response and operations for Burning Man.
Ernst and Tedford both noted that CNHD, which currently operates as part of Churchill County, is continuing its efforts in becoming a fully independent entity.
A special meeting is planned for July 8 at 3 p.m. CNHD hopes to welcome the community and partner counties to tour the remodeled facility on Maine Street in Fallon, provided the work is complete.
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