Renown Health announced today that Jeff Prater will join the organization as Vice President of Rural Health. As northern Nevada’s only Level II trauma center and the state’s largest not-for-profit academic integrated health system, over 1 million people in a 100,000 square mile radius rely on Renown’s services — including those who live in neighboring rural communities.
An Experienced Rural Health Leader
A seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience, Prater brings deep expertise in rural hospital leadership, operational excellence and community partnership. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Carson Valley Health, where he led strategic growth, expanded access to care and strengthened the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare services.
“In partnership with our rural hospitals, Renown Health remains committed to ensuring accessible, high-quality, affordable care is delivered close to home in rural communities and higher-level care and specialty services are available nearby when needed. said Chris Nicholas, COO of Renown Health and CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. “Jeff’s proven leadership and firsthand experience working within rural hospitals will allow us to deepen our partnerships to enhance healthcare services and outcomes in rural communities by supporting and strengthening rural hospitals capabilities.”
Throughout his career, Prater has been recognized for driving meaningful results in rural healthcare systems, including increasing market share, expanding critical service lines and improving patient experience. His leadership is grounded in a philosophy of compassion, collaboration and accountability, ensuring care delivery is centered around the needs of patients, families and communities.
In his new role, Prater will lead Renown’s rural health strategy, focusing on strengthening relationships with rural and critical access hospitals and physicians, advancing clinical integration, and identifying new opportunities to support sustainable healthcare delivery across rural Nevada and northern California.
Building on Strong Partnerships
Prater and Nicholas both expressed strong support for Gary Beck, Rural Health Liaison, recognizing his decade of dedicated service to strengthening rural health partnerships and outreach. Beck has announced he will retire at the end of the year.
Throughout his career, Prater has been recognized for driving meaningful results in rural healthcare systems in Alaska, Montana and Idaho. His leadership is grounded in a philosophy of compassion, collaboration and accountability, ensuring care delivery is centered around the needs of patients, families, and communities.
Prater brings a strong background in healthcare leadership, with early career experience in healthcare management roles, followed by service in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He is actively engaged in professional and community organizations, including serving as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a past Chair of the Nevada Rural Hospital Association Board and a board member for both the Business Council of Douglas County and the Carson Valley Medical Center Foundation. His academic and professional credentials include board certification in Healthcare Management from the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Master of Healthcare Administration from Montana State University, and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the Medical University of South Carolina.
“I’m honored to join Renown Health and support its commitment to rural communities,” said Prater. “Rural hospitals are essential to the health and vitality of our state, and I look forward to working alongside partners to hear their concerns, help expand access and to strengthen collaboration and improve care for the patients we serve.”
Renown Health continues to expand its not-for-profit mission, investing in partnerships that ensure access to high-quality, affordable care while supporting the viability and sustainability of rural hospitals and communities through collaboration and integration.
About Renown Health
Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, not-for-profit integrated academic healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in a community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. To join the Renown Health team, visit renown.org/careers.
