Tiger named Nevada Community Star

A South Lyon Medical Center doctor with Dresslerville roots, Douglas stripes and military boots was named Nevada’s Community Star.

U.S. Army Reserve Col. Loren Simpson M.D. was recognized during Nevada’s National Rural Health Day celebration in Reno in November.

A Washoe, Simpson graduated from Douglas High School in 1983 and grew up in Dresslerville.

During the event, which was highlighted by Gov. Joe Lombardo and Sen. Jackie Rosen, the University of Nevada, Reno, Office of Statewide Initiatives and Nevada Rural Hospital Partners recognized rural healthcare workers who have served in the United States military or are currently serving.

“There are a lot of others very deserving and I was very honored and humbled to be considered,” said Simpson.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health sets aside the third Thursday of every November to celebrate National Rural Health Day. The day is dedicated to educating stakeholders and addressing health issues specific to Nevada. Rural Health Day also honors care providers of Nevada’s rural citizens.

Throughout the week leading up to the event, healtcare providers across the nation celebrated the “Power of Rural,” shining light on the rural hospitals and health systems working tirelessly to provide local care in rural areas.

Col. Simpson said rural care is necessary for convenience and efficiency he recalled two incidents to support his point.

“I recall making the two-hour drive to Schurz for healthcare and waiting for my brother to be delivered; it was not a pleasant experience for a 5-year-old boy and has left a lifelong impression on me,” he said. “Another reason, there is a story of how some Washoe people were denied treatment after an explosion and fire on a Christmas Eve long ago. Those burn trauma victims were hauled to several local facilities in Gardnerville and Carson City only to be sent to an ‘Indian’ hospital, where most, if not all, succumbed to their injuries.”

He completed an internship with the University of North Dakota in 1995 and his residency in family medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 1998.

He has focused his practice on emergency and sports medicine and is a member of the Stetson Sports Medicine team providing medical coverage for rodeos, boxing and MMA events.

Simpson is the director of EMS services for Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and provides urgent care services for the Washoe Tribal Health Center.

He also volunteers with the “In Jesus Name” medical ministry providing free medical care for residents of Northern Nevada and is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine with the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine.

He began providing emergency room coverage for South Lyon Medical Center in December 2004. In August 2016, he became a staff physician providing walk in and emergency care. He is currently the facility’s Emergency Room Director and plays a vital role in operations, patient care and safety.

As a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Simpson has put boots on the ground in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar, Germany, and Panama.

“Throughout my 15-year career in the military I have been blessed to serve with some of the finest in our nation and been able to provide for them as well and learning valuable skills that has a direct benefit to our rural patient population,” said Simpson.