Cook Children's Medical Center and Cook Children's Physician Network have contracts with the following health care insurance companies, and we are committed to growing this list. We want to be sure that every family and child in our community has the coverage they need to get and stay healthy.
Aetna**
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO Blue Essentials
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PAR - Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth Only
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Premier
Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthSelect of Texas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HPN
Cigna Healthcare of Texas**
EHN- Employers Health Network
First Health Network*
Fort Worth Firefighters 440
Galaxy Healthcare Network
HealthScope*
HealthSmart Payors Organization/HealthSmart*
Imagine Health
MultiPlan Inc/PHCS*
Providence Health Alliance
Baylor Scott and White Health Plan**
United Healthcare PPO/EPO**
USA Managed Care Organizations
* Does NOT include Physician Only Plans or Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministry Plans
** Excluding exchange products
To confirm that your insurance is covered, please review Cook Children's accepted insurance plans.
Cook Children's Medical Center and Cook Children's Physician Network have contracts with the following health care insurance companies, and we are committed to growing this list. We want to be sure that every family and child in our community has the coverage they need to get and stay healthy.
Aetna**
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO Blue Essentials
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PAR - Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth Only
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Premier
Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthSelect of Texas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HPN
Cigna Healthcare of Texas**
EHN- Employers Health Network
First Health Network*
Fort Worth Firefighters 440
Galaxy Healthcare Network
HealthScope*
HealthSmart Payors Organization/HealthSmart*
Imagine Health
MultiPlan Inc/PHCS*
Providence Health Alliance
Baylor Scott and White Health Plan**
United Healthcare PPO/EPO**
USA Managed Care Organizations
* Does NOT include Physician Only Plans or Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministry Plans
** Excluding exchange products
To confirm that your insurance is covered, please review Cook Children's accepted insurance plans.
Meet Dr. Russell McDonald
Two years in my childhood changed my life when I lived at the Saguaro National Asthma Foundation while my family lived in Washington State. Beginning in the first year of life I suffered from severe asthma necessitating numerous physician visits, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. My allergist was unable to wean me off oral steroids so he referred me to the Asthma Foundation for an extended inpatient stay. Those two years changed my life by improving my asthma, helping me become active in sports and making me stronger and more independent as an individual.
I graduated from Trinity University with a degree in physics and biophysics but decided I wanted to be a physician and care for children with asthma remembering the wonderful, empathetic care I received from my pediatrician and allergist. I hoped my personal experience, combined with training in asthma and allergy, would enable me to follow in my doctor's footsteps. I was admitted to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas and then completed a three-year residency in pediatrics at Children's Medical Center Dallas. I've been in private practice since then and every day is a new learning experience.
I've been Chief of Staff at both Medical City Lewisville and Medical City Plano and served on both hospitals' Boards of Trustees. I served as President of the Patient Physician Network, a 700 member physician group, and have served on the Board of Trustees for over ten years. In 2007 I opened the first of four Pediatrics After Hours, which provides urgent care for children.
My greatest professional enjoyment has been watching babies become toddlers, go to school, go to college, become young married adults and bring their children back to me as their pediatrician. In pediatrics, you truly become one of the family.
My personal enjoyment comes from spending time with my grown children and their families. I love sports and have been a runner for many years, one marathon, and enjoyed coaching youth sports. My wife, Jeanne, and I have been married 42 years and love to travel.
We have three grown children:
Meghan, who is an anesthesiologist, and her husband Wayne, an oral surgeon, have twin five year old children, Claire and Archer.
Drew, a real estate attorney, and his wife Taryn, who is a health care attorney, have a four year old daughter, Madison.
Ryan, a Masters in History and also in Library Science and Information Management.
I still have asthma, take medicine every day but it's not slowed me down.? ?
Services
Acute illnesses
ADHD management
Chronic condition management
Developmental problems
Disease prevention
Flu shots
Hearing screens
Injury treatment
Obesity and weight management
Vision screens
Patient and parent education
School and sports physicals
Vaccines and immunizations
Well checks
Reviews
Average rating:
4.8
Questions were addressed
4.8
4.8 (76)
Provider explained things clearly
4.8
4.8 (76)
Likelihood of recommending this provider
4.8
4.8 (75)
Trust/confidence in physicians
4.8
4.8 (74)
What our families say
February 15, 2025
Dr McDonald is very thorough. Both me my husband and my daughter love them.
February 04, 2025
Wonderful care from the medical assistant [...] and Dr. McDonald! My child felt safe and cared for!
February 02, 2025
Everyone showed such great care with my sick daughter. I appreciate the patience from the staff and Dr McDonald is so informative and great!
February 01, 2025
I appreciate the ease of scheduling online. We had virtually no wait, and the doctors and nurses were very efficient.
January 31, 2025
We always had great experience with every visit.
January 30, 2025
So far very satisfied with the provider and the team
January 23, 2025
Dr McDonald and the nurse that did flu test were great. So thankful to be seen the same day that I called with sick kiddo.
January 22, 2025
Always a good experience
January 18, 2025
The staff is always welcoming and ensures my son is comfortable. I appreciate the timeliness of the entire visits. I love the separation of the waiting lobby.
November 20, 2024
Nurses and dr McDonald. Always amazing
November 08, 2024
Always makes us feel like family. Takes time to talk to us about life.
November 08, 2024
He always talks like you are family and makes us welcome comfortable.
October 30, 2024
I love how the office is divided for those who are actually sick and those who are not. Staff and the doctors are always pleasant and informative. The doctor is honest as if he is unsure then he will let you know and get it figured out or bring a second opinion of a specialist.
October 17, 2024
The whole staff was very friendly. Great nurse and doctor.
October 17, 2024
The nurse and provider were very caring, patient, and great with our children. They didn't make us feel rushed and took their time answering all of our questions.
October 01, 2024
Dr mcdonald is amazingJust a true gem. THANK YOU
September 27, 2024
We would like to thank doctor McDonald. He is our three children's doctor for 17 years now and he always addressed any concerns or questions that we had. He made the children felt comfortable and enjoyed their visit.
September 26, 2024
Thr nurses were amazing.
September 24, 2024
Everyone was great, as always!
September 24, 2024
The respectful attitude toward parent and child is much appreciated.
September 23, 2024
I really appreciate Dr McDonald. He always listens to our fears and help us the best he can
September 20, 2024
Son thought apt was "fun" !
September 20, 2024
Nurse was awesome. My son loved her!
September 11, 2024
Our whole family loves Dr. McDonald
August 29, 2024
Best doc ever!
August 27, 2024
Good communication
August 27, 2024
Front desk is always so friendly
August 21, 2024
Staff and nurse treated well.
August 14, 2024
Our child is so at ease and even looks forward to seeing Dr. McDonald.
August 14, 2024
We absolutely adore Dr. McDonald. He has been there for our child since even before she was born and has never faltered.
August 01, 2024
A wonderful Experience. I've been seeing Dr. McDonald and his staff for over 22 years.
August 01, 2024
All the nurses. I called ahead concerning a request I needed help with and they were FANTASTIC with making it happen.
July 26, 2024
They were all fantastic! We had 3 people looking after us. I wish I got the nurses names.Dr. McDonald is terrific! We've been attending his practice for 12 years.
July 24, 2024
The entire staff was very helpful and we had a good experience.
June 13, 2024
Dr McDonald called us next morning to check how my son is feeling. I really appreciate it.
May 16, 2024
We love Dr. McDonald and the staff ! Its always a great experience .
May 02, 2024
Dr McDonald is amazing- so is his entire staff!
May 02, 2024
We have been seeing Dr. McDonald for the past 17 years and he's always been great to us.
April 17, 2024
Dr. McDonald. Always very nice and thorough and put our mind at ease
March 13, 2024
Dr McDonald is the best pediatrician!
March 12, 2024
The entire staff to include physicians, APPS. This office is STELLAR!!!!
Education
Medical School:
1974 - 1978 University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Residency:
1978 – 1981 Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Board Certifications:
Board Certified in Pediatrics
Affiliations
Cook Children's Physician Network
Recognitions
Best Pediatrician - Reader's Choice Plano Star Courier
Best Pediatric Specialist - D Family
Texas Super Doctor - Texas Monthly
Who's Who in DFW Healthcare - Dallas Business Journal
Healthcare Quality Hero of the Year - Alliance for Healthcare Excellence
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