Dr. MacDonald was born and raised in Barre, Vermont. He attended the University of Vermont College of Arts and Sciences receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude then continuing on at the University of Vermont College of Medicine where he earned his M.D. degree. Internship and Residency Programs were in Massachusetts at the Framingham Union Hospital, a Boston University Affiliate, and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester where he became Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Cardiology Fellowship and Board Certification in Cardiovascular Diseases was received after continuing specialty education at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

After completion of his Fellowship he practiced medicine and Cardiology for four years in Boston and one year in Northern California before moving to Las Vegas in 1987. He joined Cardiovascular Consultants of Nevada in 1996. He is a Fellow in the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is also a member of the American Medical Association.