Mega Doctor News
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, DNP, MPH, CPM, Director of Public Health for the City of Brownsville, has been designated to serve as Vice-chair of the Task Force of Border Health Officials (TFBHO) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) for the term of January 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023.
Senate Bill 1680 established the Task Force for Border Health Officials to advise the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner of Health on border public health-related problems, conditions, challenges, and needs of the border region.
“It is an honor to serve as Vice-chair of this task force with the intention to continue to prioritize public health within the border region and to advocate for a healthy and equitable community,” said City of Brownsville Public Health Director, Dr. Arturo Rodriguez.
The Task Force is crucial in developing and strengthening three border public health topics: providing access to healthcare services, improving public health infrastructure, and advancing disease surveillance, control, and prevention through collaboration with local, regional, and state partners.
City Manager Noel Bernal said, “Arturo Rodriguez has demonstrated his continuous dedication to advocating for our region’s advancement in public health. His leadership and expertise have been vital in the city’s response to COVID-19 in support of our community and are delighted his appointment will expand his influence on the Task Force for Border Health Officials. He will represent Brownsville with great honor and distinction.”
The Task Force of Border Health Officials ultimately makes recommendations to the commissioner for short-term and long-term border health improvement plans by addressing border public health concerns affecting residents who live along the 1,254-mile Texas border from Brownsville to El Paso. The Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 120 mandates that seven TCBHO members be health directors from a border municipality that have public health departments with neighboring sister-cities in Mexico. These members work together to identify and raise awareness of health issues and to create a healthy bi-national community.
