DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Vincent Nathan
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Appointment of Dr. Junda Woo as Local Health Authority
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance ratifies the execution of a Certificate of Appointment of Local Health Authority submitted to the Texas Department of State Health Services naming Dr. Chichi Junda Woo (Dr. Woo), Medical Director for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, as Local Health Authority for San Antonio and surrounding areas of Bexar County.
The term of this appointment will be for two years effective July 23, 2015 through July 22, 2017 upon which a re-appointment can be sought.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In order to achieve public health preparedness goals as outlined in the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Cities Readiness Initiative Grants, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District seeks the appointment of Dr. Woo, Metro Health Medical Director, as the Health Authority for the City of San Antonio and surrounding areas of Bexar County.
Chapter 121 of the Texas Health and Safety Code empowers a Health Authority to implement "control measures" in the event of a public health emergency. Such measures may include quarantines, isolation orders, coordination of disaster response, controlling the spread of communicable disease outbreak or naturally occurring epidemics affecting the public's health.
ISSUE:
The appointment of Dr. Woo will provide a means for the Health Authority to implement
"control measures" in the event of a public health emergency within the City of San Antonio and surrounding area.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the appointment of Health Authority is not made, the City of San Antonio could rely on the Regional Medical Director of the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) to act as Health Authority in the event of a public health emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fisc...
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