DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen M. Bridger, MPH, PhD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Appointment of Dr. Junda Woo as Local Health Authority
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes the execution of a Certificate of Appointment of Local Health Authority and submission 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 October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2020 upon which a re-appointment can be sought.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Established by the 79th Legislative session, through the Local Public Health Re-Organization Act, Health and Safety Code (HSC), Chapter 121, local health authorities (LHA) serve as a critical part of the state's public health system. In the state of Texas, the director of a public health district is the chief administrative officer. If the director is a physician, the director is the LHA in the district's jurisdiction. If the director of a public health district is not a physician, then the director shall appoint a physician as the LHA, subject to approval by the district's governing entity and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). If a jurisdiction does not appoint a LHA, then the director of the DSHS regional office performs the duties of the LHA.
LHAs must be appointed in municipalities or counties with established local health departments or public health districts. The LHA must be a competent physician in reputable, professional standing who is licensed in and residing in Texas.
The LHA performs duties as necessary to implement and enforce laws to protect the public health and any duties prescribed by DSHS. A LHA serves for a term of two years (with no term limits), may be removed for cause, and is a state officer when performing duties ...
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