The
Galveston County Health District is an
organization which has protected and promoted the health of Galveston County
residents for over thirty years since its formation. The Health District,
itself, is formed out of a collaborative agreement between the county and
thirteen member cities. These local governmental bodies include: Bayou Vista,
Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston (city), Galveston County,
Hitchcock, Jamaica Beach, Kemah, La Marque, League City, Santa Fe, Texas City,
and
Tiki
Island.
The services provided by the Health District are overseen by two boards of
health which review and adopt health policies. The
United Board of Health is a thirteen
member policy-making board responsible for the ten essential public health
functions found in Chapter 121.§121.002 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
The 4C’s Governing Board
is a nine-member policy-making board responsible for the operations of federally
funded community health clinics currently located in
Texas City and Galveston. The 4C’s clinics
provide discounted healthcare services to Galveston County residents.
Nearly 300 dedicated employees perform District health services in the following
areas: (1) the 4C’s clinics; (2)
emergency medical
services for Galveston Island and
other areas under contract; and (3) a variety of community health
and environmental health programs. A
comprehensive group of executive and administrative staffs support these public
services through federal, state, county, city and private funding sources. For
2005, the Health District was accountable for over 20 million dollars, derived
from over thirty (30) revenue sources and contracts that are earmarked for a
vast array of beneficial public health and healthcare services.
The Health District’s
Strategic Health Plan outlines priorities
and goals for health improvements in Galveston
County by the year 2010. The plan and annual reports are located on the
website,
www.gchd.org, and represent months of extensive planning involving hundreds
of health partners throughout the District. Health District staffs collaborate
extensively with community health partners. For example, one priority is to
improve public awareness of Health District services and another is to improve
senior health. Through a collaborative partnership with the Mainland
Communities United Way, significant progress towards both of these priorities
was made possible.
Dr. Harlan “Mark” Guidry
Chief Executive Officer |
