The United Board of Health is a thirteen member policy-making board responsible for policy oversight of public health functions which include EMS and a variety of environmental and community health services. Board members are nominated by the Galveston County Commissioners Court and approved by majority vote of the 13 member cities.

UBOH board members elected officers for the new term to end in April 2010. John Zendt, General Manager of Moody Gardens, representing the food service hospitality industry, will continue to serve as Chairperson; Dr. Ben Raimer, UTMB’s Senior Vice President for Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, will continue serving as Vice Chair; and Wayne Rast a municipal representative and Kemah city councilperson, who is new to the board, was elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer.

Several members with terms expiring were reappointed and agreed to continue serving two more years until 2011. In addition to the officers above, other reappointed members were Citizen at Large representatives Ted Hanley, and Dr. Patricia Rogers; Dr. Charles Scruggs representing the dental community; and Paulette Roberson, BSN, representing the nursing profession.

UBOH members review and set policy for the Health District. Recent actions taken by the members include revisions to the animal services policy/regulation for the unincorporated areas of Galveston County and participating cities of Bayou Vista, Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, Hitchcock, Kemah, La Marque, Santa Fe, Texas City and Tiki Island, and approval of actions allowing the health district to meet community needs after Hurricane Ike.

Overseeing policy of the 4C's Clinics, the 4C’s Governing Board also held officer elections. Dr. Milton Howard, a community representative, was reelected Chair of the 4C’s Governing Board. Dr. Howard is a dentist with a private practice in La Marque who started his career in public health with the District in 1972. Members reelected Ms. Mary McCall, a consumer representative, to serve as Vice Chair as well as Ms. Virginia Valentino also a consumer representative to serve as the board’s Secretary-Treasurer.

Consumer representatives Tony Juarez, Willie Tolivar and Lucy Vasquez were all reappointed to the Governing Board with terms expiring in 2012.

The 4C’s Governing Board sets policy for the two 4C’s Clinics in Galveston County. One clinic is located at 2000 Texas Avenue in the Texas City Community Family Center; and the other is located in Galveston’s Island Community Center at 4700 Broadway. The board has worked to increase access to care particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike which created a reduction in the health care options for uninsured and underinsured county residents.

Dr. Mark Guidry, Galveston County Health Authority and Chief Executive Officer for the Health District says, "Board members give their time, wisdom, and support to district priorities and activities. The involvement of members on both boards allows us to continually improve public services as well as plan for new and emerging health threats."

Board members approve the District’s Strategic Health Plan (2004-2010) and an Annual Progress Report of district activities accomplishments and challenges. The 2008 Annual Progress Report can be found at: www.gchd.org/admin/strattoc.htm.