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About Us

The Texas Public Health Association (TPHA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, state-wide association of public health professionals dedicated to public health in Texas. TPHA was organized in 1923 and is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA).

Our Mission

Improving the health and safety of Texas through leadership, education, training, collaboration, mentoring and advocacy.

Our Vision

A safe and healthy Texas

Our Purpose

TPHA’s purpose has changed little over the years.

From the original 1923 incorporation documents,

The purpose for which it was formed is to promulgate, for public health workers, courses of instruction, and the general advancement of knowledge for sanitary improvements, public health nursing, hygiene, control and prevention of communicable diseases; to provide social intercourse among its members, and a friendly exchange of information and experiences.

From the 2023 TPHA Constitution,

To promulgate courses of instruction, to promulgate the general advancement of knowledge, to recognize superior achievement, and to provide a forum for the exchange of information and experience for the membership and the public in order to enhance public health for the citizens of Texas.

TPHA Values

Transformative Partnerships

Building collaborative relationships with communities, organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen public health initiatives and outcomes.

Population Focused

Providing education and support to equip public health workers of all disciplines with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance public health.

Healthy Communities

Dedication to fair access to health resources, services, and opportunities, ensuring all individuals have the chance to reach their fullest health potential.

Advocating for Health

Supporting policies, practices, and resources that advance public health and address disparities, empower communities, and influence positive change.

TPHA Leadership

Executive Board

Lynette Williams

BSN, RN,
President

Lisette K. Osborne,

RN/NCC-E, MSN, ECPA, CHEP, FTPHA,
President-Elect/Immediate
Past President

Melissa Oden,

DHEd, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES
(term ends 2028)

Kaye Reynolds,

DrPH
(term ends 2028)

Elizabeth Cuevas,

PhD
(term ends 2027)

Subi Gandhi,

PhD
(term ends 2027)

Ashley Rodriguez,

CCHW, CCHWI
(term ends 2026)

Jason Rosenfeld,

DrPH, MPH, CHWI
(term ends 2026)

Bobby Schmidt,

MEd
(term ends 2026)

William Garner,

DrPH, FACHE,
Parliamentarian,
Ex Officio

Terri S. Pali,

Executive Director,
Ex Officio

TPHA Leadership

Governing Council

Lynette Williams, BSN, RN, President

Lisette K. Osborne, RN/NCC-E, MSN, ECPA, CHEP, FTPHA, President-Elect

Melissa Oden, DHEd, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES (term ends 2028)

Kaye Reynolds, DrPH (term ends 2028)

Elizabeth Cuevas, PhD (2027)

Subi Gandhi, PhD (2027)

Ashley Rodriguez, CCHW, CCHWI (term ends 2026)

Jason Rosenfeld, MPH (term ends 2026)

Bobby D. Schmidt, MEd (term ends 2026)

William Garner, DrPH, FACHE (term ends 2028)

Savannah Panagopoulos, MPH, CHES (term ends 2028)

Leslie Stalnaker, MPH (term ends 2028)

Russell Hopkins (term ends 2027)

Melanie Stone, DrPH (term ends 2027)

TimMarie C. Williams, PhD, MCG (term ends 2027)

Christina Aubert, MPH (term ends 2026)

Diana Cervantes, DrPH (term ends 2026)

Fatima Frausto, MPH (term ends 2026)

Sara Mendez, DrPH, Administration & Management Section (term ends 2026)

Jennifer Severance, Aging and Public Health Section (term ends 2026)

Lidiana Ramirez, Community Health Worker Section (term ends 2026)

Kim Rahebi, MPH, CPH, Environmental and Consumer Health Section (term ends 2026)

Natalie Archer, MPH, Epidemiology Section (term ends 2026)

Elizabeth Wachira, PhD, Health Education Section (term ends 2026)

Renee Orrantia, MPH, CPH, Maternal and Child Health (Provisional Section) (term ends 2026)

Matt Short, M.S., NCC, LPC Associate, Mental Health Section (term ends 2026)

Urvi Mehta, Oral Health Section (term ends 2026)

Patricia De La Cruz, Public Health Nursing Section (term ends 2026)

Cameron Walker, Urban Planning (Provisional Section) (term ends 2026)

Ellie Hyler Stivala, Vision Care Section (term ends 2026)

Destiny Aladeyelu, UTA Student Chapter Representative

Kaye Reynolds, DrPH, ARGC Representative

William Garner, DrPH, FACHE, Parliamentarian

Terri S. Pali, Executive Director

Timeline (Incorporated milestones into timeline)

1922: Dr. W.H. Beasley, the state health officer at the time, called a meeting of sanitarians, local health officers, and others to discuss control measures for infectious diseases that were prevalent in Texas. The meeting, held in Austin, was attended by approximately 100 people. At the meeting, a committee was appointed to write a constitution to establish a permanent organization for Texas sanitarians.

1923: The Texas Association of Sanitarians was formally established on November 16, 1923, in Austin, Texas. Mr. V.M. Ehlers, the Chief Sanitary Engineer with the Texas State Department of Health, was the acting President.

1926: First time a nurse appeared on the program for the annual education conference (AEC). The topic was "The Nurse as a Sanitarian" by Miss Estelle Miller, RN, a District Supervising Nurse in Fort Worth, TX.

1932: The Texas Association of Sanitarians changed its name to the Texas Public Health Association (TPHA). TPHA was chartered by the state to operate for 50 years.

1939: The first issue of the Texas Health Journal (now known as the Texas Public Health Journal) was published.

1948: V.M. Ehlers was the first person chosen to receive Honorary Life Membership.

1956: TPHA passed the 1,000-member mark and 735 people registered to attend the annual conference.

2023: TPHA celebrates its 100th anniversary!

History

The Texas Public Health Association (TPHA) has a rich history as the oldest public health organization in Texas. TPHA was originally known as the Texas Association of Sanitarians which was formed in 1923 to promulgate public health workers, provide courses of instruction, and advance knowledge related to sanitary improvements, public health nursing, hygiene control, and the prevention of communicable diseases.

TPHA serves as a professional home for individuals in Texas who work in public health, including practitioners, educators, researchers, students, and advocates. The association promotes collaboration, professional development, and advocacy to strengthen public health systems and policies that address the health needs of Texans. Through annual conferences, training opportunities, and networking, TPHA provides a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions to pressing health challenges to shape a healthier Texas.

Fellows

The Texas Public Health Association Fellowship recognizes and cultivates public health professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to advancing the health of Texas communities. This prestigious designation honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of public health through sustained engagement with TPHA, impactful practice, and a dedication to mentorship and professional development.

Fellows serve as ambassadors of TPHA’s mission, helping to strengthen the Association's capacity through their expertise, advocacy, and continued service. Selection as a TPHA Fellow is both an honor and a responsibility. Fellows are expected to inspire the next generation of leaders, foster collaboration across sectors, and share their learned wisdom to shape public health practice for the future.

By recognizing and supporting outstanding professionals, the TPHA Fellows ensure that public health in Texas remains resilient, visionary, and rooted in service.

Past Presidents

1923 V.M. Ehlers
1924 Dr. A.H. Flickwir
1925 Dr. A.H. Flickwir
1926 Dr. A.H. Flickwir
1927 Dr. L.H. Martin
1928 Dr. W.A. King
1929 Dr. J.R. Malone
1930 Dr. H.K. Read
1931 Dr. H.K. Read
1932 Dr. A.C. Hutcheson
1933 Dr. J.W. Bass
1934 Dr. T.J. McCamant
1935 Dr. B.E. Pickett
1936 Dr. F.R. Tucker
1937 Dr. E.W. Prothro
1938 Dr. B.M. Primer
1939 Dr. Walter Kelberg
1940 Dr. J.W.E.H. Beck
1941 Dr. George Gray
1942 Dr. Burke Brewster
1943 Dr. Harold Wood
1944 Lewis Dodson
1945 Dr. E.E. Protho/Dr. L.P. Walter

1946 Lewis Dodson
1947 Dr. L.P. Walter
1948 Dr. S.W. Bohls
1949 Dr. Austin E. Hill
1950 Dr. W.R. Ross
1951 Barnie Young
1952 Graham Smoot
1953 H.E. Drumwright
1954 Dr. Roy G. Reed
1955 Ed Riedel
1956 M.L. McDonald
1957 W.T. (Doc) Ballard
1958 Joseph N. Murphy, Jr.
1959 Dr. D.R. Reilly
1960 John T. Warren
1961 Maggie Bell Davis
1962 Dr. Wm. S. Brumage
1963 Reuben D. Wende
1964 B.G. Loveless
1965 Dr. C.A. Pigford
1966 Dr. W.V. Bradshaw, Jr.
1967 Dr. Albert G. Randall
1968 Kenneth T. Crane

1969 Ruth L. McDonald
1970 Ardis Gaither
1971 Dr. Hal J. Dewlett
1972 Lou M. Hollar
1973 Charles K. Foster
1974 Dr. Charles M. Parker
1975 I.E. Scott
1976 E.L Redford
1977 Maxine Geeslin
1978 Dr. Rodger Smyth
1979 Helen Hill
1980 David Cochran
1981 Dr.W.W. Kemmerer, Jr.
1982 Dr. Marietta Crowder
1983 Bob Galvan
1984 Jo Ann Brewer, R.N., M.P.H.
1985 Curtis Dickson
1986 Lee A. Lane
1987 Dr. C.R. Allen, Jr.
1988 Dan T. Dennison, M.T.
1989 Jessie Yoas, R.N., M.S.N.
1990 L. Don Thurman, P.E.
1991 Dr. Avila E. Arcala

1992 Dr. Nina M. Sisley
1993 Charla Edwards, M.P.H., R.N.
1994 Robert L. Drummond
1995 Nancy Adair
1996 Lynne M. Sehulster, Ph.D.
1997 Dale Dingley, M.P.H.
1998 Janet Greenwood, RS
1999 Janice Coates, RS
2000 Jan Pelosi, MPH
2001 Tom Hatfield, MPA, RS
2002 John Herbold, DVM, MPH, PhD
2003 Toby Cross
2004 Catherine Cooksley, DrPH
2005 Bobby Jones, DVM
2006 Jacquelyn Dingley
2007 Jennifer Smith
2008 Sandra Strickland
2009 Linda Hook
2010 Patricia Diana Brooks
2011 Adriana Babiak-Vazquez
2012 Bobby Schmidt, MEd
2013 Kaye Reynolds, DrPH
2014 Alex Garcia

2015 James Swan, PhD
2016 Cindy Kilborn, MPH
2017 Melissa Oden, DHEd, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES
2018 Carol Davis, DrPH
2019 Rachel Wiseman, MPH
2020 Witold Migala, PhD
2021 Raouf Arafat, MD, MPH
2022 Lisette Osborne, RN/NCC-E, MSN, ECPA, CHEP, FTPHA
2023 Elizabeth Cuevas, PhD
2024 Melissa Oden, DHEd, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES
2025 Lisette Osborne, RN/NCC-E, MSN, ECPA, CHEP, FTPHA