United Board of Health
Reappoints Officers

07/06/04
Reported in the Galveston Daily News 07/10/04

LA MARQUE — At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Galveston County United Board of Health on June 30th,officers for the year were appointed. For the positions of Chairperson, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer, the board reappointed incumbents who agreed to another year of service.

John Zendt, representing the hospitality industry, will continue to serve as Chairperson. Mr. Zendt is the General Manager of Moody Gardens in Galveston. Representing UTMB, Dr. Ben G. Raimer, Vice President of Community Outreach, will continue serving as Vice-Chair, and Ms. Mary Anne Holcomb, a municipal representative and Kemah city councilperson, was reappointed to the position of Secretary-Treasurer.

Dr. Mark Guidry, Chief Executive Officer for the Health District says, “Board members give their time and support to Health District priorities and activities and have done much to improve and enhance the quality of services offered by the Health District as well as bringing in incentives and donations to support community efforts.”

During the past board year United Board of Health members have been very active in Health District affairs. Notable board activities from the past year have included the adoption of a Strategic Health Plan that will guide District operations for the next seven years. Board members also approved the use of three-year rabies vaccines in Galveston County after conducting a public hearing on the issue. Other actions also included the establishment of a committee to address access to care barriers and a finance committee.

At the meeting, a motion was made to recognize and thank the board’s Financial Committee for its work. The actions of the Financial Committee have resulted in an improvement in the overall financial picture at the Health District. Members regularly review financial statements and make recommendations to the whole board on matters of financial importance. Financial Committee members have also met with county leaders to make suggestions on ways to improve funding for the local indigent health care program. Members of the Galveston County United Board of Health Finance Committee include, Mary Anne Holcomb, Scott Bentley (representing Mainland Medical Center), and Kathy Barroso, Chief Financial Officer of the Health District.

The United Board of Health is a policy-making Board which oversees the Galveston County Health District, created out of a legal agreement, under Chapter 121 of the Texas Health and Safety Codes, between Galveston County and member cities which include: Galveston, Bayou Vista, La Marque, Texas City, Dickinson, League City, Hitchcock, Jamaica Beach, Clear Lake Shores, Friendswood, Kemah, Santa Fe, and Tiki Island.

For complete information on the United Board of Health interested persons can visit the Galveston County Health District web site at www.gchd.org.