Sickle Cell Task Force
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 52, directs the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) Executive Commissioner to establish and maintain a task force to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. The purpose of the Sickle Cell Task Force is to study and advise the department on implementing the recommendations made in the 2018 Sickle Cell Advisory Committee Report published by the Sickle Cell Advisory Committee or any other report the executive commissioner determines is appropriate.
Upcoming Meetings
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | John H. Winters Building – Public Hearing Room 125, First Floor, 125 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78751 |
| August 19, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Robert D. Moreton Building – M-100, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 |
Future meeting dates and related information are subject to change.
Past Meetings and Materials
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Date |
Agendas |
Minutes |
Webcast Recording |
Handouts and Presentations |
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December 10, 2024 |
Pending |
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August 19, 2024 |
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May 3, 2024 |
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December 1, 2023 |
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August 18, 2023 |
Syndromic Surveillance Report |
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July 11, 2023 |
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February 24, 2023 |
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December 1, 2022 |
2022 Legislative Report |
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August 19, 2022 |
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May 27, 2022 |
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April 1, 2022 |
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November 10, 2021 |
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August 20, 2021 |
Committee Roster
| Name | City | Membership Category | Term Expiration | Public Health Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presiding Chair Titilope Fasipe, M.D., Ph.D. | Houston | Representative of a health-related institution | 2023 | 6/5 |
| Melissa Frei-Jones, M.D., M.S.C.I. | San Antonio | Physician specializing in hematology | 2024 | 8 |
| André Harris, M.S.W. | Houston | Member of the public who has sickle cell disease (SCD) or is a parent of a person with SCD or sickle cell trait (SCT) | 2025 | 6/5 |
| Dawn Johnson, M.D. | Dallas | Member from a community-based organization with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD | 2024 | 2/3 |
| Alecia Nero, M.D., M.S.C.S. | Dallas | Physician specializing in hematology | 2024 | 2/3 |
| Presiding Vice-Chair Marqué Reed-Shackelford | Houston | Member of the public who has SCD or is a parent of a person with SCD or SCT | 2023 | 6/5 |
| Linda Wade | Austin | Member from a community-based organization with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD | 2024 | 7 |
| Vacant | Member of the public who has SCD or is a parent of a person with SCD or SCT | |||
| Vacant | Texas Education Agency representative | |||
| Vacant | Texas Health and Human Services Commission representative | |||
| Vacant | Physician with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD or SCT | |||
| Vacant | Researcher from a public health-related or academic institution with experience addressing SCD or SCT | |||
| Vacant | Health care professional with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD or SCT |
Committee Contact
Phone
512-776-3957Fax
512-206-3909Toll-free (ext. 776-3957)
800-252-8023Mailing Address
Newborn Screening Unit
PO Box 149347
MC-1918
Austin, TX 78714-9347
United States