Task Force of Border Health Officials
The Task Force of Border Health Officials was created to advise the Department of State Health Services on policy priorities addressing major issues affecting the border region residents' health and health conditions, raising public awareness of the issues, and other health issues impacting the border region.
View the enabling legislation for the Task Force.
This advisory committee shall make recommendations to the Commissioner for short-term and long-term border health improvement plans. The short-term plan shall identify health objectives proposed to be accomplished before the fourth anniversary of the date the plan is adopted. The long-term plan shall identify health objectives proposed to be accomplished before the ninth anniversary of the date the plan is adopted.
(From: S.B.1680 Chapter 120, Sub-Chapter C., Section 120.101)
The Task Force consists of health department directors from counties and cities along the border with a sister city in Mexico. DSHS also appointed three DSHS Public Health Regional Medical Directors to represent areas along the border that don't have local health departments. The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives appoint two ex-officio, nonvoting legislative members to participate in the Task Force.
Vision: To promote and enhance a healthy and equitable border community.
Mission: To identify and raise awareness of binational health issues impacting border communities to enhance border public health.
Values: Creative and practical solutions through participatory leadership of Texas-Mexico border health professionals via:
- Community
- Communication
- Culture
- Collaboration
Upcoming Meetings
| Meeting Date | Agenda | Presentations |
|---|---|---|
| August 13, 2025 | Agenda | |
| October 8, 2025 | ||
| December 10, 2025 |
Location: Moreton Building, Public Hearing Room M-100, First Floor, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756
Future meeting dates and related information are subject to change.
Past Meetings and Materials
Archived videos of meeting webcasts are available for viewing for approximately two years from the date the meeting was posted on the website and based on the DSHS records retention schedule.
Committee Roster
Statutorily Mandated
| Name | City | Job Title | Term Expiration | Public Health Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Chamberlain, DrPH | City of Laredo | Public Health Department Director | September 2029 | 11 |
| Esmeralda Guajardo, MAHS | Cameron County | Health Administrator | September 2029 | 11 |
| Shannon Harvill | City of Harlingen | Environmental Health Director | September 2029 | 11 |
| Steven M. Kotsatos, RS, CPM | City of Mission | Environmental Health, Vector, and Animal Control Director | September 2029 | 11 |
| Dairen Sarmiento Rangel, MBA | Hidalgo County | Health and Human Services Director | September 2029 | 11 |
| Arturo Rodriguez, DNP, MPH, CPM | City of Brownsville | Health, Wellness, and Animal Services Department Director | September 2029 | 11 |
| Veerinder “Vinny” Taneja, MBBS, MPH | City of El Paso | Department of Public Health Director | September 2029 | 9/10 |
| Niko Tapangan, MPH, RS | City of Pharr | Department of Public Health Director | September 2029 | 11 |
| Nancy P. Treviño | City of McAllen | Environmental Health and Code Enforcement Department Director | September 2029 | 11 |
Ex-officio Appointees
| Name | Membership Category | Term Expiration | Public Health Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant | Lieutenant Governor | 3 yr. term | - |
| State Representative R.D. “Bobby” Guerra | Speaker of the House | 3 yr. term | 11 |
DSHS Appointees
| Name | Job Title | Term Expiration | Public Health Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Prot, DO, MPH | DSHS Regional Medical Director- PHR 11 RMD | September 2029 | 11 |
| Lilian Ringsdorf, MD, MPH | DSHS Regional Medical Director- PHR 8 RMD | September 2029 | 8 |
| Vacant | DSHS Regional Medical Director- PHR 9/10 RMD | September 2029 | 9/10 |
Committee Documents
Members and Bylaws
Reports
- Task Force of Border Health Officials November 2024 Report
- Report on Actions by the Task Force of Border Health Officials 2024
- Task Force of Border Health Officials November 2022 Report
- Report on Actions by Task Force of Border Health Officials 2022
- Task Force of Border Health Officials December 2021 Report
- DSHS Report on the Task Force of Border Health Officials September 2020
- Task Force of Border Health Officials November 2018 Report
- DSHS Report on the Task Force of Border Health Officials September 2018
Committee Contact
Guillermo Zenizo Lindsey | Binational Communications Coordinator
Physical Address
Texas Department of State Health Services
Office of Border Public Health
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-1962
United States