El Paso’s health director leaving for job in Austin

Michael Hill, City of El Paso Department of Public Health Director, recently announced that he is leaving El Paso to become Chief Executive Officer for the Texas Association of Local Health Officials (TALHO) in Austin.

Hill’s resignation takes effect September 6. Bruce Parsons, Assistant Health Director, will serve as interim director.

TALHO is a public health advocacy organization for all local health departments in Texas.

Hill has been health director in El Paso since 2009. Hill is the first director of the city health department, which was formed after the dissolution of the El Paso City- County Health and Environmental District in 2008.

Currently, he is leading community efforts for electronic health information exchange among private and public health providers.

“The shift of the district health department to city government was much more than a name change,” Hill said. “Fortunately, we have local elected officials and city administration whom are committed to the public health agenda. Their commitment to public health smoothed the transition.”

City Manager Joyce Wilson said Hill brought decades of public health experience and his calm demeanor to the role of city of El Paso health director.

“His knowledge and management style helped with the transfer of the health department to the city. He helped to shape the community’s public health agenda on the key issues facing our community today,” Wilson said. “Mike also was instrumental in securing considerable state, federal and foundation grants to serve the region at a time when funding was being reduced dramatically around the country. While he will be missed here in El Paso, he can continue to serve our region through his new role at TALHO.”