Sanghamitra Dhar gets vaccinated at the University Health’s mass vaccination site at Wonderland of the Americas mall in Balcones Heights on Jan. 4, 2022. County officials announced an initiative Tuesday that includes creation of a public health division under the county-owned hospital district, which operates as University Health.
The virus has been linked to the death of some 5,300 county residents in the past two years. Many had diabetes, heart disease and other risk factors. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, who helped with the reorganization, said the county has a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make transformative, real change in our community.” He said it’s about “truly expanding and re-imagining how we can take these initiatives to the doorsteps of families who need it the most.”