Home Initiatives Fall 2021 Planning Public Health Task Force

Public Health Task Force

This task force will help to guide the tactical teams as they explore how best to protect the health of the UTSA community as an integral part of the planning for re-opening UTSA’s campuses this fall. Using guidance from UT System and the State of Texas, the work of this task force is critical to addressing the health and safety of our students, staff and faculty.

» Public Health Task Force Report » Guiding Principles » Task Force Organization

Task Force Members

Dr. Bernard Arulanandam, Co-chair Jane and Roland Blumberg Professor of Biology & Vice President for Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise	Dr. Lynne Cossman, Co-chair Mark G. Yudof Endowed Professor of Sociology and Demography & Inaugural Dean, College for Health, Community and Policy (HCaP)
Stephanie De Leon Ansley Ph.D. Translational Science candidate, HCaP and UTHSCA, UT Austin and UT School of Public Health Houston	Dan Bellamy Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, Athletics Department
Wanda Boller Executive Director, Human Resources Business Partner, People Excellence	Thomas Forsthuber Jesse and Mary Gibbs Jones Professor in Biotechnology, Biology Department, College of Science and UT Health San Antonio
Paul Goodman Associate Vice President, Facilities	Dr. Juan Gutiérrez Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics, College of Sciences, representing the Department Chairs Council
Melissa Hernandez Director, Counseling Center	Dr. Jose Lopez-Ribot Margaret Batts Tobin Distinguished Chair in Biotechnology, Professor, Biology Department and Associate Dean for Research, College of Science
Daisy Paredes Anthropology and Public Health major, HCaP, UTSA Top Scholar & President’s Student Advisory Council	Crystal Martinez Program Manager, First Generation and Transfer Student Center, representing the Staff Senate
Jay Rosselló Chief Legal Officer, Office of Legal Affairs	Dr. Lorenzo Sanchez Director, Office of Risk and Emergency Management
Anjali Shah Kinesiology major, HCaP, representing the Student Government Association	Dr. Beth Wichman Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Zenong Yin oreta J. Lowak Clarke Distinguished Professor in Health and Kinesiology, HCaP Public Health, representing the Faculty Senate

Public Health Expert Advisory Group

The Public Health Task Force will work with a three-member Public Health Expert Advisory Group to develop standards and practices specific to UTSA operations regarding personal protective equipment, social distancing, contact tracing, testing, groups at risk and related matters. The task force, in turn, will provide important input to the Tactical Teams about implementing these public health best practices. Members of the Public Health Expert Advisory Group include:

Dr. David Lakey
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, The University of Texas System
Area of Expertise: Disease Prevention, Community Health Services and Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Dr. Colleen Bridger
Assistant City Manager and Interim Director, San Antonio Metro Health
Area of Expertise: Public Health
Dr. Jason Bowling
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, UT Health San Antonio
Areas of Expertise: Infectious Diseases

Recovery Operations Committee (ROC)

The Recovery Operations Committee works with the Tactical Teams and university leadership to operationalize the recommendations and offers a consolidated operational response to plan for a successful return to campus operations.

» View the Recovery Operations Committee webpage