Dr. Paul McGaha Joins UT Health Northeast

TYLER – Officials with UT Health Northeast announced that respected physician Dr. Paul McGaha has joined the administrative team as associate professor of community health and preventive medicine and as deputy director of The Center for Rural Community Health. Since 1988, Dr. McGaha served the citizens of northeast Texas through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). He began his career with DSHS as public health physician and then beginning in 1995, as regional medical director for Health Service Region 4/5 North. He also concurrently served DSHS in Austin, TX as acting assistant commissioner of the Division for Regional and Local Health Services in 2012-13.

“Dr. McGaha has done an outstanding job during his years with DSHS, and we are honored and excited to have him join us.” said Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of UT Health Northeast. “As we continue to expand our programs to care for Texans in our region, it is necessary to add a high level of expertise in regard to population health. Dr. David Lakey joined us last month, and now Dr. McGaha is coming on board. Two great leaders in as many months reflect UT Health’s commitment to the region.” In February, former DSHS Commissioner Lakey joined UT Health as senior vice president for population health, and concurrently as associate vice chancellor for the UT System.

In his new role as Deputy Director of the Northeast Texas Center for Rural Community Health at UT Health, Dr. McGaha will focus on providing community and preventive medicine education through the Graduate Medical Education program and the School of Community Health and Health Professions at UT Health Northeast. He will also have day-to-day responsibility for the rural community health center, and will work with Dr. Lakey to maintain a solid partnership with DSHS, according to a UT Health Northeast news release.

“Dr. McGaha has dedicated his career to improving the health of Northeast Texans. He brings 30 years of public health service, management, and servant leadership to UT Health Northeast,” said Lakey. “No one knows the health challenges of this area of Texas and how to address them better than Dr. McGaha.” Dr. McGaha received his medical degree from Oklahoma State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, and completed his residency at Michiana Community Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. He is a member of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association and the American College of Preventive Medicine. McGaha will assume his new duties April 20.