2015 W.T. “Doc” Ballard Award Recipient Announced

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District is awarding the 2015 W.T. “Doc” Ballard Award to Dr. Paul McGaha. A news release says Dr. McGaha is receiving the award because has demonstrated a true commitment to protect and promote the health of the public. For 30 years, Dr. McGaha has been a leader in public health in Texas and is sincerely dedicated to improving the lives of the citizens in East Texas. His constant leadership through many public health initiatives has set a precedence of excellence, commitment, and accomplishment across the state. Dr. McGaha’s wisdom and advice is highly sought when responding to a public health threat or when implementing a prevention program.

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 began his career in 1988 with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) as a public health physician, and then in 1995 was named Regional Medical Director for Health Service Region 4/5 North. He also concurrently served DSHS in Austin as Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Division for Regional and Local Health Services in 2012-13. Dr. McGaha worked for the Texas Department of State Health Services from 1988 to 2015 and through this time of service showed his unwavering commitment to public health in East Texas.

In April 2015, Dr. McGaha joined the administrative team of UT Health Northeast as Associate Professor of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and as Deputy Director of The Center for Rural Community Health.

According to the news release, Dr. McGaha has steadily led Northeast Texas through the response to multiple hurricanes, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, West Nile Virus outbreaks, Tuberculosis Control, Pertussis, Rabies Control and most recently the Ebola crisis. He led the effort to develop the East Texas Medical and Dental Outreach program held annually in Van, TX to bring access to care for the uninsured. Through each obstacle he demonstrated extraordinary performance and commitment to public health. He has developed numerous key stakeholder relationships and is recognized as one of the experts in the field of public health.

The Doc Ballard Award is the District’s highest accolade for outstanding service contributing significantly to the enhancement of public health. Doc Ballard, a registered professional engineer for the Texas Department of Health and mentor to NET Health, was a leader in protecting the health of the public. His expertise and administrative skills ensured the environmental controls crucial to the quality and safety of public drinking water and public food service; the proper disposal of wastewater and solid waste; and the monitoring of radiation.