The City of San Antonio is buzzing with health-focused activities as Metro Health marks National Public Health Week, which runs from April 1 to April 7, aiming to bolster the community's resilience and overall well-being. It's a week packed with events including the Public Health Fest and the announcement of a new scholarship honoring Dr. Fernando A. Guerra, a noted local public health advocate, in partnership with the San Antonio Area Foundation.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg highlighted the importance of community in building healthier lives, saying, "During National Public Health Week, we recognize the vital role of coming together as a community to build healthier environments,” according to the City's announcement. This year, the theme "Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health" puts a spotlight on the collective effort required for public health success, and for San Antonio, it's also a celebration of the city's recent accolades, including a gold medal designation from CityHealth for its commitment to public health.
To directly support budding public health professionals, Metro Health and the San Antonio Area Foundation introduced the Dr. Fernando A. Guerra Public Health Scholarship, offering two local university undergrads $5,000 each to pursue their academic goals in public health. City Manager Erik Walsh commented on the initiative, emphasizing that "Public Health initiatives are an important part of the City’s plan to help produce a healthier future for all residents.” These scholarships aim to tackle local health disparities by cultivating a cadre of well-trained professionals in the field.
The highlight of the week is set for April 4, Metro Health's Public Health Fest, an annual event that’s slated to feature an array of free resources like vaccinations, health screenings, and practical info from various Metro Health programs — the fest will go down at Mission Park from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., where attendees can also indulge in healthy food demos and enjoy live entertainment, sans cost. For more on the slate of public health events, San Antonians are directed to check out the City’s SA Speak Up community portal, keeping the conversation on health vibrant and accessible.
For those interested in the scholarships or the National Public Health Week schedule, Metro Health encourages a visit to the City’s website at SA.gov/NPHW, where application details for the scholarships and a full breakdown of this year’s theme and events can be found. Applications for the Dr. Guerra scholarships are open from April 1 through May 5, and the legacy of Dr. Guerra, as well as the scholarship eligibility criteria, are detailed on the Area Foundation’s website.
