Houston’s new public health boss has logged plenty of nights under fluorescent ER lights. Dr. Theresa Tran, a board-certified emergency physician turned policy leader, is now serving as the city’s director of public health, bringing years of bedside experience into the halls of City Hall. In a Feb. 9, 2026 spotlight, the Houston Health Department framed her approach around compassion, data and equity, a mix residents will see play out in vaccination campaigns, disease tracking and neighborhood health programs across the city.
From the ER to City Hall, Dr. Theresa Tran brings frontline experience and policy expertise together to protect Houston’s health. As Director of Public Health, she leads with compassion, data, and a deep commitment to equity—keeping our city prepared, protected, and thriving. https://x.com/i/status/2020932090322125044
Clinician With A Policy Toolkit
Tran holds an M.D. and an M.B.A., and she is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, credentials that sit on top of academic work connecting clinical practice to broader population health. According to UTHealth McGovern Medical School, she previously served as Associate Vice President for Clinical Population Health and Assistant Dean at the UTHealth School of Public Health before stepping into city government.
Picked By The Mayor, Backed By City Leaders
Mayor John Whitmire selected Tran to lead the department in late August 2025, citing her mix of frontline credibility and policy experience in health systems. The City of Houston press release lays out the mayor’s reasoning along with the confirmation process that followed at City Hall.
What She’ll Be Tackling
The Houston Health Department runs the kinds of services residents feel in their daily lives: immunizations, laboratory work, multi-service centers and neighborhood-based programs that feed into both emergency response and long-term equity goals. Agency priorities such as vaccine distribution, communicable disease monitoring and community health improvement are detailed on the department’s website and newsletters, with program listings available through the Houston Health Department.
All of that arrives at a tricky financial moment for local health agencies. A reported rollback in federal grant funding created large budget shortfalls for Houston’s department, according to the Houston Chronicle, which underscores how closely the department will have to watch its dollars while trying to keep services steady.
Why Her Background Matters In Houston
City and health leaders argue that someone who has moved between the ER and health systems is better positioned to turn clinical realities into programs that actually reach vulnerable neighborhoods. In the announcement of her appointment, Tran said she was “truly honored and grateful” for the chance to lead and promised to work with “compassion, innovation and excellence,” language included in the City of Houston press release. Her previous work with UTHealth and Harris Health connects hands-on patient care to larger efforts aimed at closing gaps in health outcomes.
Where To Look Next
Residents can expect the Houston Health Department to continue pushing updates on day-to-day operations, from seasonal vaccine availability to clinic hours, through its official channels as new and existing programs roll out. For more on Tran’s background, UTHealth McGovern Medical School offers a detailed profile, and the Houston Health Department site outlines the services she now oversees.
