UBOH unanimously names Keiser in interim role
From Ashley Tompkins
Director of Communications, Galveston County Health District
GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – Kathy Barroso on Thursday announced her plans to retire as Galveston County Health District (GCHD) CEO and executive director of Coastal Health & Wellness (CHW).
United Board of Health (UBOH) members unanimously named Galveston County Local Health Authority Dr. Philip Keiser as the interim CEO for the health district in a special called meeting Thursday evening.
Barroso first joined GCHD in 1997 and was named CEO of the health district in 2016 and CHW executive director in 2018.
“I am so proud of this organization and what we have accomplished throughout the years, but especially during the past year,” Barroso said. “The health district’s dedication to the health of this community has been nothing short of heroic and I am honored to have been a part of this team.”
Barroso said she is most proud of the last five years as CEO.
“During this time, we created a great team and have worked hard to make significant progress in our strategic health plan goals. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to serve this community,” Barroso added. “Each day, I continue to be amazed at the great work this organization does and the people we help.”
Keiser will continue to serve as Galveston County local health authority. As an infectious disease expert, Keiser has led the health district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also a professor of medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where his duties include clinical care, education and research.
“Kathy, I want to say we love you and we’re going to miss you. I appreciate all you’ve done for this organization and for me over the years. We are extremely grateful to you for your service,” Keiser said.
“This has been a really hard year. It’s been hard on every single one of us,” he continued. “Thank you for the trust you are putting in me. I hope to continue earning that trust. We have done some phenomenal work in our fight against COVID-19 and my goal is to continue moving forward. We have a mission, and we need to get through that. I look forward to working with Kathy and the men and women at the health district.”
Barroso and Keiser will work together in coming months to ensure a smooth transition.
“My heartfelt thanks to you, Kathy. You have been a huge help to me for the past six years in my role on this board and you have done tremendous work leading this health district,” UBOH Chair Dr. Patrick McGinnis said. “There are two forces in this transition – continuity and change. I see it as a relay race and handing off the baton. Kathy represents continuity and will be a trusted advisor and consultant to Dr. Keiser. Dr. Keiser represents the change and the runner taking the baton. I know he will lead the health district well in the interim.”
