Dr. Philip Keiser Announces Retirement After Nearly a Decade of Public Health Leadership in Galveston County

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – The Galveston County Health District (GCHD) announces the upcoming retirement of Philip Keiser, MD, Chief Executive Officer and Galveston
County Local Health Authority, effective October 1, 2026, marking the end of nearly a decade of distinguished public health leadership and service to Galveston County
residents.
Keiser joined GCHD as Galveston County Local Health Authority in October 2016. An infectious disease physician and professor of medicine at the University of Texas Medical
Branch (UTMB), Keiser brought extensive clinical, academic, and public health expertise to the role.
In 2021, the United Board of Health selected Keiser to serve as CEO of GCHD. He went on to lead the Health District while continuing to serve as the county’s Local Health Authority,
providing both executive leadership and medical oversight for the county’s public health system. Keiser’s tenure spanned some of the most consequential public health challenges
Galveston County has faced in recent history.
Most notably, he helped lead Galveston County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a trusted medical voice to the community throughout the unprecedented
emergency. His leadership extended far beyond COVID-19. During his nearly 10 years as Local Health Authority, Keiser helped guide the county’s response to infectious and
communicable disease threats, including influenza, emerging diseases and other public health concerns.
Under Keiser’s executive leadership, GCHD continued to advance an integrated approach to community health across Public Health Services, Coastal Health & Wellness, the
Galveston Area Ambulance Authority, and the Galveston County Animal Resource Center.
Recent initiatives have focused on expanding access to healthcare, strengthening emergency medical response, advancing animal welfare, preventing disease, increasing
access to immunizations, and strengthening environmental health monitoring.
“It has been an incredible privilege to serve Galveston County and to work alongside so many dedicated public health professionals, healthcare providers, community partners,
and leaders over the years. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together and, most importantly, of the commitment our employees demonstrate every day to the
people we serve. Public health is about people, partnerships, and being there for your community when it matters most. As I begin this next chapter, I leave with tremendous
gratitude for the opportunity to have served this community and with great confidence in the people who will carry this important work forward.”