EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso announced the appointment of a new director of the Department of Public Health on Friday, June 21.
The City says Veerinder “Vinny” Taneja, MBBS, MPH will be the new director of the Department of Public Health which will be effective this August.
The City says Taneja will lead the City’s Department of Public Health in “advancing comprehensive public health strategies that promote the health and well-being of all residents.”
Taneja will also oversee all public health programs including the following:
The 211 Texas Rio Grande Region Area Information Center
Epidemiology
Food Inspection
Health Education and Promotion
HIV Prevention
Immunization Program
Laboratory
Medicaid Waiver Program
Preventive Medicine Clinic
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Rawlings Pediatric Dental Clinic
Tuberculosis Program
Women, Infants and Children
The City says Taneja was previously a health director for Tarrant County Public Health, where he led the department since September 2014.
“Under Dr. Taneja’s leadership, Tarrant County Public Health was honored as the Large Local Health Department of the Year by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in 2017, marking a testament to his strategic vision and operational expertise in public health. With over two decades of experience spanning local, regional, and state levels, Dr. Taneja brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his new role in El Paso,” the City said.
Taneja will take over the director’s duties from City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza, who’s been serving as the interim director since May 2022. Ocaranza will continue serving as the City-County Health Authority, the City said.
“Dr. Taneja earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. He furthered his expertise as a fellow of the Mid-America Regional Public Health Leadership Institute (MARPHLI) at the University of Illinois Chicago, focusing on Public Health Leadership under the Affordable Care Act. His contributions to public health extend beyond Texas, including pivotal roles in Wisconsin’s electronic health records adoption and disease surveillance systems,” the City said.
For more information about the Department of Public Health, visit ElPasoTexas.gov/Public-Health/.
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