Ron Anderson, M.D., CEO of Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, and a Member of the Executive Committee of THI, serves with THI Acting Vice-President for Programs, Klaus Madsen on the National Steering Committee on Hospitals and the Public’s Health. A particular goal of the National Steering Committee’s work focuses on elimination of health disparities. In collaboration with the American Hospital Association, CDC and the American Medical Association, THI is currently developing implementation strategies for the next phases of work for the Steering Committee.

Other projects related to underserved populations for which THI has major responsibilities:

Mountain States Genetics Regional Collaborative Center Sociocultural Diversity Project - During the next five years, the MSGRCC will focus on expanding access to genetic information, expertise and services for minority populations. This project will focus in particular on Native American, African American and Hispanic populations

El Paso Chamber of Commerce – Recognizing the need to address access and health coverage challenges in the region, the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Health Care Council engaged the Texas Health Institute (THI) to facilitate community collaboration. Using THI’s Stakeholder Analysis Tool, the Health Care Council identified key community leaders whose involvement would strengthen collaboration efforts and, with THI, conducted an environmental scan designed to measure community strengths and opportunities for improvement in health care delivery, as well as local priorities and successes. The environmental scan confirmed that addressing access and coverage challenges are a high priority in the region, and that the community could build upon three initiatives already underway: establishment of a medical school, expansion of children’s hospital services and creation of a Medical Center for the Americas. After the meeting, THI made recommendations to the Council, of which several are being addressed through new regional collaboration. El Paso is the largest metropolitan area on the US-Mexico border.