Fort Bend County is proud to announce a new Administrator for its office of Health and Human Services (HHS), Mary desVignes-Kendrick, M.D. Dr. Kendrick has accepted the position and will begin her employment with Fort Bend County on October 1, 2011.
County Judge Bob Hebert stated, “We’re excited to have someone with Dr. Kendrick’s credentials join the HHS team. Her high level of education and experience in Public Health will serve her well in working within our community.”
Dr. Kendrick was most recently employed as a Professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health, and brings more than 30 years of experience to the Fort Bend Administrator position. She was also deputy director of the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness at the University of Texas School of Public Health as well as a professor of Management, Policy and Community Health at UT. Prior to her Academic Career as a Professor and Research Scientist, Dr. Kendrick worked as the health authority and director of the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, a position she held for 12 years. As the Health Director for the fourth-largest city in America, she led the department through significant challenges with numerous noteworthy successes.
Dr. Kendrick, who is the recipient of several public health awards and has served on national, state and local public health boards and committees, completed her undergraduate degree with majors in Biology and Spanish at New York University, and obtained her medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Dr. Kendrick is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Department of Health & Human Services is Fort Bend County’s principal agency for protecting the health of county residents and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The Department oversees six departments including Emergency Medical Services, Clinical Health, Social Services, Environmental Health, Veterans Services and Animal Services.
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