The Institute for Public Health is leading the way to improve the good health of our community by eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity. As the only locally owned, integrated health system in San Antonio and Bexar County, University Health takes pride in transforming the delivery of health care and improving health in our community through the Institute for Public Health.

The Institute serves as a critical hub for University Health, connecting patients with targeted education and resources. It also connects our internal teams, services and programs with external community partners. The Institute aligns and coordinates how University Health addresses community needs and helps patients achieve optimal health. 

Mission

Our mission is to promote health, prevent disease and prolong life in our community through a compassionate, collaborative, trauma-informed, data-driven and evidence-informed approach.

Vision

Our vision is to lead the way to improve the good health of our community by eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity.

Values

The Institute for Public Health embodies these values:

• Build trust through kind and compassionate care that is trauma-informed and culturally appropriate.
• Invest in and implement data-driven, community-centered solutions.
• Pursue opportunities to contribute what we learn to the evidence base.

Our Story

As the only locally owned health system in Bexar County, Level I adult and pediatric trauma center for a 22-county area of South Texas, and the region’s academic medical center through its affiliation with UT Health San Antonio, University Health has a deep commitment to public health programs and research. Additionally, University Health has long been an essential partner with the city, the county and other health organizations when it comes to responding to natural disasters and public health emergencies.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, University Health expanded its role in public health when it quickly stood up COVID-19 drive-thru testing for health care workers and first responders, and took a leadership role in providing the community with accurate, timely and evidence-based information on all aspects of the virus. On January 4, 2021, we opened one of the first, largest and most efficient mass COVID-19 vaccination sites in Texas.

In March of 2022, University Health leaders stood alongside Bexar County Commissioners to announce the establishment of a new public health division that would become the Institute for Public Health.

Essential Public Health Services

The Institute for Public Health aligns and coordinates how University Health addresses community needs and helps patients achieve optimal health through the delivery of the 10 essential public health services.

The essential public health services, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include:

• Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets
• Investigate, diagnose and address health problems and hazards affecting the population
• Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it and how to improve it
• Strengthen, support and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health
• Create, champion and implement policies, plans and laws that impact health
• Use legal and regulatory actions designed to improve and protect the public’s health
• Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy
• Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce
• Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement
• Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health

Our Community Partners

Partnerships are essential to addressing community health needs and reaching the people who need our services. We address community priorities in collaboration with other public health agencies and organizations. 

Our community partners include:

• Bexar County
• San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
• Local health care and social services organizations
• Local schools, colleges, universities, and workforce development providers
• Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC)

Leadership

See the faces of the Institute for Public Health’s leadership team. Our leaders serve the people in our community and address identified needs through programs, research and education.