E-Health Advisory Committee

The e-Health Advisory Committee was established in July 2016 to advise the Texas Health and Human Services executive commissioner and HHS agencies on strategic planning, policy, rules and services related to the use of health information technology, health information exchange systems, telemedicine, telehealth and home telemonitoring services. The tasks of the eHAC include:

• Advising on the development, implementation and long-range plans for health care information technology and Health Information Exchange (HIE), including the use of:
  • Electronic health records,
  • Computerized clinical support systems,
  • HIE systems for the exchange of clinical and other forms of health information, and
  • Other methods of incorporating HIT for the purposes of greater cost-effectiveness and better patient outcomes in health and population health.
• Advising on the development, use, and long-range plans for telemedicine, telehealth, and home telemonitoring services.
• Advising on incentives for increasing health care provider adoption and use of EHRs and HIEs.
• Making verbal or written recommendations via regularly scheduled meetings and/or designated HHSC staff liaison.
• Reporting on Committee meetings and recommendations made to HHS.

Members

Mari Robinson, JD (Chair) 
Representative of a health science center in Texas 
Galveston

Phil Beckett, PhD (Vice Chair) 
Representative of a local or regional health information exchange 
San Antonio

Waridibo (Wari) E. Allison, MD 
Medicaid provider or Child Health Plan Program provider 
Fort Worth

Nora Belcher 
Expert on telemonitoring Services 
Austin

Christine Bryan 
Representative with expertise related to the implementation of electronic health records, computerized clinical support systems, and health information exchange systems for exchanging clinical and other types of health information 
San Antonio

Stephanie W. Dixon, MBA 
Representative with expertise related to the implementation of electronic health records, computerized clinical support systems, and health information exchange systems for exchanging clinical and other types of health information

Steve Eichner 
Ex officio representative from DSHS 
Austin

Brad Fitzwater, MD 
Ex officio representative from HHSC 
Austin

Mario Garza, MSW, MBA 
Expert on telemonitoring Services 
Edinburg

Ken Holland 
Representative from the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) 
Huntsville

Katherine Lusk 
Representative from the Texas Health Services Authority established under Chapter 182, Texas Health and Safety Code 
Fort Worth

Sheila M. Magoon, MD 
Representative of a local or regional health information exchange 
Harlingen

Melisa McEwen 
Representative of the pharmaceutical industry 
Spicewood

Brett A. Moran, MD 
Expert on telemedicine 
Dallas

Deanna Naranjo 
Ex officio representative from HHSC 
Austin

Neema Navai, MD 
Medicaid provider or Child Health Plan Program provider 
Houston

Christopher M. Palazola 
Representative from the Texas Medical Board 
Austin

Tracy Rico, RN 
Representative of a managed care organization 
San Antonio

Kathy Shipp, MSN, APRN, FNP 
Representative from the Texas Board of Nursing 
Lubbock

Todd Unruh, R.Ph. 
Representative from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy 
Dallas

Vacant 
Representative of consumers of health services provided through telemedicine

Meeting Dates

All meetings are held in Austin; primarily in the HHS agencies’ public hearing rooms.

• March 6, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)
• June 16, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)
• September 18, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)
• December 4, 2023 (9:00 a.m.)

For More Information

Contact us at HHS Health IT.