Special Edition

Metro Health Online | Calendar of Events | News Releases

Healthy Holiday Wishes from Your Public Health Team

San Antonio's public health team wants to wish all of our partners, stakeholders, and community members a safe and healthy holiday season as we experience the final days of 2009. This year has been a challenging one for public health as well as communities throughout our nation and across the globe with the emergence of the novel H1N1 virus.

In this special edition, you'll find an update on our pandemic response along with highlights of recent achievements and an important reminder for the food industry as we head into the new year. Read those stories and then be sure to stay with us in 2010.

Also, please take a brief minute to let us know what you think of Health e-News.

Novel H1N1 Influenza Update

Metro Health is partnering with Bexar County school districts to limit the spread of the novel H1N1 influenza A virus through a school-based vaccination plan. It's part of the department's overall response to the novel H1N1 pandemic. Read more...

Think Safety this Holiday Season and into the New Year

Don't let the down time of the holidays, great food and fun, and celebratory drinks close out 2009 on a negative note. Get and stay active, watch your calorie count and drink responsibly. See additional tips for a safe holiday season and healthy way to launch the new year...

Food Handler Requirements Begin in January

The new year will bring new requirements for those serving food to the public. Changes aimed at further strengthening the safety of food will take effect on January 1 for restaurants, mobile food establishments and temporary events. Read more...

Tweets are Humming as Social Media Takes Flight

Tweeting and podcasting are the latest communications ventures from Metro Health as the department launches its social media efforts. Metro Health sent out its first tweet on Twitter on Halloween and continues to use this social media platform to inform followers of events, holiday safety tips and novel H1N1 flu advice. Join us (through a non-CoSA account)...

In addition, Dr. Fernando Guerra and assistant director Dr. Bryan Alsip both sat down with team member Mario Martinez to discuss the novel H1N1 flu virus and the vaccine in two separate podcasts. You can find those podcasts on the department's website at www.sanantonio.gov/health/h1n1.html.

2009 Ends in Award-Winning Style

Vital Statistics stepped its game up to another level as that division improved services to win a top honor from the state. The tribute follows an accolade by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), which selected Good Health! at Goodwill as the recipient of the organization’s Program Excellence Award for Community Health & Safety. Read more...

How do you stay in shapeSeveral Metro Health team members put on their running shoes for the 2nd annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon...

Thirteen and 26-mile courses were eaten away one step at a time for eight Metro Health team members who committed to running or walking in the November 15 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Kimberly Heimbecker and Stacy Maines took the full course head on and completed the marathon with times of 4:41 and 5:42, respectively.
Stacy Maines photo
Half-marathoners were Louis Alvarado, Rose Barajas, Frank Chance, Yvonne Puente, Sandy Redmond and Amanda Roberts. They joined more than 200 City employees and 30,000 individuals overall.

If you've decided to take on a new challenge in the new year, the 2010 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is scheduled for November 14. Seventy (70) rock bands and 40 cheer teams will inspire you to finish the race. Make the commitment now and register for the 2010 event.

Need moral support? Sign up your corporate or organization team and compete in the Get Fit Challenge. Let 2010 mark the year and decade you choose to be more physically active!

More about
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Our Vision
Optimal health for our communities and our environment

Our Mission
Provide leadership and services for San Antonio and Bexar County to
prevent illness and injury, promote healthy behaviors, and
protect against health hazards.

 

In the Community

On a yearly basis, Metro Health team members give from their heart for the City's charitable campaign. This year, the department exceeded both the City's goal of $18,000 for Metro Health as well as our own department's goal, which was set at$20,000.
The final contribution came in at $21,758, with a 73% participation rate. During the past three years, Metro Health has exceeded increasing fundraising goals even as the department becomes more efficient through attrition.
A heartfelt thanks to all of our team members who participated...!

Featured Employee

Patricia Blevins photo
Patricia Blevins is the BT Laboratory Coordinator who played, and continues to contribute, a significant role in the Novel H1N1 Influenza A reponse.
Meet Patricia...

Did you know...?

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2010. SAMHD, more commonly known today as Metro Health, was created in 1965 to extend existing City public health services to Bexar County.

In the News

Healthier KIds Menu Unveiled at Pico de Gallo. Read more...

Snapshots of Health

Belated congratulations to
Metro Health's basketball and softball teams who won 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in the City of San Antonio's annual Sportsfest competition!
Sportfest allows City employees to complete in a variety of sporting events. The goal is to encourage fun and healthy fitness activities.

Metro Health softball team

Metro Health basketball team

Healthy Link

Quitting tobacco is hard but not impossible.  For free help and information, call the quit line at
1-877-YES-QUIT.  Quit now, and you may add more than ten healthy years to your life.

The Artwork

A Good Weight

In 2007, the Steps to a Healthier San Antonio Program (Steps-SA), in collaboration with San Antonio ISD and the Southwest School of Art and Craft, presented "A Healthy Community Through the Eyes of a Child" in which children from local schools expressed their creative vision of health
concerns and issues affecting their community through the use of art.