THE CITY OF PHARR: Empowering Health, Enriching Lives

While maintaining the economic stability and the highest quality municipal services remains the top priority for a surgeon who is Mayor, and a neonatologist who is a City Commissioner, separating the professional career in the field of medicine from their roles as public servants is nearly impossible.

The terms “health” and “wellbeing” are at the forefront of Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez’s and Commissioner Dr. Ramiro Caballero’s minds on a daily basis. As professionals who have seen and treated their fair share of illnesses and medical complications in their professional line of work, they know the benefits of living and leading a healthy lifestyle… and they mean it literally.

During his tenure, Hernandez has consistently sought to uplift the community of Pharr by integrating a focus on programs, projects, and priorities that support and promote the physical and mental health for Pharr residents and families. Cultivating this culture of health and well being serves a greater need and ultimately benefits the community at large, as a healthy lifestyle contributes to a better quality of life, longevity, and social and emotional wellness.

“As doctors, we are bound by our duty to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and as leaders, we strive to give our constituents better opportunities and options to lead healthier lives,” said Hernandez. “In Pharr, we care for our Pharr families, and we are committed to implementing policies and programs that can lead to better health care services for our citizens,” he added.

PHARR CARES ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH

In an effort to address health disparities and increase ease of access to resources and information, the City of Pharr recently created the City of Pharr Public Health Department.

The mission of the department is to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all Pharr residents through the implementation of evidence-based programs and services that address the social determinants of health.

Ultimately, the goal of the department is to be a model for other cities and to lead the region in organizing a collaborative and coordinated effort to create a Regional Public Health Organization that advocates for funding and resources to improve the overall health, well-being, and quality of life for all Pharr and neighboring communities.

As part of this mission, the department will track and investigate health issues and hazards to determine their risk to the community and implement programs and activities to mitigate the impact of multiple health threats. These types of threats include communicable and chronic diseases, outbreaks, mental health issues, and other hazards.

With this department, and in conjunction with Pharr’s Office of Emergency Management, Pharr now has the infrastructure to plan, prepare, and respond to health emergencies, natural disasters, and other emergencies, coordinating delivery of medications, vaccines, supplies, and provisions to victims and at-risk populations when necessary.

The department also partners with government agencies, community organizations, businesses, the educational community, and the media to promote disease prevention campaigns and projects and to educate and encourage people to lead healthy lives through health fairs, public workshops, presentations, conferences and more.

Pharr’s resilient response to the coronavirus pandemic helped to inform the development of the department. When the pandemic hit, Pharr took immediate action to assist with testing, vaccinations, and coordination of care to vulnerable populations such as providing vaccines to homebound elderly and disabled residents.

One of the flagship projects led by the Public Health Department is Project LIFE - a coordinated technological network that will connect people to healthcare providers and social assistance programs and allows partners access to available data to improve care delivery for the residents of Pharr.

With this program, providers can send and receive referrals, track the health of its residents and connect them to resources, programs and services, gather and analyze data, and report on outcomes in a one-stop, cohesive, and collaborative environment. This innovative program will further help the city meet the broad healthcare needs of its diverse population, contributing to a healthier Pharr.

ANIMAL CARE SERVICES DIVISION

LED BY THE PHARR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

As part of Pharr’s new focus on Public Health, several divisions are being rebranded and their operations improved. The Animal Control Unit was renamed to “Animal Care Services Division” to signal a new era in the treatment of animals, to attract new partners, and to better connect with the community. The revamped division encourages responsible pet ownership and aims to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and pets through education, enforcement, and community partnership.

Education is playing a big role as Animal Care Services Officers promote responsible pet ownership and proper pet care by visiting local schools and participating in health fairs and other public events. The City of Pharr loves our furry little friends!

PHARRCONNECTA LITERAL LIFELINE

When the coronavirus pandemic hit four years ago this month, stark disparities became evident when the country went into lockdown. Many housebound families lacked the critical technological infrastructure to connect to the internet for school, for work, and to access health care services. Affordable, reliable high-speed internet service became a necessity, and Pharr took the lead and stepped up to the plate to bridge the digital divide.

PharrConnect is Pharr’s broadband internet service, a citywide fiberoptic network providing blazing fast, reliable, and affordable internet to all households in Pharr, connecting residents to the information superhighway and access to critical services such as health care and telemedicine. The project has served as a model for connecting rural communities to high-speed internet access, and was recently recognized as one of the top 50 projects of its kind in the world by the Smart Cities Council.

PHARR EMS – SAVING LIVES

Another monumental undertaking that was born out of health care necessity was the delivery of high-quality emergency medical services (EMS) in Pharr. In 2021, there was urgent need to improve the quality of EMS services in Pharr due to a clear lack of adequate emergency healthcare and slow response time. Pharr leaders saw an opportunity to do better for Pharr families, and Pharr EMS was created. PharrEMS strives to ensure that our families have access to the very best emergency medical services, and we will continue to strive for excellence and make a positive impact on the health, safety, and lives of thousands of residents across the city.

One of the major accomplishments of the EMS Department has been the implementation of the Vial of Life program. This kit is available to Pharr residents and is critical in getting necessary medical help and services to people who might have difficulty communicating during an emergency. Participants fill out the Vial of Life form, secure it inside the provided vial, and place it inside their refrigerator. The kit also includes a sticker to display on your front door. With the program, first responders are able to easily identify important medical information such as the patient’s name, age, medical history, and the medications they take.

PHARR PD’S MENTAL HEALTH UNIT –PREVENTING CRISIS, PROVIDING CARE

Recently, there has been a worldwide emphasis on the importance of awareness and understanding of mental health and emotional wellbeing, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Pharr’s Mental Health Unit was created in December 2020 to help educate officers about how to respond to cases in which a person is experiencing a mental health crisis. The goal of the unit was to improve policing and train officers to respond appropriately to such scenarios without having to resort to excessive use of force or jail time. The unit was recently awarded a $550,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Justice to continue its efforts. Shortly after its inception, the unit was awarded “Organization of the Year” by the Texas Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Association for the work it is doing to provide specialized police responses to individuals with mental illness or who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Mental Health Unit has also adopted evidence-based practices of the benefits of animal therapy, findings consistent with research that shows that humans interacting with animals promote a relaxation response and reduced feelings of anxiety. Pharr’s Mental Health Unit features emotional support dog, Ammo. Ammo is part German Shepherd and part Malinois and is a trained emotional support dog not only for the police department but also for the entire community.

NUEVA LUZ FOUNDATION – NOT JUST TREAT… EDUCATE

While many of Pharr’s health and wellness programs are focused on the general community-at-large, Pharr leaders have recognized the importance of supporting the health and wellness of those on the front lines – city employees. As such, the city has joined forces with the Nueva Luz Foundation to provide an employee wellness program. The foundation works to empower the city staff, and their families, to understand their experiences and help them cope with their traumas and ultimately heal.

“IT’S TIME, TEXAS!” COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

This year once again the City of Pharr participated in the annual “It’s Time, Texas!” Community Challenge competition. Texans across the state take a pledge and compete in the challenge, earning points by eating healthy, being active, and staying hydrated. The Community Challenge provides a fun, safe space for Texans to start small and take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Throughout the challenge, the City of Pharr hosted community events such as Zumba, Yoga, wellness walks, and other activities for members of the public to foster a healthy community spirit.

The City of Pharr has proudly won the medium-size category for six consecutive years; this year the city has been awarded its seventh golden trophy proving its commitment to healthier lifestyles.

A HEALTHIER PHARR – FOR ALL!

The leaders of this organization continue to lead with passion and commitment, creating a culture of health that enables all in our diverse society to embrace healthier lives now and for generations to come.