Texas Public Health Summit 2025

Welcome
Agenda
Speakers
Past TXPHS

Join us for the 2025 Texas Public Health Summit (TXPHS25), where public health professionals, industry leaders, and subject-matter experts will come together to explore the future of infectious disease preparedness in Texas. This year’s theme, Lone Star Outlook: Infectious Disease Preparedness for 2050, invites attendees to reflect on key milestones, examine today’s challenges, and look ahead to the innovations shaping our future.

The summit will feature keynote speakers and three dynamic panel discussions centered around the themes of technology, transmission, and trust - each offering forward-thinking insights into how Texas can stay ahead of emerging infectious disease threats. Registration is free and, once again, TXPHS25 is a hybrid event where participants can join us in person in the Texas Medical Center or attend virtually online from anywhere. For those attending in-person, a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Parking is available at standard TMC rates.

Join us for engaging conversations, valuable networking, and practical takeaways that will strengthen preparedness efforts across Texas. Share your insights, spark critical reflections, and help shape the innovations driving infectious disease preparedness as we imagine the future of public health in 2050.

Location & Parking

TXPHS25 will be held in the Texas Medical Center at the Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District, located at 6580 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030. For your convenience, a dedicated room block has been reserved at the Marriott for attendees who wish to book hotel accommodations. Click the registration button above to access the hotel booking link on the TXPHS registration page.

Nestled in the heart of Houston, the Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world and home to leading hospitals, research institutions, and universities. Just steps away, the vibrant Museum District offers attendees a chance to explore world-class museums, beautiful parks, and cultural attractions — all within walking distance of the venue. It’s the perfect setting to learn, connect, and experience Houston’s rich history and innovation.

Parking

The Marriott’s self-parking garage is located in Scurlock Tower Parking. The entrance is located on Main Street. If traveling south, make a U-turn at the traffic light on Dryden Road and the entrance will be on your right side. Once you enter, you'll drive up the ramp and pull a ticket from the machine. Please keep the ticket with you.

Those interested in valet parking should enter the garage from Fannin Street. Please avoid entering for valet from Dryden, as you’ll be charged Marriott’s valet rate (which is priced at $44 a day).

Rates are as follows:

Self-park

0-20 minutes: free
21 minutes – 1 hour: $7
1-3 hours: $9
3-7.5 hours: $12
7.5-24 hours: $15
Lost ticket: $25

Valet

0-3 hours: $12
3-24 hours: $17

Questions?

For additional information about this year’s Texas Public Health Summit, contact [email protected], or call 866-89TEPHI (866-898-3744).

Lone Star Outlook: Infectious Disease Preparedness for 2050

September 25, 2025 | In-person and Online | Houston Marriott Medical Center - 6580 Fannin street, Houston, Texas 77030

Time	Session
07:30 – 08:30	Registration and Breakfast
08:30 – 08:40	Welcome Janelle Rios, PhD
08:40 – 08:50	Opening Remarks Eric Boerwinkle, PhD
08:50 – 09:15	Lone Star Legacy: Milestones in Public Health
09:15 – 10:00	2025 Snapshot: Texas Preparedness Today
10:00 – 10:15	Break
10:15 – 11:45	Panel 1: Transmission
11:45 – 12:00	Friends of TEPHI Award
12:00 – 12:45	Lunch & Networking
12:45 – 02:15	Panel 2: Technology
02:15 - 02:30	Break
02:30 – 04:00	Panel 3: Trust
04:00 – 04:10	Closing Remarks Eric Boerwinkle, PhD

Download Agenda

Welcome

Janelle Rios, PhD, MPH
Deputy Director, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute
Director, P2R Consortium
Deputy Director, Center for Occupational Health and Exposome Studies

Janelle Rios, PhD, MPH, is a faculty associate at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health (SPH). Rios is the Deputy Director of the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), an innovative state agency authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2021. She also serves as director and principal investigator of the Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (P2R) Consortium, a large multi-site, multi-program worker training program funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. Rios is also the principal investigator of the Just-in-time Elastomeric Respirator Training and Fit Testing (JET FIT) study, a research and training project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the feasibility of using reusable elastomeric respirators in healthcare delivery settings in lieu of disposable N95 respirators. Rios is also the consortium principal investigator of the Deployment Safety Academy for Field Experiences (D-SAFE) training project funded by the U.S. Public Health Service.

Opening Remarks

Eric Boerwinkle, PhD
Dean, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Director, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute

Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, is Dean and M. David Low Chair of Public Health at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, which has faculty and educational and research programs that span the state of Texas.

He joined the UTHealth faculty in 1986 and served as chair of the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Health at the School of Public Health from 2003-2015. He has also directed the Human Genetics Centers at both the School of Public Health and the Brown Foundation Institute for Molecular Medicine, within UTHealth.

Author of more than 1,200 scientific papers, Boerwinkle has led groundbreaking research on the connection between genome variation and the transition from health to disease. During COVID he led teams of analysts, clinicians and scientists answering COVID-related questions locally, in the Texas Medical Center, and across the state in collaboration with Texas DSHS. Boerwinkle is also the agency director of the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), a state agency charged with preparing Texas for future infectious disease outbreaks.

More speaker information coming soon!

Explore the archives of our past annual conferences and rediscover valuable insights and memorable moments.

"I enjoyed all of this. As an infection preventionist in the Rio Grande Valley, we have seen many of these diseases firsthand. Information was awesome! I’m so thankful this was offered virtually."

"The panels were well organized and facilitated. Each one had experts who could bring their extensive expertise to the subject being discussed."
Attendees, TXPHS24

See Previous Events

Welcome
Join us for the 2025 Texas Public Health Summit (TXPHS25), where public health professionals, industry leaders, and subject-matter experts will come together to explore the future of infectious disease preparedness in Texas. This year’s theme, Lone Star Outlook: Infectious Disease Preparedness for 2050, invites attendees to reflect on key milestones, examine today’s challenges, and look ahead to the innovations shaping our future.

The summit will feature keynote speakers and three dynamic panel discussions centered around the themes of technology, transmission, and trust - each offering forward-thinking insights into how Texas can stay ahead of emerging infectious disease threats. Registration is free and, once again, TXPHS25 is a hybrid event where participants can join us in person in the Texas Medical Center or attend virtually online from anywhere. For those attending in-person, a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Parking is available at standard TMC rates.

Join us for engaging conversations, valuable networking, and practical takeaways that will strengthen preparedness efforts across Texas. Share your insights, spark critical reflections, and help shape the innovations driving infectious disease preparedness as we imagine the future of public health in 2050.
- Register Now!
Location & Parking

TXPHS25 will be held in the Texas Medical Center at the Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District, located at 6580 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030. For your convenience, a dedicated room block has been reserved at the Marriott for attendees who wish to book hotel accommodations. Click the registration button above to access the hotel booking link on the TXPHS registration page.

Nestled in the heart of Houston, the Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world and home to leading hospitals, research institutions, and universities. Just steps away, the vibrant Museum District offers attendees a chance to explore world-class museums, beautiful parks, and cultural attractions — all within walking distance of the venue. It’s the perfect setting to learn, connect, and experience Houston’s rich history and innovation.

Parking
The Marriott’s self-parking garage is located in Scurlock Tower Parking. The entrance is located on Main Street. If traveling south, make a U-turn at the traffic light on Dryden Road and the entrance will be on your right side. Once you enter, you'll drive up the ramp and pull a ticket from the machine. Please keep the ticket with you.

Those interested in valet parking should enter the garage from Fannin Street. Please avoid entering for valet from Dryden, as you’ll be charged Marriott’s valet rate (which is priced at $44 a day).

Rates are as follows:

Self-park

0-20 minutes: free

21 minutes – 1 hour: $7

1-3 hours: $9

3-7.5 hours: $12

7.5-24 hours: $15

Lost ticket: $25

Valet

0-3 hours: $12

3-24 hours: $17
Questions?

For additional information about this year’s Texas Public Health Summit, contact [email protected], or call 866-89TEPHI (866-898-3744).

Agenda

Lone Star Outlook: Infectious Disease Preparedness for 2050

September 25, 2025 | In-person and Online | Houston Marriott Medical Center - 6580 Fannin street, Houston, Texas 77030

Time	Session
07:30 – 08:30	Registration and Breakfast
08:30 – 08:40	Welcome Janelle Rios, PhD
08:40 – 08:50	Opening Remarks Eric Boerwinkle, PhD
08:50 – 09:15	Lone Star Legacy: Milestones in Public Health
09:15 – 10:00	2025 Snapshot: Texas Preparedness Today
10:00 – 10:15	Break
10:15 – 11:45	Panel 1: Transmission
11:45 – 12:00	Friends of TEPHI Award
12:00 – 12:45	Lunch & Networking
12:45 – 02:15	Panel 2: Technology
02:15 - 02:30	Break
02:30 – 04:00	Panel 3: Trust
04:00 – 04:10	Closing Remarks Eric Boerwinkle, PhD

Download Agenda

Speakers

Welcome

Janelle Rios, PhD, MPH
Deputy Director, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute
Director, P2R Consortium
Deputy Director, Center for Occupational Health and Exposome Studies

Janelle Rios, PhD, MPH, is a faculty associate at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health (SPH). Rios is the Deputy Director of the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), an innovative state agency authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2021. She also serves as director and principal investigator of the Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (P2R) Consortium, a large multi-site, multi-program worker training program funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. Rios is also the principal investigator of the Just-in-time Elastomeric Respirator Training and Fit Testing (JET FIT) study, a research and training project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the feasibility of using reusable elastomeric respirators in healthcare delivery settings in lieu of disposable N95 respirators. Rios is also the consortium principal investigator of the Deployment Safety Academy for Field Experiences (D-SAFE) training project funded by the U.S. Public Health Service.

Opening Remarks

Eric Boerwinkle, PhD
Dean, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Director, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute

Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, is Dean and M. David Low Chair of Public Health at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, which has faculty and educational and research programs that span the state of Texas.

He joined the UTHealth faculty in 1986 and served as chair of the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Health at the School of Public Health from 2003-2015. He has also directed the Human Genetics Centers at both the School of Public Health and the Brown Foundation Institute for Molecular Medicine, within UTHealth.

Author of more than 1,200 scientific papers, Boerwinkle has led groundbreaking research on the connection between genome variation and the transition from health to disease. During COVID he led teams of analysts, clinicians and scientists answering COVID-related questions locally, in the Texas Medical Center, and across the state in collaboration with Texas DSHS. Boerwinkle is also the agency director of the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), a state agency charged with preparing Texas for future infectious disease outbreaks.

More speaker information coming soon!
Past TXPHS
Explore the archives of our past annual conferences and rediscover valuable insights and memorable moments.

"I enjoyed all of this. As an infection preventionist in the Rio Grande Valley, we have seen many of these diseases firsthand. Information was awesome! I’m so thankful this was offered virtually."

"The panels were well organized and facilitated. Each one had experts who could bring their extensive expertise to the subject being discussed."
Attendees, TXPHS24
- See Previous Events