Dr. Horacio Rodiles Appointed to the United States-México Border Health Commission
Dr. Horacio Rodiles Appointed to the United States-México Border Health Commission
President Barack Obama announced the appointment of Dr. Horacio Rodiles and Dr. Susan (Sue) Forster-Cox to the United States Section of the United States-México Border Health Commission (USMBHC), a binational presidential commission co-chaired by the secretaries of health of the United States and México. The mission of USMBHC is to provide international leadership to optimize health and quality of life along the U.S.-Mexico border. The commission, composed of presidential appointees and state health officers from each of the 10 U.S.-Mexico border states, brings together a multitude of stakeholders to promote activities that address border health priorities. As part of USMBHC, Dr. Rodiles and Dr. Forster-Cox will work in support of its mission.
Dr. Rodiles and Dr. Forster-Cox are joining a diverse group of public health leaders committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of border residents by improving access to health and human services, preventing and managing the impact of infectious and chronic diseases, and promoting health research and policy development that can strengthen border health. Their professional expertise will be essential in identifying mutli-sectoral approaches that can address binational health exchanges unique to the border region and help bring together federal, state, local, and public / private stakeholders toward this end.
Upon their official appointment, President Obama said, “The extraordinary dedication these men and women bring to their new roles will greatly serve the American people. I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”
Dr. Horacio Rodiles, BHC Member — California (SDCMS-CMA Member Since 1973)
Dr. Horacio Rodiles is a physician at the Balboa Nephrology Medical Group, a position he has held since 2006. Previously, he was chairman of the Acute Hemodialysis Committee at El Centro Regional Medical Center. He was president of Kidney Medical Associates of Imperial County, Inc., from 2003 to 2006 and worked in private practice from 1988 to 2002. From 1971 to 1987, he was a physician partner at Nephrology Specialists Medical Group, Inc. He served as chairman for the Imperial Valley Community Health Resources Organization from 1998 to 2006. Earlier in his career, Dr. Rodiles held teaching positions at the University of California, Irvine from 1968 to 1998. In 2007, he received the Frederick K.M. Plessner Memorial Award from the California Medical Association for his outstanding achievements in medicine in a rural community. Dr. Rodiles received a B.S.A. and an M.D. from the University of Buenos Aires. Dr. Rodiles was sworn in by Peter C. Lewis, U.S. Magistrate Judge, on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.
Dr. Sue Forster-Cox, BHC Member — New Mexico
Dr. Sue Forster-Cox is an associate professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU), a position she has held since 2008. She began teaching at NMSU as an assistant professor in 2002. Previously, she was executive director of the Albuquerque Speech, Language, and Hearing Center from 1998 to 2002. She has held several positions at the University of New Mexico, including the Centers for Disease Control program manager at the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Dissemination, and evaluation specialist. Dr. Forster-Cox was Equity Health Care Program health director of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe from 1988 to 1990. She was the Battered Families Services executive director from 1982 to 1985 and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia from 1977 to 1979. Dr. Forster-Cox received a B.S. from the University of Northern Colorado, an M.P.H. from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, and a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico.
For more information on the Commission, visit www.borderhealth.org.