Texas Public Health Association Honors Ben G. Raimer, M.D.
Galveston County and Cities – The Texas Public Health Association (TPHA) presented their highest accolade for outstanding health professionals, The James E. Peavy Memorial Award, to Dr. Ben G. Raimer at their statewide conference in Arlington, Texas.
The award is presented annually to the public health worker in Texas who has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health knowledge or practice or who has demonstrated a genuine concern for the health needs of society. The award serves as a living memorial to James E. Peavy, M.D., who served as Texas Commissioner of Health from 1959 until his retirement in 1975.
Dr. Raimer, this year’s recipient is the Senior Vice President of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Raimer has been an integral part of the community for more than 40 years and is a practicing pediatrician.
His work in many areas made his selection to receive this year’s Peavy Award an easy one. Raimer has worked tirelessly to help others understand prominent health problems. His many speaking engagements and research contributions have included health policy, correctional health care, preventive and health care delivery systems for underserved populations, workforce and professional education, disease management guidelines, child abuse prevention, telemedicine, childhood lead poisoning and more.
Dr. Raimer’s dedication to public health has also been evident from the many boards he has served on. He served as a governor appointed chair of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council from 1997 – 2010. He also served as a governor appointed chair of the Task Force for the Elimination of Health Disparities from 2010 – 2011 and is the current governor appointed chair of the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency.
Dr. Raimer has served for many years on the Galveston County United Board of Health as vice chairperson. Galveston County Health District CEO Mark Guidry, M.D., MPH says, “On behalf of the United Board of Health and Health District Staff we are very proud of Dr. Raimer and feel they could not have selected a more worthy person to receive this TPHA award.”
Dr. Raimer has demonstrated throughout his career to have a genuine interest in the health of all Texans. He continues to confirm that conviction through his leadership in public health, health policy and a healthy Texas for all.
The Texas Public Health Association (TPHA) is a non-profit, state-wide association of public health professionals dedicated to public health in Texas. TPHA was organized in 1923 and is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association.