News and Updates from NET Health

"You have probably never heard of our Shining Star Award, and that's because it has never been given out before," said Edgar Curtis, Texas WIC Director. 

"Tecora Smith is the first to ever receive our Shining Star Award and there is no intention to turn this into an annual award," continues Curtis.

"If public service has a Hall of Fame, she would be its first inductee."

Pictured left to right are Amanda Hovis (Texas WIC Director of Nutrition Education and Clinical Services, George Roberts (NET Health CEO), Tecora Smith (NET Health WIC Director), Edgar Curtis (Texas WIC Director), and Jenny Lassiter (NET Health WIC Assistant Director).

The Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) presented the first-ever Shining Star Award to Tecora Smith, the Director of NET Health's 21 WIC clinics. This award is the first of its kind and recognizes exceptional leadership, service and dedication to the children and families served by Texas WIC.

East Texas Council of Governments Honors NET Health with Regional Award

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) recognizes NET Health as 2022 Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year!

"On behalf of our amazing employees, my team of department directors, and our Board of Directors, we are humbled and honored to receive this award," says George Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of NET Health. "When Public Health does its job well, people are protected, and transmission of disease is controlled.”

Every resident and every visitor to Tyler is impacted by the daily health services provided by NET Health, supporting the City of Tyler and Smith County as a healthier community by providing the following services:

Center for Healthy Living – NET Health worked with the City of Tyler to turn an old fire-station at the corner of Walton Road and Highway 155 South (Frankston Highway), into the Center for Healthy Living, a National Model Practice Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials and an accredited facility within the CDC's listing of recognized National Diabetes Prevention Programs.

Community Outreach – Programs include services for families of children with special health care needs, promotion of health education at early childcare centers, active participation with the Fit City Tyler coalition, free basic health screenings, and assisting uninsured women to receive free cancer prevention services.

Environmental Health Services – NET Health is responsible for assuring safe foods are being provided by area restaurant and food establishments, as well as inspecting public swimming pools and spas.

Regional Laboratory – The NET Health Regional Laboratory is one of only seven certified milk laboratories in Texas and is also a Regional Testing Lab for municipal water to ensure safety of the public water supply for the City of Tyler and other municipalities. Our Regional Laboratory also provides lab testing to Doctor’s offices and Public Health Clinics throughout East Texas for Sexually Transmitted Diseases in our Community.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program – The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a nutrition program available for pregnant women, new mothers, anxious fathers, and children up to age 5 that are seen at NET Health’s 21 WIC Clinics to insure healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and healthy children.

Vital Statistics – Our Vital Statistics Department has recognized recently with the DSHS Five-Star Exemplary Award for their efficient processes in providing birth records and death records. We serve as the City Registrar for the City of Tyler and of providing certified records of births and deaths for the State of Texas.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Disease Surveillance – Partners with multiple local and regional agencies to ensure readiness for any community emergency. In addition to receiving local and regional reports of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, this department prepares emergency response plans for a natural disaster or for a man-made catastrophe, such as a bioterrorism event.

Immunizations and Tuberculosis Control – The Immunization Program promotes routine immunization, ensures access to low-cost immunization services, maintains an immunization registry, and assesses immunization coverage levels in clinics, schools, and child care facilities. Tuberculosis (TB) Control works with TB patients and monitors potential cases.