The following news release was sent by the city of El Paso

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is proud to announce the
arrival of its new Director, Mr. Michael Hill. Mr. Hill brings a wealth
of expertise and leadership to El Paso all of which will aid in his
leadership over the largest health department on the Texas border.

Mr. Hill has extensive experience in a variety of areas, such as public
health preparedness, disease control, and public health information
systems. As Health Director, he will oversee a staff of 360 and an
annual operating budget of $24.4 million. Mr. Hill will provide
leadership in operations for Animal Services, Public Health
Preparedness, Epidemiology, Food Inspection, Health Education,
Immunization, Laboratory, Rawlings Dental Clinic, STD (Sexually
Transmitted Disease) Control, Tuberculosis (TB) Control, Texas Vaccines
for Children, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and

2-1-1.

Mr. Hill held the position of Administrator and Health Officer for the
Okeechobee County Health Department in Florida from 2000 - 2006, where
he successfully reduced Hepatitis A cases from 101.5 per 100,000 to 0 in
less than three years. He provided public health leadership to support
Florida counties impacted by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jean in
2004 and to Mississippi areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Most recently, he served as Senior Deputy Director of Disease Control
and Prevention for San Joaquin County Public Health Services in
Stockton, California where he led teams including public health
laboratory, epidemiology, TB control, communicable disease control,
AIDS, STD, public health preparedness and clinical services.

"Our goal for fiscal year 2009 is to begin the process of transforming
the Department of Public Health into a high-performing, results-oriented
organization that will be universally respected by citizens,
professional partners and peer agencies", says Hill. Mr. Hill states
that his immediate goals for the Department of Public Health are "to
increase collaboration with the community and with stakeholders". His
long-term goals for the Department of Public Health are to make El Paso
the healthiest community it can be. Mr. Hill states that he is "looking
forward to working towards building a healthy future for all El
Pasoans".

Michael Hill holds a Master of Public Health from the University of
South Florida, a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic
University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Michigan
University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare
Executives (FACHE), a Certified Public Health Administrator (CPHA), and
a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Mr. Hill is the current
president of the National Association for Public Health Information
Technology and currently serves on the governing council for the
American Public Health Association.

Media: Please join us for a "Meet and Greet" welcome breakfast and
reception on Friday May 30, 2008 at the Department of Public Health,
5115 El Paso Drive. Breakfast will be from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.,
followed by media interviews from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. RSVP is
required - please see attached invitation. Please help us in welcoming
our newest Department Head to El Paso.