SPI Environmental Health Services Department Earns State’s Top Honor

The City of South Padre Island Environmental Health Services Department (EHSD) garnered the top honor in Texas for its work in the area of food inspection and enforcement. At the November 12th City Council meeting, Mayor Barry Patel introduced Jodie Heilman-­‐ Halter, the Texas Environmental Health Association’s (TEHA) Executive Director, who recognized the department. EHSD was the only small jurisdiction in the state to earn the Texas Environmental Health Association’s (TEHA) Award of Excellence. The City’s EHSD Director Victor Baldovinos and Health Inspectors Cipriano Torres and Willie Higginbotham received the plaque honoring their achievement. “We are extremely honored and would like to share this award with our partners, including the City of South Padre Island City Council and the all the local restaurateurs,” said Baldovinos. “Without their continued support, this accomplishment would not be possible,” he further stated. TEHA is a state association that strives to protect and strengthen the status of the environmental health profession. The Award of Excellence recognizes entities throughout Texas that achieve a high degree of professionalism and commitment to the communities they serve.