Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke conducts health education, public awareness and community outreach; improves access to treatment; coordinates activities among state agencies; and develops a database of recommendations for treatment and care.
The Texas Legislature established the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 93 to create the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (TCCVDS) in 1999. In 2007, Legislature amended the Title 25, Health Services, Part 15, Rule §1051.1 to establish the conduction of meetings. The Council addresses heart disease and stroke — two of the leading causes of death for Texans. The Council advises the legislature on legislation that is needed to develop further and maintain a statewide system of quality education services for all persons with cardiovascular disease or stroke.
The TCCVDS is required to develop an effective and resource efficient plan to reduce morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke in Texas. Work in the state plan’s priority areas depends on the Legislature’s continued funding and support.
Activities of the Council include:
- developing an effective and resource-efficient plan,
- conducting health education, public awareness, and community outreach,
- improving access to treatment,
- coordinating activities among agencies within the state,
- developing a database of recommendations for treatment and care, and
- collecting and analyzing information related to CVD.
Members:
| Name | City | Membership Category |
| Stanley M. Duchman, MD | Houston | Licensed Physician in Cardiology |
| Janet (Hall) Hewlett, RD, LD | Georgetown | Licensed Dietitian |
| Alberto Maud, M.D. | El Paso | Stroke Specialist |
| Chair Suzanne Hildebrand |
Live Oak | Chair/Public Member |
| Vice-Chair Oscar M. Aguilar, Jr, M.D, MPH, FACC, FAHA |
El Paso | Licensed Physician in Primary Care |
| Public Health, Policy and Research | ||
| Elie Balesh, MD | Houston | Consumer Member |
| Registered Nurse | ||
| Lourdes Cuellar | Houston | Consumer Member |
| Remmy Morris | Round Rock | Public Member |
| E’Loria Simon-Campbell, PhD | Houston | Public Health Policy, Research Practice Member |
- Call to order, welcome, introductions, roll call, and opening remarks. The meeting was convened by the Chair, Suzanne Hildebrand.
- Consideration of May 12, 2025, draft meeting minutes. The minutes were approved as written.
- Consideration of officer election procedure and election of vice-chair. The council moved to elect a vice-chair, with prior election procedures already adopted. Dr. Alberto Maud was the sole nominee and was unanimously chosen as vice-chair.
- Consideration of the Proposal Rule Packet for proposed amendments to Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 15, Rule §1051, Conduct of Council Meetings (SECTION 1051.1. Conduct of Meetings, CHAPTER 1051. RULES, PART 15. COUNCIL ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND STROKE, TITLE 25. HEALTH SERVICES, Texas Administrative Code). Rachel Wiseman (DSHS) explained the review and voting process for the proposed rule packet (amendments to Texas Administrative Code Title 25), previously emailed to members (but not made available to the public) . The packet included proposed rules, plain-language summary, preamble, fiscal forms, and notification forms. Members could approve as presented or recommend changes; if amended, a revised packet would be brought to a future meeting.
MOTION: Adopt the rule packet as presented prevailed
- Agency representative reports.
DSHS—No update
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)–
- Next newsletter set for August 15, 2025; requests for partner resources and distribution list additions invited.
- Seeking FQHCs and clinics in Dallas, Harris, or Jefferson counties interested in BP initiatives.
- Received CDC grant award for year three of the National Cardiovascular Health Program.
Chelsea Couch (HHSC): Provided updates on Aging Texas Well strategic plan, a new grant to enhance Texas’ No Wrong Door system, and recent family caregiving initiatives involving UT Business School students and Area Agencies on Aging.
Texas Workforce Commission—No update provided
- Liaison reports. Tabled
American Heart/American Stroke Association
Office of Acquired Brain Injury
Governor’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC)
GETAC Cardiac Care Committee
GETAC Stroke Committee
- Plan for 2025 Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Conference.
No report
- Review of action items and agenda items for next meeting.
Presentation on the Quit line will be presented at the November 17, 2025 meeting.
- Discussion of meeting day. Discussion on future agenda topics was opened, with submissions welcomed via email. Meeting schedule: consensus was to move meetings to Fridays at 1:00 PM starting in 2026. Next meeting is Nov 17, 2025 (Monday at 1:30 PM); future meeting placeholders to be sent.
MOTION to change the meeting day to Friday starting in 2026 prevailed.
- Upcoming meeting dates. November 17, 2025.
- Public comment. No public comment was offered.
- Adjourn. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Click HERE to download the full report.
***
The information contained in this publication is the property of Texas Insight and is considered confidential and may contain proprietary information. It is meant solely for the intended recipient. Access to this published information by anyone else is unauthorized unless Texas Insight grants permission. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on this is prohibited. The views expressed in this publication are, unless otherwise stated, those of the author and not those of Texas Insight or its management.