HHD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

The Houston Health Department (HHD) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15, with a variety of refreshments, speakers, prizes and music for HHD employees to enjoy.

HHD Bureau Chief, Omar Salgado introduced the event's speakers and performers. Some included Dr. Angela Gala, Barbara Sudhoff, Juan Alvarado, Jenette Lopez Belen, MD, Mayela Cabrera de Bravo, MD, MH, Ph.D., and Austin Bonnette, MPH with the Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, giving an update on the syphilis outbreak response.

Hispanic Heritage Month will conclude on October 15.

HHD Nurse earns Excellence in Nursing award

Hadja Diallo, RN, does not know which colleague nominated her for the Good Samaritan’s Excellence in Nursing award. She got home one evening after a hectic day and saw the email, which she gleefully remembers thinking it was a scam until she confirmed it wasn’t. So, whoever got this into motion is still a mystery but judging from her vibrant personality and career-long devotion to public health - in different environments with varying numbers of resources - it’s clear why her colleagues have elevated her to recognition as an astute medical professional.

The Good Samaritan Foundation of Texas, an organization aimed at equipping the Lone Star state with highly qualified nurses, has released the names of the 2023 Excellence in Nursing recipients and Diallo earned a bronze medal. On December 8 she will attend the 19^th annual luncheon where she will be formally honored.

"I cried,” Diallo said, recalling when she learned of the award. “The fact that the work I do, which I consider to be normal and standard, is being recognized and appreciated by someone is great. I’m grateful.”

The acknowledgment has come as a shock to Diallo, but all the paths she took in life led her here. Hailing from Guinea, a small French-speaking country in West Africa, working in healthcare was always the goal. She earned a bachelor’s degree in medicine while studying in Cuba and soon started working as a community provider. Doctors didn’t make much money according to her and was often told by her uncle, also a doctor, to move away from Guinea if she wanted to make more, but this was her journey. After marrying she moved to Houston.

"I knew I didn’t want to give up healthcare, so I went to nursing school in Puerto Rico because I was more fluent in Spanish than English,” Diallo said. “I trained there while still studying for the English exam. Then I passed the boards and got started.”

Diallo began working in hospice care in 2018 in Houston. The chance to work in oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center presented itself soon after and Diallo cut her teeth in that department, while still making time to volunteer on the palliative floor to care for the most vulnerable. Here, she decided to work in public health full-time, tending to those who may not have the resources or income for traditional hospital visits. She graduated from Tulane University with her master's before joining the Houston Health Department (HHD).

"It was a huge accomplishment for me,” Diallo said. “It was always a goal of mine to work in public health and HHD reminds me of the work I was doing in Cuba. Like in Cuba, people can’t afford all kinds of health care, so we help for a free or reduced cost. It's the essence of public health.”

Diallo is a one-man band as an HHD nurse. She assists with the training staff, works in the lab, conducts audits and administrative work, ensures new hires stay on the right track and plenty more. Staffing issues at HHD can prove irritable for patients, but this is where Diallo shines. She stays after hours when she can, informing patients of their medical needs, flitting in and out of departments to aid as needed and even taking on cleaning duties. She takes the extra effort because she understands what it takes for someone to make it to the doctor’s office.

"You don’t know what they had to do come here today, and I always tell my coworkers we can’t turn them away just because it’s nearing the end of the day,” Diallo said. “My father passed from ketoacidosis, something that could have been prevented. If I had someone that advocated for my dad, maybe things could have been different.”

Diallo was recently promoted to Chief Nurse and her leadership skills and training will only take her up from her because she leads with the promise she’s made as a healthcare provider.

“Excellence in healthcare means you are doing what you swear to do as a medical professional,” Diallo said. “It's not just the clinical parts for me, there’s an emotional side that’s just as important. Nursing can be painful; it takes time and a lot of energy. It’s all-around care.”

Diallo plans to continue to absorb all she’s learning as a registered nurse and use it to help Guinea. Though they may not have the technological advances in the health industry as Houston does, it doesn’t have to prevent doctors from saving lives.

“This award proves to me that I am on the right path,” Diallo said. “I am doing something I am passionate about, and this proves that I am doing it right.”

Pedal with HHD

The Houston Health Department (HHD) employees have organized a community to meet co-workers and get their hearts pumping!

HHD has formed a cycling group for exercise, fellowship and fun to rally employees and strengthen camaraderie amongst the various units. HHD Director Stephen L. Williams and other departmental employees bike several miles within Houston once a month on Fridays, starting from Stadium Drive to Brays Bayou Trails.

The group is a small but enthusiastic team led by Williams and Tammy Gloston, an administrative specialist and ardent outdoors cycler who has become the unofficial ringleader of the group and is gladly stepping up to the role.

“I love it because I am very active already and I love a challenge,” Gloston said. “There is a fun, positive energy when we’re preparing to ride in the morning and it’s nice to experience that instead of stress.”

Five years ago, the last time Gloston rode a bike was when she was a child. But after becoming an empty nester, a friend encouraged her to consider bike riding with an outdoor group. One day she purchased a bike from Walmart and rode with this new group for nearly thirty miles. Gloston hasn’t looked back since.

"For me, it’s all about being outdoors,” Gloston said. “We go to work, we get in our car, we immediately enter our homes and take care of our kids and then it’s time to do it all over again indoors. And after raising my kids, I just wanted to be outdoors more.”

The beauty of the Pedal with HHD club is its accessibility. All bike riders of various stages are encouraged to come out and ride with their fellow co-workers, learn more about each other and get fit at their own pace.

“If you’re nervous about riding with us, start practicing at home on the weekends, cycling a longer distance each time to build endurance,” Gloston said. “Challenge yourself and have fun with it because in the end, you’re going to feel great.”

We are now accepting applications for AmeriCorps members

• Are you a leader? 
• Are you interested in becoming a public health worker?
• Do you want to change your career path to something more interesting?

If you are interested in participating or learning more about this project, please call or email:

Kesha McNeil
Phone: 832-393-4672
Email: mcneil@houstontx.gov
Website: HHD Public Health AmeriCorps
Form: AmeriCorps recruitment interest form

National Night Out

National Night Out on October 3, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Emancipation Park! Bring the whole family for an unforgettable celebration filled with music, games, delicious food, exciting giveaways, and a chance to connect with your community. Let's come together for an evening of fun and unity! For additional details, contact Info@emancipationhouston.org.