The Champions of Texas Injury Prevention is the Injury Prevention Unit's new feature which highlights the work of Texas community members that make a difference in the fields of public health, public safety, and injury prevention. These are everyday Texans working to prevent injuries. Continue reading to meet some Texas Injury Prevention Champions.

April 2026 Champions of Texas Injury Prevention

Vannia Atao

Senior Community Health Educator - North Texas Poison Center

How did you get started in your field?

I have been working in the medical field for over 12 years. My career has taken me from direct patient care to telehealth and now community health education. I've been in this position for four years.

What do you like most about your work?

My favorite part about my job is connecting with the North Texas Community. We cover 42 counties in our region, and getting to know community members in all those regions has been very rewarding.

Tell us about a recent success from your work.

National Poison Prevention Week is 3/15-3/21. In collaboration with Cook Children's Center for Community Health, we have expanded our Look Alike Art Exhibit to many more locations. This is our second year doing this. Another recent win is that I have been promoted to Senior Community Health Educator.

What motivates you to continue in your work each day?

I have had a great experience in public health from my undergrad and graduate studies. Everyone who has mentored me has shown me how passionate they are about prevention. It inspires me to continue and to give back to my community.

Dr. Lawrence Thompson, Jr.

Director of Integrated Health Services - Harris County Resources for Children and Adults

How did you get started in your field?

After completing graduate school at The University of Michigan, I returned home to Texas and worked as a Staff Psychologist providing mental health services to abused and neglected children at the Harris County Children's Assessment Center (CAC).

What do you like most about your work?

I most like seeing children and families heal, achieve health, and experience hope, happiness, and peace

Tell us about a recent success from your work.

I recently expanded access to Psychiatric Services in the Integrated Health Clinic in my Division.

Tell us about any barriers or challenges in your field you’ve experienced and how you have overcome or addressed them.

One challenge I have experienced is the lack of access to health services that children in our child welfare system encounter. I have helped create a truly Integrated Health Care Setting where children receive Pediatric, Psychiatric, Psychological, Therapeutic, Social Work, and Dental health care in a connected manner conducive to maximizing the shared positive impact of each individual service.

What motivates you to continue in your work each day?

Our children motivate me.