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Sickle Cell Task Force

Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 52, directs the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) Executive Commissioner to establish and maintain a task force to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. The purpose of the Sickle Cell Task Force is to study and advise the department on implementing the recommendations made in the 2018 Sickle Cell Advisory Committee Report published by the Sickle Cell Advisory Committee or any other report the executive commissioner determines is appropriate.

Next Public Meetings

Date:  February 13, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm
Location:  Robert D. Moreton Building – M-100, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756

Future meeting dates and related information are subject to change.

Past Meetings and Materials

Committee Roster

Sickle Cell Task Force Roster 2023-2024
Name City Membership Category Term Expiration Public Health Region
Presiding Chair Titilope Fasipe, M.D., Ph.D. Houston Representative of a health-related institution 2023 6/5
Melissa Frei-Jones, M.D., M.S.C.I. San Antonio Physician specializing in hematology 2024 8
André Harris, M.S.W. Houston Member of the public who has sickle cell disease (SCD) or is a parent of a person with SCD or sickle cell trait (SCT) 2025 6/5
Dawn Johnson, M.D. Dallas Member from a community-based organization with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD 2024 2/3
Alecia Nero, M.D., M.S.C.S. Dallas Physician specializing in hematology 2024 2/3
Presiding Vice-Chair Marqué Reed-Shackelford Houston Member of the public who has SCD or is a parent of a person with SCD or SCT 2023 6/5
Linda Wade Austin Member from a community-based organization with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD 2024 7
Vacant   Member of the public who has SCD or is a parent of a person with SCD or SCT    
Vacant   Texas Education Agency representative    
Vacant   Texas Health and Human Services Commission representative    
Vacant   Physician with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD or SCT    
Vacant   Researcher from a public health-related or academic institution with experience addressing SCD or SCT    
Vacant   Health care professional with experience addressing the needs of individuals with SCD or SCT    

 

Committee Contact

Phone

512-776-3957

Toll-free (ext. 776-3957)

800-252-8023

Mailing Address

Newborn Screening Unit
PO Box 149347
MC-1918
Austin, TX 78714-9347
United States