Total Worker Health student Sandra Ramirez appointed to Texas Radiation Advisory Board

Published: August 20, 2024

Sandra Ramirez, MHP, LMP, CHP, CLSO, CSP, a student in Total Worker Health^® (TWH)  at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, was appointed to the Radiation Advisory Board by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

The Radiation Advisory Board advises the state of Texas on radiation issues and reviews the rules, policies, and programs of state agencies that regulate radiation. Ramirez was one of eight appointed to the board and will serve until April 16, 2029.

"The Appointments Office for Governor Abbott was seeking an individual who is certified by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP),” Ramirez said. “I recognized that this would be a great opportunity for me to throw my name in the hat, as this opportunity doesn't come around often. There are 19 board members, and each representative serves six years. I submitted the application for appointment, and a couple weeks later, I was interviewed for the position."

"We are thrilled that Sandra was selected for this role and believe it is a testament to the amazing work our students are doing in our communities,” said Shannon Guillot-Wright, PhD, Total Worker Health program director and associate professor at the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH). "Total Worker Health is all about improving worker policies and practices, and as a TWH student, Ramirez is already leading the charge."

Part of Ramirez’ role on the Board is to represent the Health Physics.

"I'm excited to serve and to take this opportunity to learn and share my expertise,” Ramirez said. "I'm looking forward to serving with the other members, who come from different industry backgrounds and experiences."

Ramirez credited her training at the SWCOEH for expanding her knowledge within her field. 

"As a TWH student in SWCOEH, I have gained a more comprehensive perspective of safety, worker health, and environmental impacts, which I believe greatly aid me in contributing to the Texas Radiation Advisory Board," Ramirez said. "I bring knowledge and skills in policy development, prevention and the ability to make data-driven decisions based on evidence-based recommendations and reasoning. I'm confident that SWCOEH has given me the tools and insights to be an effective and contributing member of the board."   

About Sandra Ramirez: She completed her Bachelor's in Radiological Health Engineering from Texas A&M in College Station and holds a Master's in Health Physics from Illinois Institute of Technology. She has a license and certifications in the following areas: Licensed Medical Health Physicist, Certified Health Physicist, Certified Laser Safety Officer and Certified Safety Professional. Sandra has over 19 years of experience in the field of Health Physics. She currently serves as a Director in Environmental Health and Safety, Sustainability, and Emergency Management at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She currently serves as the Radiation Safety Officer for the Radioactive Material Broad Scope License, X-ray Registration, Cyclotron Production Radioactive Materials License, and Mammography Certifications and Laser Safety Officer for the Laser Certification, and oversees MRI Safety. Her research interest is focused on ionizing and non-ionizing areas among workers in clinical and industrial environments.