April 17, 2026
Former Health Commissioner Guided Texans Through Pandemic
The Texas Medical Association (TMA) has honored Georgetown pediatrician John W. Hellerstedt, MD, with the 2026 TMA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his 45 years of exemplary service to patients, public health, and organized medicine.
TMA lauded Dr. Hellerstedt with the association’s highest honor Friday morning during TexMed, TMA’s annual meeting, held this year in Corpus Christi.
Dr. Hellerstedt says he was “very surprised” and “deeply honored” to hear the news.
“So many of my colleagues in medicine do so many amazing things, it is truly humbling to be recognized by them in this way,” he said.
The Travis County Medical Society (TCMS) nominated Dr. Hellerstedt for the award.
“We can think of no member of TMA who has better reflected the values of our organization in leadership and service with a lasting impact on the public and our profession,” said TCMS President Belda Zamora, MD, in nominating her colleague.
Throughout a career spanning several medical leadership roles, Dr. Hellerstedt is perhaps best known for his tenure as commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Texas’ chief public health officer, he steered the state’s health system through this tumultuous period as director of the Governor’s Infectious Disease Task Force. They worked closely with TMA and other health care organizations to keep physicians, institutions and the public up to date with information and resources.
“There was absolutely no way Texas could endure and prevail over the pandemic virus without serious cost and sacrifice,” Dr. Hellerstedt reflected. “Yet despite the severe threat posed by the global pandemic, here we are, thriving in its aftermath. Enough people did enough of the right things enough of the time that we endured and prevailed.”
Dr. Hellerstedt recalled his agency worked with others to develop supply chains and distribution networks for COVID testing, personal protective equipment, vaccines, and therapeutics when most of the pre-existing mechanisms “were broken or had yet to be created.”
“He led without fear for his own health and safety,” said Dr. Zamora.
Dr. Hellerstedt calls his term as the state’s health commissioner the “greatest experience” of his professional life.
Prior to serving in that office, Dr. Hellerstedt was the first medical director for Texas Medicaid/CHIP, implemented the first office of medical technology at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, was vice president of medical affairs for Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, and served as chief medical officer for Seton Hospitals in Austin. He also served as faculty in the Austin Pediatric Education Program, working with residents and students.
His roots in medicine date back to 1981 when he treated young patients in his first pediatric medical practice.
The physician has long been a vaccine advocate at the state and federal level, touting the benefits of what many physicians call one of medicine’s best disease-prevention measures. Dr. Hellerstedt noted most Texans understand the need for public health practices including immunizations and trust the judgment of their physicians – even as some people express doubts about vaccines.
“We must thank our fellow Texans for knowing and acting upon the truth and reassure them they are doing the right thing for themselves, their families, and the entire community,” he said. “The continued health and safety of the state depend upon it.”
A 45-year member of TMA, Dr. Hellerstedt served as a consultant to the Council on Science and Public Health. He also is a member of TCMS and the Texas Pediatric Society.
He is an adjunct clinical professor for Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine.
In his private life he serves as a lector for his home parish of St. Helen Catholic Church in Georgetown. He and his wife Yvonne have three adult children and 16 grandchildren.
In addition to this award, TMA also honored several other outstanding physicians and medical students during TexMed.
TMA’s Board of Councilors ethical policymaking body selects the award honorees. TMA established the awards in 1962.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 60,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 has been to improve the health of all Texans.
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Contact: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320
Swathi Narayanan (512) 370-1382; cell: (408) 987-1318
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