H.R. No. 680
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral United States Public Health Service
(Ret.) TeCora Ballom greatly benefited her fellow citizens over the
course of a distinguished 38-year career as a board-certified
family and correctional medicine physician; and
WHEREAS, Born in Tyler and raised in Dallas, Dr. Ballom
earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Bishop College and
went on to graduate from the Texas College of Osteopathic
Medicine-University of North Texas Health Science Center in 1984;
she later completed a master of public health degree in nutrition at
the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a second master's
degree in health informatics-healthcare analytics at the
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ballom was commissioned as an officer in the
U.S. Public Health Service in 1985 at the Federal Correctional
Institution in Fort Worth; transitioning to private practice in
1990, she remained in the reserve while employed as medical
director for Neighborhood Medical Clinic; she returned to active
duty in 2001 at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, and after
serving as clinical director, she was named medical director for
the Federal Bureau of Prisons South Central Region in 2006; since
her retirement in 2023, she has continued to teach as an adjunct
assistant professor for the George Washington University School of
Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Dr. Ballom has shared her expertise
with many organizations, including the Tarrant County Medical
Society's Public Health Advisory Committee and the Texas
Osteopathic Medical Association's Council on Minority Health
Affairs; among numerous accolades, she has received the 2014 USPHS
Applied Public Health Physician of the Year award, two USPHS
Outstanding Service Medals, the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Distinguished Service Medal, and the FBOP Director Special
Recognition Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ballom advanced the important mission of the
U.S. Public Health Service through her leadership, skill, and
commitment to excellence, and she may indeed reflect with pride on a
career well spent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Rear Admiral United States Public Health
Service (Ret.) TeCora Ballom for her contributions and extend to
her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Ballom as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Y. Davis of Dallas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 680 was adopted by the House on April
9, 2025, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House