The final remaining open position on the Central Health Board of Managers has been filled after Dr. Julie Zuniga was officially sworn in last week.

Zuniga currently serves as an assistant professor of nursing at The University of Texas at Austin, according to a May 6 press release from Central Health.

In addition to professional nursing experience, the newest board member has also worked in clinical instruction and research. Zuniga's research has focused on improving self-management of diabetes in persons with HIV and tuberculosis treatment for Mexican Americans living on the US-Mexico border, according to the press release.

Zuniga received her doctorate in nursing from UT Austin and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta.

“With my background in nursing, I have a good idea of what patients experience and their health goals, so my focus on the Central Health Board of Managers will be further integrating the patient perspective into the work of Central Health," Zuniga said in the press release.

Zuniga's appointment was approved by Austin City Council on April 25. She fills the position left vacant by former board Chairperson Katrina Daniel, who served until 2018.