After his appointment by the Hays County Commissioners Court on Feb. 25, Matthew Gonzales began his first day as the county’s health department director March 1.

The overview

His appointment comes after the county separated the health department from countywide operations while drafting the fiscal year 2024-25 budget. The change aligns Hays County’s public health structure with other county health departments in Texas, according to a March 6 news release.

The restructuring provides “dedicated leadership and resources to address infectious disease prevention, emergency preparedness and community health needs like mental health services,” according to the news release.

Gonzales’ appointment is intended to strengthen the county’s ability to respond to health crises and accelerate recovery efforts.


Digging deeper

Gonzales, a Caldwell County native and Lockhart ISD graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Texas State University in 2021, followed by a master’s in health care administration in 2023.

He first joined the Hays County Health Department as an intern during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and later served in roles including planner in Development Services, technical support for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and community program director.

Gonzales was involved in the county’s response to the 2022 mpox outbreak and the 2023 Community Health Assessment. He also worked on staff expansion and the department’s transition to a new facility, according to the release.


What’s next

According to the release, Gonzales’ priorities for the department include:
  • Reorganizing the department to better address current and future public health challenges
  • Expanding community and behavioral health services to improve access for Hays County residents
  • Strengthening public health infrastructure to meet Public Health Accreditation Board standards
The Hays County Health Department will also host a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine clinic March 10 from 5-7 p.m. at 101 Thermon Drive in San Marcos.



Notable quote


“It’s an honor to step into this role at such a critical time for public health in Hays County,” Gonzales said. "With our growing population and evolving health challenges, my focus will be on expanding services, strengthening our department’s foundation and ensuring every resident has access to essential health resources. We’re building a healthier future for our community, and I’m excited to lead that effort.”