Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jack Franklin, Jr., M.D. and Andrew Cortez to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. Their terms will expire at the Governor's discretion. The Task Force provides expert assessments, protocols, and recommendations related to the state's response to infectious diseases and serves as a transparent source of information for Texas leaders and citizens.

Jack Franklin Jr., M.D. of Llano is a family medicine physician at Hill Country Direct Care. He is affiliated with several professional organizations including the American Academy of Family Physicians, Direct Primary Care Alliance, Texas Medical Association, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, and Tri-City County Medical Society. He directs various free immunization clinics in the region, serves as team physician for Llano High School, and acts as a mental health representative for the Sexual Assault Response Team Llano. Franklin holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Southwestern University and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Southwestern.

Andrew Cortez of Corpus Christi is a battalion chief at the Corpus Christi Fire Department. He chairs urban emergency services for the Coastal Bend Healthcare Preparedness Coalition and emergency services for the Nueces County Fire Chiefs Association. Additionally, he is a member of the Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council and previously served on the emergency services committee of the Nueces County Opioid Task Force. Cortez will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science from Del Mar College in Spring 2025.