John Hellerstedt, MD
Commissioner, Dept. of State Health Services
Dr. Hellerstedt took on the role of Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in January 2016. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his General Pediatrics Residency at the University of Texas-San Antonio Health Science Center. He moved to Austin in 1981 and spent 18 years working as a pediatrician at the Austin Regional Clinic.
Dr. Hellerstedt first entered public service as the Medical Director of the Bureau of Medicaid Managed Care and CHIP at the Texas Department of Health in 2000 and became the Medical Director for the Medicaid CHIP Division of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in 2001. After seven years with state government, he accepted a position as Vice President of Medical Affairs and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. He became the Associate Chief Medical Officer at Seton Family of Hospitals in 2009 and the Chief Medical Officer in 2013.
Dr. Hellerstedt first entered public service as the Medical Director of the Bureau of Medicaid Managed Care and CHIP at the Texas Department of Health in 2000 and became the Medical Director for the Medicaid CHIP Division of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in 2001. After seven years with state government, he accepted a position as Vice President of Medical Affairs and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. He became the Associate Chief Medical Officer at Seton Family of Hospitals in 2009 and the Chief Medical Officer in 2013.