Hidalgo County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation recognizing Dr. John P. Renaud for his 47-year academic career and his service to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, marking his retirement effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Why it matters: The proclamation highlights local-university partnerships and an Area Health Education Center (AHEC) grant that targets increased access to primary health care in rural and underserved communities within the county.

Doctor John P. Renaud, identified in the proclamation as senior associate dean for community health partnerships and principal investigator for the AHEC program grant at UTRGV, received the proclamation in the courtroom. The text of the proclamation, read on the record, notes Renaud's recruitment to UTRGV in 2012, his prior roles in health-sciences education, and that he was principal investigator on a five-year, $3,750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase primary-care access in rural and underserved areas including parts of Hidalgo County.

Speaking after the court read the proclamation, Dr. Renaud said he appreciated the recognition and emphasized the role of community partnership. "This is just another beginning," Renaud said, adding that community trust and local partners were essential to the work. He also quipped about his age in a light-hearted remark: "I just turned 50 last night. So, fast learner." The court heard brief remarks from Hector Trejo, a UTRGV medical student who said, "On behalf of the medical school, the community, and also San Carlos, we thank you for your leadership," and asked Renaud to enjoy a "restful and enriching retirement."

The proclamation also thanked community partners by name (including San Carlos community leaders) and cited Renaud's record of grants and publications and his Peace Corps service in Guatemala. The court approved the proclamation by voice vote.