Courtney Phillips

Dr. Courtney N. Phillips serves as executive commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), the largest state agency system committed to improving the health, safety and well-being for millions of Texans who rely on HHS services. HHS comprises more than 40,000 team members, operates a $78.5 billion budget for the 2020–21 biennium and manages more than 220 programs ranging from health care, food safety and benefits to public health tracking and regulation of child care, nursing and health care facilities.

Since joining Texas Health and Human Services in October 2018, Dr. Phillips oversaw the creation of the system’s inaugural business plan, Blueprint for a Healthy Texas, which serves as a guide for the agency to transform into a more efficient, effective and responsive system.

Under her leadership, Texas HHS has continued to transform inpatient psychiatric care through the construction and renovation of state hospitals across Texas and expanded its newborn screening program.

Before joining Texas HHS, Dr. Phillips served for three years as the chief executive officer of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and spent 12 years with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals in a variety of roles, giving her keen insight into all health and human services operations.

She attributes her leadership abilities to her focus on establishing a can-do culture, clear priorities, efficient business processes and dynamic stakeholder relationships.

Dr. Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University, and a Ph.D. in public policy from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She continued honing her process-improvement skills by earning an Executive Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma.

Away from the office, Dr. Phillips’ passions include spending time with her son, Langston, and exploring the great state of Texas.