Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The City of Brownsville announced the appointment of Joanna Medina as the new Assistant Director for the Department of Health, Wellness and Animal Services.
Ms. Medina brings 14 years of dedicated service with the City of Brownsville, along with professional experience in human resources, organizational development and animal services. Her appointment reflects the City’s continued commitment to strengthening public health, animal welfare and community-centered services through experienced and compassionate leadership.
Ms. Medina most recently served as a Human Resources Business Partner for the City, where she supported multiple departments by helping strengthen operations through employee engagement, leadership development and organizational strategy. Her work has consistently focused on building strong teams and fostering a culture where
employees feel empowered to serve the community with excellence.
“Prior to her role in Human Resources, Joanna played an impactful role in Animal Services, contributing to key initiatives focused on community outreach, humane care and innovative programming,” said Dr. Art Rodriguez, DNP, MPH, Director of Health, Wellness and Animal Services. “She was also part of the team behind Brownsville Animal Services’ successful Guinness World Records achievement on Dec. 10, 2022, a milestone that brought national
recognition to the City’s commitment to animal welfare and community engagement. We’re excited to welcome her back to BARCC.”
Her combined experience in animal services and organizational leadership has shaped her people-first approach to public service: supporting employees, strengthening systems and delivering compassionate, high-quality service to both residents and animals.
In her new role, Ms. Medina will help lead initiatives that advance public health, animal welfare and community well-being, with a strong focus on operational excellence, team development and community trust.
“It is truly an honor to step into this role and continue serving the City of Brownsville,” Medina said. “My passion has always been rooted in people and purpose, supporting our teams, strengthening our services and ensuring we make a positive difference for both residents and animals in our community.”
