Staff Directory
Executive Director – Donna Nichols, MSEd, CHES
- With over 45 years of public health experience, Ms. Nichols is a highly qualified, motivated and skilled senior executive who can
develop and execute a mission-driven strategy in collaboration with public health board members, diverse staff, volunteers, and national, state and local partners. Her proven abilities are many from translating research findings and shared knowledge into scalable programs and evidence-based practice to being a successful resource developer, published author, and highly influential national and state partner and health policy advisor. She is a principled and distinguished leader of high performing teams that are accountable and results oriented. During her public health career, she has been recognized for her expertise and innovation by a former US President, a former US First Lady, the first African American Surgeon General and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on four separate occasions for her leadership in state and national health promotion practice.
Bastrop County Health Authority – Pompeyo Chavez, MD
- Dr. Pompeyo C. Chavez serves as the Health Authority for Bastrop County, where he plays a critical role in safeguarding public health by providing expert guidance on health-related issues, emergency response, and intervention strategies. With over two decades of medical experience, Dr. Chavez has been at the forefront of community health, working to protect and promote the well-being of Bastrop County residents. In his capacity as Health Authority, Dr. Chavez has been instrumental in shaping public health policies, coordinating emergency responses, and advising local government bodies on matters concerning disease prevention and health promotion. His extensive medical background in family medicine, coupled with his leadership in various medical and health organizations, has positioned him as a trusted advocate for the health and safety of the community. In addition to his public health role, Dr. Chavez has a distinguished career in private practice and medical leadership, including serving as Medical Director for multiple healthcare facilities, providing comprehensive care to patients, and emphasizing preventive health strategies. His commitment to community well-being and public health continues to make a significant impact in Bastrop County.
Clinical Services Administrator – Debra Seamans, MSN, RN
- Debra Seamans is a registered nurse consultant focused on the design, operation and continual improvement of public health services provided to patients, families and communities. Debra has over 25 years’ experience leading community health and managed care organizations. She holds a Master of Science degree in community health nursing with a minor in public policy from the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. Debra is a native Houstonian with a passion for rural Texas and its people.
Clinical Team Member – Carla Emery-Culberson, MD
- Carla describes herself as a “pioneer” who has been successful in breaking the “glass ceiling”. Educated in segregated schools
while growing up in Oklahoma City, Carla was one of four African American female students who successfully integrated one of the most affluent and largest all-white high schools in one of the most prestigious areas of the city. She was selected as the first African American Band Queen and graduated with honors in a class of 750 students. Carla is a leader in both her professional life and in the community. Carla holds a BS degree from Oklahoma State University in Biology and a teaching certificate. She was the first resident at the VA Medical Center in Waco, Texas, and assisted in developing the training responsibilities of the program for future residents. As the program continued, she became a mentor and advocate developing positive relationships with VA administrators and physicians. Carla entered private practice in 1983 as the only African American female physician in a 19-county area in Central Texas. She served as the “first and only” President of the Travis County Podiatric Medical Society for five years. While in office, Carla worked with her many colleagues to organize and bring a “renowned” national podiatric conference to Austin, Texas. She aligned the partnership with the Texas Podiatric Medical Association and the Doctors Hospital Surgical Symposium from Atlanta, Georgia in 1988-89. Her desire to increase her knowledge of public health and medicine in her community while continuing her practice led her to complete a master’s degree in public health from Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia in 2003.
Epidemiologist – Andrew Lam, MPH
- Andrew Lam is an Epidemiologist at the Bastrop County Public Health Department, specializing in disease
surveillance, 
outbreak investigations, and public health data analysis. With a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and ongoing doctoral studies at Texas A&M University, he applies his expertise in statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and epidemiological research to inform public health decisions. Andrew has previous experience in epidemiology at another county health department, developing epidemiological infrastructure, collaborating with healthcare partners, and providing data-driven insights to enhance community health outcomes. His work focuses on monitoring disease trends, conducting disease investigations, engaging with stakeholders, and strengthening public health preparedness in Bastrop County.
Information Specialist – Adriana Rodriguez, MA
- Adriana Rodriguez serves as the Bastrop County Public Health Department’s Information Specialist. She is
responsible for the “communication” aspect of the Health Department’s work, which includes connecting with partners, running the social media pages, and editing and distributing the bi-monthly newsletters. This means
she is often involved in many of the projects occurring at the Health Department. Adriana is also responsible for coordinating the Mental Health Coalition and their work with CredibleMind. She is currently a third-year doctoral student in the Texas A&M School of Public Health.
Grants Coordinator – Amy Mills
- Amy Mills coordinates grant-funded collaboratives for the Bastrop County Public Health Department. Amy is an
award-winning
social innovator and non-profit sector leader with over 20 years of experience leading and growing non-profit organizations. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. Edward’s University in Austin, and will complete a Master of Public Health at Tulane University in 2026. She is a seasoned nonprofit executive, most recently serving as the President & C.E.O. of Emancipet, a large veterinary healthcare provider, from 2006 – 2024. She lives in Bastrop with two cats, one dog, and one human.
Administrative Assistant – Angela Dorsey
- Angela Dorsey is the Administrative Assistant for the Bastrop County Public Health Department and is responsible for a variety
of administrative tasks including budget management, procedural documentation, and support to department team members. Angela has over 30 years of experience in administrative leadership and management and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Angela’s most notable work experience includes over 21 years in an administrative capacity at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, including 14 of those years as Assistant Director of the Real Estate Finance & Investment Center. Angela has also applied her many years of leadership and expertise to several Austin-area non-profit boards and organizations. A true native Austinite and a life-long lover of animals, she lives in the suburban hill country with two cats, two dogs, and one human.