Harold Timboe, M.D., (with certificate) is flanked by (from left) commissioners Lyle Larson, Tommy Adkisson, Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez, and Paul Elizondo, and County Judge Nelson Wolff.
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The Bexar County Commissioners Court on Aug. 21 honored Harold Timboe, M.D., with the Hidalgo Award, the highest honor in Bexar County. Dr. Timboe retired July 15 as associate vice president for research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The commissioners honored Dr. Timboe for his overall leadership and prominence as a Bexar County citizen, as well as for his contributions through his military career and in the field of medicine. He was recognized for his role in preparing for and in implementing the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations and in preparing the city’s bid for the Department of Homeland Security National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). He also served on the Brooks Development Authority.

Hidalgo title
Historically, the title of Hidalgo was conferred by decree of the king of Spain on settlers from the Canary Islands who responded to the crown’s appeal for people to come to the Province of the New Philippines (Texas) in 1718. Today it is conferred by Bexar County Commissioners Court on citizens who are deemed worthy of the historic and exalted title for their achievements or community service.

Continuing to contribute
“I feel blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to do some public service work that will benefit the citizens of San Antonio and Bexar County,” Dr. Timboe said. Even though he plans to join many of his family members who now live in Arkansas, the retired Army major general will continue his involvement with several initiatives in San Antonio including the selection process of the NBAF and the growth of military medicine involving education, research and trauma care. “Our collaborations with military medicine will be an important component of the Health Science Center’s application for the National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award,” he said.

Nominated by Commissioner Lyle Larson
Dr. Timboe was nominated for this honor by Precinct 3 Commissioner Lyle Larson. “Dr. Timboe was an integral part of the team that successfully brought the BRAC-related medical missions into our community. His guidance and leadership is greatly appreciated,” Larson said. “And if we are successful in attaining the NBAF, it will be a result of the insight and leadership provided by him.”

Health Science Center contributions
President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., added, “Dr. Timboe is certainly worthy of this great honor. At the Health Science Center, his operational and administrative leadership helped us achieve many milestones during his five-year career. Some of his most important contributions were helping to organize and establish the office of the vice president of research, leading medical and research initiatives in the community on our behalf, and enhancing relationships with our military partners.”

He also assisted in the development of 10 new buildings, three new campuses and several major renovations, including the addition of Bio-Safety Level 3 lab and an expansion of Lab Animal Resources, among other accomplishments.