El Paso, TX – The University Medical Center Foundation is proud to announce that Interim Executive Director and Program Director of Community Programs Carolyn Williams has been recognized with the 2026 Texas Traffic Safety Award from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for her work in transforming UMC Foundation’s El Paso Health Car Seat Safety Program into the largest child passenger safety program in the region.
The Texas Traffic Safety Award recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to improving roadway safety across the state. Each year, 10 individuals are recognized statewide, including five Law Enforcement award recipients and five Traffic Safety Professional award recipients across five traffic safety categories. Williams received the award in the Child Passenger Safety – Traffic Safety Professional category.
The Child Passenger Safety – Traffic Safety Professional Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to protecting children traveling on Texas roadways. Recipients are honored for their leadership, professionalism, and dedication to improving child passenger safety through education, outreach, and evidence-based practices that save lives. The award specifically recognizes professionals whose work has advanced child passenger safety outside of traditional law enforcement through public health initiatives, community partnerships, advocacy, education, training, and efforts to promote the proper use of child restraints.
For the past 12 years, Williams has led the growth of the UMC Foundation’s El Paso Health Car Seat Safety Program, which has been supported through the generous support of El Paso Health for the past nine years. Since its launch in 2014, the program has hosted more than 130 community events, educated more than 4,400 caregivers, evaluated the safe transportation of more than 7,000 children, and provided more than 6,500 child safety seats to families throughout the region.
“This recognition reflects the impact of the UMC Foundation’s El Paso Health Car Seat Safety Program and the incredible partnerships that have made it possible,” said Carolyn Williams, Interim Executive Director and Program Director of Community Programs for the UMC Foundation. “For the past 12 years, our mission has been to improve safe travel for children in our community. We are grateful to El Paso Health, and all of our participating certified child passenger safety technicians, volunteers, and community partners for making that mission possible.”
“Carolyn has been the driving force behind one of the region’s most impactful injury prevention initiatives,” said Jacob Cintron, President and CEO of the El Paso County Hospital District. “Her vision, leadership, and dedication have helped build a program that not only serves hundreds of families each year but also reflects our commitment to improving the health and safety of our community through prevention, education, and partnership. Her passion, combined with the unwavering support of El Paso Health and our community partners, has created a program that changes lives every day. We couldn’t be prouder to see Carolyn recognized with this prestigious statewide honor.”
The UMC Foundation’s El Paso Health Car Seat Safety Program continues to serve families through free child passenger safety events held one Saturday each month at locations throughout the city. During these events, certified child passenger safety technicians provide car seat inspections, installation instruction assistance, and child passenger safety education to help children travel safely. Families who qualify may also receive a free child safety seat. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance by visiting umcfoundationelpaso.org or by calling (915) 521-7229.
About University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso:
University Medical Center (UMC) Foundation of El Paso promotes and advocates for viable pathways to health equity, wellness, and high quality of life for all through philanthropy, community education, capacity building, participatory research, and patient care services. For more information, please visit umcfoundationelpaso.org.
