Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

February’s Cancer Prevention Month highlights the importance of early intervention, risk reduction, and timely screening in reducing cancer burden. Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play a critical role in advancing these efforts across the continuum of care.

UTMB launched a new partnership with Wambi, a new recognition platform, in December. By partnering with Wambi, we are reinforcing our commitment to compassion, integrity, respect, and lifelong learning. Use Wambi to recognize colleagues for a job well done, share gratitude, and celebrate wins.

As part of UTMB’s efforts to continually enhance our services to patients, a new feature is being introduced to our physician and provider directory. The new directory will feature a toggle that will enable search enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI), a capability developed internally at UTMB.

When Jessica Wu, MD, talks about surgery, she doesn’t describe procedures so much as problem solving. Every patient, every hernia, every repair is different; that challenge is what drew her to a career in minimally invasive surgery. She is now part of UTMB’s faculty in the Department of Surgery,

Urologic cancers require a careful balance of technical expertise and personalized care. Jamaal C. Jackson, MD, brings both to his urologic oncology practice at UTMB, combining advanced surgical training, active research involvement, and a patient-centered approach shaped by personal experience.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the CPT codes for lower extremity revascularization have changed. They are organized by the artery as well as straightforward complexity with stenosis (some blood flow) or complex with occlusion (no blood flow).

Congratulations to Kimberly Grayson, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She was the lucky winner randomly chosen from all those who correctly identified the Administration Building in Galveston.

Welcome to UTMB Health!

UTMB Health is pleased to announce that Nephrology consultation services are now available for both inpatients and outpatients at the Clear Lake Campus (CLC).

Starting January 27, 2026, UTMB will begin Phase 1 of a two-phase rollout of Spanish-language support in MyChart, expanding access for our Spanish-speaking patients.

Extensive training and a wide breadth of experience have given Laurence Ducker, MD, a unique perspective on patient care. A recent addition to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, he is passionate about many aspects of vision care and eager to build upon what the department offers.

As the Department of Family Medicine continues to evolve with a greater focus on community engagement, population health, and improving health outcomes that matter to communities across Texas, it recently adopted a new name: the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.

Extensive training and a wide breadth of experience have given Laurence Ducker, MD, a unique perspective on patient care. A recent addition to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, he is passionate about many aspects of vision care and eager to build upon what the department offers.

The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics within the Department of Pediatrics at UTMB Hospitals is expanding its Advanced Practice Provider workforce with the integration of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). This addition reflects an intentional evolution of the division’s care model in response to the increasing prevalence, complexity, and acuity of pediatric mental, behavioral, developmental, and learning concerns.

Effective January 1, 2026, G0136 has a new definition. CMS proposed to delete this code for 2026. Due to public comments, CMS chose to keep the code but has changed its definition.

Welcome to UTMB Health!

Congratulations to Natalie Royer, DO, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Pediatrics. She was the lucky winner randomly chosen from all those who correctly identified the fish artwork at the Primary Care Pavilion in Galveston.

The Department of Rehabilitation Services has provided guidelines for pre- and post- lumbar punctures at Galveston Campus. These guidelines are designed to coordinate care and ensure limited disruption to further patient care in the hospital.

The Division of Rheumatology is excited to expand its consultation service to the mainland, with service to hospital patients at the League City Campus (LCC).

Members of the UTMB community can bring holiday cheer to pediatric patients through the annual Blue Santa Project toy and book drive. Drop off an unwrapped toy or book for any age by Dec. 15.