UTMB Announcements for 1/28/2026

👓✨ January Optical Shop Specials! ✨👓

Refresh your look and your vision with these great savings:

🕶️ Buy One, Get 40% Off Your Second Pair
Perfect for prescription, sunglasses, or backup frames.

👁️ Contact Lens Savings
Purchase an annual supply of contact lenses and receive 10% off + FREE shipping and
enjoy 40% off a complete pair of frames and lenses.

Terms & conditions apply. Frame purchase required. Insurance/promotions cannot be applied to this discount.

Stop by one of our UTMB Optical Shop locations for more details and discover additional specials tailored to fit your budget and needs!

700 University Blvd                                    10121 Emmett F Lowry Expressway

Galveston                                                         Texas City

(409) 747-5823                                             (409) 978-4315

Thinking about retirement?

The HR Benefits Center is hosting a virtual TRS informational session on:

Friday February 6th, 2026, from 10:00am – 11:00am

This session will cover retirement benefit eligibility, required documentation,

and other critical items. To register for this retirement session, please click on the link below. 

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email, which will be saved to your Outlook calendar.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas Benefits Information Session

If you are unable to attend this retirement session, future dates for 2026 are listed below.

Please look for these dates in the UTMB Daily Announcements!

April 3^rd, 2026

June 5^th, 2026

August 7^th, 2026

October 2^nd, 2026

December4th, 2026

Thinking about retirement? The Human Resources Benefits Center is hosting a virtual Optional Retirement Program of Texas (ORP) informational session on:

Friday, February 6th, 2026, from 2:00pm – 3:00pm

This session will cover retirement benefits eligibility, required documentation, and other important critical items. To register for this retirement session, please click on the link below.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email, which will be saved to your Outlook calendar.

Optional Retirement Program of Texas Benefits Information Session

If you are unable to attend this retirement session, future dates for 2026 are listed below.  Please look for these dates in the UTMB Daily Announcements!

April 3^rd, 2026

June 5^th, 2026

August 7^th, 2026

October 2^nd, 2026

December 4^th, 2026

The institutional deadline to complete the 2026 Employee Demographic and Emergency Classification Form and have it approved by your leader is Friday, Jan. 30.

Please take a few minutes today to fill out this form if you have not already done so. The form can be accessed from any web-enabled device, including your phone, tablet, or computer, at https://utmb.us/ezo.

The form is essential to maintaining UTMB’s emergency readiness. It is used to assign employees to emergency classifications for notice incidents and emergency labor pool roles for no-notice incidents and to capture updates to your personal information, emergency contacts, and remote work arrangements.

For questions or assistance with the form, please contact your HR Employee Relations Advisor or CMC HR Consultant.

In celebration of Go Red for Heart Health, we’d love to see you and your team show off your brightest, boldest RED on Friday, February 6.

Grab a quick team selfie, a fun group shot, or even a “strike‑a‑pose” moment and send your photos to social@utmb.edu.

Let’s show some team spirit and keep hearts healthy together!

In celebration of Go Red for Heart Health, we’d love to see you and your team show off your brightest, boldest RED on Friday, February 6.

Grab a quick team selfie, a fun group shot, or even a “strike‑a‑pose” moment and send your photos to social@utmb.edu.

Let’s show some team spirit and keep hearts healthy together!

In celebration of Go Red for Heart Health, we’d love to see you and your team show off your brightest, boldest RED on Friday, February 6.

Grab a quick team selfie, a fun group shot, or even a “strike‑a‑pose” moment and send your photos to social@utmb.edu.

Let’s show some team spirit and keep hearts healthy together!

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a non-invasive, low-intensity brain stimulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on locomotor skill learning and training. We wish to look at how tDCS impacts learning and overall motor function in people with chronic stroke.

We are looking for adults who had a stroke at least 6 months and can walk safely with or without an assistive device (ex. cane) for more than 100 feet.

All participants will be compensated for their time!

PI: Shih-Chiao Tseng, PT, PhD shtseng@utmb.edu 409-772-9555

The Angleton Danbury Auxiliary is hosting a bi-monthly NACHOS and Pickles sale.

11am-3pm in the main lobby of the hospital

$5 for Nachos and $1 for a Pickle

We will deliver to your department (ADC campus only)

January 14th and 28th only

UTMB Pediatrics Educational Grand Rounds

Friday, January 30, 2026, 8:00 – 9:00 AM (Central Time)

Virtual: Microsoft Teams

 Meeting ID: 288 455 691 104 28; Passcode: y3Vs3dq9

Misha Syed, MD, MEHP

Assistant Dean for Educational Affairs, Office of Clinical Education

Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, Ophthalmology

Education Affairs

John Sealy School of Medicine

F. Marconi Monteiro, Ed.D.

Senior Medical Educator

Adjunct Associate Professor of Family Medicine

Educational Development

John Sealy School of Medicine

University of Texas Medical Branch

Effective Instruction & Feedback in the Clinical Setting

Objectives: Following this session, participants should be able to

• Discuss models for clinical teaching in different clinical settings
• Discuss models of effective feedbac
• Apply the ARCH model of feedback to learners in clinical settings

Administrative Professionals Association (APA)

February 2026 Monthly Lunch Meeting

Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Time: 12:00-1:00pm

Location: Administration Building, 2.204

Topic: AI For Admins: from Chaos to Copilot

Presented By: 

Darwin VanDyke

Director of Information SystemsDiscover how free Copilot, Teams Premium, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and Qualified Health can transform your work. See live demos, learn practical tips, and find out which AI tools fit your day-to-day tasks. Don't miss this opportunity to boost your productivity and let AI give you a hand! 

For additional information, please contact: Karen Andrews-Mack  kyandrew@utmb.edu 409.772.1904

Registration Deadline: COB Friday, January 30, 2026

Each week the Pastoral Care Department brings you a Moment of Hope and a Weekly Anchor to encourage you.

Weekly Anchor ⚓

Today’s anchor is an excerpt from a poem entitled “So God Made a Nurse.” by Jenny Albers. 

Moment of Hope

🦻Listen to today's Moment of Hope entitled “Spiritual Wellbeing,” by one of your UTMB Chaplains.

God said, “I need someone...

To care for the sick, the fragile, the broken, and the dying.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone...

Who has the heart of a servant and the will to sacrifice.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone...

Whose tenderness is directed toward people of every age and every background...”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone

To care for the sick, the fragile, the broken, and the dying.”

So God made a nurse.

God said, “I need someone...

Who has the heart of a servant and the will to sacrifice..”

So God made a nurse.

He said, “I need someone...

Who is mighty, compassionate, intelligent, creative, and humble.”

So God made a nurse.

God said “I need someone...

Who will answer one of my highest callings.”

Thank you, God for making a nurse.

Good afternoon.  This is the January IHOP monthly update.  Please find below the current IHOP information for review.

IHOPs Open for Comment

There are no IHOPs open for comment during January.

Updated IHOPs

The following IHOPs have received finalized updates in the prior month.

Substantive

IHOP 04.04.20 - Use of State Sales Tax Exemption Form

IHOP 06.01.10 - Self-Reporting of Overpayments

IHOP 08.01.31 - Medical Gas Cylinders (new IHOP)

2026 McLaughlin Colloquium Call for Abstracts

The McLaughlin Endowment Committee and the Institute for Human Infections & Immunity are pleased to announce that the annualIHII/McLaughlin Colloquium will beFriday, April 17th.  All UTMB predoctoral, postdoctoral and clinical fellows currently involved in infectious disease and immunity research are invited to submit abstracts for poster presentations. The abstract submission form is availableon the McLaughlin website at https://www.utmb.edu/mclaughlin/colloquium/colloquium-homeThe submission deadline is April 1, 2026.

Keynote address by

Joan Kenney, PhD

Microbiologist

Centers for Disease Control

Fort Collins Colorado

presenting
“Arboviruses: CDC’s Role in Ecological Interventions and Assessments”

All poster presenters will be eligible fortravelawards.

Keynote Lecture: 1-2pm

Final agenda to come

  LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS (CLINIC SIDE) – 1^ST FLOOR

AND

LEAGUE CITY HOSPITAL ENTRYWAY

Grace Anna’s Boutique offers $6. jewelry and much more – including

necklace sets, rings, bracelets, earrings, fashion accessories, scarves, 

dresses, tops, a great selection of scrubs at great prices, electronics, and more.

They’re also having a Lavish Linens Sale to include sheet sets and bamboo pillows.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26^TH

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28^TH  

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29^TH

8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30^TH

8:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS (CLINIC SIDE) – 1^ST FLOOR

AND

LEAGUE CITY HOSPITAL ENTRYWAY

Cash, debit cards, and credit cards are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

THE GOURMET CUPBOARD

CLEAR LAKE CAMPUS

The Gourmet Cupboard sells dry ingredients that, when mixed with wet ingredients,

make full meals, entrees, sides, soups, breads, dips, beverages, crock pot meals, etc. 

They also sell salsas, pickles, and spreads from Crosby, TX.

Easily plan your weekly meals!!!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29^TH

AND

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30^TH

8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

1^ST FLOOR – MAIN LOBBY

Cash, Debit Cards, MasterCard, Visa, Discover,

and American Express are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Online Graduate Certificate in Public Health

Designed for individuals holding a Bachelor's, Professional or Graduate degree who are ready to strengthen their public health expertise.

Program Highlights

• Flexible & Online: Purposefulky designed to meet the needs of working professionals.

• 14 Credit Hours | Two Semesters: Complete the certificate in as little as one academic year (Fall - 7 credit hours / Spring - 7 credit hours)

• Foundational Public Health Coursework: Policy & Equity, Applied Public Health Leadership, Analytical Methods, Assessment, Planning & Evaluation

• Pathway to the MPH: Certificate credits may be applied toward the MPH degree if completed within five years, offering a seamless transition for those who choose to continue.

• Career Advancement: Ideal for individuals seeking to expand career opportunities, strengthen credentials, or build a solid foundation in public health practice.

Calling all researchers and staff working with research animals! Would you like to learn more about working with research animals, writing an IACUC protocol, doing statistical analysis, or running a thorough literature search? This course will prepare researchers to plan, prepare, and conduct humane and compliant studies with animals according to federal and institutional laws, policies, and guidelines. Everyone is welcome.

Instructors: Judy Barnett, BS, CMAR, LATG, Sr. Protocol Advisor & Liaison, PAM Program, IACUC Research Regulations and Compliance, 266-9444, jlbarnet@utmb.edu; Katie Nelson, MA, PhD, Protocol Advisor & Liaison, PAM Program, IACUC Research Regulations and Compliance, 266-7021, khnelson@utmb.edu. Contact for class syllabus.

Where: Rebecca Sealy 1.126 Classroom

Pre-class Online Module goes live on March 16

The “Welcome to Animal Research at UTMB!” online module provides background information to prepare students for the in-class sessions. It is approximately 2 hours and registration is automatic with class registration.

In-Person Classes Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00-4:00 PM. Last class is 3:00-5:00 PM

April 1           IACUC Protocol Writing A

April 6           Literature Searches for IACUC Protocol Applications

April 8           IACUC Protocol Writing B

April 13         IACUC Protocol Writing C

April 15         Animal Number Justification and Experimental Design in IACUC Protocols

April 20         Animal Research and Society: Ethics, Extremists and Enthusiasm! (2 hours - 3:00-5:00 PM)

Guest Speakers: Dr. Doug Brining, DVM, Veterinarian and Executive Director for the Animal Resource Center; Heidi Spratt, PhD., Biostatistician, Office of Biostatistics; Alison R. DeVries, MLIS, Reference Librarian, Moody Medical Library; Gina Lungu, MS, PhD, CPIA, Director, Animal Welfare Office (AWO) Research Regulations and Compliance; Elise Smith, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Bioethics & Health Humanities Regulations and Compliance; Jeffrey S. Farroni, PhD, JD, Professor of Clinical Ethics and Director of Institutional Ethics Program

Please register by March 20

Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Nipocalimab or IVIG in Pregnancies At Risk of Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) FREESIA-3

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of an investigational medication in pregnancies at risk for FNAIT.

The FREESIA-3 clinical trial is enrolling participants who:

• Are 18 to 45 years old

• Are pregnant with an estimated gestational age (based on ultrasound) from week 8 to

18 ^6/7

• Have a history of at least 1 prior pregnancy with FNAIT

Additional eligibility criteria will be assessed by the study team.

All participants in the clinical trial will be reimbursed for study required travel and receive study required medical care at no cost and reimbursement for their participation. 

Please contact the study team at obgynrsu@utmb.edu 

We’re excited to help employees update their badges with the new logo!

Stop by one of our on‑campus pop‑up stations to get your updated badge sticker.

Pop‑Up Badge Times (2–4 PM):

• Thursday, January 29 – Clear Lake Campus, 2nd Floor outside the café
• Friday, January 30 – League City Campus, 1st Floor of the hospital
• Monday, February 2 –  Angleton campus, near the Administration office
• Wednesday, February 4 - Galveston Campus, 4th floor Jennie Sealy breezeway and John Sealy near the cafeteria

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program Presents

“Mechanistic Study of Temperature Sensitivity of Human Coronavirus OC43”

By

Xiangxue Deng

PhD Student

Mentor: Xuping Xie, PhD

Friday, January 30, 2026

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

HEC 3.206

SIGN UP FOR IPE TEAM TALK PODCAST TODAY

Elevating Voices. Empowering Teams

Join moderator

Dr. Ashley Parikh, EdD, MSHS, PTA

 Director of the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice and Quality Enhancement Plan at the Health Education Center

On

January 28th, 2026, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Location: MS Teams

Featured Guests

Dr. Sara North, Dr. Brian Sick, & Dr. Cheri Friedrich,

University of Minnesota

Register Here to Attend

Click here for latest news from Office of Interprofessional Education & Practice

Engage Me

“Engage Me” is a series that consists of virtual monthly sessions on a variety of topics designed for students to hear the voices of patients and caregivers.

Topic: Alzheimer’s

Thursday, January 29th, 2026, 3-5:00pm

Location: Virtual

Register Here to Attend

Click here for the latest news in OIPEP 

Greetings! Please read the following announcement sent on behalf of the UTMB Campus Bookstore.

The John Sealy School of Medicine’s MD Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. It is time to submit your commencement regalia rental orders!!

Please use the following link to submit your order for the regalia rental:  https://www.buildagrad.com/utmbsomedfaculty

• Google Chrome is recommended, but any browser should work provided Flash in enabled.
• If paying by PO, select “Pay with PO#”. Please do not include taxes when paying with a PO. Please get with your department’s administrative support for assistance with submitting your PO.
• If paying online, select “Pay Online”.
• Your email address is required to receive a confirmation.
• To avoid late fees, orders must be submitted by March 29, 2026

Note: Regalia will arrive the week before Commencement for distribution. An email will be sent when it is available to be picked up with designated days and times, along with the pick-up location.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Campus Store for assistance at (409) 772-1939.

February brings Mardi Gras celebrations to Galveston Island, and UTMB Catering is joining in the festivities. To mark the season, we are pleased to offer a Mardi Gras–inspired menu for events hosted on the UTMB Galveston campus.

Explore the flavors of Mardi Gras and add a festive touch to your next event by viewing the menu on our UTMB Catering Online Menu.