Students from all UTMB Schools are invited to enter the Hector P. Garcia Cultural Comptence Essay and Abstract Contests:

Deadline to submit essays: August 11, 2017 by 5pm

Deadline to submit abstract (max 275 words): Extended to August 4, 2017 by 5pm

Essays will be judged by members of the Hector P. Garcia Committee and will be evaluated on the writer's personal understanding of cultural competence and how he or she applies it in the delivery of quality health care. The winner of the essay contest will be presented with the award, as well as a $1,000 monetary award, at the annual luncheon held on September 8, 2017. The best abstracts will be invited to submit a poster for a poster session at the luncheon. A winner will be chosen by faculty and awarded $500. Please review the requirements and register on the website: https://www.utmb.edu/studentservices/hector-p-garcia-award

The Hector P. Garcia Committee and the Office of the President invite all faculty, staff, students, and public to attend the Hector P. Garcia Awards Luncheon celebrating the life of Hector P. Garcia, M.D., UTMB alumni, physician, veteran, community leader, and activist, and the winners of the Hector P. Garcia Cultural Competence Essay Contest and the Hector P. Garcia Abstract Contest.

Date: Friday, September 8, 2017, 11:30am to 1:00pm

Location: Levin Hall Dining Room

Guest Speaker: State of Texas Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa - http://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=20

For further information go to: https://www.utmb.edu/studentservices/hector-p-garcia-award

July 26th Session

2pm in Jennie Sealy 2.506A

Presenter: Patti Creighton, OT

Topic/Overview: Living with dementia: Caregiver strategies to promote safety and independence

Please encourage caregivers and family members to attend! 

"Time-Out “is a weekly educational/support session for caregivers and family members of UTMB patients, to support them in their adjustment and maintenance of their caregiving role.  These sessions will not be tied to a specific diagnosis- all caregivers and family members are welcome.  The hope is that these sessions will provide a chance for them to have “time out” to relieve some stress, have a little fun, build on care giving skills, decrease burnout and affirm that they are not alone in the role of caregiving.

These sessions are facilitated by UTMB students and staff and will occur every Wednesday at 2pm in Jennie Sealy 2.506A.  Sessions will last around 30 minutes and will address topics that falls into the following categories: Relaxation, Self-Care, Discharge Planning and Medical Topics.  

If you have questions or are interested in facilitating a session, please contact Savannah Parks at sjparks@utmb.edu or 409-266-7542

The Epic EMR system will be unavailable due to system maintenance on Saturday, July 29th, 2017, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm (1400-1600).  During this time, clicking on the Epic EMR icon will take you to a Read-Only version of Production Epic.

 Any issues during this time period should be directed to the UTMB Service Desk at ishelp@utmb.eduor extension 25200.

The Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Proudly Presents an

Oral Qualifying Exam Seminar by

Catherine Sampson

 Graduate Assistant

 “NmUR2 G Protein Signaling and Receptor Regulation in Obesity”

Friday, July 28^th, 2017

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

BSB Auditorium 2.212

Mentor: Jonathan D. Hommel, Ph.D.

UTMB Voice Operations will be migrating all UTMB voicemail users to a new voicemail system. Voice Operations has identified all active voicemail users and will be sending directed emails with instructions on how to access and setup the new voicemail box. The email will also address the retention of old voicemail messages. Voice Operations will begin the migration process the week of 7/31. Please send any questions or concerns to isvoice.operations@utmb.edu.

** ORDER UTMB FY 2017-18 CALENDAR/PLANNERS NOW **

End of FY2017 is fast approaching so place your orders now for FY 2017-18 Calendar/Planners. We fulfill requests in the order they are received, so don’t wait if you want to use this year's funds! Order online today at http://arweb7.utmb.edu/PSP/app/PSP_Start.asp  

Wide format printing, posters, banners, signs, brochures, flyers, postcards, mailers, folders—and so much more, in small or large quantities—we do it all.

Effective July 1, 2017 the Badge Office will be open Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm.

Effective July 12, 2017 the Police Administrative Office will be closed the second Wednesday of each month from 3:45pm – 5:00pm.

If you have any questions please, please contact Kim Vaughn – 772-0651.

Do You Want an Extra 40 Minutes of Sleep in the Morning? 

A Power Nap in the Afternoon?

Ride a Van!!

Save on gas:   Drive from home to the van pick-up spot
Parking fees:    Van driver parks the van
Maintenance costs on your vehicle:    Save an average of 250 miles per week on your vehicle

  Call or email for a test ride and more information!

Join our vanpool -- meet new friends, read, take a nap, help the environment!

 All hassle-free!

We have an immediate opening on our vanpool which leaves from Santa Fe on Highway 6
with pick up of additional riders in Hitchcock at Hwy. 6 and FM 2004.

We have several drop off locations on UTMB’s main campus in Galveston. 

8 am-5 pm work schedule.

Could your department benefit from a student worker? If so, UTMB students participate in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program through Enrollment Services. There is no cost to your department.

If you would like to learn more about FWS and get your name on the list to sign up,  please email Crystal Reeves at cmreeves@utmb.edu

The UTMB Center for Global Health Education is proud to announce a call for abstracts for the 6th Annual Global Health Education Symposium – The Role of Academic Institutions in Global Health Policy, Implementation, and Leadership to be held in Galveston, Texas on Saturday, October 14th, 2017.

We welcome abstracts from all fields involved in global health work (medical, research, social sciences, public health, health professions, etc...).

Trainees (students enrolled in a degree program, Residents, Postdoctoral Fellows, Clinical Fellows) will be automatically considered for monetary Poster Awards. 

Important Dates

July 6th – Call for abstracts opens

August 14th – Deadline for abstract submissions

Approximately September 11th – Notification of acceptance

October 14th – Presentation at symposium

Format Requirements

-      Abstracts should be submitted via online form (http://bit.ly/2tuFrlI)

-      Only .pdf files will be accepted for abstracts

-      The page size must be US letter

-      Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and titles no longer than 50 words

Abstract structure:

-      Background:In a few sentences, indicate the purpose and objective of the project, the hypothesis that was tested or a description of the problem being analyzed or evaluated.

-      Methods:Describe the setting/location for the project, study design, study population, ethical considerations, data collection and methods of analysis used.

-      Results:If available, present as clearly and detailed as possible the findings/outcome of the project, with specific results in summarized form.

-      Conclusions:Briefly discuss the data and main outcome of the study. Emphasize the implications of the results for future projects, policy, or research.

-When results or data are not available, a description of a final product or intended analysis is acceptable

-Previously published, presented, or unpublished work is welcome

All submissions will be peer reviewed by a project committee, which will select abstracts to be presented as posters, demonstrations, or oral presentations.

Symposium registration (Register Here!) is required to present but not to submit. The symposium will take place on October 14, 2017 in Levin Hall at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. 

For questions, please contact Dr. Caley Satterfield at casatter@utmb.edu. 

The following policy is available for review and comment:

IHOP - 08.01.30 - Hazard Communication Act

Comments on this new policy will be accepted until 5:00 pm July 28 and maybe submitted via email to policies@utmb.edu.

The annual enrollment period for the 2017–2018 benefits plan year is Saturday, July 15, to Monday, July 31. During this period, you may make changes to your benefits elections, add or remove dependents, and/or enroll in a flexible spending account.

To view or update your current coverage, log in to the My UT Benefits online system using the personal identification number provided to you by the UT System Office of Employee Benefits. No action is needed if you do not want to make any changes to your coverage; however, employees interested in a flexible spending account must actively enroll each year.

Your annual enrollment elections and new rate are effective Friday, Sept. 1.

Click here for more annual enrollment information, including an employee resource guide and a benefits cost worksheet.

Spending a lot of time at the doctor?

The Sealy Center for Vaccine Development-Clinical Trials Group is recruiting volunteers

50 years old or older for a Clostridium difficile vaccine clinical trial.

  Participants must be available for about 6 study visits over approximately 12 months.

Reimbursement for time and travel is provided

 Please contact Amy McMahan, LVN at (409)772-5278, (409)772-5409 or anmcmaha@utmb.edu for more information

The following policy is available for review and comment:

IHOP - 09.02.21 - Medical Record Number Assignment

Comments on this new policy will be accepted until 5:00 pm August 2 and may be submitted via email to policies@utmb.edu.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Announces – The Final Examination of

Kyle David Wilson

For the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

July 27, 2017

12:00 P.M.

SHP/SON 1.104

TITLE OF DISSERTATION

HYPERINFLAMMATORY EXPERIMENTAL CEREBRAL MALARIA: COAGULATION AND GLIAL CELL ACTIVATION IN PLASMODIUM CHABAUDI INFECTION OF IL-10-DEFICIENT MICE

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

Chair: Robin Stephens, PhD, Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Kathryn Cunningham, PhD, Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Gracie Vargas, PhD, Professor, Neuroscience and Cell Biology Graduate Programs, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Sara Dann-Grice, PhD, Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

A. Clinton White, MD, Professor, Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Johanna Daily, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

UTMB’s Institutional ADA Office will host a Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 12 to 1 p.m. in the League City Campus Hospital, Room 3.416.

The Lunch & Learn is open to all employees and managers, and it will address:

• Fundamentals of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 and related UTMB policies
• Differences between a temporary job modification and permanent job accommodation
• Process for requesting a temporary job modification or permanent job accommodation
• How to complete required documentation

There will also be a question and answer period at the conclusion of the presentation.

To register for the Lunch & Learn, click here. Seating is limited to the first 20 employees who register. Lunch will not be provided; however, employees are welcome to bring their own food items.

For questions or more information, please contact Lela Lockett-Ware at (409) 747-4818 or  lvlocket@utmb.edu.

Using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in Monitoring and Addressing Health Disparities

Thursday, August 17, 2017

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Levin Hall Dining Room

Organized by UTMB Center to Eliminate Health Disparities (CEHD)

The conference is designed to provide a platform for exchanging experience of employing electronic medical records (EMR) to address and monitor health disparities in patient populations. UTMB professionals and guest speakers will also be invited to discuss the use of EMR in supporting clinical decision making, enhancing the institutional priority setting process, and informing effective public policies.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Please register before 5:00 p.m. (CST), August 11, 2017

Registration link: https://redcap.utmb.edu/surveys/?s=EL7L9R8878

Pre-Conference survey link: https://redcap.utmb.edu/surveys/?s=D7ATLD8RN7

 CEHD is working to improve quality of care by addressing health and healthcare disparities in UTMB served populations.

Related published works: https://www.utmb.edu/hpla/health-disparities/publications

For additional information please contact: Wei-Chen Lee 

Email: weilee@utmb.edu   Phone: 409-747-2649

ITS Translational Research Scholars Career Development Program

(ITS Scholars)

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

KL2 Career Development Position

for an Assistant Professor

Engaged in Clinical or Translational Research

The ITS Translational Research Scholars Career Development (ITS Scholars) program engages early-stage investigators in a mentored research experience to support development of their externally funded research program in clinical and/or translational science. Scholars will work with their primary mentor to create an individual development plan outlining their planned educational activities, research projects, funding initiatives, and publications. Scholars will also participate in a series of seminars and workshops for junior faculty members preparing initial grant applications.

We plan to fund one new position for up to 3 years of 75% effort, or until the Scholar secures independent funding. Additional positions may be added based on the availability of funds. We will solicit applications annually to fill vacant or new positions.

Applicants must be members of an existing Multidisciplinary Translational Team (MTT) and should be early-stage investigators with doctoral degrees and full-time UTMB appointments at the level of Assistant Professor. Members of the Translational Research Scholars Program (TRSP) who do not have K12 support are also encouraged to apply. Applicants must also be US citizens or non-citizen nationals, or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

The ITS Scholars Program is funded by the NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (KL2TR001441), and is an integral component of UTMB’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). The CTSA is a program of the Institute for Translational Sciences, UTMB’s home for clinical and translational research.

Mandatory Letter of Intent is due August 4, 2017.

All application materials are due September 1, 2017.

See full program description and application instructions here.

The Caregiver Connection

Support group for family caregivers of adults with dementia and special needs

The group is open to all members of the community. Its next meeting is Wednesday, August 2nd, from 12:15 to 1:15 P.M., at the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, OLLI at UTMB, Suite B101, Sand Dollar Room, in Galveston.  Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches.

Participants will:

• Take part in group discussions led by licensed professionals from the UTMB Department of Family Medicine and Libbie’s Place Senior Day Program
• Discover the benefits of connecting with others and sharing your experiences
• Realize the importance of accepting your feelings and attending to your own needs
• Learn new coping strategies and ways to reduce caregiver strain
• Get tips for accessing community resources

NOW is the time to act. During open enrollment, you can set aside up to $2600 in the UT Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  account to spend towards weight loss services such as gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric balloon, vBloc, or the new medically supervised weight loss program. Please note that there is a $3000 deductible for  weight loss surgery, all other surgery-related costs are covered at 100%. The patient (employee or dependent) must be enrolled in the same UT Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plan for 3 consecutive years prior to surgery. For more information regarding eligibility and/or services, visit the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery or call 832-505-1500.

Call for Abstracts

Our world is witnessing an unprecedented increase in human mobility with more than one billion people, one of every seven, categorized as in-country displaced or international migrants. Between 1990 and 2013 a remarkable increase in migration occurred in the Americas with the immigrant population increasing by 78 percent from 34 million to 61 million. Many of the migrants suffer from poor health status and a lack of access to quality health care services.

The conference aims to deepen the understanding of the complexity of factors that impact the health of migrants and their navigation of the health system. It seeks to create a multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance effective strategies to address the social determinants of immigrants’ health including their access to health care.

We welcome posters and/or art (e.g. drawings, photography, and films) submissions that address one or more of the following themes:

• Size of the migration phenomenon (globally, nationally, and locally)
• Health outcomes and access to health care
• Social determinants that shape health outcomes and access to care
• Suggested actions and solutions

The poster abstracts should cover the learning objectives and provide a description of the topic in no more than 250 words. The abstract and subsequently the poster may describe research findings, stories from the field, and the theoretical framework for suggested actions/policies. 

The art abstract should cover, in no more than 250 words, the broad idea of the artwork, how it relates to the abstract themes, and the space expected to display the work. Artwork can include, but is not limited to, drawings, film, photographs and sculptures. If the art is already completed, please include a link to view it online or embed it in the PDF. Artwork need not to be complete for consideration. 

Proposals should be submitted by August 31, 2017 using the submission link below.

Abstract link: https://www.utmb.edu/migrants/call-for-abstracts

Session participants will be asked to vote on the posters and artwork during the conference. The top three from each category will be recognized during the conference closing session.

The Center to Eliminate Health Disparities is working to improve quality of care by addressing health and healthcare disparities in UTMB served populations. Please view related published works at https://www.utmb.edu/hpla/health-disparities/publications.

For information please contact Hani Serag at haserag@utmb.edu or 409-747-2634

REGISTER NOW! Who Cares for the Health of Migrants?

Conference registration is now open. This two day event will be held on October 11 and 12, 2017 on the UTMB Galveston Campus in Levin Hall.

The conference is jointly organized and co-sponsored by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF), and Oxfam-America.

Its aim is to consolidate a constructive policy dialogue among relevant stakeholder groups deepening the understanding of the complexity of factors impacting the health of migrants and their navigation of the health system.These stakeholders include immigrant residents, law and policy-makers, government leaders, healthcare professionals, health system administrators, academicians, community-based service providers, and international and multi-lateral organization representatives.

Presentations will include featured US-based and international speakers who will share a combination of stories from the field, policy analysis and research findings.

Registration link: https://www.utmb.edu/migrants/registration

Submit Poster or Artwork abstract: https://www.utmb.edu/migrants/call-for-abstracts

For more information, visit the conference website:  https://www.utmb.edu/migrants

The Center to Eliminate Health Disparities (CEHD) is a division of the UTMB Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs (HPLA). CEHD strives to improve quality of care by addressing health and healthcare disparities in UTMB served populations. Please view related published works at https://www.utmb.edu/cehd/resources.

For additional please information contact:

Hani Serag  Email: haserag@utmb.edu Phone: 409-747-2634 or

Shannon Guillot-Wright Email: spguillo@utmb.edu Phone: 409-356-3781