UTMB Announcements for 11/7/2025

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Check the Events Calendar for today.

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WE Summit 2025
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY AT THE LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS FOR BEYOND BLING BOUTIQUE!!!
TODAY: SON Nursing PhD Dissertation Defense - Kennessa Landry
ITS Research Ethics Consultation Service
Nacho's and Pickles Sale - ADC Auxiliary
Clinical Ethics Journal Club (November)
UTMB Pediatrics Grand Rounds
November IHOP Monthly Update
UTMB Optical Retail Shop Fall Black Friday Sale!

Repeat AnnouncementsFirst Published
State Employee Charitable Campaign 202511/6/2025
Seeking healthy babies for Pneumococcal Vaccine11/3/2025
UTMB POLICE Bicycle Maintenance11/5/2025
Research Volunteers - Brain Stimulation Study for post-stroke gait improvements11/3/2025
R. Paez - Microbiology and Immunology Student Research Update Seminar – 11/7/2511/3/2025
AZALEA Clinical Trial for pregnancies at risk of Hemolytic Disease of the fetus and Newborn (HDFN)11/4/2025
Now Recruiting: Neonatal Platelet Transfusion Threshold Trial (NeoPlaTT)11/5/2025
Transfusion Services (Blood Bank) LIS Update11/5/2025
Blood Bank Transition to SoftBank11/4/2025
IT Services: VMware Image upgrade on Avaya Servers on November 12, 2025 9:00pm to 11:00pm11/5/2025
National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week11/5/2025
HPTM Translational Research Seminar Series - Maura Ortiz-Camacho, MD 11-11-2511/6/2025
Are you ready to walk? Bay Area Heart Walk - Nov. 1511/6/2025

WE Summit 2025
First Published 11/7/2025
Research Faculty and Medical Students
WE Summit 2025 - We Learn, We Empower, We Grow
Thursday, November 13, 2025, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 
Researchers and medical students, you are invited to the largest research networking event on campus to pair medical students to research mentors.
 
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM 
Location: HEC, 3rd floor, Room 3.222
Refreshments and finger foods provided.
 
 
Join us for the fourth annual WE Summit on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the HEC, 3rd floor. This event focuses on networking and connecting medical students with faculty researchers while celebrating our collective achievements. Researchers, we encourage you to attend and engage with students about the research opportunities in your field. You’re welcome to bring materials such as flyers, banners, or laptops to showcase your work, or let us know if you need any printed signs or flyers. Tent cards will be provided.

Faculty registration: https://forms.office.com/r/gqnZ69rnJp

We are excited to provide an amazing opportunity to all medical students to engage and network with research faculty looking to mentor student research. Register at the link below, space is limited. 
 
Medical Students, click here to registerhttps://forms.office.com/r/frKj2Drq0e
 
 
For questions, please contact:
Berengaria Navarre, MS, MFA, Assistant Director, COEPAR, bcnavarr@utmb.edu 
Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Berengaria Navarre     For: Center of Excellence for Professional Advancement and Research     Phone: 4097722780
 
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TODAY IS THE LAST DAY AT THE LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS FOR BEYOND BLING BOUTIQUE!!!
First Published 11/7/2025

 

LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS FRIDAY

 

Beyond Bling Boutique offers a lot of bling fashion jewelry

ranging from $3.00 - $25.00, including bracelets, charm

necklaces, rings, earrings, fashion headbands, bows,

 freshies, diffusers (for your car), and wristlets.

 

       FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH      

9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

 

LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS (CLINIC SIDE) - 1ST FLOOR

 

Credit cards, Debit cards, Cash App, and Venmo are accepted.

 

Proceeds benefit Patient and Volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

 

Contact:     Email: Mary Moody     For: Volunteer Services     Phone: (409) 772-2549
 
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TODAY: SON Nursing PhD Dissertation Defense - Kennessa Landry
First Published 11/7/2025

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON

SCHOOL OF NURSING

 

Announces – The Final Examination of

 

Kennessa Landry

 

For the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

 

November 7, 2025

9:00 am

1.104 SHP/SON Building

 

TITLE OF DISSERTATION

Validating the Nursing Practice Readiness Scale in New Graduate Nurses in the United States

 

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

Chair: Patricia Blair, PhD, Associate Professor, Nursing PhD Program, School of Nursing, UTMB Galveston, Texas

Sandra Hanneman, PhD, Professor, Nursing PhD Graduate Program, Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth

Shatoi King, PhD, Assistant Professor, Nursing PhD Program, School of Nursing, UTMB Galveston, Texas

Juanita Norton, PhD, Program Manager, Department of Nursing Science and Innovation, UTMB Galveston, Texas

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Belinda Vela     For: Nursing PhD Program     Phone: 409-772-8206
 
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ITS Research Ethics Consultation Service
First Published 11/7/2025

Institute for Translational Sciences Research Ethics Consultation Service (RECS)

 
 
 

DO YOU NEED....

Guidance with a research ethics issue? Help preparing your IRB application (protocol, consent)?

Assistance with understanding an IRB deferral? Advice on handling a research integrity issue (team dynamics, power dynamics, authorship)?

 

The Institute for Translational Sciences Research Ethics Consultation Service (RECS) provides highly qualified experts in these areas who are available for consultation at NO COST.

All consultations are confidential.

To learn more or to request a consultation, please contact RECS@utmb.edu

 

Contact:     Email: Kim Raschke     For: Institute for Translational Sciences     Phone: 4097725746
 
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Nacho's and Pickles Sale - ADC Auxiliary
First Published 11/7/2025

NACHOS and PICKLES 

Auxiliary Fundraiser

Main Lobby 

11-3pm

$5 for Nachos, $1 for Pickles 

Contact:     Email: Michael A Washburn     For: Wellness Center     Phone: 9798648441
 
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Clinical Ethics Journal Club (November)
First Published 11/7/2025

Our next journal club meeting will be Monday, November 10, from 11 AM to 12 PM.

Paper: “We Are the Ethics Police” by Abe Brummett

Discussion Leader: Jeff Farroni, director of clinical ethics service

You can find the article here, or email Xiang Yu at xiayu@utmb.edu for a PDF of the article. We'll meet at the big conference room outside of SPPH (University Health Clinics 4.108), but there is also an option to join via Teams. Sign up here if you would like to volunteer to discuss a paper of your choice at a future meeting. 

Email me if you’d like to be added to the mailing list and be kept in the loop about future meetings.

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: XIANG YU     For: Bioethics and Health Humanities     Phone: 8067023434
 
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UTMB Pediatrics Grand Rounds
First Published 11/7/2025

UTMB Pediatrics Grand Rounds


Friday, November 14, 2025, 8:00 – 9:00 AM (Central Time)

Virtual: Microsoft Teams

Meeting ID: 283 881 251 598 51; Passcode: St2XU3Dg

Dial in by phone

+1 409-240-0721,,782143256#

 

Pamela Lupo, MD

Associate Professor

Pediatric Neurology

 

Department of Pediatrics 

 

University of Texas Medical Branch

 

Evaluation & Initial Management of Headache in Children & Adolescents

ObjectivesFollowing this session, participants should be able to

  • Differentiate primary vs secondary headaches
  • Elicit a good headache history
  • Better determine which patients need further evaluation or imaging
  • Effectively treat episodic migraine
  • Become familiar with treatments for migraine prevention
Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Blanca Araujo     For: Department of Pediatrics     Phone: 409-772-0192
 
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November IHOP Monthly Update
First Published 11/7/2025

Good Afternoon.  This is the November IHOP monthly update.  Please find below the current IHOP information for review.

IHOPs Open for Comment

All committees, workgroups, and employees are invited to comment on the proposed changes through the end of the month.  Comments on these policies will be accepted until 5:00 pm on 11/30/25 and may be submitted via email to policies@utmb.edu.   Any comments written directly on to the draft policy via the website are unable to be accepted.

IHOP 03.03.07 - New Employee Probationary Period

IHOP 03.06.00 - Paid Time Off

IHOP 03.06.06 - Official Holidays

IHOP 03.06.08 - Parental Leave

IHOP 03.06.10 - Extended Illness Bank (EIB)

IHOP 03.06.11- Reduced Paid Leave (RPL) issues

IHOP 03.06.18 - Paid Parental Leave Grant (New Proposed Policy)

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 Proposed Policy)  

 

There are no new approved IHOPs for this period.

 

Contact:     Email: Mari Robinson     For: Compliance     Phone: 409-772-9120
 
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UTMB Optical Retail Shop Fall Black Friday Sale!
First Published 11/7/2025

🕶️ Visit Black Friday Early Access + Sale! 🛍️

Early Access | November 18–20
Be the first to shop our biggest eyewear sale of the year!

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Black Friday Sale | November 21–December 1 

Enjoy the same great savings all week long:
30% off a complete pair
50% off additional pairs

Don’t miss your chance to refresh your look and save big on quality eyewear!

 

👁️‍🗨️ Ask our opticians for details.

 

Some restrictions and exclusions apply. Complete pair purchase required.

See a site team member for details.Insurance and other promotions cannot be combined with these discounts.

Stop by one of our conveniently located UTMB Optical Retail Shop locations Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM for more details and discover additional specials tailored to fit your budget and needs! Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday November 27 and 28.

Eye Center, Galveston 

700 University Blvd, Galveston                                              
(409) 747-5823                              

 

Eye Center, Texas City

10121 Emmett F Lowry Expressway, Texas City

(409) 978-4315

 

Need an updated prescription? Call 409-747-5800 for an appointment to schedule your annual comprehensive eye exam at one of our UTMB Health Eye Center locations in Galveston, Texas City, League City and Friendswood.

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: UTMB Optical     For: UTMB Ophthalmology     Phone: 409-747-5823
 
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State Employee Charitable Campaign 2025
First Published 11/6/2025

The 2025 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) is underway! For 31 years, UTMB employees have joined thousands of state workers to support nonprofits that change lives across Texas and beyond.

Last year, 14,000 state employees donated $4.4 million—over $321,000 came from more than 1,000 UTMB team members, making us one of the top contributors in the state. Your generosity provided meals for children, housing assistance, educational programs, veteran services, cancer support, environmental advocacy, and more.

This year, let’s continue that tradition. SECC makes it easy to give to causes you care about—education, health, animal welfare, disaster recovery, and hundreds more. You can pledge online, by paper, or via credit card.

Learn more and make your pledge at the 2025 SECC website.

Thank you for more than three decades of giving to help strengthen our communities!

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Employee Advisory Council and SECC Volunteers     For: Employee Advisory Council and SECC Volunteers     Phone: (409) 256-9600
 
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Seeking healthy babies for Pneumococcal Vaccine
First Published 11/3/2025

The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences-Clinical Trials Program is seeking parents of infants possibly interested in participating in a clinical trial for a new multivalent pneumococcal investigational vaccine.

Participants must be healthy babies between 42 and 89 days old who have not yet had any of their pneumonia vaccines.

This clinical trial will study whether the investigational vaccine may provide additional protection to the standard recommended pneumococcal vaccine currently available.

Participating families will be compensated for their time and travel to appointments.

This study will have at least 6 in person visits and lasts approximately 19 months.

 

Please contact:

Milta Gilmore, LVN at (409)772-5278 email: mjgilmor@utmb.edu

Or scan the QR code below for a questionnaire:

Contact:     Email: Milta Gilmore     For: Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences     Phone: (409) 772-5278
 
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UTMB POLICE Bicycle Maintenance
First Published 11/5/2025

Due to upcoming patrol commitments, training and the holidays, the UTMB Police Department will conduct the upcoming November Bicycle Maintenance Initiative on Thursday November 13th and Thursday November 20th.  On November 13th, Bicycle maintenance will be held at the Moody Medical Library and on November 20th, Bicycle Maintenance will be held at the Health Education Center. We apologize for any inconvience this may cause. Once again, the UTMB Police Department will be conducting "free basic" Bicycle Maintenance. The maintenance provided includes air in the tire and oil on the chain. The UTMB PD will also register bicycles. Registering bicycles helps to deter bicycle theft and it also aids law enforcement in the recovery of lost/stolen bicycles. Those registering their bicycles will receive a free U-lock and lights for their bicycles (while supplies last). The service will be held at 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and is provided to all UTMB Students, Faculty, and Staff. All are required to have valid identification and their UTMB ID badge. If you have any questions, please contact Corporal Dorsey at 409-772-2691.  

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Corporal Curtis Dorsey     For: UTMB Police Department     Phone: 409-772-2691     Fax: 409-772-0524
 
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Research Volunteers - Brain Stimulation Study for post-stroke gait improvements
First Published 11/3/2025

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

Contact:     Email: Shih-Chiao Tseng     For: Physical Therapy and Rehab Sciences     Phone: 409-772-9555
 
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R. Paez - Microbiology and Immunology Student Research Update Seminar – 11/7/25
First Published 11/3/2025

The Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program Presents

 

“MGL-mediated regulation of macrophage immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis”

By

Reina Paeaz

PhD Candidate

 

Mentors:Janice Endsley, PhD and Brendan Prideaux, PhD

Research Interests:

Bacterial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, innate immunology, and cellular metabolism

 

Friday, November 7, 2025

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

HEC 3.206

 

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Aneth Zertuche     For: Microbiology and Immunology     Phone: 22322
 
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AZALEA Clinical Trial for pregnancies at risk of Hemolytic Disease of the fetus and Newborn (HDFN)
First Published 11/4/2025

Efficacy and safety of nipocalimab in pregnancies at risk for severe HDFN: A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo- Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study.

 

What is the purpose of the study?

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

 

The Azalea clinical trial is enrolling participants who:

 

• Have tested positive for red cell antibodies

• Have been diagnosed with HDFN in a prior pregnancy

• Are 18 to 45 years old and are currently pregnant (less than 18 weeks)

 

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 or lead clinical research coordinator: gusherna@utmb.edu

Contact:     Email: Gustavo S. Hernandez Martinez     For: OB/GYN RSU     Phone: 409-370-8383
 
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Now Recruiting: Neonatal Platelet Transfusion Threshold Trial (NeoPlaTT)
First Published 11/5/2025

Neonatal Platelet Transfusion Threshold Trial (NeoPlaTT)

 

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to figure out which platelet count may be best for platelet transfusion in the most premature babies. We will also compare outcomes in premature babies transfused with a higher or lower platelet count level. Our goal is that our platelet transfusion study will help doctors and nurses know when to provide a transfusion.

 

The NeoPlaTT clinical trial is enrolling participants with:

• A gestational age of 23 0/7 to 26 6/7 weeks AND <48h postnatal age

 

Patients who demonstrate a decrease in platelet levels will be randomized into one of two (high vs. low) threshold groups and transfused according to their randomized group. Additional eligibility criteria will be assessed by the study team.

 

Information gathered from this study may help other babies with low platelet counts in the future, however, there is no direct benefit to those who choose to participate in this study.

 

Please contact the study team at obgynrsu@utmb.edu or lead clinical research coordinator: tnbischo@utmb.edu

Contact:     Email: Thomas Bischoff Ogas     For: OBGYN Research Support Unit (RSU)     Phone: 409-370-8383
 
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Transfusion Services (Blood Bank) LIS Update
First Published 11/5/2025

The Blood Banks across all UTMB campuses will be transitioning to our new Laboratory Information System (LIS), SoftBank, on Sunday, November 9th.

During this transition, there will be a planned downtime to allow for data migration from our legacy system. Please anticipate temporary delays in blood bank testing and blood product dispensing during this period.

All clinical workflow changes will be communicated beforehand, please check your email for any updates/fact flashes

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we implement this important upgrade to enhance our transfusion services so that we may better serve you and our patients.

Contact:     Email: Dan Huynh     For: Transfusion Services/Blood Bank     Phone: 409-772-0795
 
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Blood Bank Transition to SoftBank
First Published 11/4/2025

 

The Blood Banks across all UTMB campuses will be transitioning to our new Laboratory Information System (LIS), SoftBank, on Sunday, November 9th, beginning at 12:00 PM.

During this transition, there will be a planned downtime of approximately two hours to allow for data migration from our legacy system to SoftBank. Please anticipate temporary delays in blood bank testing and blood product dispensing during this period.

To support a smooth transition, we ask that all blood bank test orders and blood product requests in EPIC be paused starting at 12:00 PM on the go-live day until an “all-clear” notification is sent by Blood Bank leadership.

During downtime, only STAT tests and urgent blood product requests will be processed using the established downtime procedures.

The Blood Bank will be fully staffed to manage this transition and will resume normal operations as quickly as possible.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we implement this important upgrade to enhance our transfusion services so that we may better serve you and our patients.Sincerely,           

 
Contact:     Email: Sudhamsh Shapuram     For: Dept. of Laboratory Services     Phone: 409.747.8544
 
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IT Services: VMware Image upgrade on Avaya Servers on November 12, 2025 9:00pm to 11:00pm
First Published 11/5/2025

On November 12, 2025 beginning at 9:00pm through 11:00pm, Information Services will be performing maintenance on the Avaya Phone System. During this time, you may experience a dropped call. If so, please hang up and try your call again.

 

Please contact the ITS Service Desk with any questions at ISHelp@utmb.edu or (409) 772-5200
 
CC# 59093
Contact:     Email: IsHelp     For: ITS-Ops-VoiceSrvs     Phone: 4097725200
 
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National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week
First Published 11/5/2025

National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week

 

UTMB, Please Show Your Appreciation and Help Medical Staff Services Celebrate "National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week!"

 

It's here! This week, November 2–8, is officially National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week (#MSPWeek®), and we are shining a spotlight on the incredible Medical Services Professionals (MSPs) who make UTMB Health safe, compliant, and simply amazing!

 

This year's theme is "Proud to Be an MSP," and we couldn't agree more.

 

Who are these heroes, you ask?

 

Think of them as the unsung champions working behind the scenes. Before any provider can see a patient at UTMB, our MSPs are the ones meticulously checking credentials, verifying licenses, and ensuring every single healthcare professional meets the highest standards of safety and quality.

 

They are the meticulous minds behind:

  • Credentialing & Privileging
  • Provider Enrollment
  • Licensing & Certification
  • Regulatory Compliance (Joint Commission, anyone?)
  • ...and much more!

 

Without our MSPs, UTMB's mission would not be possible!

 

Contact:     Email: Casie Crisp or Christina O'Neal     For: Medical Staff Services     Phone: 409-772-5281
 
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HPTM Translational Research Seminar Series - Maura Ortiz-Camacho, MD 11-11-25
First Published 11/6/2025

The Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine

Graduate Program presents:

"Exploring MAVS in HIV and Substance exposure: Immune Disruption and Peptide-Base rescue"

Maura L. Ortiz-Camacho, MD

Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine PhD Student

Mentor: Dr. Irma (Lisa) Cisneros, PhD

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Health Education Center 2.220

Click for more information
Contact:     Email: Marisa Pelonero Bible     For: The Institute for Translational Sciences     Phone: 409-772-1484
 
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Are you ready to walk? Bay Area Heart Walk - Nov. 15
First Published 11/6/2025
When you walk, you help make a difference in the lives of so many families – maybe some you know and love.
 
Please join us! 
 
UTMB and the American Heart Association invites you to join the Heart Walk to broaden our impact against heart disease and stroke. Gather your co-workers and create a team or sign up with friends and family. Every walker can make a difference.
 
 
Bay Area Heart Walk
 
November 15, 2025 - Kemah Boardwalk
 
Festivities begin at 8:00 AM
 
Route length - 5K
 
Sign up today! We walk to saves lives!
Click for more information
Contact:     Email: David Bethea     For: OSBC - Community Engagement     Phone: 4097728788
 
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