UTMB Lifestyle Coaches

Hanaa
Hanaa Sallam, MD, PhD, CDCES
Dr. Sallam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities at School of Public and Population Health. She is the Director of the diabetes prevention program (DPP) at UTMB. Dr. Sallam received her MD/PhD from the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. She has over 20 years of research and education experience in the fields of gastrointestinal motility, diabetes and obesity. As a lifestyle coach, Dr. Sallam delivers the CDC-accredited DPP to people with prediabetes. She succeeded to have UTMB’s DPP receive full recognition from CDC, making UTMB the first academic institution in the greater Houston area to receive such honor. As a Master Trainer SelectTM, she trains lifestyle coaches. As a certified diabetes care and education specialist, she developed the Intensive Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (iDSMES) program providing prolonged coaching for people with diabetes. Dr. Sallam’s is passionate about helping more people with prediabetes or diabetes achieve their lifestyle goals.
Ferguson
Monique Ferguson, PhD
Dr. Monique Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, a medical educator in the School of Medicine, and a certified lifestyle coach in the Diabetes Prevention Program at UTMB. Additionally, Dr. Ferguson is a wellness advocate and is active in educating the community on prevention and treatment of chronic diseases through spiritual and physical fitness. As a lifestyle coach, her goal is to facilitate sustainable changes to nutrition, physical activity, and mindfulness practices that lead to improved healthcare outcomes and well-being. “In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits. Good (healthy) habits are the key to all success….” Og Mandino, author of the Greatest Salesmen in the World.
Alice Williams, MS, LBSW

Alice Williams is the Manager for Communications and Community Initiatives in the Sealy Center on Aging.  She is a licensed Social Worker with over 30 years of experience serving older adults in the community and in long-term care settings.  She provides education programs for older adults and family caregivers throughout Galveston County at senior centers, churches and community health events.  Alice is certified to facilitate the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), Diabetes Self- Management Program (DSMP), Toolkit for Active Living with Chronic Conditions and GeriFit.   Her goal is to guide people in becoming better managers of their own health so they can tackle life’s challenges with confidence and wisdom.         
Rhonda Saiz-Vaca, MHA

Rhonda Saiz-Vaca is a Research Coordinator for the Chronic Diseases Prevention and Self-Management Programs. She has a background in Care Management, working closely with Medicare and diabetic populations. Rhonda earned her Master’s in Healthcare Administration, with a focus on Long Term Care, from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is a bilingual Certified Lifestyle Coach and Community Health Worker, with certifications to lead several evidence-based programs, including the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP), Health Coaches for Hypertension Control (HCHC), Walk With Ease (WWE), Geri-Fit, and Bright Bodies—a program for children with obesity. Rhonda is passionate about health education, nutrition, and fitness, and focuses on guiding others toward lasting, healthy lifestyle changes.