• Jennifer won the Semifinalist of ACPM Board of Regents Scientific Excellence Award

  • Hanaa Sallam, Monique Ferguson, and Bushra Manakatt received 2023 IPE Educator Award.

  • Monica Hernandez and Lucero Salinas jointly coached a group of Spanish speaking participants

  • Wei-Chen Lee, PhD, introducing PreventT2 to OLLI members on 10/05/2022

UTMB Lifestyle Coaches

Our Team

Hanaa
Hanaa Sallam, MD, PhD, CDCES
Dr. Sallam is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine. 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.
Washburn
Michael Washburn Jr., MA, BS, CSCS
Michael A. Washburn Jr. is the program manager for the Frank Stevens Health and Wellness Center, volunteer services, and OLLI at the Angleton Danbury Campus. Among his many responsibilities at the ADC campus, Washburn is a DPP lifestyle coach and responsible for the monthly Diabetes Support Group. Washburn is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and offers personal training at the wellness center. Michael has two children and loves playing music and enjoying time with his family. His mission is to help everyone to understand that you always have options and your choices are what are important in our life. “We must be responsible for our choices and understand that we are the only ones that can make necessary changes in our lives to improve our overall optimum health. IT IS ALWAYS YOUR CHOICE!!!!!”
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.
Jesse Hedrick MA, BS, USAW, NSCA-CPT

Jesse Hedrick is the Community Wellness Program Coordinator for UTMB Angleton-Danbury Campus, assisting many programs, such as Silver Sneakers Exercise Instruction, AARP Smart Driver, SafeSitters, and Personal Training.  Jesse also serves as a Training Center Coordinator, for American Heart Association, Overseeing Training and Development for over 70 CPR Instructors. With over 25 years’ experience and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science; he has worked in every part of Health Education; including Coaching Elite Athletes, Personal & Group Exercise classes, Exercise Rehab, Health Science Teacher, and now includes being a part of The National Diabetes Prevention Program, Prevent T2 Prediabetes & Diabetes Programs, for UTMB Health.