With the start of a new academic year and 2026 commencements only recently completed, we are in the midst of a very busy season. We congratulate the recent graduates, welcome new and returning students, and celebrate the achievements of our faculty community.
Faculty Focus:Enabling and Celebrating Faculty Success at UTMB
News
Office of the Provost Events
2026 Faculty Recognition Reception
Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of all UTMB faculty. We will also present the 2026 Faculty Excellence and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
2026 Afternoon Tea Series: Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP
Afternoon Tea with Faculty Development Leaders is a monthly event that provides an opportunity for faculty to network and be mentored in a relaxed setting.
New Faculty Orientation: Fall 2026
New faculty orientation is designed to provide new faculty members with institutional information, introduction to university leadership and their initiatives, and resources necessary to their success at UTMB.
Appointments & Promotions
Office of Faculty Development
-
The UTMB Academy of Excellence: Building on a Tradition of Recognition and Service
Building on the legacies of UTMB academies while preserving their traditions of recognition and service, the Office of Faculty Development is excited to announce the launch of the UTMB Academy of Excellence.
-
Shine Academy Conference: Abstracts Accepted
Save the dates for the annual Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference, Feb. 11 and 12, 2027. Abstracts accepted through Oct. 12.
-
Faculty Factory: August in Review
The Faculty Factory Podcast shares high-value conversations with expert leaders and faculty in academic health systems. Check out episodes with August's guests.
-
ARM Call for Mentees and Mentors
The Office of Faculty Development announces a call for mentees and mentors to join the expanded Advancing Research through Mentorship (ARM) Program.
News
-
AE Leadership Announcements
Please join us in congratulating these leaders on their new roles at UTMB!
-
Learn Anytime. Earn Credit Anytime.
The Office of Interprofessional Continuing Education now offers a growing library of on-demand educational activities available whenever your schedule allows.
-
Walktober Wellness Challenge
Join group walking events hosted across Galveston campus. These events are optional and a low pressure way to build the walking habit alongside others, meet new people, and turn a daily walk into a shared moment of connection. Registration is highly encouraged.
-
New Wellness Program Coordinator
Please join us in welcoming Patrick Bean, Wellness Program Coordinator in the Academic Enterprise Office of Wellness.
-
Tour de Blue Zones visits Nicoya, Costa Rica
Thanks to all who explored Nicoya, Costa Rica with us at the Aug. 12 faculty lunch! Congrats to Dr. Rebecca Galloway on winning a catered Blue Zones-inspired meal to share with up to 10 colleagues.
-
A Vision to Inspire and Connect at Moody Medical Library
This summer, UTMB welcomed a new Director of Library Services, Emily J. Hurst, MSLS. Now, she is welcoming the UTMB community to discover – or rediscover – everything Moody Medical Library has to offer.
-
New Question Banks in BoardVitals!
Our BoardVitals resource is growing, and new question banks are now available.
-
New Read & Publish Agreement: Company of Biologists
Moody Medical Library has recently signed a new Read and Publish Agreement with the Company of Biologists.
-
HEC Personnel Achievements
Congratulations to the latest HEC staff member to pass the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) exam through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare!
HEC Faculty and Staff Orientation
Interested UTMB faculty and staff are invited to attend the Health Education Center (HEC) Faculty & Staff Orientation session to learn more about the services, resources, and support available through the HEC. The session will highlight offerings from the Interprofessional Simulation Center, Classroom Services, the Office of Life Support Education and Training, the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice, and the Office of Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Medical Prototyping.
The orientation will include one hour of in-person information from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by an optional 30-minute tour of the HEC from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Event Information
.jpg?sfvrsn=98146e53_3 "Karl Keller Icon (002)"){kind=icon}
Highlights from Around Our Schools
-
2026 PAS Commencement
The John Sealy School of Medicine Physician Assistant Studies Program held its commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026 at Levin Hall Auditorium on the Galveston Campus.
-
2026 SHP Commencement
The School of Health Professions held its commencement ceremony on Aug. 21, 2026 at Moody Gardens Convention Center. Congratulations to 252 graduates in the Class of 2026!
HEC Faculty and Staff Orientation
Interested UTMB faculty and staff are invited to attend the Health Education Center (HEC) Faculty & Staff Orientation session to learn more about the services, resources, and support available through the HEC. The session will highlight offerings from the Interprofessional Simulation Center, Classroom Services, the Office of Life Support Education and Training, the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice, and the Office of Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Medical Prototyping.
The orientation will include one hour of in-person information from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by an optional 30-minute tour of the HEC from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Event Information
More News and Events
HEC Faculty and Staff Orientation
Interested UTMB faculty and staff are invited to attend the Health Education Center (HEC) Faculty & Staff Orientation session to learn more about the services, resources, and support available through the HEC. The session will highlight offerings from the Interprofessional Simulation Center, Classroom Services, the Office of Life Support Education and Training, the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice, and the Office of Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Medical Prototyping.
The orientation will include one hour of in-person information from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by an optional 30-minute tour of the HEC from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Event Information
Do you have an item for our Faculty Focus newsletter? Please provide your submissions by Sept. 25 to be considered for publication in the next edition.