As the Department of Family Medicine continues to evolve with a greater focus on community engagement, population health, and improving health outcomes that matter to communities across Texas, it recently adopted a new name: the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.
Department Chair Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP, says this change reflects the department’s commitment to advancing health beyond the clinic walls.
“We wanted our department’s name to better communicate to our learners and our patients that our goal is health, and our focus is the community,” he says.
Dr. Campbell felt timing for the transition in late 2025 was appropriate, given the launch of UTMB’s new logo and tagline.
The decision was informed by a review of similar departments nationwide, many of which combine family medicine with community health initiatives.
“Community health stood out as a critical component of our mission,” he says. “This isn’t just a name change; it’s a reflection of the work we’re doing and the direction we’re headed.”
The department is actively engaging with the Galveston community to address pressing health challenges. Current projects include mapping food insecurity on Galveston Island in partnership with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and pursuing grant-funded initiatives to improve local health outcomes.
“Our goal is to target areas where Galveston falls behind the state average and make a measurable impact,” he says.
While the name change formalizes ongoing efforts, it also signals future growth. The department currently includes 24 faculty members – a mix of physicians, behavioral health specialists, and researchers – and plans to expand its clinical and research capacity.
This transition underscores UTMB’s commitment to community health and partnerships.
“We envision a larger community presence,” Dr. Campbell says. “The community has to be part of this journey. We’re listening, learning, and working together to improve health for everyone. It’s where purpose meets passion.”