• Family Medicine and Community Health Welcomes 2 More New Physicians

    We would like to Welcome Dr. Ashley Collazo and Dr. Julio Ruiz to the Family of Family Medicine

    Photo of Ashley Collazo, MD, MPHPhoto of Julio Alberto Ruiz, MD

    Ashley Collazo, MD, MPH
    Assistant Professor Clinical Practice
    She will see patients at the Family Medicine Clinic Island East

    Dr. Ashley Collazo joined the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health in 2026 as an Assistant Professor Clinical Practice and will be seeing patients at the Family Medicine Clinic Island East. In addition to patient care, she will also be a part of our departmental research team.

    Dr. Collazo earned a Doctor of Medicine from McGovern Medical School and completed a residency with the Conroe Medical Education Foundation Program with a concentration in Rural Health. In 2024, Dr. Collazo earned her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Biostatistics from the School of Public and Population Health at UTMB.  After which she completed a T32 Primary Care Research Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

    Dr. Collazo has clinical expertise in wound care, and her research interests include outpatient antimicrobial stewardship and diabetic foot ulcers. 

     

    Julio Alberto Ruiz, MD
    Assistant Professor Clinical Practice
    He will see patients at the Family Medicine Clinic Island West

    Dr. Ruiz joined the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health in 2026 as an Assistant Professor Clinical Practice. He will be seeing patients at the Family Medicine Clinic Island West.

    Dr. Ruiz earned in Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and completed his residency at UTMB Health.

     

  • 988 Reasons: Your reason is enough!

    Logo of Crisis Hotline 988 National Initiative

    Happy 988 Day!

    Today is the third annual 988 Day on September 8 (9/8), a national initiative led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to raise awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988

    Lifeline) and highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help. 988 Day is a key part of the broader September focus on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and recovery. 

     This year’s 988 Day theme is “988 Reasons: Your reason is enough,” highlighting the many reasons people may need support, such as a difficult moment, a mental health challenge, or a concern for someone else.

     Our participation aims to remind those who are struggling that they are not alone. Anyone can call, text, or chat 988 anytime, 24/7, to connect with a skilled, caring, and non-judgmental 988 counselor, who will listen, help with safety planning when needed, and connect them with additional resources. Since its launch in July 2022, the 988 Lifeline has received and routed more than 26 million contacts via phone, text, and online chat, underscoring the real impact 998 has in meeting urgent emotional needs.

     Please share information with patients and staff about this Crisis Lifeline resource. I have distributed free materials (stickers, magnets, wallet cards) in English and Spanish in each of the FM clinics to promote 988, and we can order more when needed.  

     If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at http://988lifeline.org/  24/7.

  • Rising Stars Among Us

    Congratulations to Namita Bhardwaj, Samuel Mathis, Zuleica Santigo-Delgado and Cathy Xie.  These four amazing physicians received the honor of Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list for 2026.  While approximately 5 percent of the doctors within the respective state or region are named to Super Doctors, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.

    Super Doctors identifies top doctors as selected by their peers and the independent research of MSP Communications. The selection process for Super Doctors is a rigorous multi-step process designed to identify healthcare providers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Doctors is a selective yet diverse listing of outstanding doctors, representing consumer-oriented medical specialties. 

  • Family Medicine and Community Health Welcomes 2 New Physicians

    We would like to Welcome Dr. Mark Buck and Dr. Scott Robinson to the Family of Family Medicine

    Photo of Mark E. Buck, DO, JD, MEng UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Assistant Professor Clinical PracticePhoto of Scott Robinson, DO UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Assistant Professor Clinical Practice

    Mark E. Buck, DO, JD, MEng
    Assistant Professor Clinical Practice
    He will see patients at the Family Medicine Clinic Island East and Island West

    Dr. Buck earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Following graduation, he served five years in the U.S. Army as a Signal Officer. He then completed a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

    Dr. Buck went on to earn his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University’s Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. He subsequently completed his Family Medicine residency training at the University of the Incarnate Word Family Medicine Residency Program in San Antonio, Texas.

    Following residency, Dr. Buck earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in Columbia, Missouri. He then practiced as an intellectual property law attorney for approximately two and a half years at Norton Rose Fulbright in Houston, Texas.

    Dr. Buck is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. His unique background in engineering, military service, medicine, and law provides a multidisciplinary perspective to patient care, medical education, and healthcare innovation

     

    Scott Robinson, DO
    Assistant Professor Clinical Practice
    He will see patients at the Family Medicine Clinic Island East and also on our inpatient service

    Dr. Robinson earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Clinical Gerontology at Baylor University in Waco, TX.  Dr. Robinson earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of North Texas, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas and completed his residency at Bay Area Family Medicine Residency Program in Corpus Christi, TX. He was also the founding Program Director of Peak Vista Family Medicine Residency Program in Colorado Springs. 

    Dr. Robinson is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Medicine. 

    Dr. Robinson's academic and clinical interests include geriatrics, sports medicine, rheumatology, sleep medicine and orthopedics.

     

     

  • Photo of the STFM website showing UTMB Health Family Medicine and Community Health Residency Program Director, Ernst Nicanord, MD

    Dr. Ernst Nicanord on STFM Website

    Residency Program Director, Ernst Nicanord, MD was feature on the STFM website on the Call for Presentations at the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education set for February 2027.  

  • Photo of the Family Medicine and Community Health Residency Class of 2026

    13 New Family Physicians

    On Saturday, June 13, 2026 The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health celebrated the graduation of the residency programs Class of 2026 at Landry's in Kemah, Texas.  The graduates, families, friends, faculty and staff celebrated 13 new Family Physicians.   We want to congratulate King Ampofo, Juliette Asana, Eladio Camarillo, Rachel Cartmell, Tyler Fields, Brian Gale, Sarah Konopnicki, Christopher Le, Trung Ly, Stephanie Mohmed, Eldin Nikocevic, Chibuike Ofoegbuna and Julio Ruiz for completing their three years of family medicine resident training.  

    We are grateful to Dr. Jonathan Teran for serving as the Master of Ceremony and to Dr. Laura Porterfield who delivered the Marcel and Josephine Patterson Memorial Lecture in Family Medicine titled, "The Courage That Brought You Here".

    Photos from the celebration can be viewed here.

     

  • Family Medicine & Community Health Welcomes AAFP Vaccine Science Fellows

    On Tuesday June 9, 2026 The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (FMCH) along with the UTMB Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences (SIVS) Clinical Trails Program welcomed AAFP Vaccine Sciences Fellows, Jordan Roberts, MD and Ashley Wilk, DO, FAAFP, DipABLM to UTMB. They met with FMCH Chair, Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP, faculty member and vaccine researcher, Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH and residency program manager, Kimberly Denton. In addition to FMCH they met with the Director, Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, Clinical Trials Program, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Richard E. Rupp, MD and Amber Stanford, MPAS, PA-C, Vaccine Clinical Trials Operations Manager for the SIVS

    During their visit they heard about the significance and impact of what we do at UTMB, received a tour of our Galveston National Laboratory, heard about our clinical trials operations and discussed the evolution of research and curriculum reshaping medical school curriculum to elevate vaccine sciences in graduate medical education.  

    Dr. Roberts was kind enough to send a note of gratitude for the time he spent at UTMB, "Returning to my own practice and my work with the AAFP, I feel re-energized about the intersection of clinical family medicine and robust vaccinology. Your dedication to preserving data integrity through strict Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards while never losing sight of the human element is truly inspiring".

  • FMIG Students Scholarly Work Accepted for the 2026 AAFP FUTURE Conference

    Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Medical Students NIcole Kuo, MS3 and Athena Berreles-Luna, MS3 will be presenting their poster at the 2026 AAFP FUTURE Annual Conference taking place in Kansas City, MO on July 30-August 1, 2026.  Their topic was on the FMIG Workshops that are hosted throughout the academic year and are open to all medical students.  These are hands-on training procedure workshops hosted by FMIG with teaching and demonstrations done by UTMB Health Family Medicine and Community Health faculty and residents. 

  • UTMB Health Family Medicine Interest Group Received 8th Straight Program of Excellence Award

    The American Academy of Family Physicians has notified the Faculty Advisor, Jennifer Raley, MD that UTMB Health's Family Medicine Interest Group has once again been bestowed with the 2026 AAFP Program of Excellence Award for the 8th year in a row.  This speaks volumes as to the quality and dedication that our Medical Student Education Program puts forth in teaching our medical students.  Below is an excerpt from the award letter from the AAFP Vice President, National Residency and Academic Partnership, Karen B. Mitchell, MD, FAAFP

    "For decades, the AAFP has recognized high-performing FMIGs as Programs of Excellence. The students, faculty,
    and staff at your institution who have dedicated their time and effort to building a strong FMIG have truly set
    themselves apart. I applaud your outstanding achievement.
    FMIGs are highly valued by the family medicine community, and these student-led organizations become even
    more critical as the U.S. faces a growing primary care physician shortage. Increasing student interest and choice
    in family medicine is one of our nation’s most pressing issues in creating an equitable health care system.
    Growing a diverse family physician workforce is one of the top goals of the American Academy of Family
    Physicians. FMIGs, having an immediate connection to daily student life and our educational institutions, are a
    critical component of the work that will go into seeing this goal through.
    I know first-hand the meaningful impact FMIGs can have on students—joining a social event that the family
    medicine club at my medical school had organized is influenced my own fulfilling journey in family medicine.
    The chance to meet role models, mentors, and other students who were passionate about community and
    health early on in my medical training had a profound effect on my life.
    It is through similar FMIG experiences that many students are introduced and become committed to the
    specialty still today. The Program of Excellence Award that your FMIG has won reflects a year of exemplary
    work. As you celebrate at all you have accomplished, I hope you will also look forward and imagine the longstanding
    effects of your efforts and how your FMIG can have a long-term impact on health equity through
    workforce development."

     

    Congratulations to Dr. Raley, Dr. Teran, the FMIG Student Group and to all the staff who work behind the scenes to make our educational events so impactful.

  • Photo of UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health faculty member after delivering Physicians Oath at the 2026 UTMB JSSOM Graduation Ceremony

    Jennifer Raley Delivers Physician's Oath at JSSOM Graduation 2026

    On Saturday, May 30th, 2026 The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston John Sealy School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony was held at Moody Gardens Convention Center at 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX.  Family Medicine & Community Health faculty member, Jennifer R. Raley, MD was honored to administer the Physician's Oath to the members of the Class of 2026, as they affirmed their commitment to the ethical practice of medicine and the responsibilities of the profession.  Also in attendance were faculty members Barbara Thompson, MD; Samuel Mathis, MD, MPH, MBA, CPE; and former alumni and faculty member Juliet McKee, MD. 

    Dr. Raley is a Clinical Professor, Family Medicine & Community Health Director of the Medical Student Education Program, Clerkship Director and Faculty Advisor for the award winning Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) at UTMB. 

    Two of the FMIG graduates were nominated for the Golden Headed Cane Award - Noah Bowman and Elysse Reyes.

    Other notable student recognitions for students who matched into Family Medicine are as follows:

    • Aimee Rodriguez was a member of the Alpha Omega Medical Honor Society
    • Madeline Jordan and Megan Offutt were members of the Gold Humanism Honor Society
    • 9 Students were chosen for endowed awards
    • 8 Students were in scholarly tracks
    Photo of UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health faculty member delivering Physicians Oath at the 2026 UTMB JSSOM Graduation CeremonyPhoto of UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health faculty member after delivering Physicians Oath with student graduates who matched in Family Medicine at the 2026 UTMB JSSOM Graduation CeremonyPhoto of Jennifer R. Raley, MD administered the Physician’s Oath to the members of the Class of 2026

     

  • Photo of UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Department Chair, Kendall M. Campbell, MD in front of poster presented at the AHA & Cardiovascular Symposium 2026

    Family Medicine & Community Health Represented at 2nd Annual AHA & UTMB Health Cardiovascular Symposium

    On Saturday May 30, 2026 The American Heart Association in partnership with UTMB Health's Cardiovascular Department hosted the Second Annual Cardiovascular Symposium at the San Luis Resort Spa and Conference Center.  The day was packed with impactful lectures and a poster session.  UTMB Health's Family Medicine & Community Health (FMCH) Department Chair, Kendall M. Campbell served as one of the symposiums moderators in Session 1 and presented a lectured titled Considerations for Optimizing Cardiovascular Health in Marginalized Populations.  FMCH was also represented by faculty members Syed Azhar, MD, MBA and Jonathan Teran, MD, CAQSM.  

    Master's Students Paulina Alcocer and Oscar Almaraz, with the UTMB Health School of Public and Population Health in collaboration with Dr. Campbell and the Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health and FMCH presented a poster titled Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Galveston, Texas: A District-Level Analysis of Life's Essential 8 and Social Vulnerability to Guide Primary Care Team Allocation.  Their presentation received a third-place award.  This is a great accomplishment by the Primary Care Center and their inaugural presentation.

    Schedule of the AHA and UTMB Cardiovascular Symposium 2026Photo of Master's Student Paulina Alcocer in front of her poster presentation at the AHA and UTMB Cardiovascular Symposium 2026Photo showing UTMB Family Medicine & Community Health Faculty Syed Azhar, MD, MBA

     

  • 2026 AAFP Photo Contest Entry Submission by Resident PGY2 Ashley Echeta, MD

    UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Wins 2026 AAFP Photo Contest

    Congratulations to Ashley Echeta, MD for her winning submission to the 2026 AAFP Photo Contest.  The contest was is intended to encourage students and residents to share stories through photographs about how they use the American Family Physician (AFP) journal. Any aspect of the journal could be discussed, including AFP's review articles, covers, and other features such as practice guidelines, photo quizzes, algorithms, figures, etc. Photos could feature individuals or groups, ordinary or extraordinary locations, and have a humorous or serious tone.  The contest began on February 1, 2026, and ended on May 1, 2026, at 5 pm Central Time.

    The photo will be promoted on social media, on their website in July and will run in the July American Family Physician (AFP) journal printed issue.

    Dr. Echeta will be presented an award at FUTURE 2026 on Friday morning, July 31st, at the FMIG breakfast.  The prize includes either registration to FUTURE 2026 or a gift card.

    The photo entitled, "Fashion Week, Evidence-Based Couture"  featured fellow residents after their annual residency retreat and our model was none other than Associate Program Director, Cathy Xie, DO.  Her outfit included a skirt made from pages of the AAFP monthly publication by Dr. Echeta and Dr. Ariana Mahmood. The top was made from the most recent cover of the same publication.  Thank you all who contributed to make this win possible.  Our residents are troopers for making this happen. It was fun to be a part of!

  • Residents to Present at the 11th Annual Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Poster Session

    The 11th Annual UTMB Graduate Medical Education Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Poster Session will take place on Wednesday May 13th, 2026 at the UTMB Jennie Sealy Hospital on the 4th Floor.  

    Ashley Echeta, MD will present a poster entitled Take it Easy: Improving Blood Pressure Control.  The poster was a collaboration with fellow residents Sami Ghozayel, DO, Javier Gomez, MD, Sunil Joseph, DO, Eguono Ejayeriese, MD and Zaharia Muhammad, MD along with their faculty mentors Samuel Mathis, MD, MPH, MBA, CPE, Jonathan Teran, MD, CAQSM, Zuleica Santiago-Delgado, MD, FAAFP, Barbara Thompson, MD, Quratulanne Jan, MD and Charles Wang, MD.

    Matthew P. LeBlanc, MD, MBA will present a poster entitled Investigating Medicare Wellness Completion Rate through Double Booked Appointments. This poster was a collaboration with fellow residents Het Bharucha, MD, Kimia Booth, DO, Rachel Cartmell, MD, MPP, MS, Alyssa Fisher, MD, DrPH, Chance Fisher, DO and Sagufta Garasia, DO along with their faculty mentors Kendall M Campbell, MD, FAAFP, Kaitlin Leckie, PhD, LMFT, Ernst Nicanord, MD, Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH and Namita Bhardwaj, MD, MS, MPH, CAQSM, FAAFP, 

  • Photos of our residents providing valuable healthcare to young athletes at the 2026 annual sports physicals

    Annual Sports Physicals for Young Athletes

    Over the last month our UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health residents have been busy providing sports physicals to area young athletes.  Our residents were attended by faculty physicians Namita Bhardwaj, MD, MS, MPH, CAQSM, FAAFP.  Over the course of 5 separate days our residents saw 620 student athletes for their annual sports physicals ahead of the upcoming school year's training season.  This is a valuable service to the community and often the only time any of these students get health care.  Both the trainers and community are grateful for the service we provide.  Our residents on hand were:

    Thursday April 16th:
    Rachel Cartmell
    Christina Crandall
    Isabella Cruz
    Eguono Ejayeriese
    Alyssa Fisher
    Sagufta Garasia
    Revathi Gnanasekaran
    Brandon Gonzalez
    Brendan Holderread
    Matthew LeBlanc
    Ariana Mahmood
    Zaharia Muhmmad
    Tosin Sadiku

    		Saturday April 18th:
    Kimia Booth
    Ashley Echeta
    Chance Fisher
    Sagufta Garasia
    Brendan Holderread
    Sara Konopnicki
    Matthew LeBlanc
    Zahria Muhmmad
    Grace Rustom
    Tosin Sadiku

    Saturday May 2nd:
    Kerrie Brown
    Rachel Cartmel
    Ty Fields
    Brian Gale
    Christopher Le
    Matthew LeBlanc
    Stephanie Mohmed
    Eldin Nikocevic

    Thursday May 7th:
    King Ampofo
    Het Bharucha
    Kimia Booth
    Rachel Cartmel
    Christina Crandall
    Cynthia Duarte
    Eguono Ejayeriese
    Ty Fields
    Alyssa Fisher
    Chance Fisher
    Sunil Joseph
    Matthew LeBlanc
    Fed Ly
    Stephanie Mohmed
    Eldin Nikocevic
    Tianna Stith
    Josephine Tran

    Saturday May 9th:
    King Ampofo
    Het Bharucha
    Kerrie Brown
    Cynthia Duarte
    Eguono Ejayeriese
    Chance Fisher
    Brandon Gonzalez
    Matthew LeBlanc
    Julio Ruiz

    		We would also like to thank our Residency Director, Ernst Nicanord, MD for his support as well as our residency staff, Alec Hughes and Kimberly Denton.

     

  • Medical Student Dallin Swanson Presents his poster at the 2026 UTMB Health Research Summit

    Family Medicine Faculty Mentored Medical Student Who Receives Award

    On May 7-8, 2026 UTMB Health hosted its annual Research Summit.  Dallin Swanson, 4th year medical student presented a poster entitled Cost Effectiveness of Community Health Worker Models for Type 2 Diabetes Management.  Collaborators on this project were Elizabeth Vaughan, DO, MPH; H. Shelton Brown, PhD; family medicine resident Revathi Gnanasekaran, MD; Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, PhD, MPH; Xiaoying Yu, PhD; and family medicine faculty member Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH.

    The poster received an award for being one of the Top-8 abstracts presented during this two day symposium. Congratulations to Dallin and it is an amazing example of collaboration among peers.  Each of the winners of the summit (in the photo below) will receive a $200 scholarship to support their presentation in an external conference or poster session within the next year. 

    About the UTMB Research Summit
    For nearly a decade, Research Day has brought together the UTMB research community to showcase the best and the brightest and celebrate our successes. This year, the event was expanded to a day-and-a-half series of presentations and posters. This years theme was Advancing Discovery Across the Lifespan.

    This event was, hosted by Chief Research Officer Dr. Antonio Bianco and the Council of Vice Chairs of Research, aims to feature outstanding lifespan research conducted by faculty and students at UTMB.

    The Top-8 Winners of the UTMB Health 2026 Research Summit
  • Dr. Kendall M Campbell show his award he received in recognition of his service as co-founder and faculty leader of the Leadership Through Scholarship Fellowship Program from STFM

    Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP Receives STFM Award

    On May 4, 2026 Dr. Kendall M. Campbell was honored with the presentation of an award by the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine (STFM) in recognition of his strategic vision and mentorship in founding and leading STFM's Leadership Through Scholarship Fellowship at the 2026 STFM Annual Spring Meeting.  

    Dr. Campbell was a co-founder and faculty leader of this fellowship for 7 years, from 2019-2026.  This will serve as his last year as a faculty member.

    Photo of Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Dr. Kendall M. Campbell and Dr. Judy Washington as they present Dr. Campbell an award at the 2026 STFM Annual Spring Meeting
    l to r: Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Dr. Kendall M. Campbell and Dr. Judy Washington    		Dr. Kendall M Campbell show his award he received in recognition of his service as co-founder and faculty leader of the Leadership Through Scholarship Fellowship Program from STFM
    Dr. Kendall M. Campbell

     

  • Dr. Laura Porterfield gives standing room only lecture on using AI in Family Medicine Clinic at the 2026 STFM Annual Spring Conference

    Family Medicine & Community Health Well Represented at STFM

    Several of the UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health faculty held presentations and discussions during the Annual STFM Spring Conference, May 2-6, 2026.  

    • Dr. Laura Porterfield gave a standing room only lecture on Practical AI Tools for Family Medicine Faculty: Time-Saving Strategies in Work and Life
    • Dr. Porterfield and Dr. Cathy Xie held a seminar on Menopause Matters: Equipping Family Medicine Residents for Evidence Based Care
    • Dr. Porterfield and resident Dr. Alyssa Fisher gave a lecture on Gendered Challenges of Parenthood in Medical Training: Patterns and Strategies for Change.  Dr. Josin Kalathil was also an author on this lecture.
    • Dr. Porterfield was part of a workshop on Her Network, Her Power: Sponsorship for Women in Academic Family Medicine
    • Dr. Porterfield was also part of a lecture on Teaching In-Basket Boundaries: One Way to Combat Gender Discrepancies in Asynchronous Work.
    • Dr. Kendall M. Campbell held a seminar on When Mentorship Goes Bad: How to Repair and Rebuild Stronger
    • Dr. Kaitlin Leckie held a roundtable discussion on Top 10 Visual Media Resources for Teaching Behavioral Science and Wellness.  

    Congratulations to all of faculty for their work and contributions at the STFM Annual Spring Conference.

    Drs. Chance Fisher, Alyssa Fisher, Kendall M Campbell, Laura Porterfield and Cathy Xie attending the STFM Annual Spring Conference

    l to r: Chance Fisher, DO; Alyssa Fisher, DO, DrPH; Kendall M Campbell, MD, FAAFP; Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH; Cathy Xie, DO

    		Photo of Dr. Kendall Campbell and Kaitlin Leckie at the STFM Annual Spring Conference

    l to r: Kendall M Campbell, MD, FAAFP and Kaitlin Leckie, PhD, LMFT


  • Photo from the American College of Culinary Medicine illustrating the importance of whole natural ingredients

    Dr. Ernst Nicanord Receives Scholarship to Attend the American College of Culinary Medicine Conference

    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Nicanord received support from UTMB Health's John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM) to attend the American College of Culinary Medicine Conference, taking place June 11–14, 2026 in New Orleans, LA. This is an exciting opportunity to participate in UTMB's growing Nutrition Medicine initiative. Participating will certainly help the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health with integration in the institutional Blue Zone Project.

    "Your participation will meaningfully contribute to strengthening nutrition medicine curricula at JSSOM, and we are truly grateful for your willingness to be involved."

    ~Norma A Pérez, MD, DrPH, CPC
    Assistant Dean, Educational Affairs, John Sealy School of Medicine
    PI, UTMB Center of Excellence for Professional Advancement and Research
    Associate Professor of Research, Department of Internal Medicine – Geriatrics
    Associate Professor of Research, Department of Population Health and Health Disparities, School of Public and Population Health
    The University of Texas Medical Branch

  • Family Medicine & Community Health to Welcome Student Mentees

    The Department of Family Medicine & Community Health (FMCH) will welcome two MS2 students this year as part of the Summer Research Program (SRP) 2026.  Students were matched based on their ranked research interests and mentor availability.  

    We will welcome Monica Hernandez as part of the 4-Week Session A from July 13 to August 7, 2026
    and Giovanny Reyes as part of the 4-Week Session B from August 10 to September 4, 2026. 

    Their SRP will culminate in a Poster Presentation as a result of their research on September 11, 2026

    As a department, we are very excited to take part in supporting medical student research.

  • Photo of Dr. Courtney Ortz Research Scientist at UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health

    Dr. Ortz Selected to Submit American Diabetes Association Grant Proposal

    UTMB Health's Family Medicine & Community Health is proud to announce that Courtney Ortz, PhD, MSW was 1 of 2 nominees selected by UTMB for submitting a grant proposal to the American Diabetes Association. 

    To accelerate the research needed to stop diabetes, the American Diabetes Association’s bold transformational initiative, Pathway to Stop Diabetes, is inspiring a new generation of diabetes researchers. Pathway provides crucial support to individuals focusing on innovative ideas and transformational approaches that will lead to groundbreaking discoveries in diabetes prevention, management, and cures. They are building a human pathway to tackle the toughest questions in diabetes by driving research innovations through 1:1 mentorship and the creation of a brain trust in diabetes.


    The call for nominations prioritizes translational applications that move knowledge and discovery gained from basic research to its eventual translation into patient and population benefit. The ideal applicant will propose innovative research that will be an important step towards the eventual goal of improving the lives of people at risk of diabetes or living with the disease. Their vision is to create a pathway to launch the next generation of trailblazers in diabetes research.

     
  • Photo of Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH faculty physician with UTMB Health's Department of Family Medicine & Community Health

    Porterfield Awarded Grant Funds for Vaccine Study

    Dr. Laura Porterfield was recently awarded a SIVS $20,000 small grant by the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences and funded by the John Sealy Memorial Endowment. The study is titled “Real-World Outcomes Following Adult Vaccination During Hospitalization: A Multi-Institutional Epic Cosmos Study”.  The study will last for 4 months once it has been officially funded.  

  • Congratulations to Our Intern Research Winners

    animated gif announcing the winners of the 2026 Resident Intern Case Report Presentations

    A few words from Dr. Smalls. 

    "There was stiff competition, but ultimately, Ariana and Christina earned the most points from the judges.

     I also want to give a special shout-out to Dr. Janicki, who served as Ariana and Christina's faculty mentor.

     Last but certainly not least, I wanted to send a big THANK YOU to our judges (Drs. De Matas, Villasante-Tezanos, and Patel as well as our very own social worker, Marissa Meader) as well as all the folks behind the scenes who assisted with organizing and keeping things on track (Kim, Alec, and Kylie)."

  • Jennifer Raley Takes on Integral Role at Commencement

    Jennifer Raley, MD, Clinical Professor, Director, Medical Student Education Program and Faculty Director of the award winning Family Medicine Interest Group has been chosen by the UTMB Health John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM) Medical School Class of 2026 to be the Oath Administrator.  She will recite A Physician's Oath (Adopted from the Original Hippocratic Oath) during the JSSOM Commencement Ceremony on May 30, 2026. 
  • Photo of Dr. Kaitlin Leckie presenting at the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference.

    Leckie Presents at Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference

    On Thursday April 9, 2026 Kaitlin Leckie, PhD, LMFT, Director of UTMB Health's Family Medicine & Community Health Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Assistant Professor presented an oral presentation at the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference.  The conference was held in Galveston Texas this year.  Her presentation was titled Integrated Care: Skills, Opportunities, Enhanced Care.
  • Family Medicine & Community Health Leadership Discusses Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health with the Galveston Community

    Family Medicine & Community Health Participate in Local SCI Cafe

    UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health department Chair, Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP and Business Manager, Carmela Dailey-Vargas were invited to be panelists in Galveston's SCI Cafe at MOD Coffee House on April 9th where they discussed the department's vision and our work for the Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health to the Galveston Community.
  • Wei-Chen Lee, Norman Farr, Hasan Yasin and Kendall M. Campbell Cut Ribbon at Grand Opening of the Acupuncture Clinic at St. Vincent's Hope House Clinics

    Acupuncture Clinic Opens at St. Vincent's Hope House Clinics

    On March 24th, 2026 The UTMB Health Department of Family Medicine & Community Health (FMCH) along with St. Vincent's Hope House Clinics (SVHHC) held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony introducing the new Acupuncture Clinic at St. Vincent's. This clinic will provide much needed alternative treatment services for pain and chronic conditions to the Galveston community. They have created a space where traditional healing and modern health practices come together to support whole-person wellness. This clinic was made possible in part by a #TAFP Foundation Grant with co-principal investigators, Dr. Hasan Yasin (FMCH Physician) and Dr. Wei-Chen Lee (FMCH Researcher), St. Vincent's Hope House and UTMB Health. A special thanks to Dr. Kendall M. Campbell (FMCH Chair) and Dr. Norman Farr (Internal Medicine and SVHHC Director) for their encouraging opening remarks.
    The clinic will be open every Tuesday from 1-5pm. Call 409-765-2242 to schedule an appointment.
    #UTMB #utmbfamily #utmbfamilydoc #utmbfamilymedicine #utmbacupuncture.
  • Photo of the hands for several people coming together for pivotal cause

    Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health

    We are please to announce that the Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health has been approved and is in the process of creation.  It will partner with the Dean of the UTMB Health John Sealy School of Medicine and the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health. The work of the center will span education, community, scholarship and innovation and is part of furthering the department's commitment to the local community.

    The Vision
    To align the value of primary care on Galveston Island in support of the whole health of the Galveston community.

    It's Objectives
    The Primary Care Center for Galveston Island Whole Health will enhance value in the primary care of the residents of Galveston Island. The work of the center will focus around two objectives.

    Engage the local and UTMB community on the importance and value of primary care and whole person health for the residents of Galveston Island

    Disseminate scholarly products that highlight primary care, whole person health and Galveston Island

     

  • The Road to Residency Specialty Fair

    On March 23rd at the UTMB Health, Health Education Center, The UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Medical Student Education & Residency Programs teamed up for the Road to Residency Specialty Fair hosted by the John Sealy School of Medicine. It was an impactful evening of mentorship and connection.

    The event brought together students across all class years to explore specialties, gain insight into the residency process, and connect with mentors and representatives from across the UTMB academic community on their journey to residency.

    Their participation in this event played a critical role in shaping students’ understanding of career pathways and residency preparation. The Department of Family Medicine & Community Health continues to be committed to mentorship and professional development. 

    We would like to thank Ernst Nicanord, MD - Residency Program Director, Kimberly Denton - Residency Program Manager, Jennifer Raley, MD - Medical Student Education Director and Christopher Pleasant - Medical Student Education Program Manager for representing our department and making the specialty of family medicine visible to medical students at UTMB Health.

  • Photo collage of all of the interns who matched into the UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Residency Program - the Class of 2029

    Welcome our Residency Class of 2029

    Photo collage of all of the interns who matched into the UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Residency Program - the Class of 2029
    Aamerah Haque - UT San Antonio
    Scott Heston - Texas A&M
    Eliyah Malik - Florida State
    Navid Moaziniya - UT San Antonio
    Annie Nguyen - UT Houston
    Ivy Nguyen - Touro College New York
    Yonalda Da Rosa Rodrigues - Universidad Adventista Argentina
    Johnathan Schultz - UT Houston
    Eric Shafer - Incarnate Word San Antonio
    Kiyanna Thomas - Howard University Washington DC
    Thomas Wasden - Noorda College Provo Utah
    Jeff Yi - Alabama College Dothan Alabama
  • Photo of Hasan Yasin, MD and Wei-Chen Lee, PhD promoting the opening of the St. Vincent's Hope House Acupuncture Clinic in partnership with UTMB Health's Department of Family Medicine & Community Health & TAFP

    Acupuncture Clinic to Open at St. Vincent's Hope House

    The Grand Opening of the Acupuncture Clinic at St. Vincent's Hope House is March 24, 2026.  This is a project jump started in part by a Texas Academy of Family Physician's (TAFP) Foundation Grant received by Family Medicine & Community Health Physician Hasan Yasin, MD and Researcher Wei-Chen Lee, PhD.  This partnership with St. Vincent's Hope House was is opening with a vision to create a space where traditional healing and modern health practices come together to support a mission of whole-person wellness.  

  • Kelly Ryan-Cruz Moves to the PCS

    Kelly accepted a promotion to the position of Administrative Manager with the Primary Care Services Group.  She will be working for the ASG with Ashlyn focusing on the community based clinics (CBC's).  Her official last day with the department will be March 15th and starting her new role on March 16th.  Congratulations to Kelly, she has done tremendous work in our department and particularly for Dr. Campbell. We wish her continued success.  
  • Photo of the 2026-2027 Chief Residents for the UTMB Health Department of Family Medicine & Community Health Residency Program

    2026-2027 Chief Residents Selected

    Please join us in congratulating our new chief residents Sami Ghozayel, DO and Matthew P. LeBlanc, MD, MBA. 


    Their leadership and commitment to our program are truly commendable.

    As they begin this new journey, I encourage all of us to offer them our full support and collaboration in the year ahead.

    Photo of Sami Ghozayel, DO - Family Medicine Resident     Photo of Matthew P. LeBlanc, MD, MBA - Family Medicine Resident

  • Photo of Ernst J. Nicanord, MD, Director of the UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Residency Program

    Ernst Nicanord Named As Residency Program Director

    On behalf of the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Ernst Nicanord has been appointed as the permanent Program Director for the UTMB Family Medicine Residency Program, effective immediately.

    Dr. Nicanord has served as our Interim Program Director since June 13, 2025 and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication to resident well-being, and a clear vision for the educational future of our program. Through his leadership he has:

    • Stabilized Program Leadership & Culture
    • Strengthened Clinical Oversight & Accountability
    • Enhanced CCC Structure & Performance Review Process
    • Improved Communication & Faculty Engagement

    As a dedicated educator and clinician, Dr. Nicanord has proven to be the ideal leader to guide our program forward. We are confident that his permanent appointment will bring ongoing stability and continued excellence to our training environment.

    Please join me in congratulating Dr. Nicanord and supporting him in this permanent role.

    Sincerely,
    Kendall

  • Photo of Jonathan Teran, MD, CAQSM - Associate Program Director of Medical Student Education at UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health

    Jonathan Teran Selected as STFM POCUS Champion 2026-2027 Cohort

    Jonathan Teran, MD, CAQSM, Associate Program Director, Medical Student Education with UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health was selected by the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine (STFM) Family Medicine POCUS Educator's Certificate Program as a 2026-2027 cohort.  The yearlong STFM FM Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Educator's Certificate Program trains family medicine residency faculty to serve as their program's POCUS champion with the skills to train family medicine residents on how to effectively use POCUS.  

    POCUS is sometimes referred to as the 21st century stethoscope. POCUS can help make decisions quickly for patients at the bedside, decrease time to diagnosis, and better triage who needs subspecialty care. Now, the updated ACGME guidelines recommend teaching this in family medicine residency education. Yet, there is a gap in trained faculty and established curriculum for teaching POCUS. The STFM Family Medicine POCUS Educator Certificate Program targets these gaps and focuses on solutions to help grow and support POCUS education in family medicine.

    Congratulations to Dr. Teran for this accomplishment.

  • Photo during the 2026 Women's Health Procedures Workshop for medical students hosted by the UTMB Health Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, the Family Medicine Interest Group and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Student Group

    5th Annual Women's Health Workshop a Huge Success

    On Thursday, February 12th, 2026 the UTMB Health Department of Family Medicine & Community Health (FMCH) hosted the 5th Annual Women's Health Workshop, a collaboration between the Award Winning Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) and the Obstetrics Gynecology Student Society (OGSS). Both FMCH faculty and residents and OBGYN faculty and residents were on hand to teach over 28 medical students - 10 different women's health procedures:  Vaginal delivery/ post partum hemorrhage and estimated blood loss; Sonosite use/ Leopold's maneuvers/ doptone use; Pelvic exam with emphasis on speculum use and proper language; Cervical dilation; IUD/Nexplanon insertion; Breast exam/ contraceptive overview.

    Many thanks to Athena Berrels- Luna, MS2 who stepped up to coordinate the workshop when the original coordinator experienced a health concern and to Kathryn Neal MS2 the OGSS coordinator. This year the workshop was enhanced with the addition of Leopold's Maneuvers teaching and ultrasound of Dr. Rokhlin's baby!  Many thanks to the following teachers from FMCH and OB/GYN:

    Dr. Thompson and Dr.  Bharucha
    Dr. Brown and Dr. Moran
    Dr. Ruiz and Dr. Fletcher
    Dr. Garasia and Jenny Mosely, MS4
    Dr. Fields, Dr. Fuentes, Dr. Stepanek
    Dr. Crandle, Dr. Mahmood, Dr. Rokhlin, Dr. Wilken and Elysse ReyesMS4

    Lastly we would like to thank Family Medicine & Community Health Medical Student Education (FMCH/MSEP) Program Director, Jennifer Raley, Program Manager, Christopher Pleasant and Program Coordinator, Jessica Prescott for helping to make this evening a success.  

    ALL PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR UTMB ONLY DOWNLOAD HERE. 
    (You must be logged into the utmb network to access) 

  • Image of the The UTMB Health Department of Family Medicine Expands Name and is now Family Medicine & Community Health

    Department of Family Medicine Changes Name

    New Name Reflects Department's Evolving, Community-Focused Mission

    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.”

  • Photo of Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH faculty physician with UTMB Health's Department of Family Medicine & Community Health

    Two Family Medicine Employees Receive Honor of Receiving an "Oscar of the Gulf Coast"

    After weeks of nominations and another year of record votes, Galveston.com is thrilled to present the Winners of the 2025 BEST OF THE ISLAND AWARDS, “the Oscars of the Gulf Coast” according to The Houston Chronicle.

    During the months of September and October, 2025, thousands of Galveston.com visitors took part in nominating a host of Island businesses, organizations, and people for the annual Best of the Island Awards. From those nominees, the Top Five vote-receivers in each category then continued to the Voting Phase, which continued during the months of November and December. Once the number of votes was counted? The top vote-receiver in each category was crowned the Best of the Island in January of 2026

    Dr. Laura Porterfield, faculty physician at the Family Medicine & Community Health Clinic Island East received the honor of Best Physician 2025 and Lanita Burton Edwards, Nurse Clinician at the the same clinic was honored with Best Nurse 2025.  Congratulations to both of our Family Medicine & Community Health providers on their awards! 

    Laura Porterfield, MD, MPH, Faculty Physician at UTMB Health's Family Medicine & Community Health Clinic - Island East     Photo of LaNita Burton Edwards Nurse Clinician at the UTMB Health Family Medicine & Community Health Clinic - Island East
  • Photo of Kendall M Campbell with colleagues at the National Academy of Medicine Annual Meeting in DC

    Kendall M. Campbell Attends National Academy of Medicine Annual Meeting

    Every year, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) hosts it's Annual Meeting, an opportunity for members and the public are welcome to join them in Washington, DC or online to learn more about a selected topic. From October 18-20, 2025 UTMB Health's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Chair, Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP, attended NAM's Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.  The theme for the meeting was "Frontiers of AI & Health: Care, Discover and Education".  

    Pictured in the Photo with the Albert Einstein statue from Left to Right:

    • Andrew Bazemore MD MPH Senior Vice President of Research and Policy, American Board of Family Medicine
    • Kendall M. Campbell MD Professor and Chair of Family Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch
    •  James C. Puffer, MD is currently a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Family Medicine in the Division of Sports Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), located in Lexington, Kentucky, from 2003-2018.
    • Larry Green MD is Distinguished Professor of Family Medicine and the Epperson-Zorn Chair for Innovation in Family Medicine and Primary Care at the University of Colorado.

    To learn more about the Einstein Memorial statue visit:
    https://www.nasonline.org/about-the-nas/locations/the-einstein-memorial/

  • Photo of Primary Care Procedures Workshop (PCP@PCP) showing Orthopedic Procedures

    15th Annual PCP@PCP

    Sending a shout out and much-appreciated thanks from our FMIG Officers and Dr. Raley for the teaching of procedures on Thursday October 9th which also gives a window into our scope of practice as well as the personality of our department and discipline. 

     There were 42 MS1/2 students, 8 PA students and 1 nursing student in attendance for a total of 51 learners!

     Our FMIG greatly appreciates the support from Residents and Faculty to inspire others to join our field. 

     Acupuncture- Het Bharucha, Dr. Yasin- faculty

    Suturing- Kerrie Brown, Julio Ruiz, Dr. Fuentes- faculty

    Toenail removal- Tianna Stith, King Ampofo, Fred Ly,  Dr. Jana- faculty

    Derm- Juliette Asana, Revanthi Gnanasekaran, Dr. Porterfield- faculty

    Splinting- Matthew LeBlanc, Ashley Echeta, Dr. Teran- faculty

    Joint Injections- Sami Ghozayel, Dr. Teran- faculty

  • Photo of Kendall M. Campbell, MD, FAAFP - Chair of the UTMB Health Department of Family Medicine & Community Health

    Chairs Update Spring 2025

    As we look forward to sunshine and spring and continuing our forward momentum in our service to patients, education to our learners and to solving the research challenges in primary care, I want to thank you all for your dedication to the work and commitment to the plan. I think we have more direction now than we have had in the last four years as evidenced by some of the great candidates that have applied to our open positions recognized our work and our aspirations.

    We have lots of interest in our VC for research position and more candidates will be coming to campus. I ask that whenever possible please attend these in person presentations to hear thoughts from the candidates about how they see research evolving in family medicine. We also continue to recruit for open faculty positions and have interviews pending and offers out to bring additional faculty into the department. Thank you to those who continue to cover departmental needs during this time. Your commitment has helped us keep the work going.

    Thanks to our education leaders who are getting ready to welcome a new class of interns, creating outstanding educational experiences for medical students and FMIG and continuing to forward our strategy map to enhance our offerings in the clerkship and in longitudinal educational experiences. We continue to make progress across all fronts of the map, with submitted proposals, published papers, collaborative partnerships and team spirit all around. Thank you to those who are holding up the flag in our clinical areas from the outpatient clinics to our inpatient service, we appreciate you caring for our patients and leading the way in how we do medicine.

    As we continue our pace through the year and plan for the work ahead, I ask that you encourage each other, collaborate, and support each other in moving the work of the department forward together. We are better together and with all of us advancing family medicine and the work of primary care we will see outcomes that impact our patients, their families and the community.