Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

Welcome to UTMB Health!

UTMB Health is pleased to announce that Nephrology consultation services are now available for both inpatients and outpatients at the Clear Lake Campus (CLC).

Starting January 27, 2026, UTMB will begin Phase 1 of a two-phase rollout of Spanish-language support in MyChart, expanding access for our Spanish-speaking patients.

Extensive training and a wide breadth of experience have given Laurence Ducker, MD, a unique perspective on patient care. A recent addition to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, he is passionate about many aspects of vision care and eager to build upon what the department offers.

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.

Extensive training and a wide breadth of experience have given Laurence Ducker, MD, a unique perspective on patient care. A recent addition to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, he is passionate about many aspects of vision care and eager to build upon what the department offers.

The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics within the Department of Pediatrics at UTMB Hospitals is expanding its Advanced Practice Provider workforce with the integration of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). This addition reflects an intentional evolution of the division’s care model in response to the increasing prevalence, complexity, and acuity of pediatric mental, behavioral, developmental, and learning concerns.

Effective January 1, 2026, G0136 has a new definition. CMS proposed to delete this code for 2026. Due to public comments, CMS chose to keep the code but has changed its definition.

Welcome to UTMB Health!

Congratulations to Natalie Royer, DO, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Pediatrics. She was the lucky winner randomly chosen from all those who correctly identified the fish artwork at the Primary Care Pavilion in Galveston.

The Department of Rehabilitation Services has provided guidelines for pre- and post- lumbar punctures at Galveston Campus. These guidelines are designed to coordinate care and ensure limited disruption to further patient care in the hospital.

The Division of Rheumatology is excited to expand its consultation service to the mainland, with service to hospital patients at the League City Campus (LCC).

Members of the UTMB community can bring holiday cheer to pediatric patients through the annual Blue Santa Project toy and book drive. Drop off an unwrapped toy or book for any age by Dec. 15.

U.S. News & World Report has named The University of Texas Medical Branch as a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study, now in its fifth edition.

Families across Texas face significant challenges when seeking care for children with developmental and behavioral health needs, like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and intellectual disabilities. At UTMB, those challenges have lessened thanks to recent growth in the Division of Development, Behavior, and Mental Health Services.

Vizient’s Bernard A. Birnbaum Quality and Accountability Award for Pediatric Hospital Services reflects on the efforts of many teams providing pediatric hospital services. Dr. Leticia Castillo’s team in critical care is one key component, taking care of patients at the PICU in Galveston, as well as the Intermediate Care Units in Galveston and Clear Lake.

The UTMB Angleton-Danbury Campus (ADC) is in the midst of an exciting transformation in neonatal care. Medical Director Dr. Sunil Jain has a vision to elevate the Level I nursery to Level II – an important goal to increase patient satisfaction and offer more comprehensive care to Brazoria County patients – as he aims to expand the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program.

As we approach the close of a busy and productive season, I want to share several exciting updates from the Department of Pediatrics. Our clinical teams continue to provide exceptional, compassionate care across all sites, maintaining strong quality metrics and improving access for the families we serve.

Congratulations to Vanessa Gutierrez, MSN, RN-BC, Outpatient Nurse Manager at the Dave Bleakney Building, in Angleton. She was the lucky winner randomly chosen from all those who correctly identified the Lake Jackson Clinic.

Welcome to UTMB Health!