Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

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!

Childhood obesity continues to be a growing concern across the United States, with long-term health implications that can follow children into adulthood. Through efforts in its pediatric endocrinology clinic and the state-funded Bright Bodies program, UTMB is helping children, adolescents, and young adults take charge of their health from an early age.

Accurate medical coding is the backbone of healthcare revenue cycle management. Among the most critical aspects of coding is ensuring that ICD-10 diagnosis codes are reported to the highest level of specificity. This practice impacts accurate reimbursement and influences compliance, data integrity, and patient care outcomes.

We are proud to recognize Leslie Johnstone, PA-C, Pediatric Physician Assistant at UTMB Health Pediatric Primary Care, Bay Colony, as a "40 Under 40 of Galveston County" honoree for 2025. At just 36 years old, she exemplifies the dedication, leadership, and compassion that define the very best of advanced practice providers in our community.

Effective January 1, 2026, UTMB will be joining The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio in a merged Accountable Care Organization (ACO) relationship.

We are proud to recognize our Geriatric Advanced Practice Providers and colleagues for their grant-funded publication recently featured in Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine. Congratulations also to Dr. Tammie Michael on recognition by the Department of Internal Medicine!

Prolonged Services are to be used when the level of service is based on time and the time for the highest level of service (99205 or 99215) has been exceeded. Time includes both face-to-face activities and non-face-to-face activities when performed on the same calendar date as the office visit.

Welcome to UTMB Health!

For orthopedic trauma patients, a highly skilled surgeon can make all the difference in recovery and long-term function. Boris Zelle, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FAOA, brings extensive experience in comprehensive trauma care.

With advanced expertise in stroke care, aneurysm treatment, and interventional neurology, Ali Fadhil, MD, is eager to expand the UTMB's capabilities and build a practice that blends innovation with compassionate care.

Muhammad M. Shamim, MD, a new member of UTMB's Ophthalmology team, finds retina surgery to be a uniquely immersive experience – one that combines precision, patience, and profound impact.

The UTMB Palliative Care Program has expanded! Following the opening of its Galveston clinic in September, the program has opened a second location in League City.

The Friendswood Primary and Specialty Care Clinic Pharmacy is now open and accepting prescriptions.