Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

UTMB has opened a new Care Coordination and Referral Center at the UTMB Health Primary Care Pavilion on Harborside Drive in Galveston, further expanding access to care for patients across the island. The in-person center is designed to help patients navigate the health system, get connected with appropriate clinical care providers, and schedule appointments.

Welcome to UTMB Health!

Previously, patients with benign hematologic disorders were referred to hematology specialists. This was not always necessary or practical as most hematology specialists are trained to handle cancerous blood conditions. Today, primary care providers are equipped with the knowledge necessary to help their patients manage non-cancerous blood conditions, like anemia or clotting disorders. UTMB’s John Sealy Diagnostic Center seeks to make this even easier.

The human body is like a puzzle, with all of its parts fitting together to complete a picture of health. When a piece goes missing or does not fit, the body’s systems may not work as they should. This is where a physician comes in, applying their expertise to solve the puzzle and help the patient feel healthy – and whole – again. This perspective inspired Israa Ali, MD, to pursue endocrinology and continues to drive her passion for patient care.

The Division of Rheumatology at UTMB is experiencing significant growth—bringing expanded access, more treatment options, and, most importantly, much-needed relief to patients suffering from a wide range of often painful and chronic conditions. Rheumatic diseases primarily affect the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. These disorders are frequently driven by autoimmune and inflammatory processes, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.

Do you ever have a circumstance when you can bill a preventive care and a sick visit during the same encounter? If so, are you documenting and coding correctly? This is often a missed opportunity. Both visits may be documented in the same encounter note and must justify the codes billed.

In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, the role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) continues to expand beyond direct patient care. Reflecting this progression, Dr. Allison Mitchell, a highly respected APP within the UTMB Division of Nephrology, has recently been appointed as the new Nephrology APP Lead.

Congratulations to our Ambulatory Operations team on their success during this month's Joint Commission triennial survey. The surveyors visited more than 45 clinics, including a virtual tour of McAllen RWSP clinic site. They were impressed with the expansive scope of services offered in the Ambulatory setting.

UTMB Health celebrated the opening of its new Pediatric and Adult Primary Care Clinic in Friendswood, located at 1715 S. Friendswood Drive, on Wednesday, April 23.

With a mission to provide area patients with high-quality, comprehensive orthopedic care, UTMB’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation continues to enrich its faculty roster with new talent. Burak Altintas, MD, joined the department last year, increasing access to critical orthopedic services on the mainland.

The feeling of being constantly unable to breathe can be agonizing, with significant implications for one’s quality of life. While medications may provide relief to many, some patients experience persistent sinus issues that require an expert approach and more advanced interventions. The field of Rhinology is dedicated to solutions for nasal and sinus conditions.

Congratulations to Natalie Turrubiartes, Medical Assistant I at the League City Urgent Care Clinic. She was the lucky winner randomly selected from all who correctly identified the Clear Lake Campus hospital lobby.

Welcome to UTMB Health!

With a goal to enhance Nephrology programs at UTMB, the institution welcomed a new chief last September. Ajay Israni, MD, MS, arrived with extensive experience, a vision for growth, and excitement for the tremendous potential he saw at UTMB. Now, UTMB is on track to emerge as a leader in kidney care.

These codes are used for extensive time in addition to seeing the patient and must relate to a service for a patient where direct face-to-face patient care has occurred or will occur and be part of ongoing patient management. The time spent for prolonged non-face-to-face services does not need to be continuous but must be on the same calendar date.

One of UTMB’s most cherished traditions is the Preemie Reunion, an annual event that brings together former NICU patients, their families, and the care teams who supported them through the earliest and most fragile days of life. Thanks to Dr. Keleigh Warnke, NNP-in-Chief for UTMB Neonatal Nurseries, for sharing insights into this special event.

UTMB’s capacity to provide the full breadth of vision care continues to grow, as the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences builds upon its team with talented new additions. Ashley Nickens, MD, brings experience with common ophthalmologic conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Navigating a movement disorder can feel overwhelming. Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, and Huntington’s disease can deeply affect a person’s mobility, independence, and quality of life. At UTMB Health, patients benefit from expert care delivered with compassion—and conveniently close to home.

The DAX Copilot activity in the Epic Haiku mobile app has a new feature that enables clinicians to capture clinician-patient conversations in Spanish. Clinicians can now seamlessly switch between recording conversations in English and Spanish while providing care during a patient encounter.

Congratulations to Maria A. Rubio, Medical Assistant at the UTMB Lake Jackson Pediatrics Clinic, for being the first to recognize the Dave Bleakney Building in Angleton.