For more than 30 years, the President's Cabinet has provided a vehicle for UTMB and the community to work together to support these promising initiatives to improve health and well-being.
2024 PRESIDENT'S CABINET AWARDS APPLICATION
Download application here. Proposals must be received by 4:30 PM, Friday, May 10, 2024.
Dr. Tuere Coulter Dr. Juliet McKee Department of Family Medicine
This program expands the present outreach program at Galveston’s Ball High School Teen Health Clinic for pregnant teenagers. It will provide emotional support and encourage participants to have routine prenatal care while also educating them about healthier lifestyles. Integrating the program into the existing maternity clinic will create an atmosphere of support, education and growth to help teens face the challenges of pregnancy while achieving their educational and life goals.
David Gersztenkorn Roxanne Radi School of Medicine Students
This program will establish semi-monthly interactive nutrition education and cooking classes at St. Vincent’s Clinic to teach health and diet principles to uninsured or economically disadvantaged citizens. Through practical strategies for weight loss and healthy living, classes will focus on cooking styles and economical ingredients to lower carbohydrates, calories, fat and sodium while still preparing tasty dishes.
Julie Kutac Dr. Meredith Masel Oliver Center for Patient Safety
This is a five-part film series for the UTMB and surrounding communities to examine how people find meaning in the face of suffering and illness. Following each viewing, UTMB faculty will guide discussions about compassion and understanding during life-altering illnesses.
Ellen Adriance Dr. Cheryl S. Watson Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Second Life is a web-based three-dimensional computer version of the world, with people represented as avatars. This program will employ Second Life technology and UTMB faculty to present topics online that promote the relevance of the university’s biomedical research, clinical care and educational missions to the Galveston and Clear Lake communities. Civic groups, local media and community college science classes will promote the program.
Dr. Meredith Masel Oliver Center for Patient Safety
Shared-decision making enables patients and their providers to make health care decisions together, taking into account the best scientific evidence available and the patient’s values and preferences. To develop an infrastructure for shared-decision making at UTMB, this program will train advocates, create a library containing shared-decision making information and solicit community input to better align patients’ values and lifestyles with their health care.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is the second-most common infection originating in U.S. hospitals. The most effective therapies to prevent its occurrence are deep breathing and intentional coughing exercises. Through the program, the UTMB Transplant Council will provide organ-specific therapeutic pillows to post-operative transplant recipients to facilitate these exercises. Each pillow is designed for the respective shape of the transplanted organ and features an anatomical diagram for patient education.
Dr. John Fraser Dr. William Mileski Surgery/Trauma Services
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in adolescent and young adult drivers. To lower the incidences of drunk and distracted driving, the Save a Life Tour will feature day-long programs at five local schools through high-impact demonstrations and video. Students also will participate in driving simulators that mimic the effects of alcoholic beverage consumption and/or texting while driving. Computer survey kiosks will record students’ knowledge and attitudes about impaired driving before and after the presentations.
Rebecca L. Trout Nancy Schultz Health Policy and Legislative Affairs
This partnership with the newly created Galveston Children’s Museum will establish a “clinic” space at the museum that will include a special character mirror/body mirror interactive device and other teaching aids to demonstrate an internal view of the human body. The mirror will display visually striking interactive effects as children wave their arms or move their legs, learning in a fun-filled atmosphere.
