Health Policy and Legislative Affairs Government Relations Government Relations Federal Relations Works with federal officials to secure support and educate them on UTMB needs and prioritiesWorks with elected congressional officials and their staff on UTMB's behalfMeets with federal government officials on grant funding opportunitiesCoordinates campus visits for federal officials and their staffCoordinates meetings for UTMB staff in Washington, DC with federal officialsConveys UTMB’s position on proposed federal legislationAssists UTMB staff with securing federal government approvalsHighly involved in the Juneteenth Celebration - Galveston holds the distinction of being the site of the first reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in the southern U.S. UTMB helps commemorate this extraordinary moment with an annual event on the grounds of the city’s historic Ashton Villa where the original reading of the proclamation was held. Douglas W. MatthewsAssistant Vice President, Government Relations(409) 747-2791dmatthew@utmb.edu State Relations Lauren E. SheerVice President, Legislative Affairs(512) 609-8046lesheer@utmb.edu Works with state elected officials, their staff, and state agencies on UTMB issues Monitors and coordinates UTMB participation in legislative committee hearings and studiesCoordinates campus tours and other educational activities for state legislative, executive and agency officials and their staffsServes as point of contact for elected officials’ constituent issues related to UTMBServes as resource for UTMB communities (students, faculty, alumni, etc) regarding state issuesAnalyzes UTMB and other data and legislative information, and prepares analytical materials for use with UTMB communities, legislative offices, and other state officials and staff F. Ryan MicksAssistant Vice President, Government Relations(409) 747-2793 frmicks@utmb.edu