Tim Robinson’s attention to detail is one of the most important traits he acquired in the Navy—and one that has helped him throughout his career. His military state of mind is evident the moment I meet him at UTMB’s Wound Care and Hyperbarics Clinic in Dickinson. Opened in late April, the clinic provides specialized wound care treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to heal serious infections and chronic wounds.

Emily Blomberg currently serves as vice president for Professional and Support Services. Her responsibilities include management of Radiology, Clinical Pathology, Pharmacy, Clinical Equipment Services, Food Services, Environmental Services, Rehab Services, Laundry and Transportation. She joined the UTMB family in August 2010 as the director of Health System Operations.

For Dr. Joaquin Cortiella, it’s all about teamwork. From saving soldiers at war to building bioengineered lungs at work, teamwork is the constant driver of his success. So, it was only fitting for the pediatric anesthesiologist and U.S. Army Colonel to point to others when he accepted the U.S. military’s prestigious Legion of Merit award on Sept. 10 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

Dr. Herman Barnett III went from World War II fighter pilot to becoming the first African American admitted to medical school in Texas. Dr. Edith Bonnet might have never become a doctor, and one of the first woman interns at John Sealy Hospital, if her beau had made it to the train station. These and many more stories of UTMB School of Medicine alumni who graduated between 1893 and1953 are on display at the Moody Medical Library through January.

‘Tis the season for parties and family gatherings where food is served—but the merry festivities can quickly turn south if the food makes you or others sick. Make sure you serve a safe and healthy holiday meal by keeping the following tips in mind...

Louis Perrin, a senior security analyst with the Office of Information Security, shreds a computer hard drive as part of the “Shred it” event on Oct. 19 at the Moody Medical Library Plaza.

Welcome to the newest issue of Impact! This edition features articles about some of the people and initiatives that are contributing to our mission of becoming one of the leading academic medical centers in the U.S.

Annette Macias Hoag, associate vice president, Health System Operations and associate chief nursing officer, and Christine Wade, director of Patient Care Services and assistant chief nursing officer for Emergency Services, chaired the 20th annual American Heart Associations’ Black Tie and Boots Gala on Sept. 17 at Moody Gardens in Galveston.

Face-to-face communication is important to UTMB’s Chair of Radiology, Dr. Eric Walser. Since the opening of the Jennie Sealy Hospital, Walser has made it a daily habit to trek from his office in the University Health Clinics building to the new hospital, where he makes a stop on most floors to talk directly with physicians, nursing staff and patients.

This year’s CMC Summer Conference in Houston began with an introduction to UTMB’s top priority for 2017: Best Care. Donna Sollenberger, executive vice president and chief executive officer for UTMB Health, spoke about the efforts to achieve a top 20 ranking among academic medical centers by fiscal year 2018, and explained how CMC employees fit into the initiative.

Eileen Schubert’s fingers rapidly flip and bend as she uses her hands to explain a doctor’s instructions to a patient. As a certified American Sign Language interpreter at UTMB, Schubert connects the deaf and hearing worlds, bridging communication gaps between medical staff and patients or caregivers who are hearing impaired.

As Vice President for Strategic Management, Rebecca Saavedra, EdD, provides support to fellow members of the executive leadership team to develop, manage and execute UTMB’s strategic plan. In addition, she leads efforts to enhance accountability, assessment and performance improvement initiatives. She has served as co-chair of the Professionalism Committee since 2000.

In the first months of a baby’s life, parents usually concentrate on their newborn’s health. But the postpartum period is also a good time for mom to catch up on an important vaccination for herself. The many doctor’s visits needed for a newborn present a convenient way for mom to get all three shots of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Dr. Elena Volpi, director of UTMB’s Sealy Center on Aging, received a $2.7 million grant from the National Institute on Aging for a five-year project that will identify the mechanisms that can accelerate loss of muscle size, strength and physical function in older adults with Type 2 diabetes and those who have been hospitalized.

This year’s event marked the 20th year anniversary of the essay contest and awards ceremony. The program, sponsored by the Office of the President and the Hispanic Center of Excellence under the direction of Dr. Norma Pérez, recognizes a student “who demonstrates commitments to providing quality health care to all by incorporating cultural competence in his or her service to others.

Twenty-one UTMB faculty, staff and students recently received UTMB President’s Cabinet awards for projects that promote outreach, education and improved patient care in the community. The nine funded projects total more than $200,000 and were presented during a banquet on Sept. 9 at The San Luis Resort in Galveston.

The new Adult and Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic is located in Texas City in the current Primary and Specialty Care Clinic.

The State Employee Charitable Campaign returns to UTMB this month, and it promises to raise more than just dollars. With a zombie and Halloween-inspired theme, it’ll be spooky and it’ll be fun. But most importantly, it’ll provide UTMB’s incredibly generous workforce an easy way to put their dollars to work for good, for the communities and causes that matter to them.

The following tips can help improve communication with your health care team—and ultimately help you take charge of your own health by becoming a better informed, more engaged patient.

Tammy Canales, a senior business coordinator for Radiation Oncology, smiles as she waits to receive a flu shot from Richard Bond, LVN. Free flu shots were available beginning Sept. 13 for all UTMB employees, retirees and volunteers.