UTMB’s Interprofessional Scholars Program recently hosted its first Disaster Day, a student-led, large-scale simulation aimed at preparing and educating health care professional students on responding to a crisis.

For the past two centuries, the stethoscope has been the iconic symbol of medicine. But if you ask Dr. Masood Ahmad, that could soon change.

The focus on interprofessional education has been a foundational part of UTMB’s Academic Enterprise since it was introduced at the institution in 2008. Interprofessional education—or IPE as it’s commonly called—was introduced as part of Synergy, UTMB’s quality enhancement plan.

The start of the 2017-2018 academic year was a memorable one for UTMB students and faculty. Just days after welcoming new students from all schools to campus at fall orientation, leaders in UTMB’s Academic Enterprise had the safety of students, faculty and staff in mind when they decided to cancel classes as Hurricane Harvey closed in on the Texas gulf coast.

The importance of a good teacher is no secret. There’s longstanding research confirming that the most influential factor in student achievement is teacher effectiveness. That’s why UTMB’s Office of Educational Outreach provides programs not only for students but also for teachers.

Regardless of whether the 225 graduates of UTMB’s School of Medicine end up working in a modern facility or one with just basic equipment, this year’s commencement speaker had some good advice.

School of Medicine graduate Da'Marcus Baymon received this year’s prestigious Gold-Headed Cane Award—the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating medical student.

UTMB's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences awarded 49 degrees during its commencement ceremony on May 19 in Levin Hall. Chief Research Officer, Senior Vice President and Dean, David W. Niesel, presided over the convocation.

A ceremonial groundbreaking on April 7 recognized the official start of construction on UTMB’s $90.4 million Health Education Center (HEC). A group of enthusiastic supporters, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors, gathered for the event at the building site on UTMB’s Galveston Campus.

For Charmarie Ritchie Reese, the path to getting her nursing degree went down a long road that led her first through the criminal justice system.

On March 17, more than 200 School of Medicine students gathered in Levin Hall to learn where they will do their post-medical school training, or residencies. Known as “Match Day” across the country, the annual event happens on the third Friday of March each year to announce the results of the National Residents Matching Program.

Students, faculty and members of the Galveston arts community recently took advantage of a rare opportunity to go inside the top floor of UTMB’s Ashbel Smith Building, known as “Old Red,” on the Galveston Campus for the “Drop in and Draw Bones: The Art of Anatomy” event. More than 90 visitors filled the third floor space, which had tables displaying real human specimens including skulls, a spinal cord, hand, foot and leg bones.

UTMB holds a special place in the hearts of Drs. Michael Ainsworth and Karen Szauter. It’s where the couple met and married while working as faculty members. And it’s where they continue to fulfill a mission to train the health care workforce of the future.

UTMB kicked off the Faculty and Staff Campaign for its newest fundraising initiative—Innovations in Mind—at the Feb. 2 Town Hall meeting. The entire $50 million Innovations in Mind initiative will partially support construction of the new Health Education Center on the Galveston Campus, help create faculty endowments and student scholarships, and bolster neurodegenerative disorders research.

UTMB’s new Health Education Center (HEC) will provide the space to accommodate UTMB’s increasing enrollments and employ the advanced technology necessary to train students in an interdisciplinary environment to help Texas meet the rising demand for health care providers in the coming years.

At the UTMB Nursing Interprofessional Simulation Center, “pretend” is a bad word. So, when first-year School of Nursing students practice intramuscular injections, they use a “task trainer” that looks and feels like an actual piece of flesh—with layers representing skin, fat and muscle

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.

Inside the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston, there’s now a special room for children who are facing a life-threatening illness or disability to rest and regain their superhero powers. It’s called the “Superhero Hideout” and it’s thanks to the UTMB Physician Assistant Class of 2017 in the School of Health Professions, in collaboration with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants organization.

Becoming a health care professional has always been a dream for Robert Guedea. But when he received a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care at the School of Health Professions graduation ceremony on Aug.12, it became a reality—one he previously thought was beyond reach.

Colt Keo-Meier knows it can be a cruel world for people who don’t conform to societal norms. As a licensed psychologist and preeminent researcher on transgender health, he sees patients from early childhood to adulthood who struggle with not fitting into traditional gender roles.