Hello all.
After a rigorous search process, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Maria Belalcazar as our inaugural Department of Medicine Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Dr. Belalcazar is an Associate Professor in the Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Belalcazar is an outstanding clinician, educator, and UTMB citizen. She will play a crucial leadership role in ensuring that all trainees, faculty, and staff feel welcome within our department. In her vice-chair role, Dr. Belalcazar will serve as a standing member of the DOM leadership team. She will also play a vital role in recruitment. In addition, Dr. Belalcazar will serve as the DOM liaison on institutional committees and working groups focusing on EDI and related issues. A huge thank you to the recruitment committee for their advice and service.
Dr. Maria Belalcazar is a tenured Associate Professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and a University of Texas Distinguished Teaching Professor. She earned her medical degree at the National University of Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia; she completed her residency in internal medicine at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and an endocrinology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where she trained in clinical and research lipidology. Dr. Belalcazar has an interest in cardiovascular disease prevention and in understanding the cardiometabolic effects of lifestyle intervention and glucose control in people with diabetes.
Dr. Belalcazar has held numerous roles during her tenure at UTMB, including that of physician scientist, clinician, and educator. In addition to her role as a bedside clinician educator, Dr. Belalcazar currently directs UTMB’s Inpatient Diabetes Programs and is Co-Director of the Internal Medicine Clerkship. She has a long history of inspiring students, residents and fellows in clinical care and scholarship development, and has served as a career mentor to many. Dr. Belalcazar’ s interests in education have expanded to the faculty level with a major focus on issues of equity and career development. She believes strongly in the importance of providing individualized support to faculty, including but not limited to mentorship, so that they can achieve their career goals. Dr. Belalcazar is intent on addressing the gaps that currently exist to the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in medicine to positions of leadership. As a mother of two who had to leave and re-enter
academic medicine during her career, she is particularly sensitive to issues related to family and career balance. Dr. Belalcazar is eager to collaborate and open to suggestions on how to advance EDI
initiatives within our Department, the School of Medicine and beyond.
I am thrilled to have Dr. Belalcazar serving in this new and important role.
Thanks,
Peter Cram, MD, MBA
Chair, Department of Internal Medicine
Edward Randall and Edward Randall Jr.,
Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine
Professor of Internal Medicine