Message from the chair

June 2022 Monthly News Letter

June 2022

Summer Greetings.

I hope everybody is…. staying cool! Lots of great news.

Departmental vision: The people have chosen, and we have a new vision, submitted by Dr. Hornak, one of our outstanding new faculty (Infectious Diseases). “The UTMB Department of Internal Medicine will be admired for its excellence in clinical care, renowned for its near-and-far reaching research impact, valued as the educators of tomorrow’s healthcare innovators, and recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.”

Website update: Our new and improved website is coming into shape and planned to go live Monday, July 11, 2022. Tremendous work by the following members on our team Lauren McClary, Scott Patrick, and Jay Torres.

Welcome to Dr. Jneid: Dr. Hani Jneid joined us as the new Division Chief for Cardiology from Baylor. For more information, please read below.

Post-retreat follow-up: One of the items identified for improvement was creating forums for faculty to speak to/with leadership. Personally, I will continue visiting with Divisions on a regular basis. I also have faculty “lunches with the Chair” that occur each quarter. More broadly, we have quarterly full Department meetings. I have encouraged each Division to consider meetings/sessions where they invite leaders from across education, research, the clinical enterprise, etc. I know that our UTMB Health leaders love to come and visit.

Leadership opportunities:

  • Vice-Chair for Community Clinical Programs: We will be looking both internally and externally for outstanding candidates for 2 new roles: 1) VC for Inpatient Community Clinical Programs; 2) VC for Outpatient Community Clinical Programs. These crucial leadership roles are designed to improve clinical operations and coordination between our mainland clinical sites and our Island campus operations. Please feel free to self-nominate, nominate others, and forward to people who might be interested in these roles. See the position descriptions attached above. If interested, please send CVs and letters of interest to Lauren McClary at lamcclar@utmb.edu

  • Division Chief for Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology: We are launching a search for our next Division Chief for Rheumatology, Allergy/Immunology. Please feel free to self-nominate, nominate others, and forward to people who might be interested. A link to the posting is here https://careers.aaaai.org/job/director-division-of-rheumatology-allergy-and-immunology/63919147/

Other stuff:

  • We encourage you to visit the DOIM Feedback and Suggestion Form. This will be open and available to each of you 24/7. Please utilize this form to help convey your thoughts. https://forms.office.com/r/tKkTJE32g7

  • We are always looking for news to highlight in our newsletter and weekly relays. Did something good happen in your life (birth, wedding, award)? Did a colleague achieve something newsworthy? Please email news and information to Lauren McClary at lamcclar@utmb.edu

I would also like to welcome all our tremendous new hires (see below). We are thrilled to have you in the Department of Medicine.

For other important features and highlights, please continue reading below.

Thanks,
Pete


Citizenship Award Winner

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Leah Low, and Alexandria Cornell as the May 2022 Citizenship Award Recipients

Low, Leah, MD

Dr. Leah Low, Division of General Medicine:

“Dr. Low volunteers her time to be with the TJC surveyor during the health system triennial survey. This was our first ever systemwide survey. She was patient, professional and willing to step in to review
policies, chart reviews and arrange interviews with any frontline staff. The lead surveyor was very appreciative of the adult supervision given by Dr. Low.”
– nominated by Dr. Gulshan Sharma

Alexandria Cornell

Alexandria Cornell, Sr. Business Coordinator in Cardiology:

“Allie has made outstanding contributions and willingness to train new Business Coordinators in both Infectious Diseases and Cardiology.” – Brian Massey

 


New Hires in Internal Medicine

We would like to give a warm welcome (and welcome back for some!) to the Department. If you see these names or faces in the halls/offices, please say hello, and introduce yourselves.

Carla Magno

Carla Magno – Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology

Carla Magno, FNP-C, is a recent graduate from the UTMB MSN FNP Program. Before graduating with her MSN, she worked at UTMB as a Registered Nurse for seven years. Carla is originally from the Philippines and currently lives in Texas City. She is looking forward to continuing her growth at UTMB and becoming a committed member of a healthcare team that provides safe, effective, patient-centered, and evidence-based care to patients and their families."

 

 

Hani JneidHani Jneid – Professor & Chief, Cardiology

Dr. Jneid is a UMTB Cardiologist who specializes in Clinical & Interventional Cardiology. He is the Chief of the Division of Cardiology at UTMB, where he also serves as the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Care Line, & the John Sealy Distinguished Centennial Chair in Cardiology.

He finished his Internal Medicine training at the Cleveland Clinic, his Clinical Cardiology training at the University of Louisville, & his Interventional / Structural Cardiology training at Massachusetts General Hospital of Harvard Medical School, & obtained triple board-certification in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, & Interventional Cardiology.

Prior to matriculation to UMTB, Dr. Jneid served as the Director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the Director of Interventional Cardiology at the DeBakey VAMC, & the Director of Structural Heart Disease at Ben Taub Hospital (both BCM affiliates).

His clinical interests include the areas of coronary artery disease, aortic valve disease, & cardiovascular prevention. He helped initiate the first TAVI program in the VA healthcare system in the US & spearheaded the cardiovascular team that initiated the first TAVI program for Harris Healthcare System IN Houston. Notably, he is the recipient of several regional & national awards including a Medal of Service for Clinical Care of Veteran Patients at the DeBakey VAMC in 2016, the 2021 Star Award for Excellence in Patient Care at BCM (2021), & the 2021 national Gifted Educator Award by the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Jneid has versatile research interests with focus on outcomes research & clinical trials in the areas of ACS, CAD, & TAVI. He has over 340 PubMed publications, serves on 7 journal editorial boards, and has chaired & participated in several national ACC & AHA guidelines, performance measures documents, & position statements.

 

Muhie Dean SabayonMuhie Dean Sabayon – Assistant Professor, Cardiology

Meticulous, patient focused Cardiac Electrophysiologist with an extensive experience in Catheter Ablation, Cardiac Implantable device and left atrial appendage occlusion therapy. Possessing a genuine passion for delivering compassionate and empathetic patient care while building a strong trustworthy connection with patients. “My job as a physician is to provide the necessary information to help patients understand their condition, then create a safe, efficient, effective and individualized treatment plan.” Active member of several professional societies including the American Heart Association (AHA) and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Authored many peer-reviewed publications appearing in international journals. In addition to having clinical expertise in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Dr. Sabayon has a special interest in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows.

 


Babies in Internal Medicine

Emily Novicky Family




Congratulations to Emily Novicky and her family on the birth of Lana Novicky! Baby Lana was born on May 5th, 2022, weighing 6lbs 6oz and has been an amazing addition to the family.

 

 

 

 

Brittany Belew Family




Congratulations to Brittney Belew and her family on the birth of Ainsley Belew! Baby Ainsley was born on May 16th, 2022, weighing 6lbs 5oz and has been an amazing addition to the family.

 

 

 


Recent Awards, Achievements and Recognition

Olusola Sogbein




Olusola Sogbein, M.D., PGY-5, Nephrology – Congratulations to Dr. Olusola Sogbein for winning second place at the 7th Annual UTMB GME Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Poster Session held on May 4, 2022.

 

 

 

 

Vijay Murthy

 

Dr. Vijay Murthy was selected as the Academy of Master Teachers educator of the month for June 2022. Congratulations Dr. Murthy!

 

 



Premal Patel   Sunil Sahai

Dr. Premal Patel & Dr. Sunil Sahai were selected by their peers to be inducted into the Academy of Master Clinicians. The AMC honors clinicians who are recognized as consistently outstanding in all areas, demonstrate, and exemplify the highest level of ethics and professionalism. The 2022 Induction Ceremony will take place on Nov. 2, 2022. Congratulations Dr. Patel and Dr. Sahai!

 

 

Congratulations to all the recipients who received educational awards at the DOM end of year party/graduation. Please see all awards and recipients below:

DOM EOY Awards

Outstanding Overall InternJordan Malone
Outstanding Overall Intern Melissa Victory
Outstanding Overall 2nd Year Resident Deaa Abu-Jazar
Outstanding Overall 2nd Year Resident Daniel Stanton
Outstanding Overall 3rd Year Resident Marysuna Wilkerson
Outstanding Clinic Award Powell Elizabeth Davis
Outstanding Clinic Award Remmers Shilka Babu
Outstanding Clinic Award Daniels Deepam Joseph
Thomas N. & Gleaves James Award Kevin Guzman
Doctors Doctor Award Patric Liao
Don Powell Award Thomas Houghton
Chief Resident Award Elizabeth Davis, Christopher Nguyen, Alex Dang
Outstanding Subspecialty Faculty Jose A. Mendoza
Outstanding GIM Inpatient faculty Tehmina Khowaja


*Important Department Announcements*

2022 UTMB Faculty Mentor of the Year Award Nominations:

The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to request nominations for the 2022 UTMB Faculty Mentor of the Year Award! This award is bestowed upon an Internal Medicine Faculty Mentor who demonstrates a model for integrity and professionalism through their mentoring within the department. Please review the attached criteria above and submit your nomination to honor a deserving Faculty for their achievements to Crystal Baker via email at cl2baker@utmb.edu by September 1, 2022.