UTMB News Articles

  • Key enzyme ATR protects DNA during replication stalls

    The study reveals that ATR plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the cell's DNA replication machinery when faced with challenges such as damaged genetic material. By preventing chromosomes from breaking during replication stalls, ATR acts as a guardian of the genome, preserving the fidelity of DNA replication processes.

  • A healthcare provider in a white coat sits facing a patient in an exam room, using a plastic anatomical model to explain a medical concept. The patient, seated on an exam table, listens attentively as they engage in a calm, one-on-one discussion.

    Path to endometriosis diagnosis begins with listening to symptoms

    Jules Meadows endured years of debilitating, unexplained menstrual pain beginning at age 8, facing repeated dismissal from doctors before finally being diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis in her early 20s. After surgery and ongoing treatment, her symptoms have significantly improved, and she now advocates for awareness and earlier diagnosis of the often-overlooked condition.

  • Patient satisfaction surveys: How and why to use them

    “Healthcare is complex and matrixed, and it’s assumed that we deliver excellent care, but we need validation from our patients on whether we are hitting our mark,” says Stephanie Guzik, MBA, BSN, RN, CHRC, vice president of patient experience and patient services at the University of Texas Medical Branch. “Patient satisfaction surveys are an important barometer because they provide direct, unfiltered insights into the experiences and expectations of the patients, their family and communities we serve.”

  • Galveston tourism leaders discuss workforce shortages, off-season tourism at industry summit

    Communities investing in recreation, fitness and wellness amenities increasingly attract visitors seeking outdoor experiences and health-oriented travel year round, Craig Kovacevich, UTMB associate vice president of Waiver Operations and Community Health Plans, told The Daily News. “What studies and results show in many communities is people make healthier choices,” Kovacevich said. “They often see the workforce becoming more stable and they often see the retention rate of employees going up.”

  • Back view of a diverse group of students wearing backpacks walking along a sunlit, tree-lined campus path, with light filtering through the trees and school buildings visible in the background.

    When kids talk about gun violence, other kids listen

    UTMB pediatric surgeon Dr. Bindi Naik‑Mathuria is leading a CDC‑funded, youth‑driven program to prevent firearm violence among middle school–aged children. The Rise Up! initiative engages young people as peer messengers to address community violence early.

  • A smiling clinician in scrubs and a surgical cap sits in a chair, holding hands with a woman seated across from him in a clinic room, as they talk. A floral painting hangs on the wall behind them.

    Is hormone therapy right for your menopause symptoms? Ask the doctor

    Hormone replacement therapy can be life-changing for women navigating menopause, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. UTMB expert Dr. Truong Nguyen explains how personalized care, risk assessment, and evolving guidance are helping women make informed choices about HRT.

  • Life lessons from garden wisdom

    "Go ahead, get dirty. Enjoy the clouds, the wind, the sun, the rain, the blooms and sprouts in the garden. If you don’t have space for one, maybe even a forlorn, struggling houseplant can use your love." - Dr. Victor S. Sierpina, member of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine, and a professor emeritus of Family Medicine at the The University of Texas Medical Branch.

  • Diphtheria isn’t gone, just forgotten

    Drs. Megan Berman, a professor of internal medicine, and Richard Rupp, a professor of pediatrics, at the University of Texas Medical Branch discuss how quickly progress can unravel and how difficult it is to regain control once an outbreak takes hold.

  • “Three people stand on a brick walkway outside a campus building. One adult holds a baby wearing a light-colored outfit and cap. Another adult stands nearby in a light patterned dress and glasses. Trees, planters, and buildings appear in the background.”

    A joyful homecoming for the tiniest miracles at UTMB Health

    About 50 families returned to UTMB Health for the 20th annual Preemie Reunion Prom, celebrating the growth and resilience of children who once began life in the NICU under uncertain conditions. The emotional event reunited families with caregivers, highlighting lasting bonds and the life-changing impact of neonatal care.

  • There's very little risk of catching hantavirus on a flight

    Robert Cross, an associate professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch's department of microbiology and immunology, said there's virtually no risk of transmission on airplanes within the United States, but travelers heading to certain parts of South America where the Andes virus strain is endemic are at slightly more risk. But, he added, it's still a rare disease.

  • Seven people stand in two rows in front of a UTMB‑branded backdrop, flanked by balloon columns in navy, white, and orange.

    $4 million Sealy & Smith Foundation gift launches nursing scholarship and workforce program at UTMB

    A $4 million gift from the Sealy & Smith Foundation to UTMB is launching the ISLAND Promise, a program that covers tuition, housing, and living support for nursing students while creating a direct pathway into high-need roles at UTMB Health. In exchange for a two-year work commitment after graduation, the initiative aims to reduce financial barriers, expand access to nursing education and strengthen the long-term workforce pipeline.

  • A dangerous experiment is playing out on a cruise ship with hantavirus

    Virologists have long assumed “that the virus just is not very efficiently transmitted human to human, because the small outbreaks that have occurred in the past have always involved either family members or health care workers who have prolonged, very close contact with infected patients,” says Scott Weaver, a professor of human infections and immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch and director of the Global Virus Network Center of Excellence.

  • Cruise ship hantavirus outbreak may be due to rare human transmission

    “This incident is not indicative of a widespread travel risk, but it is a clear example of how zoonotic viruses that come from wildlife exposure can surface in confined or connected settings,” said Scott C. Weaver, a network Center for Excellence director and chair in Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

  • Clinician in a white coat with a stethoscope reviews a clipboard while seated beside a patient in a clinical exam area with glass-walled rooms in the background.

    Sports physicals for kids — what parents need to know

    Sports physicals don’t have to be a last‑minute scramble. Learn when to schedule, what to expect, and how a simple visit can help keep your child safe, confident, and ready for the season ahead.

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