UTMB News Articles Expanding access to weight management: What the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program means for you July 30, 2026 • 2:58 p.m. by Carly Boers Medicare beneficiaries may now be eligible for GLP-1 weight management medications at a capped cost of just $50 per month. Learn who qualifies for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program and how UTMB can help you navigate the process. Plague vaccines protect mice without immune defense scientists thought essential July 30, 2026 • 12:00 p.m. Source: July 28, 2026 - The Dallas Express “Our findings show these vaccines generate a remarkably broad immune response. Even without interferon-gamma, which has long been considered one of the immune system’s most important antibacterial defenses, vaccinated animals remained protected from lethal pneumonic plague." — Ashok Chopra, CSc, PhD Guest commentary: It could be that consuming social media is the 'diarrhea diet' July 30, 2026 • 7:35 a.m. Source: July 21, 2026 - The Galveston County Daily News "Digital content, even when presented as satirical or humorous, assumes that the user can critically identify satire and humor in the first place." — Jarrel De Matas, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Bioethics & Health Humanities at The University of Texas Medical Branch. Sustained weight loss of 130 pounds powers patient’s love for exercise July 29, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson After years of losing and regaining weight, Lynda Patrick turned to UTMB Health for help. Working with the weight management team, she underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2024 and has since lost more than 130 pounds, dramatically improving her health. Why healthy sleep routines matter for school success July 28, 2026 • 2:31 p.m. by Kaitlin Brennan Healthy sleep routines help children focus, learn, grow, and feel ready for school. Learn how families can reset bedtime routines and support better sleep before the school year starts. UTMB experimental plague vaccines protect against deadly infection in preclinical study July 28, 2026 • 8:38 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner The findings suggest the vaccines trigger multiple layers of immune protection and could help advance the development of more effective plague vaccines. Experimental technique delivers dramatic relief for severe back pain July 27, 2026 • 12:36 p.m. Source: July 27, 2026 - Ana News Agency “Interventional neurosurgery has transformed the treatment of stroke, aneurysms, and other brain and spinal disorders,” said Dr. Matias Costa, the study’s lead author from the Department of Neurosurgery at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). “We are now exploring whether these same techniques can help patients suffering from severe pain.” Back-to-school germs: Practical ways to reduce illness this school year July 24, 2026 • 9:24 a.m. by Carly Boers Back-to-school season brings new learning opportunities—and plenty of germs. Discover how small daily changes can help keep children healthier, minimize missed school days, and support a stronger start to the school year. Is it bad to eat cheese at night? July 24, 2026 • 8:56 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner Family Nurse Practitioner Alma Chavez answers this and nine of the other most-Googled health-related questions in Texas. McWhorter appointed as chair of the UT System Employee Advisory Council July 24, 2026 • 8:40 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner After serving on the UT System Employee Advisory Council’s Resources and Support Committee and as vice chair of the executive board, Will McWhorter now leads the systemwide employee advisory group. How AI is changing disease diagnosis and why physicians still matter July 23, 2026 • 10:26 a.m. by Katherine Adams Artificial intelligence is transforming medical diagnosis, but bioethicists at UTMB say technology should support, not replace, physicians. Beyond speed and accuracy, they say diagnosis is about trust, patient care, ethics, and protecting privacy. 10 steps to take before you leave the hospital July 23, 2026 • 10:15 a.m. Source: July 8, 2026 - AARP Magazine Meredith Masel, PhD, director of the Oliver Center for Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare at UTMB, joins other healthcare professionals in advising on the questions to ask, things to do, and mistakes to avoid to ensure a smooth transition and recovery at home. Back-to-school anxiety is common — here’s how parents can help July 22, 2026 • 12:52 p.m. by Carly Boers Back-to-school jitters are more common than many parents realize, and anxiety can show up in surprising ways. Learn how to recognize the signs, support your child through the transition, and help them build confidence for a successful school year. From basketball court to crisis and back: UTMB Health guides a young athlete’s healing journey July 22, 2026 • 8:53 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner and Tristen Kersh When an ordinary basketball play left 9-year-old Jonah with a hidden brain bleed, UTMB Health pediatric experts guided him from a frightening diagnosis to a full return to the sport he loves. Therapy dogs lend a healing paw in teen's recovery at UTMB Health July 21, 2026 • 8:43 a.m. by Katherine Adams and Tristen Kersh Following two major spinal fusion revision surgeries, 16-year-old Lilly Tucker spent six weeks at UTMB Health recovering from temporary partial paralysis. During her rehabilitation, visits from dogs in the pet therapy program provided comfort, eased anxiety, and motivated her to walk farther and faster during physical therapy. Shifts in pain management focus on safer, nonopioid treatments July 20, 2026 • 2:35 p.m. by Katherine Adams Patients seeking pain treatment are increasingly asking about alternatives to opioids. Physicians at UTMB Health emphasize personalized care that targets the source of pain through procedures, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and psychological support. Weight loss is one battle. Keeping it off is another. July 17, 2026 • 8:33 a.m. by Katherine Adams Weight loss and weight maintenance are two different biological processes, according to UTMB endocrinologist Israa Ali, MD. While losing weight requires creating a calorie deficit, maintaining that loss requires overcoming the body’s natural responses, including a slower metabolism and increased hunger signals designed to restore lost weight. Water safety starts before you get in: Pool, beach, and swimsuit visibility tips for families July 16, 2026 • 2:51 p.m. by Kaitlin Brennan Before your next pool or beach day, learn how water watchers, life jackets, beach warning flags, rip current awareness, and swimsuit visibility can help families stay safer. Nishi named chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at UTMB July 15, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams Shawn Nishi, MD, has been appointed chief of the UTMB Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. A UTMB alumna and longtime faculty member, she aims to expand research, education, innovation, and access to specialized pulmonary care. UTMB to hold active shooter drill at Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center July 14, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Police Department will conduct an active shooter drill on Saturday, July 18, at UTMB Health Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center in League City and will not affect patient services. Search Categories Awards & Accolades Education Faculty/Staff News Health Care In The News Innovations News Releases Top News UTMB Research Contact Media Team UTMB Experts
Expanding access to weight management: What the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program means for you July 30, 2026 • 2:58 p.m. by Carly Boers Medicare beneficiaries may now be eligible for GLP-1 weight management medications at a capped cost of just $50 per month. Learn who qualifies for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program and how UTMB can help you navigate the process.
Plague vaccines protect mice without immune defense scientists thought essential July 30, 2026 • 12:00 p.m. Source: July 28, 2026 - The Dallas Express “Our findings show these vaccines generate a remarkably broad immune response. Even without interferon-gamma, which has long been considered one of the immune system’s most important antibacterial defenses, vaccinated animals remained protected from lethal pneumonic plague." — Ashok Chopra, CSc, PhD
Guest commentary: It could be that consuming social media is the 'diarrhea diet' July 30, 2026 • 7:35 a.m. Source: July 21, 2026 - The Galveston County Daily News "Digital content, even when presented as satirical or humorous, assumes that the user can critically identify satire and humor in the first place." — Jarrel De Matas, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Bioethics & Health Humanities at The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Sustained weight loss of 130 pounds powers patient’s love for exercise July 29, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson After years of losing and regaining weight, Lynda Patrick turned to UTMB Health for help. Working with the weight management team, she underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2024 and has since lost more than 130 pounds, dramatically improving her health.
Why healthy sleep routines matter for school success July 28, 2026 • 2:31 p.m. by Kaitlin Brennan Healthy sleep routines help children focus, learn, grow, and feel ready for school. Learn how families can reset bedtime routines and support better sleep before the school year starts.
UTMB experimental plague vaccines protect against deadly infection in preclinical study July 28, 2026 • 8:38 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner The findings suggest the vaccines trigger multiple layers of immune protection and could help advance the development of more effective plague vaccines.
Experimental technique delivers dramatic relief for severe back pain July 27, 2026 • 12:36 p.m. Source: July 27, 2026 - Ana News Agency “Interventional neurosurgery has transformed the treatment of stroke, aneurysms, and other brain and spinal disorders,” said Dr. Matias Costa, the study’s lead author from the Department of Neurosurgery at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). “We are now exploring whether these same techniques can help patients suffering from severe pain.”
Back-to-school germs: Practical ways to reduce illness this school year July 24, 2026 • 9:24 a.m. by Carly Boers Back-to-school season brings new learning opportunities—and plenty of germs. Discover how small daily changes can help keep children healthier, minimize missed school days, and support a stronger start to the school year.
Is it bad to eat cheese at night? July 24, 2026 • 8:56 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner Family Nurse Practitioner Alma Chavez answers this and nine of the other most-Googled health-related questions in Texas.
McWhorter appointed as chair of the UT System Employee Advisory Council July 24, 2026 • 8:40 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner After serving on the UT System Employee Advisory Council’s Resources and Support Committee and as vice chair of the executive board, Will McWhorter now leads the systemwide employee advisory group.
How AI is changing disease diagnosis and why physicians still matter July 23, 2026 • 10:26 a.m. by Katherine Adams Artificial intelligence is transforming medical diagnosis, but bioethicists at UTMB say technology should support, not replace, physicians. Beyond speed and accuracy, they say diagnosis is about trust, patient care, ethics, and protecting privacy.
10 steps to take before you leave the hospital July 23, 2026 • 10:15 a.m. Source: July 8, 2026 - AARP Magazine Meredith Masel, PhD, director of the Oliver Center for Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare at UTMB, joins other healthcare professionals in advising on the questions to ask, things to do, and mistakes to avoid to ensure a smooth transition and recovery at home.
Back-to-school anxiety is common — here’s how parents can help July 22, 2026 • 12:52 p.m. by Carly Boers Back-to-school jitters are more common than many parents realize, and anxiety can show up in surprising ways. Learn how to recognize the signs, support your child through the transition, and help them build confidence for a successful school year.
From basketball court to crisis and back: UTMB Health guides a young athlete’s healing journey July 22, 2026 • 8:53 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner and Tristen Kersh When an ordinary basketball play left 9-year-old Jonah with a hidden brain bleed, UTMB Health pediatric experts guided him from a frightening diagnosis to a full return to the sport he loves.
Therapy dogs lend a healing paw in teen's recovery at UTMB Health July 21, 2026 • 8:43 a.m. by Katherine Adams and Tristen Kersh Following two major spinal fusion revision surgeries, 16-year-old Lilly Tucker spent six weeks at UTMB Health recovering from temporary partial paralysis. During her rehabilitation, visits from dogs in the pet therapy program provided comfort, eased anxiety, and motivated her to walk farther and faster during physical therapy.
Shifts in pain management focus on safer, nonopioid treatments July 20, 2026 • 2:35 p.m. by Katherine Adams Patients seeking pain treatment are increasingly asking about alternatives to opioids. Physicians at UTMB Health emphasize personalized care that targets the source of pain through procedures, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and psychological support.
Weight loss is one battle. Keeping it off is another. July 17, 2026 • 8:33 a.m. by Katherine Adams Weight loss and weight maintenance are two different biological processes, according to UTMB endocrinologist Israa Ali, MD. While losing weight requires creating a calorie deficit, maintaining that loss requires overcoming the body’s natural responses, including a slower metabolism and increased hunger signals designed to restore lost weight.
Water safety starts before you get in: Pool, beach, and swimsuit visibility tips for families July 16, 2026 • 2:51 p.m. by Kaitlin Brennan Before your next pool or beach day, learn how water watchers, life jackets, beach warning flags, rip current awareness, and swimsuit visibility can help families stay safer.
Nishi named chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at UTMB July 15, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams Shawn Nishi, MD, has been appointed chief of the UTMB Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. A UTMB alumna and longtime faculty member, she aims to expand research, education, innovation, and access to specialized pulmonary care.
UTMB to hold active shooter drill at Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center July 14, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Police Department will conduct an active shooter drill on Saturday, July 18, at UTMB Health Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center in League City and will not affect patient services.