Dear UTMB Colleagues,

With the beginning of a new fiscal year approaching, I am pleased to announce leadership appointments and adjustments in reporting structures within both the Academic Enterprise and the Health System. These changes are designed to further streamline operations, enhance alignment, and create greater clarity across our organization. The following updates take effect today, Thursday, August 28, 2025:

Academic Enterprise

• Dr. Antonio Bianco, MD, PhD, has been named Senior Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean of the John Sealy School of Medicine, and will continue in his role as the Chief Research Officer.
• With this transition, Dr. Vicente Resto, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, continues as Senior Vice President and is now Chief Operating Officer of the Faculty Group Practice, reporting to Dr. Bianco in this new capacity.
• Dr. Tom Blackwell will become the Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Clinical Affairs, a new role at UTMB that will provide visionary leadership to ensure clinical excellence across inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and surgical services. Dr. Blackwell will integrate quality and safety priorities with the educational mission and leverage resources from the Dean’s Office to recruit, retain, and support master clinicians as role models for exceptional patient care and mentorship.

Health System

• Dr. Resto will continue to serve as the Senior Vice President of Surgical Services and Ambulatory Operations within the Health System, reporting to Wayne Keathley, MPH, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
• Dr. Jerry Mansfield, PhD, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President and System Chief Nurse Executive, will begin reporting to Mr. Keathley and will continue his responsibility for the oversight of the practice of nursing. Nursing Operations will continue to report to Mr. Keathley.

These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more cohesive UTMB—one that continues to advance our mission of education, research, innovation, and clinical care. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Bianco and Dr. Blackwell as they take on these important new roles.

Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership in helping UTMB thrive.