Academic Enterprise Announcements


Exciting things are happening in UTMB's Academic Enterprise every day.

We are committed to keeping our UTMB community informed about news from the AE - from new leadership appointments and awards to development and learning opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students.

Read announcements from members of our AE leadership and other important news items from across the AE.


  • Melissa (Missy) Morrow on a teal banner with a dark teal text box reading "New AE Leadership Announcement"

    Morrow Appointed Director, Sealy Center on Aging

    Melissa (Missy) Morrow, PhD, has been appointed Director of the Sealy Center on Aging at The University of Texas Medical Branch. A distinguished scientist, mentor, and leader in the field of rehabilitation research, Dr. Morrow brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.

  • Dr. Neil Mehta on a teal banner with a dark teal text box reading "New AE Leadership Announcement"

    Mehta Named Inaugural Chair, Epidemiology, SPPH

    Neil Mehta, PhD, MSc, MA, was named the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, SPPH, effective July 1. Dr. Mehta also serves as the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public and Population Health as well as the Director for the newly established UTMB Center for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research.

  • Dr. Salim Hayek with a teal background, and a teal text box reading "New AE Leadership Announcement"

    Hayek Named Chair, Internal Medicine, JSSOM

    Salim Hayek, MD, has been named Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in the John Sealy School of Medicine, effective July 1. As a board-certified cardiologist, NIH-funded physician-scientist, and nationally recognized leader in academic medicine, Dr. Hayek brings to this position a remarkable blend of clinical insight, research excellence, and operational leadership.

  • Teal background with Olugbenga B. Ojo and a dark teal box with text reading "New UTMB Center Announcement"

    Announcing the Center for Correctional Health

    The Center for Correctional Health (CCH), a new university-level initiative led by Olugbenga B. Ojo, MD, MBA, FACP, SFHM, CCHP, CCHP-CP, from the Department of Internal Medicine and the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Physician Executive for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital Galveston. The CCH will allow UTMB to build on our unique knowledge and experience and play a vital role in improving the delivery of care to this important and vulnerable population.

  • CCNE Logo with a teal background. White text that reads "School of Nursing News," on a dark teal background.

    School of Nursing Awarded Full Accreditation

    UTMB's School of Nursing received full 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE Board of Commissioners determined that, the baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at UTMB met criteria for accreditation by the CCNE.

  • Amy Gonzalez with a teal background and text that reads New AE Leadership Announcement

    Gonzalez Named Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment, JSSOM

    Amy Gonzalez, MD, FAAP, will serve as Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment in the John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM), effective June 1. Dr. Gonzalez’s passion for education and her steadfast commitment to student success will serve her — and our school — exceptionally well in this new leadership role.

  • Martina Raquel Gallagher on a teal banner with a dark teal text box reading "New AE Leadership Announcement"

    Gallagher Named Chair, Undergraduate Studies, SON

    Dr. Martina Raquel Gallagher was named Chair of the Department of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Nursing, effective June 16, 2025. Her career reflects a deep commitment to delivering engaging education, providing high-quality, patient-centered care, and advancing nursing practice through scientific inquiry.

  • Michael Whitehead on a light teal background with a dark teal banner that says New AE Leadership Announcement

    Whitehead Named Chair, Physician Assistant Studies

    Michael B. Whitehead, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, has been named Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies in the John Sealy School of Medicine. Dr. Whitehead has served as the Interim Chair since January 2025. A member of our PA faculty since March 2021, Dr. Whitehead served as Associate Program Director in the department prior to this appointment.

  • Peter McCaffrey on a light teal background with a dark teal banner that says New UTMB Center Announcement

    Announcing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center at UTMB

    The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center at UTMB is a transformative step in our institution’s commitment to innovation, health system excellence, and patient-centered care. As an academic medical center, UTMB has both the opportunity and the responsibility to shape the future of AI in medicine. The AI Center will serve as the institutional platform to meet this responsibility with integrity, scientific rigor, and vision.

We want your news!

If you know of an Academic Enterprise news item that should be featured here, please let us know! It could be an award, a new appointment, or a great opportunity open to others in the AE. 

Contact a member of our AE Communications team to let us know.

Headshot of Cortney Martin
Cortney Martin
Manager, Communications and Community Initiatives
Email • (409) 772-0081
Headshot of Ashley Torres
Ashley Torres
Senior Communications Specialist
Email •
 (409) 266-4027
Headshot of Joey McCusker
Richard (Joey) McCusker
Communications Specialist
Email •
 (409) 266-9018

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