Hands rinse a head of leafy green lettuce under running water in a kitchen sink while fresh vegetables sit nearby on a countertop. Thoroughly washing produce and practicing good hand hygiene can help reduce the risk of Cyclospora infection.

More than a stomach bug, Cyclospora can cause weeks of severe illness

Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite that can cause weeks of severe diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps after consuming contaminated produce or water. UTMB Health experts urge early testing, treatment, hydration, and safe food handling to prevent complications.

Dr. Alberto Aparicio stands at the front of a classroom, speaking to students during a bioethics lecture on longevity at the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. A podium with computer monitors and a chalkboard are visible in the classroom.

The new science of aging is zeroing in on living healthier, not just longer

Scientists at UTMB are exploring whether slowing the biology of aging could help prevent chronic disease and extend healthspan. Their research also examines the ethical questions surrounding longevity, access to future therapies, and healthy aging for all.

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Rethinking correctional healthcare

The Center for Correctional Healthcare Excellence at UTMB is advancing research, innovation, education, and clinical care for one of the nation’s most medically vulnerable populations.

Two women wearing matching workout gear laugh while enjoying cold drinks.

Sustained weight loss of 130 pounds powers patient’s love for exercise

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.

A teenage patient smiles from her hospital bed as a therapy dog wearing a blue service vest rests beside her. The dog provides comfort and emotional support during her hospital stay, helping create a calmer, more reassuring environment.

Therapy dogs lend a healing paw in teen's recovery at UTMB Health

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.

A man wearing a white UTMB Health lab coat stands with his arms crossed in a clinical procedure room. Medical imaging equipment, a patient monitor, and shelves stocked with clinical supplies surround him, highlighting the healthcare setting.

Shifts in pain management focus on safer, nonopioid treatments

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.

Dr. Israa Ali, wearing a brown outfit, smiles while speaking with a female patient in a blue shirt during a weight management consultation in her office.

Weight loss is one battle. Keeping it off is another.

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.

A woman stands smiling in a white UTMB Health lab coat while holding a stethoscope with her arms crossed.

Nishi named chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at UTMB

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.

A retired couple and their adult daughter wearing dressy attire pose on a balcony in front of a beach at sunset.

For Galveston retiree, compassionate cancer care close to home is key to recovery

After Charles Meyer's wife died, his grief was compounded by the diagnosis of ampullary cancer. Working with Dr. Raj Vaghjiani, a surgical oncologist at UTMB Health, Meyer completed immunotherapy and prehabilitation before undergoing the Whipple procedure, a complex surgery to remove the tumor and reconnect the digestive system.

A medical professional in a white coat gestures toward a three-dimensional digital model of a human heart floating in a hospital hallway.

UTMB breakthrough cuts heart scan times by 35%

By redesigning how cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is managed and streamlining the clinical workflow, average scan times dropped by 35.1% over seven months — from 94.7 minutes down to 61.4 minutes at UTMB Health.

Five men and one woman in casual and business attire pose together in front of a blue background.

UTMB core innovation team codevelopment initiatives improve patient care and outcomes

At UTMB Health, algorithms are used to advance patient care in high-demand specialties, including nephrology, endocrinology, infectious disease, and rheumatology, helping determine which patients should be prioritized. The UTMB ITS core innovation team codevelops and implements these projects.

A man in a suit with short dark hair and black glasses stands indoors by a window holding books, with the Jennie Sealy Hospital building visible outside.

Jochen Reiser named a 2026 Most Admired CEO by Houston Business Journal

Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, president of The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and CEO of the UTMB Health System, has been selected as one of the Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in recognition of his leadership and strategic vision.

A healthcare provider wearing blue gloves examines a patient's hand during an appointment in an exam room. Medical equipment, a sink and exam supplies are visible in the background as the patient and provider discuss care.

What women should know about scleroderma, and why early signs matter

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that affects women far more often than men, causing the skin and, in some cases, internal organs to harden as excess collagen builds up. During Scleroderma Awareness Month, a UTMB Health expert highlights the importance of early diagnosis, self-advocacy, and emerging treatments, including CAR-T therapy, which offer hope for improved outcomes.

A man wearing a light blue button-down shirt and identification badge stands in front of a large window overlooking a coastal cityscape. Residential neighborhoods, buildings and the Gulf shoreline are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Smooth sailing starts with smart preparation

Dr. Miguel Cabada recommends cruise travelers plan ahead with vaccines, insurance, medications, handwashing, and an awareness of health risks at each destination.

A doctor in a white coat sits in an exam room speaking with a young man seated across from him beside a computer workstation. Both are smiling and engaged in conversation during a medical appointment.

Men who delay preventive care face risks they don't see coming

Men’s Health Month highlights the importance of prevention, yet many men still delay routine care, allowing silent conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity-related diseases to go undetected until serious complications arise.

A physician wearing a white coat and stethoscope sits across from a patient during an appointment in a medical exam room. The doctor appears engaged and attentive while speaking with the patient beside a computer workstation.

Primary care helps you stay a step ahead of your health at every age

Primary care physicians say regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings are essential at every stage of life, helping patients identify risks early and make informed decisions about their health. Alicia Monroe, MD, with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UTMB Health, said preventive care should evolve over time.

A doctor in a white coat stands at a clinic reception desk, smiling toward the camera while leaning on the counter. A receptionist works behind the desk, and a wall display featuring the word “Welcome” in multiple languages is visible in the background.

From routine checkups to urgent needs, primary care physicians help patients navigate care

Choosing the right level of care — primary care, urgent care or the emergency room — can save time, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. Madhumita Banga, MD, stresses that having a primary care provider and staying current with preventive care can help catch issues early and guide patients to the appropriate care when problems arise.

A middle-aged couple stands together outdoors near the water, smiling at the camera. The man wears a baseball cap and gray long-sleeve shirt, while the woman wears a Texas A&M T-shirt and rests her hand on his chest.

Against the odds, UTMB Health and EMS give cardiac arrest patient a second chance at life

Blaine Pogue suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a gym workout in Dickinson, and a rapid “chain of survival" — including bystander CPR, EMS response, and emergency care at UTMB Health — kept him alive after 34 minutes without a pulse. Despite low odds of survival, swift defibrillation, continuous resuscitation, and advanced hospital treatment restored his heartbeat, allowing him to recover.

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.

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.