UTMB Health

Today! We will celebrate our @utmbgsbs and @utmb_spph Class of 2026! We look forward to a wonderful celebration. Friday, May 15, 2 p.m. Levin Hall Auditorium, Galveston Campus Info for grads & guests, and livestream: GSBS: utmb.us/dwx SPPH: utmb.us/8ow

Researchers @utmbhealth have identified a key enzyme that helps protect chromosomes during DNA replication, an essential process that keeps our cells healthy and functioning properly. This discovery could inform how certain cancer drugs are developed. 🔗 utmb.us/fwc

Join us May 15 at 2 p.m. for the joint commencement ceremony honoring graduates from @UTMBGSBS & @utmb_spph in Levin Hall Auditorium. Attend in person or watch live: GSBS: utmb.us/dwx SPPH: utmb.us/8ow

We welcomed 100 future nurses to the SON! Our White Coat Ceremony marks the start of a journey rooted in compassion, resilience and purpose. We cannot wait to see the impact these students will make in healthcare. Photos to come! 🎥 Media Production: UTMB Media Production

Tonight, during the Jennie Sealy Hospital 10-year anniversary celebration, I looked across a lobby filled with employees from across @UTMBHealth gathered together to celebrate this important milestone. As we reflected on the past decade through stories, memories, music and laughter, I was inspired not only by how far Jennie Sealy Hospital has come, but by the future ahead for UTMB. Hearing stories of perseverance, compassion and dedication from employees across the institution was a powerful reminder of what makes this health system so special. It is an honor to help lead an institution that is so essential to Southeast Texas and built by people who show up every day with purpose, compassion and commitment to others. Thank you to the teams across UTMB whose hard work continues to shape the future of health care for the patients and communities we serve.

For Dr. Maria Franco Fuenmayor, neonatologist, and Rachel Mathers, NICU transport nurse, caring for the tiniest patients is more than a career, it’s a calling. Their work supporting newborns and families is rooted in compassion, trust and hope. 💛 utmb.us/fuy

Happy Health System and Nurses Week to the incredible teams across UTMB Health. From the bedside to behind the scenes, your compassion, dedication and commitment to superior care make a difference every day and reflect where purpose meets passion.🩵

Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed and widely misunderstood. Dr. Sendukas shares the key symptoms to look for and explains how @UTMBHealth provides expert diagnosis and personalized care. Learn more at utmbhealth.com/women

Congratulations, Dr. Holly West, Director of Education Mentoring Programs in our Office of Faculty Development. She was elected President-Elect of the @utsystem Kenneth I. Shine, MD, Academy of Health Science Education. She will serve as President starting in February 2027.

During National Nurses Week, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is announcing a $4 million gift from the Sealy & Smith Foundation to launch the ISLAND (Integrating Student Living to Advance Nursing Development) Promise. This transformational initiative will provide tuition assistance, housing support, and a direct pathway to employment at @utmbhealth for selected UTMB School of Nursing in Galveston (@utmbson) students, helping remove financial barriers while strengthening the future nursing workforce. The ISLAND Promise reflects a shared commitment to investing in nurses at every stage while addressing critical workforce needs in healthcare. It also serves as a powerful reminder that honoring nurses means investing in their future. Thank you to the Sealy & Smith Foundation for its enduring commitment to nursing excellence at UTMB, and to our nurses, whose compassion, expertise, and dedication make a difference every day. Read more: utmb.us/fu9 #WherePurposeMeetsPassion

Dr. Nikos Vasilakis, vice chair for research in the Department of Pathology at UTMB Health, has been appointed associate editor of the “Invertebrate Viruses” section of Viruses (@VirusesMDPI), advancing research on emerging viral threats and public health. utmb.us/fu6

Congratulations to our Clear Lake and League City teams on this huge accomplishment! Both hospitals received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from @LeapfrogGroup 🐸 a true reflection of your commitment to patient safety every single day. utmb.us/fu3

For some women, menstrual pain can disrupt daily life. At UTMB Health, specialists like Dr. Emily Sendukas want patients to know these symptoms should not be ignored. Diagnosis and treatment options are available. Learn more: utmb.us/fsw

From a fragile start in the NICU to a lifetime of gratitude. One family’s multigenerational journey with @utmbhealth shows how compassionate care can shape lives and inspire a legacy of giving. Read their story: utmb.us/fpq youtu.be/r1iXLsE7dPw

UTMB has been recognized as a digital health leader through the CHIME (@CIOCHIME) Most Wired® Program, reflecting our continued commitment to innovation and technology‑driven patient care. Read more: utmb.us/ft1

I’m headed to Brussels for the first European Brain Economy Summit (@eu_brain), where global leaders will gather to explore how brain health and human potential are shaping the future of economic growth. I’m honored to be presenting alongside policymakers, strategists, scientists and industry leaders committed to advancing a brain-positive transition in the age of AI. During the Summit, I’ll present The Brain Positive Cities: Building Houston’s Brain Economy Lighthouse, highlighting how @UTMBHealth and its collaborators are helping drive brain health innovation with impact that reaches far beyond Houston. I look forward to the conversations ahead and the opportunity to collaborate with leaders from around the world who are working to shape a healthier future for generations to come. Learn more about the event: utmb.us/fsd

All month long, we have enjoyed moving our bodies and connecting with colleagues thanks to the AE Office of Wellness! We appreciate everyone who has joined us for a "Wellness Wednesday" walk this past month. Stay tuned to learn what the Office of Wellness has in store for May!

April brought a season of impact for the Community Engagement team. Throughout the month, the team supported events focused on brain health, education, outreach and community advancement, reflecting UTMB Health’s commitment to the communities we serve. #utmbinthecommunity

UTMB Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (@utmbcardiology) and Sealy Heart & Vascular Institute, in partnership with the @American_Heart, are proud to host the 2nd Annual Cardiovascular Symposium on May 30, 2026, at the San Luis Resort in Galveston. 👉 utmb.us/fsu

Struggling with environmental allergies? If medications only provide partial relief, allergy shots may offer longer-term relief. Dr. Tripple, Allergy and Immunology Specialist, explains how @utmbhealth can help you find lasting allergy relief. utmb.us/fdo