On behalf of the UTRGV School of Medicine, we are thankful for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and vision as dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Your impact has been profound—not only in shaping the future of academic medicine and medical education at UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley, but also in enriching the lives of students, faculty, and the broader community we serve.

Your unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has elevated the School of Medicine and laid a strong foundation for continued growth and success. Under your leadership, we have witnessed transformative progress in research, clinical training, and community health initiatives. You have inspired many with your integrity, compassion, and dedication as a servant leader.

While it is difficult to say goodbye, we are excited about the new opportunities ahead for you. Please know that your legacy at UTRGV will continue to thrive, and you will have a place in our hearts and this institution's story. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter!

With sincere appreciation and warmest regards,



Your SOM Family

[Dr. Hocker will be available until July 15.]

On behalf of the UTRGV School of Medicine, we are thankful for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and vision for the UTRGV School of Medicine.

While it is difficult to say goodbye, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. Please know that your legacy at UTRGV will continue to thrive, and you will have a place in our hearts and this institution's story. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter!

[Dr. Hocker will be available until July 15.]

Happy birthday, Dr. Cobos! Wishing you a successful year ahead. Thank you for your guidance and leadership. Cheers to many more!

Congratulations to the UTRGV School of Medicine Class of 2025!

Fifty students from the UTRGV School of Medicine Class of 2025 crossed the stage this weekend and officially stepped into their future as physicians.

Their perseverance, compassion, and commitment led to this incredible milestone, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Graduating from the UTRGV School of Medicine was just the beginning of their journey, and the future of medicine is in good hands.

Watch the recorded livestream here.

Greetings,

Last night’s Edinburg Mayor Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) educational program by the UTRGV Medical School was rewarding for me and the high school students as one of them came rushing up to me at the program's conclusion with words of joy. As some of you are aware, I taught Anatomy & Physiology for 15 years at South Texas College using cat dissection and thus a source for my enthusiasm. 

As UTRGV legacy alumna and supporter, it is incredible what our local university medical school is accomplishing with its resources of facilities, faculty/staff, cutting edge technology, and outreach to the community. And here is where I come in, as a volunteer to help with the educational component under the direction of another volunteer, Sabrina Hernandez for the Edinburg Mayor Youth Advisory Council. She is doing an outstanding job, as I also attended the MYAC justice component at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in February where the speaker was a local judge who provided important insights.

To recap our evening at the med school. There was a panel discussion of 5 medical students with a Q&A session as to what to expect to get admitted and what to expect in med school. The high school students viewed various labs with updated body mannequin simulations for diagnosis and bedside interaction. There is a large touch screen program/monitor to view histology - and all the A&P applications (available as a phone app) like a college would have for its students, and now the excellence or wow factor, the gross anatomy lab.  

There were plasticized body cadavers who were donated for science/research. and they were full body, cut in half longitudinally as well as selective organs sliced horizontally. In addition, there were mylar type actual size body cross-sections for viewing, in hand. It was like an exhibit I went to approximately 25 years ago in Houston at a science museum: the technology has finally trickled down to the UTRGV med school.  

I sincerely thank the UTRGV Medical School for providing considerable resources for last night’s program as well as the City of Edinburg through the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. This healthy collaboration provides engagement and enrichment of our community and creates a future of possibilities for our students.

Warm regards,

Diane

Diane Teter, MSIS, MEd

Professor Emerita of Biology

Faculty Senate President 2017-2019

The UTRGV School of Medicine hosted its first Ad Hoc Committee on Culture meeting on Friday. The committee has been charged with: 

• Promoting a culture of collaboration by making our school a great place to work. The committee will develop values/culture statement about who we are, implement strategies and coordinate initiatives that support a positive workplace culture, help establish and achieve SOM climate goals which align with the university's strategic plan and leadership competency model, the school's strategic plan, the principles of the Vaqueros Culture of Service Excellence, and UTRGV Vkind values. The committee will also help promote and develop action plans for the AAMC Faculty and Staff StandPoint Survey results and the UTRGV Great Places to Work survey..

• Fostering service by identifying projects and volunteer opportunities for faculty and staff to serve within SOM and for the benefit of underserved communities across RGV.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Culture meetings will continue to be hosted regularly to further develop, strengthen, and address some of the school's cultural needs.

First responders are often the first to arrive in moments of crisis, yet many feel underprepared when it comes to managing suicide-related encounters.

The UTRGV School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Mission Police Department, hosted a special training event aimed at addressing this issue.

The event was designed for law enforcement officers, first responders, behavioral and mental health providers, faith leaders, and community members who regularly encounter individuals in crisis. It included lectures, discussions, videos, and hands-on skills practice, equipping participants with tools to identify and support individuals at risk while prioritizing their own mental well-being and that of their peers.

Dr. Kent Corso, a clinical psychologist, behavior analyst, and international expert on suicide prevention, led the full-day workshop on the Proactive Reduction of Suicides in Populations via Evidence-based Research (PROSPER) program.

The training helped support officers in the Mission Police Department in mental health-related interventions, as part of their Crisis Intervention Unit.

Dr. Deepu George, associate professor of Primary and Community Care and director of Integrated Behavioral Health Services at the UTRGV School of Medicine, helped coordinate the event and emphasized the significance of the opportunity.

Thank you, Dr. George and team!

The UTRGV South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research team recently visited the University of Hawaii to explore potential collaborations in the areas of cancer health, health disparities, and bioinformatics. This strategic visit aimed to strengthen inter-institutional partnerships focused on addressing the unique health challenges faced by under-resourced populations, like RGV communities.

During the visit, faculty and researchers from both institutions engaged in productive discussions around collaborative research initiatives, resource sharing, and possible opportunities. Special emphasis was placed on integrating bioinformatics tools and data science approaches to enhance understanding of cancer biology and improve health outcomes.

This visit marks a significant step toward establishing a sustainable research alliance that advances scientific knowledge, trains biomedical researchers, and reduces cancer health disparities.

The UTRGV Graduate Medical Education (GME) team, alongside Dr. Marco Garza and Dr. Deepu George, hosted a Resident Leadership Workshop designed to develop leadership skills, enhance collaboration, and foster self-awareness among resident physicians.

From E-Colors personality assessments to sessions on team dynamics and conflict resolution, residents across multiple programs came together to grow as future healthcare leaders. The event also honored outgoing and incoming Resident Leadership Council members and Resident Chiefs.

Thank you to Ms. Terry Villagomez for organizing such an engaging and impactful workshop!

Dr. Subhash Chauhan, director of the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, attended a recent CPRIT Oversight Committee meeting, where he serves as co-chair of the University Advisory Committee (UAC). In this meeting, Dr. Chauhan shared the breadth and impact of CPRIT-supported research and outreach efforts across Texas institutions, including UTRGV.

He discussed the annual report, offering a comprehensive overview of the program’s ongoing initiatives, achievements, and future directions. The annual report detailed the progression and success of various CPRIT funding mechanisms, including individual investigator awards, core facility support, high-impact clinical trials, and recruitment programs.

These mechanisms have been instrumental in driving forward groundbreaking cancer research, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering collaborative environments that accelerate discovery and innovation. Another highlight of the presentation was the introduction and progress of the newly launched Texas Regional Excellence in Cancer (TREC) program.

Dr. Chauhan’s presentation was met with enthusiastic praise from the Oversight Committee. CPRIT leadership expressed deep appreciation for his ability to communicate complex data with clarity and purpose, stating, “You did an incredible job of presenting very complex data in a comprehensible and interesting fashion, and I know that the committee members appreciated your insights.”

Dr. Chauhan’s leadership in delivering this report also reflects UTRGV’s continued engagement and contribution to the state’s cancer research ecosystem.

Thank you, Dr. Chauhan!

To view the presentation, Dr. Chauhan’s segment begins at 2:06:00 in the CPRIT Oversight Committee Meeting.

ACHA 2025

Research Colloquium 2025 of

The American Psychiatric Association

Congratulations to Dr. Ramu Vadukapuram, PGY 3-Psychiatry, and Dr. Jorge Romero Ortiz, PGY 4-Psychiatry, mentored by Dr. Ihsan Salloum, director of the Institute of Neuroscience, who were awarded the prestigious APA-Research Colloquium 2025 of the American Psychiatric Association. ​

Dr. Vadukapuram and Dr. Romero Ortiz were among 39 other early-career investigators awardees from the US and abroad. The award showcases focused research mentorship throughout one year from leaders of psychiatric research, national and international. ​

Congratulations!

International Society for Tractography (IST)

Congratulations to Dr. Alan Francis, assistant professor of Neuroscience, whose abstract, titled "White Matter Microstructural Alterations in Young Heavy Alcohol Users: Evidence from 7T Diffusion Imaging of the Anterior Thalamic Radiation," has been accepted for an on-site presentation at the inaugural conference of the International Society for Tractography (IST).

The conference will be held in Bordeaux, France, in mid-October later this year.

Congratulations!

New hire -- Welcome!