Message from Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa -

The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony from UTRGV President Guy Bailey. The passage of SB 24 in 2013, which I authored, created UTRGV and the School of Medicine. The passage of this bill continues to transform the Rio Grande Valley. Enrollment at UTRGV has grown to more than 34,000 students.

The School of Medicine has already graduated five classes of physicians. The School of Medicine currently enrolls 220 students and has already graduated 238 doctors. They also have 25 medical clinics providing care to Valley residents. UTRGV will soon open a Cancer and Surgery Center that will allow for comprehensive cancer and surgical services that are on the leading edge of medicine by serving as an incubator to train the physicians and scientist leaders of the future. UTRGV is also home to the first School of Podiatric Medicine in Texas which is critical in our region to treat the rising number of diabetic patients.

The growth and success of UTRGV, the School of Medicine, and the School of Podiatry, couldn’t be done without the support of our legislators, local public officials, community leaders, our hospital partners, and our UTRGV leaders. Thank you, President Bailey and Dr. Michael Hocker, Dean of the School of Medicine, for your leadership and your testimony to the Finance Committee.

Nearly 200 participants joined the UTRGV School of Medicine's Cervical Cancer Prevention Action Network (CCPAN)'s Cervical Cancer Awareness Mega Event.

Cervical cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Unfortunately, the Rio Grande Valley has the highest incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in the U.S.; worldwide, the disease remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. 

In observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, observed every January, the UTRGV School of Medicine's South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research (ST-CECR), with the support of Good Days, a national nonprofit organization, hosted an event aimed to inform and provide resources to UTRGV students and the community about cervical cancer, a preventable disease that often troubles low- and middle-income regions like the Rio Grande Valley.

Through such events, both organizations hope to facilitate access to lifesaving and life-extending treatments, launching the UTRGV School of Medicine's CCPAN to align with the global mission to eliminate cervical cancer. 

Thank you to those who participated!

Samuel Peña, PA, joins UT Health RGV as a physician assistant.

Mr. Peña brings extensive experience in orthopedic care and is dedicated to delivering exceptional treatment and support to residents of the Rio Grande Valley.

Mr. Peña is available at UT Health RGV Surgical Specialty (Edinburg), 3804 South Jackson Road, Ste. #1, Edinburg, TX 78539. 

Meet Crystal Reinhart, a UTRGV Unsung Hero

Crystal W. Reinhart, marketing manager for the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV on the Edinburg Campus, leads strategic efforts that connect the Rio Grande Valley to essential healthcare services. Reinhart ensures marketing campaigns are effective, teams collaborate smoothly, and UT Health RGV’s brand remains strong for the community it serves.

Working side by side with colleagues to support the health of the region, Reinhart said, is one of her favorite parts of the job.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to educate the public about the exceptional doctors and specialties UT Health RGV provides,” she said. “Together, we’re building a healthier future for the Rio Grande Valley.”

Read more here.

Dr. Maria de Jesus Muñoz has been accepted as one of the newest members of the Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education.

The prestigious Shine Academy fosters excellence in education in the health sciences by recognizing outstanding educators and advancing knowledge and innovation in the field.

Selected members represent all UT System health science campuses and constitute multiple professional backgrounds. It was named for former UT System Executive Vice Chancellor Kenneth Shine.

"I am looking forward to collaborating with outstanding professionals from the entire UT System who share the same interests and goals but come from different backgrounds," she said.

Congratulations, Dr. Muñoz!

The UTRGV School of Medicine recently hosted the Education Collaboration for Aspiring Health Professionals (ECAHP) competition, where high school students tackled real-world healthcare challenges in rural communities.

Organized by School of Medicine students and the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program, this event showcased the creativity, problem-solving skills, and dedication of six high school teams working to improve health outcomes in South Texas.

Congratulations to the winners:

• 1st Place: South Texas ISD Science Academy
• 2nd Place: Veterans Memorial ECHS
• 3rd Place: South Texas ISD Medical Professions

Thank you to the guest speaker, judges, and the incredible SOM student committee for making this event possible!

Dementia Support Group at

Golden Palms Rehabilitation and Retirement Center

Dr. CJ Martinez-Menendez, a UT Health RGV neurologist, was invited to present at the first-ever Dementia Support Group held at Golden Palms Rehabilitation Center in Harlingen.

Dr. Martinez-Menendez presented to residents, caregivers, and healthcare providers on "Understanding Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease.

He educated the audience on the subject and answered various questions about specific topics related to dementia and Alzheimer's.

Thank you for your participation, Dr. Martinez-Menendez!