A bright start to 2025 -- Happy New Year! 

Thank you to our students, faculty, and staff for making 2024 an inspiring year. Here’s to reaching new heights together in 2025!

As 2024 concluded, we're celebrating the moments that made last year unforgettable, from engaging with our community to advancing education, research, and patient care.

Thank you to our students, faculty, staff, and community for sharing this journey. Here's to a bright 2025!

SOM and UT Health RGV family, thank you for making this year one of the merriest ones yet. Have a warm, healthy, and happy holiday!

The School of Medicine's Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) celebrated its inaugural Winter Holiday Door/Whiteboard Decorating Contest.

The UME team members spent time decorating their office doors and whiteboards with a Winter Holiday theme design. The following were the winners of this year's inaugural decorating contest -

The UTRGV School of Medicine hosted Rice University Bioengineering Program students to the UTRGV School of Medicine KNAPP Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Program. This is the third welcoming and hosting of the Rice Bioengineering Program at the UTRGV School of Medicine as the students look to work alongside SOM physicians to better understand the complications, complexity, and areas for improvement in the care of patients living with diabetes, particularly those with diabetic ulcers. 

This year, 21 students visited the residency program; given the growing interest, more students are participating in this initiative.

The visiting Rice students were divided into three small groups that could rotate through different areas in the hospital, including wards, the dialysis unit, and the wound care unit. School of Medicine KNAPP physicians expanded the experience and had a patient testimonial from someone with diabetes receiving ulcer care. The UTRGV School of Podiatry Medicine also participated and visited with the UTRGV KNAPP Internal Medicine residents and the Rice students. 

Thank you for facilitating this event, Dr. Brandon Cantazaro and Dr. Fatimah Bello!

UTRGV's 2024 Big Idea Competition

Congratulations to Brianna Reyes, student assistant from the Office of Educational Affairs, on her two top UTRGV 2024 Big Idea Competition placements.

As an undergraduate student worker, Reyes joined the Office of Educational Affairs and has contributed significantly to the School of Medicine and its community.

She said: 



"I'm honored to have placed 3rd overall and won a special category prize in the 2024 Big Idea Competition with my project, Pinnacle Health Services. This initiative focuses on providing quality healthcare to underserved communities while creating opportunities like scholarships, internships, and jobs for aspiring healthcare professionals. I'm incredibly grateful for the continued support and the opportunity to be part of this competition, which has helped me grow and refine my vision. Inspired by the experience, I'm excited to continue developing Pinnacle Health Services and plan to pitch it at UTRGV's business plan competition next semester."

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Dr. John Ronnau, senior associate dean for Community Health Partnerships, on your well-deserved retirement!

Dr. Ronnau directed the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, a program dedicated to helping reduce the significant shortage of primary healthcare providers in rural and medically underserved communities in the Rio Grande Valley. The AHECs include primary healthcare clinics and other services in three counties across the Valley and help enhance student healthcare education and training networks within RGV communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.

During his tenure at the School of Medicine, Dr. Ronnau was also involved in various other community partnerships for the School of Medicine. He has held academic appointments as a faculty member and administrator for 30 years.

Thank you for all you have done for our school, learners, and community, Dr. Ronnau! May your new chapter be filled with leisure and happiness. We wish you all the best on your next adventure. May your retirement be filled with health and joy.

Here's to a relaxing and fulfilling time ahead!

Rangoli art

The UTRGV School of Medicine KNAPP Medical Center Internal Medicine residency program hosted a Rangoli Art session as part of its wellness sessions, showcasing its commitment to diversity. The residents and physician faculty came together to celebrate the vibrant festival of Diwali with a creative Rangoli art session and a feast of Indian cuisine.

The event was led by resident physician Dr. Shreel Patel and showcased the beauty of cultural diversity and the spirit of togetherness within the residency program. The celebration highlighted the importance of embracing traditions and learning from one another.