Dr. Michael Hocker

Dean for School of Medicine; Senior Vice President for UT Health RGV

"I'm truly blessed to work with so many people who are making a difference in our communities. I've always been blessed with working with great teams and having great things happen; the universe has a way of caring for everything else. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful family, my wife and children, who make me whole."

Dr. Michael Sander

Chief Physician Executive; Chair of Surgical Specialty & MSK, and Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery

"No, question -- I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for God and all the blessings I have in my personal and work life, as well as the abundance of blessings I've been given -- there are just too many blessings, too many to count."

Sofia Hernandez

Chief of Staff and Strategic Initiatives

"I am grateful for my beautiful family and wonderful friendships. I am most grateful for all the little ones joining our family this year and in the year ahead as my extended family grows. And it is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank my incredible UTRGV and SOM family for their passion and dedication to our students and our wonderful RGV community. My favorite part of the day is working with the wonderful SOM team."

Joe Galvan

Deputy Chief Legal Officer of Healthcare

"I'm thankful for my family, not only my personal one but also my UTRGV family. Because of work, I travel between the Valley and Austin and back and forth, so I have been fortunate enough to have built a work family here and there. I am thankful for the work-family I connect with outside of my home and the blood family I connect with outside of work."

Dr. Ricardo Belmares

Assistant Professor of Medical Education

"I am grateful to work with an amazing team, including admin, faculty, and staff. I'm also even more thankful for the students who inspire me to work harder! Because of them, I never have a boring day at the UTRGV School of Medicine."

Dr. Chelsea Chang

Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official (DIO), and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

"I thank God for the abundant blessings in my life - my health, my family, and the opportunity to give back to the Rio Grande Valley."

Dr. Michael Eisen

Assist Professor of Medicine of Surgical Specialty and MSK

"I am thankful for EPIC."

Dr. Beatriz Tapia

Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics 

"I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the Rio Grande Valley. As a resident of the RGV for 16 years now, I have had the privilege, as a faculty member, of teaching medical students, residents, and faculty about the social determinants of health and the impact their awareness and advocacy can have on healthcare delivery.

I recall the early discussion of having a medical school in the RGV, dreaming of what it would look like, and now I am part of the reality of transforming health in the RGV.

I am grateful that our medical school is making an impact."

Marivel Barrera

Interim Assistant Vice President of Revenue Cycle Operations

"I am grateful to be a part of transforming healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. 

Each day, I am part of a great team working to change healthcare in the RGV and bring our community medical care we have not had before. I have the opportunity to work with some incredible physicians, and I could not be more grateful to have an opportunity to transform healthcare for my wonderful community."  

Selene Castro

Administrative Manager

"There's so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for all the blessings in my life, like my family, children, wonderful husband, parents, and siblings. I am blessed to have a good life, work with people I enjoy working with and respect, and be alive."

Krystal Chappell

SOM Project Manager

"This season, I'm incredibly grateful for the wonderful people in my life. I'm thankful for my family—my amazing husband, who brings so much love and support, and our active 3-year-old son, who fills our days with joy and laughter.

I'm also fortunate to have a close group of friends who are like family. Finally, I'm thankful for my colleagues at the School of Medicine, whose dedication and camaraderie make work so rewarding. I feel blessed to share this journey with all of you!"

Kim Elizondo

Oncology Admin Director; Ambulatory Operations

"I am thankful for an amazing family that supports me. Being able to work with the first oncology department at UTRGV is extremely rewarding. And knowing that we are creating a better healthcare system for the Rio Grande Valley is the cherry on top. Happy Thanksgiving!"

Melba Sanchez

Interim Associate Vice President of Business Affairs and Operations

"I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the UTRGV School of Medicine family, for the amazing team I work with day to day, the many friendships I have made on my journey with and at the School of Medicine, and the opportunity to serve our students and the community in the Rio Grande Valley."

Monica Velazquez

SOM Administrative Manager

"I am grateful to my co-workers and the teams I work with for driving the growth and improvement of the school and its academic medical practice.

Working across Business Affairs & Operations and Ambulatory Operations for UT Health RGV, I have the opportunity to engage in exciting initiatives and projects that help transform the health of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond!"

Daniela Venegas

SOM Program Manager

"I am thankful for my family and friends. I am incredibly grateful for UTRGV, which has allowed me to grow personally and professionally.

I also sincerely appreciate the experiences and relationships I've built here, as they've enriched my life in ways I never imagined.

I want to thank all the colleagues who have crossed my path, especially my School of Medicine Team."

Health experts discuss the health benefits of being thankful and why to practice it daily

November is a month of gratitude, and a time when many reflect on their blessings. According to health experts at the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV, a positive mindset through gratitude can lead to significant health benefits.

“Being thankful is something that should be practiced more than just once a year,” said Dr. Maria de Jesus Muñoz, assistant dean of clerkships at the UTRGV School of Medicine and Family Medicine doctor at UT Health RGV. “Daily gratitude can improve mental well-being, strengthen family bonds and even contribute to better physical health outcomes.”

Read more here.

Center will expand and enhance diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular research

The UTRGV School of Medicine celebrated the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Center for Human Genetics, headquartered on the Brownsville Campus.

The 17,246-square-foot facility, funded by a Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation grant and support from the UT System Permanent University Fund, will expand research capabilities aimed at delivering life-changing results for the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

Dr. Sarah Williams-Blangero, chief of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s Division of Human Genetics and director of the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, said the new facility is set to become a hub for groundbreaking research focused on the genetic factors that influence diseases all too prevalent in the Rio Grande Valley.

“This center is here for the people of the Valley. It’s about understanding why these diseases are so prevalent in our community, using that knowledge to find better treatments and, ultimately, to prevent them altogether,” she said.

Read more here.

AAMC Annual Meeting

Over 30 UTRGV School of Medicine medical students, resident physicians, attending physicians, and faculty, along with students from the UTRGV School of Nursing and faculty and students from the UTRGV College of Health Professions (Dietetics), participated in the monthly "Proyecto Desarrollo Humano" in Las Peñitas, where the UTRGV Student Run Clinic collaborates to serve this community.

Interprofessional collaborations and community service are integral parts of academic medicine at UTRGV. They can make a difference and train healthcare professionals to serve the needs of our communities.

Thank you to those who participated!

View more here.

Interprofessional collaborations and community service

Over 30 UTRGV School of Medicine medical students, resident physicians, attending physicians, and faculty, along with students from the UTRGV School of Nursing and faculty and students from the UTRGV College of Health Professions (Dietetics), participated in the monthly "Proyecto Desarrollo Humano" in Las Peñitas, where the UTRGV Student Run Clinic collaborates to serve this community.

Interprofessional collaborations and community service are integral parts of academic medicine at UTRGV. They can make a difference and train healthcare professionals to serve the needs of our communities.

Thank you to those who participated!

Celebrating Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Health Awareness

Diwali, an auspicious festival in Indian culture and observed by over 1.5 billion people, was celebrated at the McAllen Convention Center.

This year’s celebration included a special event featuring the Cervical Cancer Prevention Action Network (CCPAN) team from the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Dr. Everardo Cobos participated in the event and delivered opening remarks and healthcare awareness on behalf of the CCPAN, whose overall goal is to educate and empower individuals in the fight against this disease.

Dr. Cobos highlighted the importance of health initiatives during this culturally significant occasion and the importance of self-awareness. Other participants included faculty of the South Texas Center of Excellence. 

Advances in Medical Education and Practice

UTRGV School of Medicine student Taha Al Hassan recently published an article entitled "Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Career Aspirations of Prospective Students" in the journal' Advances in Medical Education and Practice.'

Dr. Mohammed S. Razzaque, MBBS, PhD, a faculty member of the Department of Medical Education at UTRGV School of Medicine, guided the student through the manuscript publication process.

This article sheds light on the potential impact of COVID-19 on the medical career aspirations of prospective students based on recent trends. Historically, specialized medical fields have often outshined public health's popularity among medical students. The pandemic, however, underscores the vital importance of public health professionals, leading to a renewed interest in the field. While the COVID-19 pandemic has not deterred most prospective students from pursuing medical careers, it has significantly shaped their perspectives, preferences, and preparation strategies. Medical education institutions must adapt to these changes to effectively train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

This publication also showcases the research activities of UTRGV medical students, demonstrating the school's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

Read more here.

The UTRGV Institute of Neuroscience recently held a successful Brain & Total Health Innovation Expo, welcoming over 150 community members!

Attendees enjoyed free health screenings, educational materials, refreshments, and exciting giveaways.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this fantastic opportunity to promote health and wellness in our community!

The UTRGV School of Medicine celebrated a festive and fun Halloween, with faculty and staff getting into the spooky spirit with creative costumes and a lively pumpkin contest.

Be sure to check out some of the fun, spooky costumes that made this a hauntingly good time!

ST-CECR featured in national publication

The South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research team was recently featured as the cover story in the Chemical & Biomedical Imaging Journal for their groundbreaking work on the “Milk Exosome-Glow Nanosystem,” an innovative bioimaging tool for visualizing cancer cells and tissues.

This nanosystem, developed in Dr. Murali Yallapu’s lab, uses milk-derived exosomes for targeted, non-invasive imaging.

Dr. Everardo Cobos, chair of the Department of Medicine and Oncology at the UTRGV School of Medicine, presented the cover print to Dr. Yallapu’s team, Ms. Nycol M. Cotto, Dr. Neeraj Chauhan, Ms. Benilde Adriano, Dr. Deepak S. Chauhan, Mr. Marco Cabrera, and Dr. Subhash C. Chauhan.

Congratulations!

Dr. Cobos cancer care outreach

Dr. Everardo Cobos presented to members of Prominence Health Plan on cancer prevention, early detection, and innovative treatment approaches.

He highlighted the upcoming UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, set to open in 2025, and emphasized the vital role of having a medical school in our community. 

Dr. Juan Lopez Alvarenga, associate professor of Research for the Primary and Community Care ISU, participated in "Webinar de la Sociedad Medica del Oriente (AMO) de El Salvador," [Webinar of the Eastern Medical Society (AMO) of El Salvador] a web presentation focused on the analysis of theoretical aspects of microbiota and its impact on health.

The webinar discussed practical suggestions for patients and physicians. It recommended that participants eat a varied diet rich in fiber and polyphenols, such as various fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, green tea, and red wine [Zmora. Gastro Hepa 2019].

The use of prebiotics and probiotics like non-digestible fiber, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi and reducing processed foods and artificial sweeteners is vital because they can minimize microbial diversity, among other recommendations, like exercise and sleep.

Participants from diverse medical specialties and countries expressed gratitude that the UTRGV School of Medicine shared these findings with Latin American countries. 

Thank you for your participation and insight, Dr. Lopez Alvarenga!

The Primary & Community Care ISU hosted its "1st Annual Primary & Community Care (PCC) Awards & Recognition Banquet" at Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen.

The PCC-ISU is committed to providing high-quality primary and preventive care, education, and research across the Rio Grande Valley. Its work spans Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Family and Internal Medicine, Integrated Behavioral Health, and Population Health. It prioritizes resident and medical student education and advancing world-class research. Together, it is fostering healthier communities in South Texas.

During the event, special volunteer guests - students from the UTRGV School of Art and Design - accompanied the participants in a painting activity. They had a unique challenge in painting an opossum at the request of Dr. John VandeBerg, who works with laboratory opossums to facilitate genetic research in high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and more.

Impact by the numbers from the last 1 year in our ISU:

After 5 years of general surgery residency, including over 850 major surgical cases and 8-hour written board exams, the last step is the General Surgery Certifying Exam (GSCE) – a virtual oral exam conducted by a team of two examiners.

In the video, Dr. Reinhart, director of the UTRGV-VBMC General Surgery Residency program, trains his residents through mock oral examinations.

Best of luck to PGY-4 Dr. Francisco Obregon and PGY-1 Dr. Thomas Andry, and thank you for the sneak peek into the General Surgery Residency at UTRGV!

P.S. Dr. Reinhart reminds surgeons training for oral board exams to speak up and practice because... “I can’t tell what you’re thinking unless you tell me.”  

Congratulations, Liz Reyes

Congratulations to Liz Reyes, who will begin her role as the director of Faculty Affairs for the School of Medicine in Dec. 2024.

Reyes has been with the UTRGV School of Medicine since Sept. 2015 and has played a vital role in the SOM promotion and tenure process as the Faculty Affairs program manager since 2017.

Reyes will provide leadership and oversight for faculty affairs and development in her new position. She will be responsible for designing, planning, promoting, and implementing programs, policies, and procedures related to SOM faculty and will report to the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs.

Reyes holds two master's degrees from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, one in health administration and the other in higher education administration.

Congratulations!