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October 2025
Here's a recap of all the School of Medicine events that recently took place!
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As UTRGV celebrates its 10th anniversary, we reflect on a decade defined by growth, impact, and transformation. From day one, we set out to expand health care access and spark innovation in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas.
Today, through UTRGV and UT Health RGV, we are realizing that vision by opening doors to a healthier tomorrow for our communities.
Bringing Global Expertise Home
One of the leaders driving this transformation is Dr. Gladys Maestre, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Resources Center for Minority Aging Research, co-director of the South Texas Alzheimer Research Center, and professor of neuroscience at the UTRGV School of Medicine. Dr. Maestre has dedicated her career to advancing dementia research and bringing groundbreaking findings directly to the families of South Texas.
Recently, her research and community outreach have earned national attention. In an interview for CBS News' Eye on America, she shared that close to 20% of people over 65 in the RGV live with Alzheimer’s or dementia compared to 12% nationally, making our region one of the most affected in the country. According to Dr. Maestre, the numbers are likely much higher.
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Source: CBSNews.com
To address this urgent need, Dr. Maestre is leading a multi-million-dollar National Institute on Aging study that brings research directly into RGV homes, engaging thousands of local seniors. Using brain imaging, virtual reality, and in-home interviews, she is uncovering how sleep, nutrition, family life, and stress shape dementia risk. Through this work, Dr. Maestre is delivering knowledge, resources, and hope for families across the region.
A New Era for Cancer Care in the RGV
Last week, we proudly celebrated the grand opening of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center.
This 144,231-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will bring transformative cancer care closer to home, uniting expert surgeons, oncologists, therapists, and rehabilitation specialists under one roof. For those in our community who once had to spend hours traveling for specialized treatment, this is a historic step forward.
As the largest clinical and research center of its kind in the region, the Cancer and Surgery Center reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality care and innovative treatments for people across the RGV.
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A Decade Strong
These are glimpses of how far we have come in our first ten years, and how we are moving forward. From groundbreaking dementia research to delivering life-saving cancer care, we are transforming healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
This is what happens when vision meets commitment. This is The Future of Texas.
Thank you for being part of UTRGV’s journey forward. Together, we are shaping a healthier, stronger tomorrow.
| | South Texas families grapple with high rates of dementia | |
Close to 20% of people over 65 in the Rio Grande Valley have memory loss, versus around 12% on a national level, according to a leading researcher in south Texas. Mark Strassmann reports.
See more here
| UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center celebrates grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremony | |
For many Rio Grande Valley residents, seeking specialized cancer treatment often meant traveling to San Antonio, Houston or beyond, resulting in time away from loved ones and countless missed workdays. For those without transportation or the ability to take time off, these distances created insurmountable barriers to the vital care they needed.
However, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, a new era began as community leaders, healthcare providers and Valley residents gathered for the ribbon-cutting of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen, bringing essential cancer care and specialized surgery closer to home.
Read more here.
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UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center
celebrates grand opening
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On Wednesday, Oct. 8, a new era began as community leaders, healthcare providers and Valley residents gathered for the ribbon-cutting of the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen, bringing essential cancer care and specialized surgery closer to home.
Read more here.
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SOM's Dr. Cobos joins
national advocacy effort on Capitol Hill
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Interim Dean Dr. Everardo Cobos joined fellow medical school deans from across the nation in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18 to meet with Members of Congress and advocate for academic medicine priorities. The group, organized by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), highlighted the importance of strengthening the health workforce and supporting legislation such as the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025.
The visit preceded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Annual Awards Gala, where leaders gathered to celebrate the contributions of the Latino community. It took place ahead of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2025 Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.
Read more here.
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UT Health RGV awarded $10,000 from H-E-B to
expand access to breast cancer screenings
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UT Health RGV has been awarded a $10,000 grant from H-E-B to fund 45 free mammograms for uninsured and underserved women at the UT Health RGV Cancer & Surgery Center. The initiative aims to improve access to early breast cancer detection and reduce health disparities across the Rio Grande Valley.
UT Health RGV will partner with community clinics and local nonprofits to identify eligible participants, with screenings and follow-up care provided by its expert care teams.
Congratulations!
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Alum named to AMA national leadership role | | |
Congratulations to Dr. David Ortiz, UTRGV SOM Class of 2022 and UTRGV GME Class of 2025, on his appointment to the American Medical Association's Underrepresented in Medicine Advocacy Section (UMAS) Governing Council.
Dr. Ortiz will serve as the Young Physicians Section representative for the 2025–2026 term, continuing to champion representation and leadership at the national level.
Congratulations!
Read more here.
| | AHEC Scholars Community Engagement Meeting | | |
The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) hosted a community engagement meeting hosted by Dr. LuBeth Perez, director of Community Health Partnerships, and Miguel Jimenez, AHEC program manager.
The gathering showcased community leadership and a commitment to advancing the program's mission to help reduce the significant shortage of primary health care providers in rural and medically underserved communities in the Rio Grande Valley, strengthening healthier communities.
The event aimed to enrich the community and inspire future healthcare professionals. Event keynote speakers include:
- Dr. Jennifer Mendoza-Culbertson,
- Mr. Mauricio Reyes,
- Dr. Teresa Feria-Arroyo, and
- Ms. Lourdes Acevedo.
Thank you to the AHEC team and the participants for sharing their expertise and insights, and to all attendees and active participants.
| | UT Health RGV PAs recognized with PA Week Awards | | |
Two UT Health RGV physician assistants were among those honored by the Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant Society during PA Week, celebrating outstanding PAs making an impact in the community.
Award recipients included Melanie Perez, PA-C, and Michelle Reid, PA-C, both from the Department of Surgery, who were recognized as Preceptor Award honorees, and several alumni and faculty honored in the Specialty PA category.
The awards highlight the vital role PAs play in advancing health care access and quality across the Rio Grande Valley.
Congratulations!
| | Beyond the Classroom: Career and Lecture Series
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Members from the UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center recently participated in the "Beyond the Classroom: Career and Lecture Series," hosted by the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy.
The series aims to inspire and motivate local high school students to explore the wide range of healthcare careers available through the UTRGV School of Medicine and across the university. It also encourages Valley students to pursue their studies, build their careers, and serve their communities right here at home.
Daniel Hernandez, Oncology pharmacy manager; Christylee Jara, Oncology nurse manager; Kimberly Elizondo, Oncology Services administrative director; and Mario Garza, Ambulatory Surgery administrative director, met with students to share their career journeys, discuss the steps they took to succeed, and answer questions about their roles and experiences in healthcare.
| | Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, UK | | |
Dr. Murali Yallapu, associate professor in the Cancer and Immunology Division of Medicine and Oncology ISU, has been admitted as a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, UK.
This selection reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing biomedical sciences, particularly in nanomedicine, cancer biology, and drug delivery research.
Becoming an FRSB means continuing excellent contributions to education, innovation, and scientific discovery, while mentoring the next generation of scientists at the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Dr. Yallapu is grateful to all his colleagues, collaborators, fellows, students, and mentors who have inspired and supported him throughout this journey.
"I'm excited to keep pushing the frontiers of biology and biomedical science," he said.
Congratulations!
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Congratulations to Desiree Lanehart, an SOM medical student in the Class of 2027, for her poster on neonatal jaundice.
Her work demonstrated a solid grasp of the condition and clearly and effectively presented key clinical concepts.
Developed during her Pediatric Clerkship with Dr. Syed K. Shah at Cute Pediatrics, the poster will help clinic staff better understand neonatal jaundice and support patient care. Her contribution reflects a strong commitment to pediatric health and education.
Congratulations!
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Dr. Giselle Guerrero is a proud Rio Grande Valley native who has returned to serve her community. She is a graduate of UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine.
Following graduation, she completed her internal medicine internship at UT Health San Antonio and her dermatology residency at the University of Michigan, where she served as chief resident in her final year.
She provides medical dermatology diagnosis and treatment to patients of all ages. Outside of clinical dermatology, she has a strong interest in medical education and helping shape the next generation of physicians.
Welcome!
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Nereida Montanez is an occupational therapist at UT Health RGV. She earned her associate's degree and her bachelor's degree from South Texas College and completed her Master of Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas at Tyler.
As an Occupational Therapist, she plays a vital role in the community by advocating for every patient's physical health and well-being.
She collaborates with various health professionals to ensure cohesive support for patients experiencing health challenges or difficulties that may impact their daily lives.
Welcome!
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RGV Cancer Research Center hosts
Breast Cancer Awareness event
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The Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparities Research Center (RGV-CHDRC) hosted its first Breast Cancer Awareness event on Oct. 10 at the Bob Clark Social Services Center in Brownsville.
More than 90 participants, including representatives from 15 universities and community organizations, came together to promote breast cancer education and early detection across the region.
The program featured "Habla con tu Hermana" [Speak with your Sister] presenter Marisol Medina, who led a session on breast health using models to demonstrate normal, fibrotic and cancerous tissue.
Mayra Silva from "Connection Center RGV" discussed the link between mental health and cancer prevention, while survivor Claudia Salgado shared her personal story of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
The event, led by the RGV-CHDRC Community Engagement Core, underscores the center's mission to strengthen community partnerships and reduce cancer health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Thank you to those who participated!
| | Click below to see School of Medicine and University-wide events. | | |
The University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Phone: (956) 296-1900
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