UTRGV announced Tuesday the departure of Michael Hocker, MD, MHS, Dean of the School of Medicine and Senior Vice President of UT Health RGV.

Hocker will assume a new appointment as Executive Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in July 2025.

Hocker joined UTRGV in 2021 and during his tenure he achieved many milestones, including:

• Securing full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
• Expanding Graduate Medical Education by launching a consortium of 10 new residency/fellowship programs.
• Overseeing the opening of the Institute of Neurosciences and the Human Genomics Center.
• Guiding the $156 million UT Health RGV Cancer and Ambulatory Surgery Center project, which opens later this year.

“We are deeply grateful for Dr. Hocker’s remarkable service and vision,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “His commitment to innovation, education and community health has propelled our medical school to new heights. We thank him for his dedication to our region and wish him every success in his new role.”

Read more here.

During this year's State of the School, Dean Michael B. Hocker shared that the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV have significantly impacted healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley since 2015.

The school and its clinical arm have trained over 500 medical students and residents, many of whom have stayed to serve the community. The school's economic impact reached nearly $1 billion, employing 1,000 faculty and staff. Key achievements discussed included establishing the only state Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, a Maternal Health Center, and a $1.4 million RCMI grant, among many others.

During the presentation, five ISU chairs shared their department's updates and goals for the next ten years, including:

• Dr. Elias George for Clinical Support Services;
• Dr. Everardo Cobos for Medicine & Oncology;
• Dr. Diana Chapa for Neuro & Behavioral Health;
• Dr. Chelsea Chang for Primary & Community Care; and
• Dr. Michael Sander for Surgery Surgical Specialty & MSK.

Dr. Hocker concluded the school's address by saying the School of Medicine aims to expand its footprint, enhance research, and become a tertiary referral center for South Texas and beyond.

"We are the leaders in academic medicine, the future of health care in our community," he said.

Thank you to those who attended and congratulations to the award recipients! 

March 30th was National Doctors’ Day. We applaud and celebrate the incredible dedication, compassion, and expertise of our doctors who tirelessly care for our community.

Whether diagnosing illnesses, offering and researching life-saving treatments, guiding the future generation of physicians, and leading patients toward better health, our doctors are the true heroes.

At the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV, we’re proud of our dedicated team of doctors who go above and beyond every day to provide exceptional care.

THANK YOU to our team of excellent doctors!

Over the past five years, UTRGV Family Medicine Residency Programs at McAllen and Knapp Medical Center have maintained a 100% take rate and a 100% pass rate with the American Board of Family Medicine.

This outstanding performance has resulted in the successful training and graduation of 66 Family Medicine Board-Certified physicians from 2020-2024. This incredible milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire School of Medicine faculty and staff.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in this success. Special recognition goes to the esteemed program directors, Dr. Munoz-Monaco and Dr. Kallumadanda, whose leadership has been pivotal in achieving this accomplishment. This achievement reinforces the School of Medicine's commitment to providing the highest education and training, shaping the Rio Grande Valley's and family medicine's future through excellence and innovation.

Congratulations to all who contributed to this success!

GME Grand Rounds

During GME Grand Rounds, School of Medicine faculty and residents shared insight by presenting on various topics, including:

Dr. Deepu George spoke on the Tend Health app, which seamlessly integrates online and in-person healthcare services to enhance patient convenience and streamline medical care.

Dr. Shreel Patel presented on the Back to Bedside Grant, which empowers residents and fellows to develop transformative projects that foster meaning and joy at work.

Dr. David Ortiz and Dr. Gustavo Boeta presented on the Resident Running Club, which offers a supportive community for individuals to improve their fitness, stay motivated, and enjoy group runs.

Thank you to those who participated!

Dr. Lindsey Botsford, president of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP), will visit the Rio Grande Valley to install the new Valley Chapter Board members on March 27, 2025. 

On her trip to South Texas, Dr. Botsford will visit the UTRGV School of Medicine's Family Medicine Residency Program and the School of Medicine.

She will attend a lunch meeting with the Family Medicine Student Interest Group and a meet-and-greet meeting with Dean Hocker to learn more and tour the medical school. 

The Sun Smart Leaders program at the Harlingen School of Health Professions is an initiative designed to educate 9th-grade students on the dangers of sun exposure and promote sun-safe behaviors.

The event is a collaborative effort involving dermatology professionals, UTRGV medical students, and school administrators, ensuring an engaging learning experience.

Dr. Maria Villegas, board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist at UT Health RGV, participated in the skin cancer awareness event along with a group of School of Medicine medical students to help prepare for the soon-approaching Spring Break.

They participated in presentations and community outreach to create a sun safety culture, reduce skin cancer risks, and contribute to national efforts to decrease the incidence of sunburn among adolescents.

Through education, prevention, and peer advocacy, they hope to instill lifelong sun-safe habits in students while inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Thank you for your participation!

New Hires -- Welcome!

Science Discovery Day

UTRGV School of Medicine students and Dr. Shizue Mito, assistant professor in the Department of Medical Education, attended IDEA Elsa's Science Discovery Day.

This family event aimed to inspire the younger generation in the Rio Grande Valley to the STEM field.

SOM students taught about the heart, how to use a stethoscope, and what it takes to become a medical doctor.

Event attendees also learned about science and health in a fun environment.

Thank you to those who participated in this event and contributed to community outreach!

Family Crisis Center Hygiene Drive

The Family Crisis Center's Hygiene Drive was completed and the donations were delivered to the Center.

The drive was so successful that a box was left at the SOM in Edinburg to continue collecting donations of personal care items, clothes/shoes, toys, and even school supplies.

The drive will be promoted every 3 to 4 months to keep the community interested and excited about continuing to help.

In addition, Adrianna Hernandez, one of the Family Crisis Center's coordinators, and Dr. Noe Garza, an associated research scientist at the UTRGV Institute of Neuroscience (ION), have discussed possible plans to collaborate between the two institutions and educate the community about what both can offer to help the women (and other people) in need in the Valley.

Thank you so much to all who donated and for all your help! 

UTRGV fulfills Ghana student researcher's dream

2025 American Psychiatric Association Research Colloquium

Congratulations to Dr. Jorge Romero Ortiz, PGY4, and Dr. Ramu Vadukapuram, PGY3, who received the 2025 American Psychiatric Association Research Colloquium​ Awards.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) grants the APA Research Colloquium Award, recognizing and supporting early-career psychiatrists actively engaged in research. The "Research Colloquium for Junior Psychiatrist Investigators" program provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and a stipend to help further their research careers.

This award is given to young psychiatrists showing promising research potential. Congratulations!