February 2024

Here's a recap of all the School of Medicine events that recently took place!

News and Events

UTRGV School of Medicine State of the School

Dean Michael B. Hocker, MD, delivered his annual State of the School address, emphasizing UTRGV's School of Medicine's achievements throughout the year, including new faculty hires, life-changing research, and high-quality patient care across the Rio Grande Valley. He touted the School's success in being awarded the final stage of accreditation and commended the extraordinary work being done by its Graduate Medical Education program.

He emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative learning environment and embracing innovation in medical education. Dean Hocker also underscored the ongoing efforts to adapt to the ever-changing education landscape, highlighting continued investments in faculty and technology in the classrooms to continue providing the best quality education to students.

He highlighted the achievements of residents, students, faculty, and staff over the past year, celebrating the School's commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and training the next generation of physicians in the Rio Grande Valley. Within those celebrated achievements, Dr. Hocker thanked and congratulated the various research teams who have received significant grants supporting the university's goal to obtain emerging research university and R1 status.

"We are committed to transforming the health of the Rio Grande Valley," he said, "And we can, in the near future, truly build a true academic health system right here in our community."

UTRGV simulation hospital named for Drs. Krishnan

"Help, please, it hurts!"

The distress call was coming from Joseph, a simulation patient, as UTRGV leaders toured the university’s simulation hospital in Harlingen, now renamed The UTRGV Drs. Subram G. and Elizabeth G. Krishnan Simulation Hospital.

The renaming was a gift from donors Elizabeth G. and Subram G. Krishnan, medical doctors who have made it a priority to help support and transform healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley.

UTRGV School of Medicine granted multiple NIH awards for research

The UTRGV School of Medicine has received five awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research on various neurobiological studies, including chronic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, HIV and Alzheimer’s disease.

Through these awards, UTRGV will conduct critical and much-needed research in the Rio Grande Valley that will help shed light on the complex connections and implications for the community.

Maternal Health Research Center - Research Fellows

Congratulations to Dr. Milena Melo and Ms. Johanna Mora, who received funding from the new UTRGV Maternal Health Research Center for the coming year to conduct relevant maternal health research in the Rio Grande Valley!

The UTRGV MHRC aims to increase maternal health disparity research capacity at UTRGV. One way the center is reaching that is by promoting maternal health funding opportunities available to early career investigators and trainees affiliated with the University.

The UTRGV MHRC then receives information on these funding opportunities and helps interested faculty or students submit competitive applications for funding.

Dr. Melo is collaborating with the UTRGV MHRC for a faculty fellowship and as a co-investigator on the $2.3 million grant received last year; this award is an additional $59,200 brought in with the support of the UTRGV MHRC. Ms. Mora's award is earmarked for the newly funded Maternal Health Research Center by the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, which has a long history of providing funded training opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in maternal and child health.

They can support additional students to conduct research within the UTRGV MHRC if they secure more funding.

Congratulations, Dr. Melo and Ms. Mora!

"RadOnc Student Scan"

Congratulations to Anthony Alanis, SOM MS3, who was granted the opportunity to create a Radiation Oncology student newsletter to increase knowledge and awareness of the Radiation Oncology field.

The Applied Radiation Oncology Journal selected Alanis and two other medical students from across the country to create this newsletter, hoping to introduce students to Radiation Oncology and provide opportunities for involvement since it is a specialty in high demand with many recent advancements.

This newsletter is a first of its kind and an excellent achievement for Alanis. Congratulations!

Read the latest "RadOnc Student Scan issue here. | Find all the previous "ARO's RadOnc Student Scan" newsletter issues here.

UTRGV hosts “Memory and Heart Connections” conference

International guests and UTRGV speakers inform about brain health

UTRGV hosted a community event centered around Alzheimer’s Disease and research-backed ways to protect the brain.

At the “Memory and Heart Connections” conference held at the Brownsville ISD auditorium, approximately 100 elderly community members gathered to learn from UTRGV experts and international guest speakers.

Visiting faculty from Mexico, Japan, and American universities shared their insights for brain health, including the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids in diet, regular at-home monitoring of blood pressure, and home and social environment design that centers on opportunities for exercise and social interaction.

Mario Gil, Ph.D., and his team have identified an area in the midbrain called the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) that decreases reactivity to a stressor.

Dr. Gil shared their findings in a presentation titled, “A stressful life, an overburdened mind, and a broken heart: let’s talk about how the heart-brain connections impact our health and well-being.”

In his presentation, he spoke about the connection between higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and “Type A” high psychological and psychosocial stress lifestyles. He explained that chronic stress dysregulated the central nervous system and shared that behavioral interventions can help reduce the nervous system’s burdens on the heart and mitigate risk, mindfulness, and meditation programs – which data suggests help reduce CVD risk.

Celebrating excellence in Surgery

Daniel Albo, MD, was honored by Henri Ford, MD, MHA, FACS, president of the American College of Surgeons, at the Academic Surgical Congress. This accolade recognizes Dr. Albo's leadership and commitment to diversity and underserved communities in Surgical Oncology and General Surgery.

This honor highlights the impactful work being done at UT Health RGV. Together, we're transforming healthcare and positively affecting lives.

Congratulations to Dr. Albo and his team for their unwavering commitment to excellence!

See more here.

Student Spotlight

Meet UTRGV MS4, Allison Podsednik Gardner

The UTRGV School of Medicine is a practicing academic medical institution. What aspect of Academic Medicine impacts you the most?

I love doing research. I started in breast cancer research in 2016 and have since been involved in projects concerning aging, Alzheimer’s disease, peripheral nerve surgery, new techniques in plastic surgery, advances in healthcare technology during the pandemic, uses of adipose tissue in plastic surgery, plastic surgery medical education, and brachial plexus injuries. I enjoy working with others on projects and learning more in-depth about topics I am interested in while producing meaningful work that others can learn from.

Learn More About Podsednik Gardner Here.

Faculty Focus

Academic Medical Minute with:

Aramide Tijani, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

When did you join the UTRGV School of Medicine?

I joined the UTRGV School of Medicine on July 1, 2023. I graduated from the inaugural class of the UTRGV/Knapp Medical Center Internal Medicine Program in Weslaco, TX, which started at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020.

What brought you here?

I relocated from Nigeria to reunite with my family, who live here in the Rio Grande Valley. Having grown up in a similar community in my home country, Nigeria, I am excited at the low cost of living, the convenience of this setting, and the many opportunities the fast-growing UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley offers.

What do you enjoy about working in academic medicine?

Academic medicine aligns with my goal of practicing medicine in an intellectually stimulating, patient-centered environment and being able to engage in scholarly activities through research.

Why is academic medicine important to our community?

Academic medicine allows for the teaching of the next generation of physicians and other healthcare providers. Also, there is an excellent opportunity to engage in research activities to improve patient care and outcomes. Advancements in medicine today are products of various clinical research activities in the past. The rapidly growing Rio Grande Valley community stands to gain a lot from academic medicine.

How do you spend your free time? In my spare time, I like spending time with my family, playing soccer, and enjoying everything the Valley offers.