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July 2024
Here's a recap of all the School of Medicine events that recently took place!
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Strategic Planning Kick-Off | |
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Thank you to over 100 SOM faculty, staff and residents who joined the Strategic Planning Retreat on Thursday, June 20!
Your participation in this crucial planning process is invaluable as we shape our school's goals over the next three years. During this retreat, volunteer participants joined to discuss and provide an excellent opportunity to voice opinions and develop our school's new three-year plan, marking an essential step in shaping our future as an academic medical institution.
If you did not attend the retreat, once the document is available for comments, you will have other opportunities to contribute to and participate in the strategic planning process.
We thank you for your commitment to Transforming Care Together and your willingness to participate in these efforts. Your continued dedication and involvement are appreciated as we continue our work to create a vibrant, forward-thinking School of Medicine.
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Dean Hocker stopped by to welcome the new cohort of UTRGV JAMP and Vaquero MD students as they start their medical careers.
Welcome to the UTRGV School of Medicine, JAMPers and Vaquero MDs and!
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UTRGV, HCA Healthcare collaboration launches first Internal Medicine residency at Valley Regional Medical Center | |
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Brownsville community will benefit from 13 new doctors-in-training
The UTRGV School of Medicine is bringing its first cohort of a new Internal Medicine residency program to local hospitals, expanding the school’s medical training opportunities and expanding access to medical care for the Brownsville community.
Through a collaboration with HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, Valley Regional and Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen will be the sites of three years of supervised training for 13 UTRGV School of Medicine doctors-in-residency.
Read more here.
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Drs. Evan Perez and Jimmy Gonzalez, physicians at the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV Primary Care Sports Medicine doctors, presented at a sports medicine luncheon with the Valley Athletic Trainers Association.
Both physicians shared valuable insights from their extensive experience in sports medicine, emphasizing how athletic trainers across the Rio Grande Valley can leverage the healthcare services offered by UT Health RGV and the School of Medicine.
Their presentation is part of the school's ongoing commitment to strengthening ties and supporting health professionals in our community.
Thank you for your participation, Drs. Perez and Gonzalez!
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Conquer Cancer Merit Award | |
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Dr. Dorsey-Treviño, PGY-1 in Internal Medicine at Knapp Medical Center, was honored with the "Conquer Cancer Merit Award" bestowed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Foundation and Conquer Cancer for his research titled "Long-Term Efficacy of High-Dose Imatinib in Hispanic Patients Without Access to Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Treated in LATAM Centers."
The "Conquer Cancer Merit Award" recognizes exceptional abstracts submitted to the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, reflecting Dr. Dorsey-Treviño's dedication to advancing hematology/oncology research. This recognition allows Dr. Dorsey-Treviño to present his research as an oral presentation at the Annual Meeting and compete for the prestigious "Conquer Cancer Special Merit Award."
Best wishes to Dr. Dorsey-Treviño for a successful participation in the upcoming conference (the world's largest cancer conference, where more than 20,000 participants from all over the globe attend)!
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University of Texas System Hosted AI Symposium in Health Care | |
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Leaders from all UT health institutions and medical schools convened at UT Southwestern
The University of Texas System hosted its first-ever "AI Symposium in Health Care" at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. This event brought together experts in artificial intelligence from across the UT System's broad healthcare enterprise to explore the emergence of AI as it begins to reshape healthcare and revolutionize everything from scientific discovery and drug development to diagnosis and treatment to patient care and administrative processes.
Dr. Jorge Zwir, associate professor of Neuroscience; Monica Lozano Garcia, RA I; Daniel Salinas, RA II; and Blake Martin, RA, were among the event participants from the UTRGV School of Medicine. They participated in several presentations, including "AI in Brain Health" and "One UT Health System AI Collaboration Strategy."
This gathering underscored the UT System's commitment to harnessing AI's potential while ensuring its ethical and responsible use.
Participating panelists and speakers represented all five UT health institutions: UT Austin, its Dell Medical School, and the medical schools at UTRGV and UT Tyler. State lawmakers also discussed the best approaches to regulating AI as emerging technology advances.
Thank you for your participation, Dr. Zwir, Ms. Lozano Garcia, Mr. Salinas, and Mr. Martin!
Read more here.
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Cervical Cancer Prevention Action Network Team Promote Cervical Cancer Awareness at
"East Meets West 2024" in Mission, TX
Dr. Subhash Chauhan, Dr. Murali Yallapu, and Dr. Vivek Kashyap, faculty members at the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research (ST-CECR), took center stage at the "East Meets West 2024" event. This gathering promoted cross-cultural collaboration for a more significant cause, brought togetherness between all cultures, and celebrated and recognized women by the India Association of the Rio Grande Valley.
This meeting included a "Journey to India's Soul Connection" through entertainment, fashion, and wellness. The organization is also known for its mission to bridge "Eastern and Western" practices, fostering a global exchange of knowledge and innovative approaches to healthcare.
During the event, the ST-CECR's "Cervical Cancer Prevention Action Network" (CCPAN) team focused on disseminating vital information about cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination for prevention measures.
Additionally, the team also distributed comprehensive educational materials on cervical cancer prevention, including the critical role of HPV vaccination. It emphasized that vaccination is a powerful tool in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, particularly in regions with limited access to regular screening and medical care.
Thank you, Drs. Chauhan, Yallapu, and Kashyap, for your commitment to improving health outcomes through education, research, and community engagement!
Read more here.
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AAMC Resident Readiness Survey | |
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For the first time in four graduating classes, UTRGV School of Medicine residents reached 100% of "met" or "exceeded" overall performance expectations in the first six months of residency.
Kudos to the SOM Medical Education program!
This accomplishment was no easy feat and is mainly due to our faculty and staff's preparation of our students to succeed in their residencies.
This year, students matched in programs across the state, including UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas A&M College Station, and UT Austin Dell Medical School in Austin.
Other students will cross-country outside of Texas to California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington.
Among these, UTRGV medical students matched into 20 residency specialty programs including neurology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and urology.
Congratulations!
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New Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs | |
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Dr. Beatriz Tapia has been named as the new associate dean of Faculty Affairs.
She has been a dynamic leader at UTRGV School of Medicine since 2015 and has significantly contributed to faculty development by organizing over 200 educational series and workshops.
In her new role, she will continue to lead Faculty Affairs, Continuing Medical Education, and Faculty Development, fostering excellence in medical education and professional growth. Bringing a wealth of experience to the position, Dr. Tapia has been instrumental as a founding member and past chair of the Texas Consortium for Faculty Success, significantly shaping faculty development across Texas.
Her academic credentials, which include a medical degree from the Autonomous University of Puebla, an MPH from Johns Hopkins, and an EdD from the University of Houston, contribute to her impact on academic medicine.
Congratulations to Dr. Tapia on her appointment and continued success in her new role!
Read more here.
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Meet UTRGV MS4, Hector Trejo | |
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The UTRGV School of Medicine is a practicing academic medical institution. What aspect of Academic Medicine impacts you the most?
As I progress into my fourth year of medical school, I realize that the most profound experiences I've had thus far have been in clinical settings. These opportunities to engage directly with patients have proven incredibly enriching and fulfilling. I genuinely relish the moments when I can connect with individuals from my community and engage in meaningful conversations. Furthermore, a profound sense of satisfaction and pride fills me when patients recognize that I am actively training to serve and assist them in their healthcare journey.
Learn more about Trejo here.
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Academic Medical Minute with:
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Khalid Benamar, PhD
Professor
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When did you join the UTRGV School of Medicine?
I joined the UTRGV School of Medicine on May 1, 2023.
What brought you here?
Given that the Institute of Neuroscience at UTRGV conducts several clinical trials, I plan to initiate clinical trials after finishing my pre-clinical research, especially in chronic pain. This area of research is unrepresented at UTRGV even though it affects millions of people and is a significant health condition in the Rio Grande Valley region.
What do you enjoy about working in academic medicine?
I like working with students and colleagues at all levels (undergrads, grad students, postdocs, etc.). In addition, working in Academic Medicine allows you to conduct research that may lead to advances and breakthroughs in medicine and train future generations of physicians.
Why is academic medicine important to our community?
Academic medicine possesses the latest cutting-edge clinical trials and the world's most innovative treatments. Nearly every new medicine, treatment, and cure was discovered by Academic Medical Center physicians and researchers.
How do you spend your free time?
Usually spore (gym and walking).
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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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