The recipient of this year's U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award is César Sevilla Jr., a third-year medical student at the UTRGV School of Medicine, who was recognized at the annual State of School by the School of Medicine’s Dean, Michael B. Hocker.

Read More Here.

Dr. Amin Shah, assistant professor at the Department of Medical Education (DOME), was awarded the Supervisor of the Year 2023 award for his dedication and contribution to Student Employment at UTRGV.

He is recognized for his commitment to supporting and guiding the UTRGV School of Medicine student employees and providing them with essential working tools and techniques to prepare them to be exemplary professionals.

The Student Employment Award Ceremony was held at the Edinburg Campus on April 13, 2023. There were 43 supervisors from the Edinburg Campus nominated for the award.  

Congratulations to Dr. Amin Shah! 

The UTRGV School of Medicine Internal Medicine resident physicians participated in training at the UTRGV Clinical Skills Center & Simulation Hospital.

Throughout last month’s multi-day training, residents refined their patient evaluation, diagnostic, and treatment skills by working through realistic acute critical care scenarios. Additionally, they mastered intubation and central line placement techniques.

Now in its third year, this exciting, annual department-wide effort enhances residents' teamwork and communication skills, resulting in unforgettable learning experiences.

We want to thank our faculty lead, Dr. Schamma Salomon, and all faculty and staff who played a part in making this event a success. Thank you for your dedication to shaping the future of medicine! 

On March 29, 2023, the UTRGV-SOM Office of Interprofessional Education (IPE) hosted an IPE learning activity with the Department of Occupational Therapy in the Health Systems Year 1 Module to foster improvement in interprofessional teamwork and communication skills to advance healthcare outcomes. 

This IPE activity provided over 85 students from medicine and occupational therapy an opportunity to learn from, with, and about each other to ultimately change the trajectory of Border Health in the Rio Grande Valley. 

It takes numerous faculties to facilitate large-scale IPE activities. Thank you to all who participated and made this event possible.

Congratulations to first-year medical student Brianna Guillen for being accepted to the Association of American Medical Colleges program RISE: Developing Future Leaders in Academic Medicine & Science.

This two-and-a-half-day leadership development seminar for rising second-year medical students will take place June 23 - 25, 2023, at the AAMC Learning Center in Washington, D.C.

Guillen will attend, among other successful medical students representing the UTRGV School of Medicine. Congratulations! 

Congratulations to Wandy Cruz -Velázquez, J.D. - associate registrar for the UTRGV School of Medicine, recently appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission Board for the City of Harlingen.

Wandy was nominated by Commissioner Rene Perez and was voted unanimously by the Harlingen Commissioners at their meeting on March 15, 2023.

"This is an honor for me because, in 2019, we were victims of the floods in Harlingen and experienced a great loss of our property," said Velázquez. "Since then, I've become an advocate for flood victims, as well as been involved in sharing my concerns for drainage improvements in Harlingen and Cameron County."



According to Velázquez, this is a historic moment for Harlingen because she is the first woman who has ever been appointed to this position.

Congratulations to Wandy Cruz -Velázquez for advocating for our UTRGV School of Medicine students and her community.

The UTRGV School of Medicine is a practicing academic medical institution. What aspect of Academic Medicine impacts you the most? (Educational, clinical, research, etc.)

The Educational aspect most impacts me at this stage in my training. The faculty does an excellent job answering my numerous questions, especially in the anatomy lab. I learn best by thinking out loud, and they do a fantastic job walking me through my thought process so that I leave the lab with the best understanding of the material.

Learn More About Nakwaasah Here.

Division Chief of Pediatrics, Associate Professor Pediatrics; Director of Student Health & Wellness; Director of Careers in Medicine; Pediatric Hospitalist; Admissions Committee Chair; JAMP Faculty Director

When did you join the UTRGV School of Medicine?

I joined the SOM in 2017 but started as the medical director of student health at UTPA in 2012.

What brought you here?

This is my home institution. I loved my time here as an undergraduate. I was on the UTPA women’s tennis team, and one of the few female chemistry graduates at the time. So when the opportunity presented itself to return to my school, I couldn’t pass it up.

What do you enjoy about working in Academic Medicine? 

The thing I love about academic medicine is the students! They are humbling, brilliant, and amazing. They make me remember why I fell in love with medicine and continuously push me to be the best doctor I can be.

Why is academic medicine important to our community?

Academic medicine is imperative for our community. Practicing good medicine and setting an example for our learners have far-reaching effects across the RGV.

Our efforts in academic medicine change the future of medicine. We can make local, national, and global impacts through what we do here at the UTRGV School of Medicine. Academic medicine allows us to work with community partners to make health care accessible for all. A good example would be our work through the UTRGV Centering Parenting Clinic, where we work with new parents to share important information, items and provide checkups for children from newborn to 2 years of age. Through this, we are creating communications networks to serve those most in need of health care information. 

 

How do you spend your free time?

I spend my free time with my family. I have three sassy, brilliant, and energetic little boys! I also love being outside and digging in the dirt. My current project is planting a forest I will hopefully get to live in one day.