UTMB Announcements for 2/12/2026

Meet the Experts (Series 1 of 4): 

Join us February 19, 2026, 12pm-1pm, to meet Dr. Vibhuti Gupta.

Dr. Gupta is an Associate Professor within The Department of Biostatistics & Data Science. Dr. Gupta expertise consists of machine learning, mHealth, multimodal data integration, AL fairness and transparency. Please join us to see what we can help you with!

This is a Hybrid meeting, you can either join us at HEC room 1.202

OR

Please register at the link below: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_kqWLBlj6Q424FQkM__vdgw  

EMPOWERING RESEARCH THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATION 

UTMB Data Science Consulting and Collaboration 

Developing innovative computational methods to translate complex health data into actionable insights. 

The Department of Biostatistics & Data Science at UTMB offers expert consulting and collaborative research support in biostatistics, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and biomedical informatics.  

OUR EXPERTISE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT: 

• AI & ML MODEL DEVELOPMENT  
• PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS 
• BIG DATA INTEGRATION & COMPUTING 
• BIOMEDICAL NLP RESEARCH SUPPORT  
• VISUAL ANALTICS & NETWORK MODELIN 
• CLINICAL INFORMATICS & ONTOLOGY DESIGN  
• CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT 

UTMB is now accepting applications for the next cohort of our Certified Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship Program.

The cohort begins Monday, April 13, and offers:

• Full-time employment and benefits as a Hospital Aide
• Minimum starting wage of $15/hour, with progressive increases during the first year of employment
• Paid on-the-job learning and classroom instruction approved by Texas Health and Human Services
• Mentorship by clinical instructors and experienced Patient Care Technicians
• Promotion to Patient Care Technician and endorsement to register for the CNA exam upon successful completion of the training

Program participants must be age 18 or older and able to meet the physical requirements of the job, including prolonged standing and lifting more than 50 pounds.

The deadline for applications is Friday, Feb. 13, and interviews will be conducted Tuesday, Feb. 24. Click here to apply for the CNA Apprenticeship Program.

Want more information? Click here for details about this rewarding program.

For questions about the CNA Apprenticeship Program or the application process, please email HR Workforce Development at hrwrkfrcdev@utmb.edu.

Now is the time to visit our optical retail shops to take advantage of two limited-time specials! ✨

💘 Valentine’s Day + President’s Day Eyewear Specials 
Love your look and your savings!

✨ Two amazing specials — now through 2/16 ✨

❤️ Valentine’s Special
• 20% OFF sun frames (can be combined with in-clinic lens package pricing)
• 50% OFF an additional complete pair with anti-reflective lenses or non-RX sun purchase
Perfect time to treat yourself or someone you love!

📣 President’s Day Special
• 30% OFF a complete pair (frame + lenses with anti-reflective coating)

📅 Offers valid through February 16
📍 Available at the Galveston and Texas City locations
⚠️ Some brand exclusions apply. Offers cannot be combined with vision insurance, other offers, or previous purchases.

Stop by the shop and let us help you find your perfect pair! 💕👓

Shop our conveniently locations for more details and discover additional specials tailored to fit your budget and needs!

Eye Center, Galveston                 

700 University Blvd, Galveston                                               
(409) 747-5823                               

Eye Center, Texas City

10121 Emmett F Lowry Expressway, Texas City

(409) 978-4315

Need an updated prescription? Call 409-747-5800 for an appointment to schedule your annual comprehensive eye exam at one of our UTMB Health Eye Center locations in Galveston, Texas City, League City and Friendswood.

For the Degree of

 Doctor of Philosophy

February 19, 2026

9:00 AM

Levin Hall North Auditorium 2.220

TITLE OF DISSERTATION

The 20026 MVP Survey has officially kicked off, and we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to let us know what is working well across UTMB and where we can continue to improve.

You can complete the survey using the personalized link sent to your UTMB email by Press Ganey on Monday, Feb. 9. If you do not see the message, check your Junk Email folder or Quarantine page.

• The survey is open to all benefits-eligible employees hired on or before Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Note: In the Academic Enterprise, only physicians, residents, and staff with clinical responsibilities will receive the survey. Faculty and staff who completed the AAMC Survey in March 2025 will not participate in this survey cycle.)
• The survey can be completed in 15 to 20 minutes on any device with internet access and will remain available through Monday, March 2.
• Participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential. All responses are securely collected and managed by Press Ganey.
• Survey results are reported in aggregate form only at the entity, department, and division levels and will not contain any personal or identifying information. Departments and divisions must have at least five respondents to receive area-specific results.
• The feedback collected will support post-survey action planning and UTMB’s Magnet® designation efforts.

To thank employees for participating, UTMB will hold weekly prize drawings. You can choose to opt in to the drawings after completing the survey. Prizes include UTMB-branded swag, Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth headphones, a 14-inch HP laptop, lunch with Dr. Reiser, and more. Departments that achieve 100% participation by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, will be rewarded with a team meal funded by UTMB.

For more details about the survey and participant incentives, visit https://utmb.us/eyu.

The next priority reservation window for the Health Education Center (HEC) Interprofessional Simulation Center scheduling request system will open on Monday, March 2, 2026, and close on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Please use the Schedule an Event link to submit a request for scheduling simulation activities in HEC skills and simulation spaces, including labs located on Market Street, in Graves 3.310, and in SON/SHP 1.600 and 1.706. This scheduling window applies to activities taking place between August 1, 2026, and July 31, 2027.

Following the close of the priority submission window all requests will be reviewed and evaluated based on established scheduling criteria. The scheduling criteria is available in the HEC Policy and Procedure Manual. If needed, requestors may be contacted for additional information during the review process. Notification emails confirming scheduled activities will be sent on or before Monday, April 27, 2026. Requests submitted after the initial deadline of March 23, 2026, will continue to be accepted, and will be reviewed after April 27, 2026.

We kindly ask that any internal program conflicts be identified and resolved prior to submitting a scheduling request.

Please note: the Schedule an Event form is used exclusively for scheduling simulation activities in HEC skills and simulation spaces. Classrooms and group study rooms should be reserved through the Classroom Services scheduling system.

If you need assistance with completing the request form, have scheduling questions, or require additional support, please contact Kristen Kahrig, HEC Assistant Director of Simulation, at kmkahrig@utmb.edu or (409) 266-0005.

UTMB’s Institute for Translational Sciences (ITS) and the Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA) invite you to participate in a conversation on Where We Live Matters: Environmental Exposures and Community Health.   

Location: The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, TX 77004

Date/Time: Saturday, February 28, 2026;  11am – 12pm   

This conversation features Arica A. Brandford, PhD, JD, Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center; Carolyn Stone, Channelview Health and Improvement Coalition; and Kathleen Garland, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Environmental Management, University of Houston-Clear Lake. 

Please join us as we explore and discuss the current knowledge and research related environmental exposures and community health.

Please RSVP to Krista Bohn at krbohn@utmb.edu.

Light refreshments will be provided. 

SCI Café (where Science and Communities Interact) is a community dialogue about science, health and possibilities among community members, researchers and scientists. The purpose is to engage and connect community members with science and science with the local community. Topics for SCI Cafés are driven by community learning interests and discovery from GGCTSA faculty.

Are you a UTMB graduate student or postdoctoral fellow?  Do you think you can explain your research in layman’s terms…in less than three minutes?

The Institute for Translational Sciences and the Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA) presents the annual T1-T4 in 3 (Minutes) competition, an innovative contest that challenges graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to effectively explain their translational research for a lay audience in three minutes or less.

Only 12 abstracts are selected for the competition. 

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026

Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm  

Location: UTMB League City - Medical Plaza One, Room 2.210/2.212

1^st Place: $750

2^nd Place: $500

3^rd Place: $250

People’s Choice Award: $750

Applications are due by 5pm on March 16th.  To submit your abstract, please use this link: https://redcap.link/2026T1T4

The Academy of Master Teachers (AMT) is calling for nominations for:

EDUCATOR OF THE QUARTER - WINTER

AMT presents this honor in recognition of educational excellence at UTMB to acknowledge, thank and reward outstanding teachers.

Students, residents, faculty and staff, click below to submit your nomination(s):

Click Here: AMT Educator of the Quarter Nomination Form - Winter FY26 – Fill out form

Nomination Deadline | Friday, February 13, 2026

Questions: Reach out to amt@utmb.edu

The Women’s Resource Group (WRG) at UTMB is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 WRG Trailblazer Award. This annual recognition honors an exceptional leader who champions and advocates for women’s empowerment, advancement, and professional development across our institution.

We invite you to nominate an individual who exemplifies outstanding achievement, promotes opportunity for others, and uplifts the voices of women at UTMB.

Please see the flyer located [HERE] for full details and nomination requirements. 

Nomination Form: https://utmb.us/f50
Deadline: Monday, March 6, 2026

SAVE THE DATE- Winner be recognized at this event.
WRG Women’s History Month
Event: Tuesday, March 26, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Health Education Center, Room 2.220

If you have any questions, please email wrg@utmb.edu.

Thank you for helping us recognize and celebrate the leaders who make a meaningful impact on women’s advancement at UTMB.

Are you interested in being part of WRG? Join Here: https://utmb.us/f4w

Interested in contributing to important blood platelet research?

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch want to learn more about how mechanical force regulates platelet function, and whether mechanobiology can be used to better treat arterial thrombosis.

This study may be a good fit for you if:

You are at least 18 years old and non-pregnant (if a woman).

No history of trypanophobia or anemia.

What’s involved?

Only 1 visit in total, for about 20 minutes, where you will have a small-amount blood donation.

The collected blood volume will be 3-30 ml (venous blood draw).

There is no cost to you and you will be compensated for your time and participation.

This study is not testing any drugs or treatments.

The research will take place at the 5th floor of Waverly Smith Pavilion, Jennie Sealy Hospital.

Did you know the State of Texas has procured free, on-demand, digital accessibilty training for UTMB staff?  With digital accessibility a requirement from Texas, UT Systems, and the Federal Government, this is a great opportunity to get up to speed on the latest requirements and skills needed to create accessible content.

Request your account (will take a day or two) and start your digital accessibility journey today!

Find out more on about your role in creating accessible content on our Digital Accessibility website.

• Google Chrome is recommended, but any browser should work provided Flash in enabled.
• If paying by PO, select “Pay with PO#”. Please do not include taxes when paying with a PO. Please get with your department’s administrative support for assistance with submitting your PO.
• If paying online, select “Pay Online”.
• Your email address is required to receive a confirmation.
• To avoid late fees, orders must be submitted by March 29, 2026.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a non-invasive, low-intensity brain stimulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on locomotor skill learning and training. We wish to look at how tDCS impacts learning and overall motor function in people with chronic stroke.

We are looking for adults who had a stroke at least 6 months and can walk safely with or without an assistive device (ex. cane) for more than 100 feet.

All participants will be compensated for their time!

PI: Shih-Chiao Tseng, PT, PhD shtseng@utmb.edu 409-772-9555

COME OUT AND VISIT GRACE ANNA’S BOUTIQUE!

Grace Anna’s Boutique offers $6. jewelry and much more – including

necklace sets, rings, bracelets, earrings, fashion accessories, scarves, 

dresses, tops, a great selection of scrubs at great prices, electronics, and more.

They’re also having a Lavish Linens Sale to include sheet sets and bamboo pillows.

        WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11^TH      

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

       THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12^TH       

7:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13^TH  

7:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

JENNIE SEALY HOSPITAL – 2^ND FLOOR

BETWEEN P.J.’s COFFEE AND THE CSW

Cash, debit cards, and credit cards are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

 LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS

Beyond Bling Boutique offers a lot of bling fashion jewelry

ranging from $3.00 - $25.00, including bracelets, charm

necklaces, rings, earrings, fashion headbands, bows,

 freshies, diffusers (for your car), and wristlets.

           WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11^TH       

    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12^TH

AND

         FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13^TH       

9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.   

LEAGUE CITY CAMPUS (CLINIC SIDE) - 1^ST FLOOR

Credit cards, Debit cards, Cash App, and Venmo are accepted.

Proceeds benefit Patient and Volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Each week the Pastoral Care Department brings you a Moment of Hope and a Weekly Anchor to encourage you.

Weekly Anchor⚓

You have often heard that “hope is an anchor for the soul.” Think about an anchor and what its purpose is – to hold steady in the midst of a storm. Deep below the surface of our circumstances, our hope is what can sustain us. What do you hope in? Who gives you hope? Your UTMB chaplains are here to support you in difficult times and celebrate the victories. Give us a call if you need us!

🦻Listen to today's Moment of Hope entitled “Love Never Fails," offered by Chaplain Jim George, Chaplain at UTMB Galveston. We hope it encourages you today.

Lord, on this month often focused on romantic love,

we lift up those in hospitals, the lonely, and their caregivers,

asking for Your presence and comfort.

Strengthen those who are ill,

healing their bodies and calming anxious minds,

reminding them of Your constant, steadfast love.

Bless the doctors, nurses, and families,

giving them strength and compassion.

Remind us that Your love is the greatest,

a light in the darkness,

and nothing can separate us from it, even in sickness.

Amen. 

The Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program Presents

“Innate Recognition of Virulent Orientia tsutsugamushi Shapes Macrophage Responses and Lung Pathology”

By

Dario Villacreses

PhD Student

Mentor: Lynn Soong, MD, PhD

Friday, February 13, 2026

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

HEC 3.206

Updated American Heart Association Revisions Affecting 2026 Courses

The new American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines were released on October 22, 2025.  Within the new guidelines, new course agendas have been developed that will impact the overall length of AHA classes. These new class times will be honored by the UTMB Office of Life Support Education and Training (OLSET)  starting March 1, 2026.  The length of each AHA class is outlined below:

Class                                         Current                                                     New

BLS Initial                             4 hour 15 minutes                               4 hours 30 minutes

BLS Renewal                             3 hours                                                    4 hours

ACLS Initial                            13-14 hours                                          14.5-15.5 hours

ACLS Renewal                      8.5 to 9.5 hours                                  9.25-10.25 hours

ACLS Heartcode                     8.5-9.5 hours                                    6.75 to 7.75 hours

PALS Initial                               12.5 hours                                          12 hours 50 minutes

PALS Renewal                          9 hours                                               9 hours 10 minutes

PALS Heartcode                       5 hours                                                     5.5 hours

There will be new American Heart Association Provider Manuals required for all AHA classes. Starting March 1, 2026, the 2025 Provider Manual is required for all AHA classes. The 2020 provider manual is acceptable through February 28, 2026. 

• Here is a link to the AHA Executive Summary: Part 1: Executive Summary: 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care | Circulation

• Current AHA card expiration dates remain valid. There is no need to renew your AHA certification prior to  the expiration date.

• There is required pre-course work to attend AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support  (ACLS) and  Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) classes.  The online pre-course work takes between 2 to 3.5 hours to complete.

• Please feel free to contact OLSET at cpredlab@utmb.,edu for questions or concerns regarding AHA 2026 Resuscitation revisions.

• Understand basic benefits, risks, and limitations of commonly utilized modalities in pediatric imaging
• Become familiar with evidence-based clinical decision-making resources available for pediatric imaging utilization
• Learn how to get radiologist help through the Radiology Reading Room Assistant (RRA)

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Animal Welfare office remind the research community that the deadline to submit nominations for the Recognizing Excellence in Animal Care and Use Program is fast approaching.

This initiative celebrates members of the UTMB Animal Care and Use community who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the ethical care and welfare of animals in research.

All program details—including eligibility criteria, nomination instructions, and the online submission form—are now available on AWO website Recognizing Excellence in Animal Care and Use Program.

• Nominations for 2026 are now open and must be submitted by March 1, 2026.

Thank you for helping us highlight and honor excellence within our animal care and use community!

Due to the significant volume of technical inquiries, users experienced delays that created a severe burden on the community for complying with the original timeline of January 25, 2026.   Instead of requiring all users to change to the use of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement by the original January deadline (as outlined in NOT-OD-26-018), NIH will extend the leniency period through May 2026. 

NIH will be extending the current leniency period through May 2026 to provide users and institutions sufficient time for adoption, allow for full compliance, and ensure fairness for all the extramural community. During this leniency period, NIH will provide a warning when the Common Forms are not used but will not withdraw applications that don’t comply with the use of the Common Forms.

Current system validations will remain in place at a warning level, allowing applicants and recipients flexibility in the submission process. A subsequent Guide Notice, anticipated in Spring 2026, will announce the date that the warning will be escalated to an error. 

Catch up on the latest aging research with the Sealy Center on Aging

Get to know Rebecca Galloway, PhD, board-certified geriatric physical therapist, UTMB Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services.

Check out Stories of Aging, highlighting the unique lives of Galveston's older adults through interviews conducted by medical students.        Kudos to Arati Bendapudi, MS3, for initiating this outstanding project.

Read about NIH/NIA-funded research addressing elder abuse conducted by Monique Pappadis, PhD, and colleagues. 

Join our email list to stay informed about the latest aging studies, research findings, and get our quarterly newsletter in your Inbox.   

Follow us on Facebook

The Caregiver Connection is a support group for family members and friends of people with Alzheimer's or other dementia.  The group is a safe, welcoming place to ask questions, learn about caring for someone with dementia and get tips for caregiver self-care. 

Meetings are held on 2^nd and 4^th Friday monthly from 12 – 1 pm

2^nd Friday is Hybrid meeting – In-person* at OLLI @ UTMB (1200 Market St. Galveston) or Zoom/phone

4^th Friday  -  Zoom /phone only 

Meeting on Friday, February 13, 2026 is a Hybrid/Zoom/Phone Meeting.  

SIGN IN - HYBRID Meeting link (2nd Fridays): https://alz-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/vLlld1nXSo6X6k-6jeaL_A

ORCall the Alzheimer's Association HelpLine to register at 800-272-3900

FIRST TIME ATTENDEES* -SIGN IN with ALL requested information.  *Email Alice Williams in advance:  alwillia@utmb.edu

PREVIOUS ATTENDEES – SIGN IN ONLY with name, email, zip code and preference on receiving Alz. Association emails.   

After sign in, check your email for a link to join the meeting.

Meeting facilitators:  Alice Williams, MS, LBSW  UTMB Sealy Center on Aging  and Virginia Pixley, LMSW, UTMB Social Worker

Caregiver support group meetings are sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter

The Office of Personnel Management has raised the Executive Level II salary cap to $228,000 effective January 1, 2026.

For awards issued in those years that were restricted to Executive Level II (see Salary Cap Summary (FY 1990–Present), including competing awards already issued in FY2026, if adequate funds are available in active awards, and if the salary cap increase is consistent with the institutional base salary, grantees may rebudget to accommodate the current Executive Level II salary level. However, no additional funds will be provided to these grant awards. The salary cap has been updated in InfoEd Proposal Development.

In order to reduce administrative burden for effort reporting, monthly certification dates of 12/1/25 to 2/28/26, the new rate would become effective in ECRT on March 1, 2026.

For more information and examples related to salary cap calculations, please see the NIH Announcement, NOT-OD-26-034.

Questions about the new salary cap should be directed to your Pre-Award Analyst.

As part of UTMB’s efforts to continually enhance our services to patients, a new feature is being introduced to our physician and provider directory. The new directory will feature a toggle that will enable search enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI), a capability developed internally at UTMB. The AI-powered search allows patients and other users to use natural language, multilingual and open-ended queries to find suitable providers. 

The application has been undergoing testing and is available now in a development environment; we invite you to try the tool and share your experience. (The test version of the directory requires you to be on the UTMB network or on VPN; appointment making is disabled in this test version.)

• Access the AI-Enhanced TEST Directory

The directory defaults to a conventional search; you’ll need to toggle “ON” the AI features in the area adjacent to the search bar. 

We are grateful for the valuable feedback we've already had from the UTMB community. Add your voice. Share your experience, report any issues or ask questions VIA OUR FEEDBACK FORM.