UTMB Announcements for 2/6/2026

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY IN LEAGUE CITY

FOR K’S CREATIONS!!!

Come and take advantage of the last day for K’s Creations.  Folks are buzzing

 about the fun items and good service.  Check out a great collection of gifts

 including women’s clothing and accessories, scarves, fashion jewelry, lots of

new merchandise, and clearance items. 

It’s such an easy way to shop!

    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6^TH   

 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

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

Cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express are all accepted.

Proceeds benefit patient and volunteer programs.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

The Lefeber Hughes Winter Series on Aging, now in its 31st year, features nationally recognized experts in gerontology, including research educators, basic scientists, clinicians, and social scientists. This five-week series of presentations is open to all, and we invite UTMB faculty, staff, students, trainees, and members of the local community to attend.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: Connected Care - Virtual Assistants and Activity Trackers for Aging at Home

Presented by: Jessica Lee, MD, Carmel Bitondo Dyer, MD, Chair in Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Associate Professor, Joan and Stanford Alexander Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, UTHealth Houston

Event Info

Date: Tuesdays, through Feb 24, 2026

Time: Lecture at 5-6 PM, reception to follow

Location: 2.220, 2nd floor, Health Education Center (HEC), 301 11th St, Galveston, TX 77550

Parking: Free parking in the LOT behind OLLI between 12th & 13th Streets on Mechanic

Learn more: www.utmb.edu/scoa/winterseries

The Lefeber Hughes Winter Series on Aging, now in its 31st year, features nationally recognized experts in gerontology, including research educators, basic scientists, clinicians, and social scientists. This five-week series of presentations is open to all, and we invite UTMB faculty, staff, students, trainees, and members of the local community to attend.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10: The Potential Role of Technology in Supporting Informal Caregiving and Aging Adults

Presented by: Sara J. Czaja, PhD, Gladys and Roland Harriman Professor of Medicine, Director, Center on Aging and Behavioral Research, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Weill Cornell Medicine

Event Info

Date: Tuesdays, through Feb 24, 2026

Time: Lecture at 5-6 PM, reception to follow

Location: 2.220, 2nd floor, Health Education Center (HEC), 301 11th St, Galveston, TX 77550

Parking: Free parking in the LOT behind OLLI between 12th & 13th Streets on Mechanic

Learn more: www.utmb.edu/scoa/winterseries

Greetings! Please read the following announcement sent on behalf of the UTMB Campus Bookstore.

The John Sealy School of Medicine’s MD Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. It is time to submit your commencement regalia rental orders!!

Please use the following link to submit your order for the regalia rental:  https://www.buildagrad.com/utmbsomedfaculty

• 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

Note: Regalia will arrive the week before Commencement for distribution. An email will be sent when it is available to be picked up with designated days and times, along with the pick-up location.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Campus Store for assistance at (409) 772-1939.

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

Neonatal Platelet Transfusion Threshold Trial (NeoPlaTT)

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to figure out which platelet count may be best for platelet transfusion in the most premature babies. We will also compare outcomes in premature babies transfused with a higher or lower platelet count level. Our goal is that our platelet transfusion study will help doctors and nurses know when to provide a transfusion.

The NeoPlaTT clinical trial is enrolling participants with:

• A gestational age of 23 0/7 to 26 6/7 weeks AND <48h postnatal age

Patients who demonstrate a decrease in platelet levels will be randomized into one of two (high vs. low) threshold groups and transfused according to their randomized group. Additional eligibility criteria will be assessed by the study team.

Information gathered from this study may help other babies with low platelet counts in the future, however, there is no direct benefit to those who choose to participate in this study.

Please contact the study team at obgynrsu@utmb.edu or lead clinical research coordinator: tnbischo@utmb.edu

Maybe you see yourself TEACHING the next generation of respiratory therapists.

Maybe RESEARCH calls to you.

Maybe you want a stronger voice in OPERATIONAL decisions and the direction of care.

Whatever future you’re imagining, the path forward doesn’t have to mean stepping away from the work you love today.

UTMB’s100% online Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy – Degree Advancement Program was designed for Registered Respiratory Therapists who are ready to grow without pressing pause. With Leadership Tracks in Operations, Education or Research, in just 2 to 3 years, you’ll build advanced knowledge, expand your leadership potential, and prepare for roles that shape the future of respiratory care - all while continuing to care for patients.

Getting started is straightforward. All you need is a bachelor’s degree in any field, a current RRT credential, and a minimum 2.75 GPA.

Many students are eligible for up to $5,250 per year in tuition reimbursement through their employer, potentially covering up to half of in-state tuition. Scholarships are also available, and graduates report stepping into advanced roles with an average annual salary increase of $12,000.

This year isn’t just about setting goals. It’s about choosing direction.

Choose leadership. Choose impact. Choose what’s possible next.

👉 Apply today: https://ahcas.cas.myliaison.com

Beginning Monday, Feb. 9, UTMB will introduce a privacy notice acknowledgement on university websites. This pop-up message will appear in a small box at the bottom of UTMB’s public‑facing sites, including www.utmb.edu and utmbhealth.com.

The notice directs visitors to UTMB’s privacy practices. Once acknowledged, the pop‑up will not display again on subsequent visits—unless the user clears their cookies or accesses the site using a different browser.

You can preview the pop‑up feature before its Feb. 9 launch using the link below:

UTMB – The University of Texas Medical Branch

If you have any questions, please contact sitefinity@utmb.edu.

The Blocker Burn Unit

National Burn Awareness Week

Preventing Burns Where You Work

February 1–7, 2026

Every workplace, from kitchens to construction sites, presents potential burn risks. During National Burn Awareness Week, February 1–7, 2026, the Blocker Burn Unit joins the American Burn Association (ABA) to promote practical, life-saving burn prevention strategies for workplaces of all types.

This year’s theme, “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work, and Play – Preventing Burns in the Workplace,” highlights how small, proactive safety steps can prevent serious injuries. 

Prevent Burn Injuries Where You Work 

Burn risks exist in every workplace, from kitchens to offices to factories. Taking simple, proactive steps can keep everyone safe. 

Top 5 Burn Prevention Tips: 

1.      Wear Protective Gear: Use PPE (personal protection equipment) like gloves, aprons, helmets, or flame-resistant clothing whenever handling hot surfaces, chemicals, or machinery. 

2.      Handle Heat Safely: Monitor hot oil, boiling liquids, ovens, and machinery; open lids away from your face and never leave heat sources unattended. 

3.      Inspect & Maintain Equipment: Check cords, tools, vehicles, and machines for damage or overheating, and follow safety protocols during maintenance. 

4.      Control Flammables: Store fuels, chemicals, and combustible materials properly, keep them away from heat, and avoid sparks or open flames. 

5.      Know Emergency Procedures: Keep fire extinguishers and first aid kits accessible, know exit routes, and practice emergency drills regularly. 

Burn injuries continue to be a significant public health issue, with more than 398,000 people seeking medical care for burns in the United States in 2021, according to the CDC. Compared to the overall population, children under five were 2.0 times as likely to be seen for burn injuries at a hospital emergency department. Many of these injuries occur in the home and are preventable through awareness and education. 

Please visit the UTMB Blocker Burn Unit’s website for more information on Fire Safety and Burn Injury Prevention Education.