UTMB Faculty Senate Minutes
Monday, February 12, 2024
Teams Virtual Meeting
4:30PM-6PM

Open Senate Meeting:

  1. Call to Order – Shannan Rossi, PhD, MBA, Faculty Senate Chair
  2. Attendance “Roll Call” & Establishing Quorum
    1. GSBS – Dr. Ananth Kumar Kammala
    2. JSSOM – Dr. Nicholas Sreshta
    3. SHP – Dr. Karthik Mani
    4. SPPH – Dr. Monique Pappadis
    5. SON – Dr. Jacquelyn Svoboda
  3. Agenda Adoption
    1. Consent Agenda Adoption – Approved 
  4. Review & Approval of Minutes– January minutes are approved.
  5. Guest Speakers
    • Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, President of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

      Topic: “A Transformative Organizational Restructuring”

      • Speaking notes:
        1. UTMB has a tremendous track record of resilience and accomplishment to build upon.
        2. It is important to promote innovation not only as a characteristic of each mission area, but also as a fourth mission area.
        3. Organizational structure announced on Nov. 1, 2023, designed to ensure UTMB can fully embrace the rapid, coordinated growth these time demand—and to ensure an “innovation” mindset for the entire institution.
        4. Vision for the new structure:
        5. An integrated leadership model to help break down traditional silos, to improve collaboration and communication.
        6. Goals and incentives aligned across the institution.
        7. Greater focus on innovation in all mission areas
        8. Expanded work in clinical and translational research.
          1. This is why the new Life Science Incubator is so crucial.
        9. Greater international recognition of UTMB as a leader in academic medicine.
        10. Ultimately, improved care for the communities we serve directly—and for patients around the world we never see in person but who will benefit from the advances we can make possible.
          • Cornerstones in this work: Compassion for life and advancement of science
            • Key Changes to realize the vision:
              1. Elevate physician leadership across our Health System.
                • President currently serves and Health System CEO
                • Dr. Resto, Chief Physician Executive for the Faculty Group Practice, now also leading Ambulatory Operations and Surgical Services—building a stronger bridge between the Academic Enterprise and the Health System.
                  1. Wayne Keathley appointed Acting Chief Operating Officer for the Health System
                  2. Creating of the Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer role to oversee transformation of care and science across the system (Dr. Salim Hayek; Feb. 26)
                  3. Dr. Jones, Senior VP and Dean of the School of Nursing, now has an additional role as Chief Integration Officer, to drive coordination and implementation of processes across the institution to ensure fully integrated system of care delivery.
                  4. Dr. Vineet Gupta has joined UTMB as Vice President for Innovation & Technology Development and Transfer.
                  5. Creation of an Executive Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development role. (Dr. Susan Chubinskaya; Feb. 19)
                  6. New Leaders/Searches
                    1. Recently announced appointment of Jamie Bailey as EVP and CFO (April 1)
                    2. Dr. Sanja Sever to join as VP and Director, Sealy institute for Drug Discovery (March 1)
                    3. In final stages of recruitment for a Chief Development Officer
                    4. Continued searches for research and clinical faculty
                    • Success will depend on our collective energy, commitment to improvement, brainpower, curiosity, flexibility, and ability to take strategic risks.
                    • As educators, researchers, care providers, and members of the Faculty Senate, your teams are integral to all our efforts.
      • Faculty Advisory Council Meeting
        1. Dr. Rossi and Dr. Svoboda present on the Faculty Advisory Council meeting that took place January 25-26, 2024. Note: Dr. Christopher Messenger is currently Chair of the Council
          • What is Faculty Advisory Council?
            1. An advisory group selected from the faculty of the UT System institutions.
            2. Meetings are held three times per year in Austin at the UTS.
            3. Mission: Provide a forum for communicating ideas and information between faculty, the Board of Regents, and the Executive Officers of the UT System.
            4. FAC committees include Governance, health Affairs, Academic Affairs, Faculty Quality and Research.
            5. Micro-Credentialing: UT System launched its Texas Credentials for the Future Initiative in 2021 to expand offerings across UT’s academic institutions.
              • Dr. Bentley-UTS Office of Academic Affairs-Phase roll out (Academic vs Health System)
          • General Faculty Senate Information
            • Who are we?
              1. An advisory body comprised of elected representatives from all 5 schools
              2. Senators hold the position for 2 years.
              3. A maximum of two full consecutive two-year terms shall be allowed for each member of the Senate.
            • What we do?
              1. Meet 2nd Monday each Monday 4:30 pm-6:00 pm in person or virtual (alternates)
              2. Discuss & advocate for issues of importance to the faculty.
              3. Attend senate meetings, actively participating in senate committee work, and serving as a conduit in communication between the senate and their school faculty.
  6. Unfinished Business & General Orders
    1. None currently.
  7. New Business
    1. None Currently.
    2. University: Dr. Jacquelyn Svoboda- A survey has been distributed in the Faculty Senate Chat. Dr. Rossi and Dr. Svoboda have taken the initiative to advertise the Faculty Senate and to communicate what the Senate does. Further, the committee is discussing the development of a newsletter to gather senator’s suggestions for senate meetings.
    3. Research: Dr. Robert Abbott- The committee has reached out to other research faculty to get a sense of what obstacles Research faculty face. And how those obstacles impact the ability to do research. The overall top issues is money management and lack of direct access to grant funds.
    4. Education: Dr. Brian Downer- The committee is looking into discussing generative AI and reviewing UTMB policies on academic misconduct regarding the use of AI by faculty and students.
    5. Clinical: Dr. Karren Lewis-The committee discussed RVU goals. The committee further discussed “MyPower” and are interested in having someone speak to the senate about the program.
  8. Committee Reports
    1. Dr. Jacquelyn Svoboda motions to move into executive session, Dr. Karthik Mani provides a second.
  9. Announcements: None

  10. Adjournment