“We salute the vision and efforts of the University of Texas Medical Branch in placing value on such an essential element of community healthcare,” writes Leonard Woosley, the publisher of the Galveston County Daily News. Woosley was commenting on the recent announcement of the new Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute.

“Homemade cooking has been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses like hypertension and high cholesterol,” writes Dr. Samuel Mathis for his column on the benefits of cooking at home.

Dr. Ashok Chopra spoke to the Los Angeles Times about plague after a South Lake Tahoe resident was recently infected. While the plague can be treated with antibiotics, Chopra said if left untreated it can be fatal. “If the infection is overwhelming,” he said, “then the bacteria can spread fairly quickly into the bloodstream, and then it becomes very dangerous.”

"For me, this is a lifetime work,” said UTMB’s Dr. Hani Jneid about the establishment of the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute thanks to a $30 million grant from the Sealy & Smith Foundation. This news also reported in Becker’s Hospital Review, the Galveston County Daily News and the Houston Business Journal.

UTMB Health has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2025. “To be honored by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for a second consecutive year is a true testament to the people of UTMB Health,” Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of the medical branch and CEO of the UTMB Health System, said.

Researchers are exploring a surprising new way to deliver vaccines — coating dental floss with vaccine ingredients, write Drs. Megan Berman and Ricard Rupp for their Vaccine Smarts column.

Dr. Victor S. Sierpina says he use to condescending when someone said walking was their primary exercise. But, Sierpina writes, new research is verifying the many health benefits of walking. “It is a simple, convenient, and affordable way to work on cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, and flexibility in one package,” Sierpina writes.

In a guest column for the Daily News, UTMB’s Dr. Jarrel De Mattas argues that Texas should regulate AI bots offering mental health care. “AI can be a tool in this ecosystem, but never a substitute for human connection,” De Mattas writes.

A fungus named Candida auris is making its way across the U.S., write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their latest Medical Discover News column. C. auris can cause a variety of infections, from relatively mild but itchy skin infections to severe bloodstream infections, they write.

“Ultimately, we aim to equip our pharmacy interns for successful careers in health system pharmacy while inspiring them to pursue advanced training and leadership opportunities,” said UTMB’s Michael Eagon. UTMB started a pharmacy internship program with six interns this year, with the plan to add six new interns each year, said UTMB’s Jared Sheneman.