UTMB Sealy Center on Aging

09/04/2026

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) will celebrate Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 with adjusted hours across our campuses. Please review holiday hours at our website if you’re planning to visit us. https://www.utmbhealth.com/support-pages/upcoming-holiday-hours

09/04/2026

Could an annual wellness visit help catch memory problems earlier?

A recent study in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics found that older adults who received their Medicare Annual Wellness Visit were more likely to have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of memory and thinking changes, identified sooner. Early detection can help people and their healthcare providers address factors that may affect brain health and plan for future care if needed.

Authors include Elizabeth Kim, Mukaila Raji, Efstathia Polychronopoulou, Huey-Ming Tzeng, Sadaf Arefi Milani, and ong-Fang Kuo.

🔗 Read the article, Annual wellness visits, cognitive function, and early dementia diagnosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42456217/

09/02/2026

In the latest Get to Know Us video, Meredith Masel, PhD, MSW, describes how her team turned ten of the Oliver Center's most popular patient safety checklists into two-minute videos patients can watch right from their hospital room television.

She talks about the UTMB President's Cabinet funding behind the project, the partnership with the Care Partner Project, and what the videos cover, including falls, infection prevention, and safe practices for patients and care partners.

She also discusses plans for Spanish-language versions and a possible next study testing whether the videos change fall rates on a hospital unit.

Watch the video at https://utmb.us/gdv

09/02/2026

ICYMI 💌 The Community Connection Newsletter Summer 2026 is here! Get the latest in research news & local events for local older adults from the Sealy Center on Aging

https://mailchi.mp/0c85a14d062b/thanks-for-connecting-with-us-10345438?e=e0eda2e856

09/01/2026

We are proud to celebrate our new endowment holders!

Congratulations to 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗥. 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗠𝗘𝗱, 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗠, on her inaugural appointment as holder of the Edgar Gnitzinger Distinguished Professorship in Aging. Dr. Pappadis is an Associate Professor in the UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities and Assistant Dean for Community-Based Research at the UTMB School of Public & Population Health.

Please join us in recognizing her!

09/01/2026

Recognizing our Lifetime Achievement and Faculty Excellence Award Winners

𝗞𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗼𝘀 𝗦. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗣𝗵𝗗
Lifetime Achievement in Research

Dr. Markides has led an impressive 50-year career that has transformed understanding of how aging, immigration, culture, and health intersect across the lifespan. A Professor in our UTMB School of Public & Population Health UTMB Department of Population Health & Health Disparities, he is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of Hispanic health and aging.

His scholarship and leadership have influenced not only aging research, but also public health, sociology, epidemiology, and health policy, as he has created opportunities for emerging investigators to advance the study of aging and population health. Congratulations to Dr. Markides on this well-deserved acknowledgment of an impactful research career.

We look forward to honoring him at the Third Annual UTMB Faculty Recognition Reception on Sept. 10. Details: https://utmb.us/g9v

09/01/2026

Recording Available: Community-Based Research in Action Webinar

On August 27, 2026, the UTMB School of Public and Population Health, Sealy Center on Aging, and UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center hosted the webinar Community-Based Research in Action: Best Practices, Partnerships, and Lessons Learned.

The session highlighted practical strategies for developing successful community partnerships, establishing and sustaining Community Advisory Boards, and translating research into meaningful outcomes. Presenters Monique R. Pappadis, PhD, MEd, FACRM; Rebecca Galloway, PhD, PT, GCS, CEEAA; and Alice Williams, MS, LBSW shared best practices and real-world examples of community-engaged research, including the development of a traumatic brain injury self-management tool and related knowledge translation activities.

Researchers, clinicians, students, trainees, and community partners joined the discussion to learn how community engagement can strengthen research and help address real-world needs and priorities.

Access the Webinar Recording: utmb.us/gh7

This educational event was sponsored by the UTMB School of Public & Population Health, the UTMB Sealy Center on Aging, and the UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a time to raise awareness, support those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and take steps to keep our minds and bodies active.

We invite you to join us for opportunities to connect with others, learn about healthy aging, and support an important cause. Staying socially engaged and mentally active can make a meaningful difference in overall well-being.

🧠 Upcoming Events

✅ Seaside Senior Expo
📅 September 4 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us at Moody Methodist Church for this free event for adults 55+ and family caregivers. Enjoy health screenings, vaccines, live entertainment, door prizes, valuable community resources, and a complimentary boxed lunch.

✅ Caregiver Connection Support Group
📅 September 11, October 9, November 13...
The Caregiver Connection offers a safe, welcoming space for family members and friends caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Meet others who understand, ask questions, learn practical caregiving strategies, and discover tips for caregiver self-care. The group meets in virtual and hybrid formats.

✅ World Alzheimer’s Day
📅 September 21
Help raise awareness, challenge stigma, and show support for individuals and families impacted by dementia as we recognize World Alzheimer’s Day.

✅ Walk to End Alzheimer’s
📅 October 17
Join the UTMB Sealy Center on Aging/Geriatrics Walk Team or make a donation as we come together to support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

This September, take a step toward healthy aging by learning something new, meeting new friends, supporting caregivers, and connecting with your community. Together, we can raise awareness, foster understanding, and work toward a future without Alzheimer’s.

Learn more:

🔗 World Alzheimer’s Day: https://utmb.us/g9s
🔗 Seaside Senior Expo: https://utmb.us/g9u
🔗 Walk to End Alzheimer’s: http://act.alz.org/goto/utmbscoageri26
🔗 Caregiver Connection Support Group: https://events.utmb.edu/event/caregiver-connection-support-group-hybrid