UTHealth Houston

10/21/2026

The 2026 UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K is almost here, and it’s time to get race-day ready!

As you head into race weekend, prioritize rest, stay hydrated, and get ready to enjoy every mile. We’ll see you at the starting line!

10/20/2026

Support at the right moment can shape a career—and inspire a commitment to create opportunities for others.

Mary Pat Rapp, PhD ’06, MSN ’89, RN, knows firsthand the difference those opportunities can make. Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston has been part of nearly every stage of her journey, from student to faculty member, researcher, and mentor. While there, scholarships helped make her education possible, and philanthropy helped advance her research.

Now, Rapp is giving back in both of those areas with an endowment for faculty research and a planned gift to provide scholarships.

Her generosity will help students pursue their education while giving faculty resources to advance patient care and mentor the next generation of nursing experts.

Read how Rapp is building a legacy of possibilities at Cizik School of Nursing: go.uth.edu/MaryPatRappStory

10/19/2026

Would you know what to do if someone suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing normally?

When cardiac arrest happens, every second counts. Yet, only about half of Americans say they would feel confident performing CPR in an emergency.

In the latest installment of UTHealth Houston's Ask the Expert series, Kevin Schulz, MD, professor of emergency medicine at UTHealth Houston and EMS physician director for the city of Houston, explains why bystander CPR can more than double a person's chances of survival and how taking action can help save a life.

Here's what to do if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally:
1. Call 911 immediately or ask someone nearby to call.
2. Start chest compressions by placing your hands in the center of the chest and pushing hard and fast.
3. Keep a steady rhythm of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, allowing the chest to fully recoil.
4. Use an AED if one is available and follow its instructions. Continue CPR until emergency responders arrive, or the person begins to respond.

You don't have to be a healthcare professional to make a lifesaving difference.

Discover why learning CPR today could help you save a life tomorrow: go.uth.edu/BystanderCPR

10/16/2026

Why are more young adults being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and what will it take to change that trajectory?

For Marianne Cusick, MD, questions like these drive a lifelong passion for medicine and a deeply personal commitment to her patients at UT Physicians, the clinical arm of UTHealth Houston.

As a colorectal surgeon, she sees firsthand the challenges of this disease and the possibilities ahead. While she cares for patients today, her commitment extends to finding new ways to prevent and treat colorectal cancer. Cusick wants to better understand the factors that may be putting younger people at risk while helping ensure that communities across Texas have access to the resources they need.

Philanthropy can help make that work possible by supporting research into unanswered questions, expanding community outreach, and helping train the next generation of healthcare professionals
“With endless resources, I’d like to take a deep dive into their diet, their activity, what put them at risk for this disease process,” Cusick said.

Hear from Cusick about why she believes the future of colorectal cancer care is bright and how support can help move that future forward. go.uth.edu/CusickMessage

10/15/2026

Caregivers, take some time for you! Join UT Physicians Center for Healthy Aging for the UTHealth Houston Caregivers Retreat on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Step away from your daily routine to relax, recharge, and connect with fellow caregivers. Enjoy wellness activities, fitness and meditation sessions, helpful resources, and more, all focused on supporting and celebrating those who dedicate so much to caring for others.

Give yourself the care you give to others. Register today for this no-cost event: https://med.uth.edu/internalmedicine/geriatric-palliative-medicine/programs-initiatives/caregivers-retreat/

10/14/2026

10/12/2026

A life-changing heart surgery gave Patrick Kirby more than a healthier heart. It gave him the opportunity to keep making memories with the people he loves.

After living with a congenital heart condition for decades, Kirby learned he had developed severe aortic stenosis and needed surgery. He turned to Anthony Estrera, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, whose team replaced his diseased heart valve and repaired part of his aorta.

Just months later, Kirby was able to celebrate his daughter's wedding, a milestone he and his wife had hoped he wouldn't miss. Since then, they've continued making memories, including a 4,437-mile road trip across the Southwest.

Discover how expert cardiovascular care helped Kirby get back to the moments that matter most:

Health Patrick Kirby’s Journey From Heart Defect to Recovery By Karen Kephart September 22, 2026 Judy and Patrick Kirby. (Photo by Patrick Kirby) Patrick Kirby learned he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve—two aortic leaflets instead of the heart’s usual three—when he was about 10. “It ...

10/08/2026

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Chairman Wesley Sinor and members of the grants team and committee recently toured Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston and met with Rodeo Scholars. Seven nursing students who are U.S. military veterans received scholarships through Rodeo Houston’s grant support this year. Thank you to Rodeo Houston for honoring these brave men and women for their service in the U.S. military and for supporting them as they transition into the civilian workforce and continue to serve as healthcare heroes.

10/07/2026

What does it take to help students thrive beyond the classroom? For Nedra Booker, MBA, it starts with connection. 🧡

As director of the Office of Student Affairs at UTHealth Houston, Booker works behind the scenes to connect students with resources, leadership opportunities, university-wide programs, and each other.

From Salutation and student organizations to the new Scholarship Manager portal, her work is focused on making the student experience easier and building a stronger sense of community across UTHealth Houston.

Discover how Booker is helping students make the most of their time at UTHealth Houston and why she encourages them to seize every opportunity to connect: go.uth.edu/NBooker.

10/06/2026

A great teacher’s influence can last long after the lesson ends.

For generations of students at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, Fred “Old Dog” Simmons, Jr., DDS ’58, was that kind of educator. During his 25 years on the faculty, Simmons challenged students to think beyond technique, approaching dentistry with curiosity, sound judgment, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Now, alumnus Charles Hoopingarner, DDS ’73, and his wife, Gayla, are helping carry his legacy forward through the Dr. Fred F. “Old Dog” Simmons, Jr., Excellence & Innovation in Teaching Endowment.

Their support will strengthen the dental school’s Center for Teaching and Learning, creating opportunities for faculty to grow as educators and helping prepare the next generation of clinicians to teach, mentor, and inspire.

Read how Simmons’ legacy continues to help shape the future of dental education: go.uth.edu/SimmonsHoopingarnerStory

10/05/2026

Flu season is here, UTHealth Houston!💉

Students and employees can roll up their sleeves at flu vaccine clinics happening across the university this fall. With multiple dates and locations available, there are plenty of opportunities to help protect yourself, your colleagues and patients, and our community throughout flu season.

Students can receive their flu vaccine for free beginning Oct. 9, while employee clinics are already underway.

Find a flu shot clinic near you and get the details:
🔗 Students: go.uth.edu/StudentFlu26
🔗 Employees: go.uth.edu/EmployeeFlu26

10/01/2026

From a childhood shaped by her mother’s career as a pediatric nurse to serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic, Diane Santa Maria, DrPH, MSN, RN, PHNA-BC, found her calling at the intersection of nursing, public health, and service.

In the latest Beyond the CV, the dean of Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston reflects on the experiences that shaped her career, the importance of lifelong learning and curiosity, and her belief in designing solutions with patients and communities at the center.

Get to know the person beyond the title and the perspective that continues to guide her leadership at UTHealth Houston: go.uth.edu/BeyondSantaMaria.

09/30/2026

Renato M. Silva, DDS, MS, PhD, returned to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry on Sept. 30 as its ninth dean, bringing his academic career back to the school where he served as a faculty member and department chair and is an alumnus.

Read more at Go.uth.edu/DeanSilva.

09/30/2026

What if the next breakthrough in medicine begins in space?

UTHealth Houston is partnering with Exobiosphere to explore how microgravity can accelerate biomedical discoveries and advance the development of new therapies.

By combining our expertise in antibody discovery, artificial intelligence, and biomedical research with Exobiosphere's orbital research capabilities, this collaboration will explore new possibilities for drug discovery and lay the foundation for a Texas Medical Center Space Medicine Lab at TMC3.

Discover how experiments conducted in orbit could unlock new approaches to drug discovery and improve patient care here on Earth: go.uth.edu/SpaceBiotech

09/29/2026

What will it take to ensure more Texans can get behavioral healthcare when and where they need it?

At UTHealth Houston, the answer starts with people—preparing the next generation of behavioral health professionals while advancing research and approaches to care that can help address critical gaps across our state.

Few understand the scale of that challenge—and the opportunity ahead—like Jair C. Soares, MD, PhD. As founding dean of UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences and a leader across the university's behavioral health enterprise, Soares is helping shape a new model for educating the multidisciplinary workforce Texas urgently needs.

Philanthropy can help accelerate this work, positioning UTHealth Houston to translate that vision into greater access to expert care for communities across Texas.

Hear from Soares about why this moment matters for the future of behavioral health.

Watch the full story: go.uth.edu/SoaresMessage

09/29/2026

What started as a Saturday morning of Christmas shopping quickly became a fight for Frederick Acka’s life. After experiencing sudden, severe back pain, the 62-year-old learned he had an aortic dissection—a dangerous tear in the body’s main artery.

As his condition worsened, UT Physicians heart and vascular specialists Rana Afifi, MD, and Anthony Estrera, MD, moved quickly with complex surgery to repair his aorta and restore blood flow. After more than 12 hours in the operating room and months of intensive care and rehabilitation, Frederick finally returned home.

Today, he’s rebuilding his strength and remains deeply grateful to the healthcare team that helped save his life.

Read Frederick’s story and how specialized care put him on the path to recovery. https://www.utphysicians.com/story/saving-frederick-acka-repair-of-a-type-a-aortic-dissection-with-complications/

09/28/2026

Training for the UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K? Make every mile count!

How you train, fuel, and recover now can make a difference on race day. In the UTHealth Houston Race Webinar Series: Stronger Every Mile, UTHealth Houston experts in sports medicine, nutrition, orthopedics, and athletic training share practical guidance to help you navigate injuries, fuel your long runs, know when to adjust your training, and recover effectively.

Watch and hear expert tips to help you train consistently, stay healthy, and feel ready for race day. https://youtu.be/VcuWURWynDc