University of Texas at Tyler-School of Health Professions

🎓✨ Celebrating Our Spring 2026 Graduates!

Today at The University of Texas at Tyler, we had the honor of celebrating an incredible group of graduates at our Spring 2026 reception.

Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this moment—and we could not be more proud of each and every one of you. 💙🧡

As you step into your future professions, know that you carry with you the knowledge, passion, and purpose to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Here’s to new beginnings, continued success, and all the amazing things ahead. Congratulations, graduates—you did it! 🎉👏

Recognizing Cross-Campus Collaboration and a Unified Culture of Improvement.

The Constellation Award honors institutions that successfully align and connect traditionally siloed areas—academic, student affairs, and administrative units—to advance a shared culture of continuous improvement. Much like stars forming a constellation, this recognition reflects coordination, clarity, and cohesion, demonstrating that meaningful progress is achieved when campus partners work together with intentionality and purpose.

This achievement is the result of a collaborative, cross-campus continuous improvement team, including:

Dr. Lou Ann Berman – Associate Provost of Continuous Improvement and Accreditation
Christina Chatman – Director, CIA
Carlos Alvarez – Associate Director, CIA
Jennifer Moore – Director, Strategic Planning
Dr. Marcus Hensel – Senior Assessment Coordinator, CEP
Brittney Bell – Assessment Coordinator, School of Health Professions (SHP)
Steve Johnston – Assessment Coordinator, CAS
Tiffany Spalding – Assessment Coordinator, Nursing
Sebastian Alfaro Fontalvo – Assessment Coordinator, COB
Kristine Duncan – Assessment Analyst, COE

Notably, the School of Health Professions is proud to have been represented in this distinguished group through Brittney Bell, whose contributions as Assessment Coordinator played an integral role in this collaborative success.

The School of Health Professions is proud to stand in support of Denim Day 💙

Our Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) team wore denim to raise awareness and show solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. Denim Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of consent, respect, and supporting those impacted by abuse.

We are honored to have a team that not only cares for our community through their work, but also uses their voice to advocate for awareness and change.

If you or someone you know needs support, the East Texas Crisis Center is available to help. You can reach their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-333-0358.

Together, we stand. Together, we support. Together, we make a difference. 💙

The School of Health Professions was proud to be part of UT Tyler Patriot Premier Day! 💙🧡

Our faculty, staff, and students had a wonderful time connecting with prospective students and their families, sharing insights about the wide range of programs and opportunities available within the School of Health Professions. It was a great day highlighting what makes our community so special!

A special thank you to our dedicated team who represented SHP:
Dr. Jennifer Garner, Dr. Kimberly Elliott, Dr. Amy Louise Schwarz, Dr. Jing Chen, Ashley Dalby, Dr. Edward Dotherow, Blair Zdenek, Heather Powell, and Sarah Mayer.

We also want to recognize our incredible students from MOT, CSD, and SLP programs who shared their experiences and passion:
Henry Lam, Maddie Tucker, Kim Flores, Sierra Williams, Macey Ashman, Emilylynn Brooks, and Kaylee Still.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success—we loved meeting our future Patriots! 🎓

Dr. Theresa Byrd serves as a Co–Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on the CPRIT-funded initiative Action for Big Country, a collaborative effort between Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and The University of Texas at Tyler School of Health Professions (UT Tyler SHP). This program is dedicated to improving community health outcomes by providing free colorectal cancer screenings to uninsured residents in Abilene and the surrounding counties, helping to reduce barriers to early detection and care.

As part of ongoing outreach and awareness efforts, a community engagement event was held on Saturday, March 28th, which included both a community health fair and a 5K “Undie Run.” The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening in a fun, approachable, and engaging way. Community members had the opportunity to access educational resources, connect with health professionals, and participate in activities designed to promote preventive care. Adding to the event’s energy and visibility, “Captain Underpants” made a special appearance, helping to draw attention to the cause and encourage community participation.

The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program continues to make a meaningful impact for first-time moms across East Texas

Last week, we were honored to receive a generous donation from the Credit Union of Texas. Contributions like these directly support the mothers and families we serve—helping provide essential resources, guidance, and care during one of life’s most important journeys.

We are incredibly grateful for this support and for our community partners who believe in the mission of NFP.

If you would like to learn more about the program or how to contribute, please contact:

Laura Young, NFP Program Director
[email protected].

Together, we are building stronger families and healthier communities.

April is Occupational Therapy Month, and we are proud to celebrate the incredible team within our Rehabilitation Sciences department at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Health Professions!

Our Occupational Therapy faculty, clinicians, and students are truly making a difference every single day. From helping individuals regain independence after injury or illness, to supporting developmental growth in children, to improving quality of life for older adults—their impact reaches across the entire lifespan.

They are innovators, educators, and advocates—working hands-on in clinics, classrooms, and communities to:
✨ Restore function and mobility
✨ Promote mental and physical well-being
✨ Support adaptive strategies for daily living
✨ Empower patients to live meaningful, independent lives

We also want to recognize our amazing students who are preparing to become the next generation of occupational therapy professionals. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment to learning are what will continue to move this field forward.

To our Rehabilitation Sciences team—we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you. Thank you for the life-changing work you do and the countless lives you impact.

UT Tyler Opens New State-of-the-Art Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic!

The University of Texas at Tyler recently celebrated the grand opening of its fully equipped Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic — the first integrated facility of its kind for both pediatric and adult patients in East Texas. The new clinic, supported by a generous transformational gift, features advanced diagnostic technology to support newborn hearing screenings, balance assessments, and more. It also serves as a hands-on training site for Speech-Language Pathology students, helping prepare the next generation of clinicians.

This exciting addition enhances patient care in our community while expanding educational opportunities for UT Tyler students! 🎉

https://loom.ly/JO-Kapc

Dr. Gerald R. Ledlow, professor in the Department of Population Health Leadership and Analytics at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Health Professions, gained approval as an American College of Healthcare Executives Lifetime Fellow, after more than 30 years of membership and 18 years as a fellow.

https://loom.ly/jSzfF7w

UT Tyler School of Health Professions Faculty Member Recognized for Accomplishments Dr. Gerald R. Ledlow, professor in the Department of Population Health Leadership and Analytics at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Health Professions, gained approval as an American College of Healthcare Executives Lifetime Fellow, after more than 30 years of membership and 18 years as a....

UT Tyler School of Health Professions faculty members and students had the opportunity to participate in Sensory Day at the Fostering Collective, led by Dr. Taylor and Dr. Garner. This hands-on experience allowed students to learn more about pediatric therapy services and how these interventions support children and families in meaningful, practical ways.

This year’s event welcomed a wide-ranging group of participants, with approximately half of the attendees being first-time participants, many of whom traveled from out of town to attend. We are truly grateful for the continued partnership with the Fostering Collective and for the opportunity to collaborate on experiences that enhance student learning while serving the broader community.

https://loom.ly/i3rtlfg

Dr. Andrea Gohmert, a professor at the UT Tyler School of Health Professions, just performed the very first infant Auditory Brainstem Response evaluation at our new UT Health East Texas Speech Language and Hearing Clinic.

For 25+ years, families had to leave East Texas to access these vital screenings. By bringing this service to Tyler, we are ensuring that no child falls behind due to a lack of local access. Early detection = better speech and language outcomes!