Office of Alumni Relations eNewsletter ● June 2016 ● https://alumni.utmb.edu

about the roles and responsibilities of other healthcare

disciplines, including the contribution of public health.

Meticulously written by a cross section of faculty over a

period of eight months, the fictional case of a teenage

male who contracts Neisseria

meningitidis type b, was pre-

sented simultaneously to stu-

dents across campus during

class on Tuesday, January 12.

Warren’s case, designed to

span acute care, community/

public health response and

convalescent care, allowed

students from the schools of

Medicine, Nursing, Health

Professions and the Graduate

School of Biomedical Scienc-

es to recognize their own roles

and responsibilities in such an

outbreak while determining what is needed from other

areas.

In phase one, faculty members presented the case to stu-

dents using slides, detailed notes and prompts in their

discipline-specific classes.

During phase two, students moved around campus to fill

in the gaps of the case by consulting with students in oth-

er disciplines using “Warren dollars” as payment for each

consult.

After consultations, students returned to their original

groups to write down the information they gleaned from

each paid consultation on a color-specific note card that

corresponded with each discipline. The note cards were

then posted on a timeline to create a visual representation

of the different fields critical to Warren’s care.

W arren Bernard is a 16-year-old high school

student and captain of the wrestling team.

The day after his big championship win,

Warren is slow to rise from bed, has a high fever, is cov-

ered with purple spots and is in

an altered state of mind. His

mother decides to take him to the

hospital and he collapses as he

gets into the car.

At UTMB, more than 700

students immediately converge

to respond to Warren’s illness.

They break into groups to dis-

cuss his symptoms, learn about

his medical, family and social

history, review his vitals and

physical exam results and then

attempt to make diagnosis while

setting up consultations and creat-

ing treatment plans.

These students work tirelessly for nearly four hours on

Warren’s case, but oddly they never actually speak to or

examine him – for he only exists on paper.

Warren Bernard is an interactive tabletop exercise

designed to help students understand the role that each

healthcare discipline plays in the treatment of one patient.

Created by Dr. Judith Rowen, Associate Dean for Educa-

tional Affairs; Dr. Laura Rudkin, Chair of the Depart-

ment of Preventive Medicine and Community Health

(PMCH); Dr. Christine Arcari, PMCH faculty; and Dr.

Elisabeth Shell, Associate Professor in the School of

Health Professions, the objective of this project was to

promote interprofessional education and prepare students

to work in a collaborative environment while learning

More than 700 students discover what’s wrong with Warren

Students review “Warren’s” case before consulting with

other disciplines and forming a diagnosis.

continued, page 8

School of Medicine Alumni Association recognizes distinguished alumni

F our outstanding School of Medicine (SOM) alumni were honored at the 19th

annual Ashbel Smith Distinguish Alumnus (ASDA) Awards Ceremony and

Reception on Friday, June 3 at the Moody Gardens Hotel. These physicians, nomi-

nated and selected by their peers, were honored for their service to the medical profes-

sion and humanity and for their integrity, stature, ability, demonstrated pride in UTMB

and community contributions.

Established in 1965, the ASDA Award is the highest honor bestowed by the alumni of the

SOM Alumni Association. Of the more than 9,000 SOM alumni, only 199 have been

honored with this prestigious award since its inception.

The award honors the memory of Dr. Ashbel Smith, a prominent figure in Texas medicine, politics and educa-

tion. Dr. Smith was instrumental in establishing the University of Texas at Austin in 1881 and the medical

department in Galveston that would become UTMB.

Gerald A. Beathard, MD,

PhD, FACP

Class of 1964

A 1964 graduate of the School of

Medicine and a 1969 graduate of

the Graduate School of Biomedi-

cal Sciences, Dr. Beathard also

completed an internship, residency and fellowship at

UTMB.

From 1969 to 1970, Dr. Beathard served as chief res-

ident in the Department of Internal Medicine under

chairman, Dr. William Deiss and then joined the

faculty at UTMB. Here he rose to the position of

associate professor, initiated the Renal Pathology

Program and oversaw the Nephrology Outpatient

Clinic.

He left Galveston in 1977 and entered private prac-

tice in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Beathard is considered the Father of Intervention-

al Nephrology for his role in creating the field and

for his leadership and commitment to train others in

this area.

Since 2000 he has served as co-medical director of

Lifeline Vascular Access, a company that manages

75 dialysis vascular access facilities in 22 states.

Dr. Beathard is also credited with being a founding

member and the first president of the American Soci-

ety of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology.

Throughout his career, Dr. Beathard’s passion for his

alma mater has remained constant. He is a member of

the UTMB Development Board and a lifetime mem-

ber of the School of Medicine Alumni Association.

Paul Brindley, MD

(posthumously)

Class of 1925

Born in 1896, Dr. Paul Brindley

completed his medical degree at

UTMB in 1925.

After finishing his post-graduate

work, Dr. Brindley became an instructor of patholo-

gy at UTMB and was then promoted to associate pro-

fessor in 1927.

He was then appointed professor and chairman of the

Department of Pathology in 1929 and held that posi-

tion for 25 years.

He was instrumental in establishing the Galveston

Chapter of the American Cancer Society and was

named the society’s first president in 1948.

Dr. Brindley became a Fellow of the American Col-

lege of Physicians in 1934 and a Fellow of the Amer-

ican College of Pathologists in 1947. He was twice

president of the Texas Society of Pathologists and

was posthumously awarded their first Caldwell

Memorial Award in January 1955.

The Brindley Family holds a long legacy at UTMB:

eleven members of the Brindley family have graduat-

ed from UTMB since 1911 and now three of those

members are ASDA recipients.

The presence of Dr. Brindley’s nephews on campus

over the past 75 years has led Dr. Brindley to be

fondly known as “Uncle Paul.”

Dr. Brindley died in 1954 and was honored with the

installation of a bronze plaque in the lecture hall of

the Keiller Building by the sophomore class.

continued, page 3

Delbert Lee Chumley,

MD, FACP

Class of 1971

Dr. Chumley received his medi-

cal degree from UTMB in 1971

and remained in Galveston to

complete an internship and resi-

dency in internal medicine in

1974 and a fellowship in

gastroenterology in 1976.

After completing his post-graduate training, Dr.

Chumley returned to his home town of San Antonio

and entered into private practice where he later

founded Gastroenterology Consultants of San

Antonio -- a thriving, 19 physician group specializing

in clinical and endoscopic gastrointestinal services.

Dr. Chumley is board certified by the American

Board of Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the

American College of Physicians and the American

College of Gastroenterology.

He maintains a clinical faculty appointment as

Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas

Health Science Center at San Antonio and continues

to maintain his busy private practice.

Albert E. Sanders, MD

Class of 1959

Dr. Sanders earned his master

of science in anatomy and his

doctor of medicine degree from

UTMB in 1959.

He completed a community

rotating internship at Denver

General Hospital and St.

Joseph’s Hospital in Colorado and did his residency

in orthopedic surgery at Baylor University College of

Medicine in Houston.

From 1962-1966, he was employed with the U.S.

Public Health Services Department with the Jicarilla

tribe, a tribe of Apaches in New Mexico.

Dr. Sanders was one of the founding faculty of the

University of Texas Health Science Center at San

Antonio (UTHSC-SA) in 1968 and served there in

several positions until his retirement in 2011.

A lifetime member of both the UTMB School of

Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sci-

ences Alumni Associations, Dr. Sanders continues to

remain connected to his alma mater through his cur-

rent service on the UTMB San Antonio Regional

Leadership Council.

Paessler named 2016 GSBS Distinguished Alumnus

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Distinguished Alumnus

Award is presented annually to a graduate who has achieved special

recognition in their professional career.

This year, Dr. Slobodan Paessler (‘07), professor in the UTMB depart-

ment of Pathology, director of the Galveston National Lab Preclinical

Studies Core and scientific director of the Animal Bio-Safety Lab-3

Facilities was chosen as the school’s 2016 recipient.

Dr. Paessler has achieved international prominence as a researcher in

the field of virology since earning his PhD in Experimental Pathology

from the GSBS in 2007.

He shares his expertise with service on multiple national and interna-

tional study sections, including virology-focused study sections at the

National Institutes of Health.

His high public profile has helped attract the best students and postdoc-

toral fellows to our university.

Paessler and GSBS Dean David Niesel

UTMB Marketing and Communications

I t’s been a very long road for Galveston’s Hunter

Cherryhomes.

He completed the high point of a long journey as

he walked across stage at UTMB’s School of Nursing

graduation ceremony to receive his degree on Friday,

April 29.

As a single father trying to make ends meet after

2008’s Hurricane Ike, life was

anything but easy for Cherry-

homes.

A high school dropout, Cherry-

homes was working for a local

electrical contractor, sometimes

up to 15 hours a day. His job pro-

vided no insurance or other bene-

fits, which prompted the young

father to reexamine his future.

“I always regretted not finishing

high school,” said Cherryhomes.

“Working the long days I had

very little time to spend with my

young daughter and I wanted to

have a greater presence in her

life.”

Cherryhomes made the decision to

obtain his GED, which set him on a path for even

greater achievements than he may have anticipated.

While earning his GED he realized he had an affinity

for science, which led to an Associates of Science

degree from Galveston College.

During this time Cherryhomes also met his future

wife. She had three girls, making for a blended fami-

ly with four daughters. One of the four has Type 1

diabetes and Cherryhomes felt like he could not

properly care for her, inspiring him to consider a

medical career.

“Working in the healthcare field would give me the

opportunity to take care of my family and myself

with a rewarding career. That is how I came to the

decision that nursing school was right for me,” said

Cherryhomes.

The young father not only attended nursing school,

he was part of UTMB’s prestigious honors program.

Two days before the deadline to register for honors

UTMB nursing graduate beats the odds courses he learned that his test scores qualified him

for the program. He quickly composed the required

essay and submitted his application, ending up as one

of five students accepted.

When asked about the benefits of being a part of the

honors program Cherryhomes said there were many.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the program

was the field experience we did in Beaumont,” said

Cherryhomes. “I had experience with inpatients, but

when working with outpatients

we saw many indigent patients.”

Cherryhomes took to heart many

of the challenges the indigent

patients experienced, such as a

lack of transportation and more.

“If a person has to make a choice

between medicine and food for

their family, they will choose

food.”

While Cherryhomes actually

completed his studies in Decem-

ber, he received his diploma at

the April graduation ceremony in

front of a large family contin-

gent.

“We are proud of Hunter and all of

our graduates,” said Pamela G. Watson, dean of

UTMB’s School of Nursing. “The integrity and quali-

ty of our graduates will be an ongoing asset to the

nursing community.”

Cherryhomes recently began his first nursing position

in the UTMB medical intensive care unit, which he

finds exciting and challenging. The new nurse is also

excited to be working in the recently opened Jennie

Sealy Hospital with its abundance of natural lighting

and expansive views.

When prompted to explain what he finds most re-

warding about nursing Cherryhomes quickly and

proudly responded.

“There are so many things. You are taking care of not

just the patient, but also their loved ones. I enjoy the

aspect of comforting families and patients and seeing

them come make a full recovery or getting better.

Even if it does not work out, I feel good knowing I

tried and always strive to be a positive influence.”

Cherryhomes at graduation with Dr. Pamela

Watson, dean of the School of Nursing.

I n 2013, members of the UTMB School of Health

Professions class of 1978 physical therapy (PT)

program gathered for dinner one night in Galves-

ton to celebrate their 35th reunion.

During that dinner, a most interesting question was

posed. Former faculty member, Mary Ann Barnett

asked, “With all that you know now, would you

choose to be a physical therapist again?”

The resounding answer was

yes followed by stories of

their time at UTMB and

their desire to become the

best in their field. It was a

night of great joy, laughter

and shared memories of

simpler times.

Everyone at the table

agreed that while much has

changed since they were in

school, two things have re-

mained the same – faculty

and staff continue to pro-

vide an outstanding educa-

tional environment at

UTMB and college debt

continues to be a daunting

issue for PT students.

Motivated by that conversation three years ago, Dr.

Robert (Tony) English, who currently serves as Chair

of the PT program at the University of Kentucky, de-

cided it was time to start an initiative to support stu-

dents who are striving to serve the PT needs of the

next generation.

“As a faculty member, I realize the great debt that

students incur to obtain a physical therapy degree,”

said English.

English enlisted the help of his classmate, Dr. Cecilia

(Ceil) Graham, a retired professor from the Universi-

ty of Alabama at Birmingham, to establish an en-

dowed scholarship for PT students at UTMB in the

name of the Class of 1978.

“Our class reunion made us reflect on how much we

valued our education at UTMB, so this was an oppor-

tunity both to give back to UTMB and to honor our

class,” said Graham.

Working closely with the UTMB Development

Office, English and Graham set an initial goal to raise

$10,000 – the minimum amount for an endowed

scholarship – to establish a scholarship to inspire and

support the next generation of PT students in the

School of Health Professions.

Earlier this year, English and Graham made their

gifts to the fund and appealed to their classmates to

support their efforts.

Monies raised will be

placed in a permanent en-

dowment account and the

income earned will be

directed to provide stu-

dent scholarships. The

remainder of the income

will be reinvested as a

tool for growth and a

hedge against inflation.

“Enabling young PTs the

opportunity to graduate

and start their careers with

less debt will facilitate

their ability to advance

and excel in their profes-

sion,” added English.

To learn more about the

Class of 1978 Physical Therapy Scholarship Fund in

the School of Health Professions, please contact

Lauren Sundermeier, UTMB Assistant Director of

Development, at 409-772-5343 or email

lausunde@utmb.edu

YOU CAN MAKE A GIFT NOW by clicking the

icon below and designate your gift to the Class of

1978 PT Scholarship Fund.

PT grads create scholarship while honoring their class

Dr. Ceil Graham (top left) and Dr. Tony English (bottom

right) were actively involved in the Allied Health Student

Organization in 1978.

G raduate School of Biomedical Sciences stu-

dent Justin Drake has spent the last nine

years of his life in the University of Texas

(UT) System.

His first four years were at University of Texas at

Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science de-

gree in biomedical engineering and his last five years

have been here at UTMB completing his doctorate in

biochemistry and molecular biology.

So it wasn’t too surprising when Texas Governor

Greg Abbott ultimately chose Drake from a list of

five finalists to serve as the UT System Student Re-

gent in July 2015.

As he completed his one-year service on May 31,

Drake reflected on his experiences as the second stu-

dent from UTMB

to serve in this

capacity.

“Less than a

week after being

appointed, an

emergency meet-

ing was called,”

said Drake.

“While it was

intimidating at

first, I was ex-

tremely excited

to immerse my-

self in this role.”

The UT System

student regent is

required to attend

five regularly

scheduled board

meetings and

must be familiar with all materials prior to each meet-

ing. Additionally, one full day of orientation is re-

quired to learn about the role and its responsibilities.

While student regents have the same rights as board

members, they are not allowed to vote or be counted

towards a quorum.

“I was able to ask questions and voice my opinion on

things pertinent to students,” he said.

One of the major issues that developed during

Drake’s term on the board were tuition increases at

all UT health and academic institutions.

According to Drake, “It was interesting to learn as a

student about the factors that drive up the cost of

higher education.”

In order to understand the culture of each campus and

the students’ stance on tuition, Drake traveled across

the state in the fall and met with student leadership

organizations from all 14 UT System institutions.

During each visit he was able to engage in candid dis-

cussions about the proposed increases and how the

money was being appropriated.

“In my travels, I found that students were generally

open to increases to improve the competitiveness and

stature of their

campus, as

long as the

need was

transparently

communicated

and they were

involved in the

process,” he

said.

Drake found

that students

were comforta-

ble talking to

him which also

allowed him to

communicate

the business

and priorities

of the board.

Ultimately,

increases in tuition over the next two years at all UT

institutions were approved by the board in February

and Drake felt confident that his visits were success-

ful in communicating the need.

As he finished his term last month, Drake realized

that the exposure he received to so many different

situations and leadership opportunities were invalua-

ble. So much so, that he and his UT System student

regent predecessor, Max Richards, have developed a

Becoming the ultimate student regent

UT System Chancellor William McRaven (left) and UT System Board of Regents

Chairman Paul Foster (right) present Drake with a certificate of appreciation

continued, next page

125th Anniversary Notables REGENT, continued from page 6

leadership forum to prepare other students for this

important role.

“Our goal is to bring together all incoming and out-

going student regents from universities across Texas

so we can learn from each other, establish a network

and make the role more effective.”

Their first workshop, the Texas Student Regent Lead-

ership Forum, will be held in Austin this month and

hosted by the UT System. Drake and Richards have

arranged for a series of state and academic leaders in

higher education to speak on certain leadership and

board governance topics and engage students in dis-

cussions.

“It is our hope that this forum will be held annual-

ly and hosted by different systems,” said Drake.

“Some issues are pervasive across the state and it is

important to learn what other student regents are ex-

periencing.”

While Drake is grateful for this unique leadership

opportunity, he is looking forward to returning to his

research, completing his dissertation and graduating

at the end of the year.

Click here to learn more about the UT System student

regent selection process.

This year, UTMB marks its 125th year

with a series of special events to celebrate

our rich history and legacy. See photos

and learn more about these events and

accomplishments by clicking on the links

below:

October 2015

Employee Kick-off celebration held at Old Red

February 2016

New Jennie Sealy Hospital is dedicated

April 2016

Jennie Sealy Hospital opens for patients

May 2016

Alumni gather for 125th Reunion Reception

Milestones Gala honors UT System Chancellor,

William McRaven and raises $3.7 million for UTMB

June 2016

League City Campus Hospital opens

OCTOBER 2016

Homecoming celebrating the classes of 1966, 1971,

1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006

During the first week of March, the UTMB Office of Alumni Relations reached out

to more than 9,500 alumni with email addresses in our database to get a better

understanding of your thoughts on our communication efforts.

More than 415 alumni completed the survey and of those, three lucky alumni re-

ceived a prize for completing the five-question instrument (see winners on Bulletin Board page).

Here is what we learned:

Less than half of the respondents answering the survey have visited our alumni website in the last year.

Approximately 75% of alumni responding said they read this e-newsletter and are interested in seeing

more news about their specific school and their classmates.

The email messages sent by our office are well-received and being read by more than 58% of respondents.

When asked if alumni have been back to Galveston to visit the campus, unfortunately more than half of the

alumni have not been back or attended a UTMB event in the past 12 months.

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to those alumni who participated in our survey and provided feedback

on our efforts. If you missed the survey but want to submit your comments on our communication efforts,

please email our office at alumni@utmb.edu.

And the survey said...

1930s Dr. Clarence T. Agress, SOM 1937

Santa Barbara, CA - February 24, 2016

Elizabeth S. Crawford, SOM 1939

Houston, TX - March 11, 2016

Dr. George W. Tipton, SOM 1938

Santa Fe, NM - February 5, 2016

1940s Dr. W. Thomas Arnold, SOM 1944

Houston, TX - March 29, 2016

Margery F. Gartman, SON 1949

March 22, 2016

Dr. William R. Livesay, SOM 1946

Houston, TX - March 28, 2016

Ruth M. Meador, SON 1948

Bandera, TX - February 3, 2016

Charles E. Stephens, SON 1947

Abilene, TX—January 20, 2016

Rosemary E. Walker, SON 1942

Ft. Worth, Texas—April 16, 2016

1950s Dr. Thomas H. Alexander, SOM 1955

Flint, TX—January 22, 2016

Dr. Jack L. Anderson, SOM 1959

Austin, TX —April 24, 2016

Dr. James M. Berler, SOM 1954

San Antonio, TX—February 11, 2016

Dr. Charles R. Craig, SOM 1958

Corpus Christi, TX—April 25, 2016

Dr. Wilbur E. Crenwelge, SOM 1955

Fredericksburg, TX—March 2, 2016

Dr. Leonard P. Haber, SOM 1954

Northridge, CA—March 16, 2016

Dr. Frances P. Lankford, SOM 1950

Ft. Worth, TX—February 6, 2016

Dr. W. H. McCullough III, SOM 1959

El Paso, TX — March 3, 2016

In Memory Of...

UTMB alumni who have passed since January 1, 2016

1950s continued

Dr. Hal E. Montgomery, SOM 1957

Austin, TX—February 11, 2016 Iris R. Press, SON 1955

Quinter, KS—April 19, 2016

Dr. W. Jamar Reid, SOM 1957

Lufkin, TX—April 9, 2016

Dr. Nina M. Sisley, SOM 1950

Corpus Christi, TX—January 10, 2016

Dr. Richard F. Timmer, GSBS 1959 / SOM 1960

Houston, TX—February 8, 2016

Margaret C. Westenburg, SON 1954

Childress, TX—February 25, 2016

Dr. Charles H. Williams, SOM 1954

Bandera, TX—February 7, 2016

1960s Dr. John M. Deaton, SOM 1969

Ft. Smith, AR—May 4, 2016

Rachel A. Herreth, SON 1965

Pasadena, TX—March 18, 2016

Dr. Jesse V. James, GSBS 1965

Knoxville, TN—January 18, 2016

Dr. Stanley M. McAnelly, SOM 1962

Brady, TX—March 15, 2016

Dr. Gordon S. Tekell, SOM 1961

Sedona, AZ—March 24, 2016

Dr. Susan M. Skrovan, SOM 1961

Granger, TX—March 16, 2016

1970s Dr. Nancy Kirchmer, SOM 1973

Beaumont, TX—March 25, 2016

Dr. Robert S. Totz, SOM 1970

Houston, TX—January 11, 2016

Dr. William C. Weise, SOM 1979

San Antonio, TX—February 17, 2016

1980s David Cavazos, Jr. SON 1980

San Benito, TX—May 22, 2016

1990s Sylvia M. Cohen, SHP 1991

Galveston, TX—April 21, 2016

Dr. Mark D. Munoz, SOM 1996

San Antonio, TX—April 6, 2016

2000s Rebecca Michels, SON 2001

Live Oak, TX—January 6, 2016

2010s Dr. David Gersztenkorn,

GSBS 2014 / SOM 2015

Galveston, TX—February 11, 2016

Monique A. Massey, SHP 2014

New Orleans, LA—March 23, 2016

To report the death of a

UTMB alumnus, please call

the UTMB Office of Alumni

Relations at 1-888-862-7111

or email alumni@utmb.edu.

A copy of an obituary or

death certificate will be

helpful for our records.

Class Notes 60s DR. W. RICHARD CASHION (SOM ‘66) has pub-

lished a new book , The Road from Troas, in it he writes

about his learning disability as a child and his dream to be-

come a doctor.

70s CECILIA GARCIA AKERS (SHP ‘77) has pub-

lished a book, The Inspiring Life of Texan Hector P. Garcia,

which provides her perspective on her father’s remarkable

achievements as an activist, physician and the first Mexican-

American graduate of UTMB.

DR. BEN RAIMER (GSBS ‘70 / SOM ‘74) was

named the 2016 recipient of the Frank Webber, MD

Award from the Texas Medical Association’s Medi-

cal Student Section.

DR. KEITH SWANSON (SOM ‘71) has been

named director of the new Graduate Medical Educa-

tion department at Barton Health in South Lake Ta-

hoe, CA.

80s DR. CARLOS CARDENAS (SOM ‘85) was voted

president-elect of the Texas Medical Association.

EDGAR MONTALVO (SHP ‘83) was named

CEO and Managing Director of the Fort Duncan Re-

gional Medical Center in Eagle Pass, Texas.

90s DR. JACQUES BAILLARGEON (GSBS ‘97) re-

cently published a population-based study that finds

older men using testosterone therapy are less likely to

be readmitted to the hospital.

DR. EDWARD BUCKINGHAM (SOM ‘97) has

been named one of America’s Best Physicians by the

National Consumer Advisory Board.

90s continued DR. M. DEREK CARAWAY (SOM ‘96) has been

tapped to serve as medical director of the First

Choice Emergency Room in the Woodlands, Texas

DR. CHERYL JUNEAU (SON ‘96) was elected to

the UTMB Academy of Master Clinicians.

MELISSA LOFTIN (SON ‘95) was promoted to

Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety by the

Tampa Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida.

DR. YUAN BO PENG (GSBS ‘96) was par t of a

research team that developed an alternative solution

to alleviating chronic pain without the use of drugs.

00s DR. SHEYANNE CHAN (SON ‘07) is now a life-

time member of the UTMB School of Nursing

Alumni Association.

DR. KJELL LINDGREN (GSBS ‘07) was present-

ed with the first Graduate School of Biomedical

Sciences Impact Award on May 20.

DEANNA LUSTY (SHP ‘07) was named the 2016

Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Employee of the

Year.

DR. JOAN NICHOLS (GSBS ‘00) is one of 10

professors in Texas to be selected by the Minnie Ste-

vens Piper Foundation as a 2016 Piper Professor.

DR. MICHAEL K. OBENG (SOM ‘01) delivered

the commencement address at his undergraduate

alma mater, Midwestern State University in Wichita

Falls, Texas.

DR. SLOBODAN PAESSLER (GSBS ‘07) was

chosen as the 2016 UTMB Graduate School of Bio-

medical Sciences Distinguished Alumnus.

Want to share your latest news with your classmates?

00s continued

DR. KENDALL ROEHL (SOM ‘03) is now lead-

ing the Memorial Plastic Surgery Group’s Clear Lake

facility.

DR. RAYNE ROUCE (SOM ‘07) was selected to

participate in the American Society of Hematology-

Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development

Program.

10s DR. LINDA BENSKIN (GSBS ‘13) was invited to

give three podium presentations at the World Council

of Enterostomal Therapists Biennial Congress in

South Africa this past March.

DR. ASHLEY PURGASON (GSBS ‘14) was rec-

ognized by Fort Worth Business as being a young

and upcoming leader in her community of Arlington,

Texas.

TYLER FIEBRICH (SHP ‘15) has joined the or-

thopedic division of the Matagorda Medical Group in

Bay City, Texas.

Residents & Fellows DR. PAYMAN SADEGHI (internal medicine resi-

dent) was named a 2016 Top Doctor in Houston.

DR. MEREDITH WARNER (foot/ankle surgery

fellow) founded Warner Or thopedics & Wellness

in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and recently invented the

Healing Sole Flip Flop, a treatment and recovery flip

flop sandal for those who suffer from heel pain and

plantar fasciitis.

Class Notes WARREN, continued from page 1

“This activity gave me insight about the scope of the

care to be provided by the other professionals in the

medical community,” said Rama Heyratifar, a first-

year medical student.

Lastly, a debrief session concluded the activity with

Dr. Rowen leading a discussion about the importance

of collaboration with other professions to assess and

address the healthcare needs of the patients and popu-

lations we serve.

“The energy of the

students as they

dashed around con-

sulting each other and

adding to the timeline

was compelling,” said

Dr. Rowen. “We plan

to continue this pro-

gram to increase our

students’ ability to

work together in

teams.”

Post-survey results of the

event revealed that shared

learning with other disci-

plines helped students with

clinical problem-solving

skills, communication, and

clarifying the nature of pa-

tient problems.

“When interprofessional

activities are accomplished,

the results are increased

respect, professionalism,

and, ultimately, patient out-

comes,” said Dr. Pamela Watson, Senior Vice Presi-

dent of Interprofessional Education and the Institution-

al Effectiveness and the Dean of the School of Nurs-

ing.

Students post colored notes on the

timeline.

“Warren dollars” were used

for consultation services.

On April 29, the School of Nursing celebrated its 126th commencement ceremony with more than 450 graduates walking across the stage and 35 students receiving awards. In total, the school had 607 graduates this year.

The School of Medicine held its commencement on June 4 at Moody Gardens, with 216 graduates. Victoria Shepard (center) received the Gold-Headed Cane Award and UTMB alumnus, Dr. Ben Raimer (right) lead the faculty procession and carried the ceremonial mace.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences awarded 33 degrees during its 48th commencement ceremony on May 20 in Levin Hall. Overall 74 graduates were conferred by the GSBS this year.

1-888-862-7111 * alumni@utmb.edu * https://alumni.utmb.edu

These three lucky winners were chosen from more than 400 alumni who answered our survey to win UTMB alumni-branded gifts. They are, from left, Dr. Joel Blumberg (SOM ‘89), Dr. Greta Jo (SOM ‘08) and Mrs. Maria Barclay (SON ‘08). Thank you for taking our survey!