February 2023

Here's a recap of all the School of Medicine events that recently took place!

School of Medicine
UT Health RGV

News & Events

UTRGV School of Medicine commended for its Graduate Medical Education Program

The UTRGV School of Medicine’s physician training program has been granted continued accreditation from the national council charged with evaluating and accrediting Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs across the United States.  


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UTRGV School of Medicine physician creates scholarship for Valley med students

"Giving back brings fulfillment and purpose to your own life."


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Family, farm, pharmacy, and physicians

How UT Health RGV's Sander siblings built a medical family.


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UTRGV School of Medicine alumna selected as fellow of Texas Heart Institute’s cardiology program

“This program is going to help me reach my goal of becoming an academic cardiologist and help me improve access to care in underserved communities within Texas,” Concha said.


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UTRGV medical resident hopes to close health gaps for Texas-Mexico border patients

"The UTRGV School of Medicine and its Internal Medicine Residency program have provided me with the tools to be a compassionate, competent and courageous physician," Loftis said.


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UTRGV’S telehealth therapy program expands with $6M in state funding

The UTRGV School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry is expanding a telehealth program that addresses the regional and state need for more mental health providers for children and teens.


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First-year resident recognized by Melbourne University

Congratulations to Dr. Kluwgant! 


Dr. Dvora Kluwgant, a first-year resident physician with the UTRGV Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program, was recently awarded the “2022 Top Graduating Student Master of Public Health” from The University of Melbourne.

 

The University of Melbourne is ranked #1 in Australia and #33 in The World University Rankings. Along her journey, she has been fortunate to experience the field of OBGYN in many global settings, including South Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and West Africa.

New Assistant Vice President of Ambulatory Operations, UT Health RGV

UT Health RGV has appointed Ms. Morgan Barry as the new Assistant Vice President of Ambulatory Operations!


We are pleased to announce that UT Health RGV has appointed Ms. Morgan Barry as the new Assistant Vice President of Ambulatory Operations. 


Ms. Barry brings over a decade of experience and proven leadership abilities for strategic growth, ambulatory services development, and physician relations. In her most recent position as Director of General and Vascular Surgery at Lee Health in Lee County, Florida, she improved surgery service line quality and expanded physician relations and coverage.  


Prior to that, Ms. Barry led several ambulatory modalities, including Family Practice, Community Care, and Interventional Cardiology. She earned a Master's in Business Administration degree from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. 


Ms. Barry joined the team on January 2, 2023, and will have direct oversight of Clinical Operations, Ancillary Services, and Outreach. She will work closely with SOM clinical chairs and leadership, our faculty provider team, and staff. 


Thank Dr. Linda Nelson, Sr. Director of Clinical Operations, for her leadership during the interim period.

The Fortify Resilience Initiative

Introduces Tend Health

The Fortify Resilience Initiative is an HRSA Funded Grant partnered with Tend Health to deliver mental health and wellness services to residents and fellows.


The UTRGV SOM GME Mental Health and Wellness Initiative, The Fortify Resilience Initiative, in partnership with the GME Office, hosted an official "Meet Tend Health" event.

 

The Fortify Resilience Initiative is an HRSA Funded Grant partnered with Tend Health to deliver mental health and wellness services to residents and fellows – at NO cost to them.

 

Dr. Nausheen Jamal, Dr. Deepu George, and the Fortify Resilience Initiative Team invited UTRGV SOM GME Program leadership, faculty, and residents/fellows to attend the live online event to meet and ask Tend Health founders' questions about how Tend Health services can be used as a valuable resource.

 

Tend Health and the Fortify Resilience Initiative Team will be working with UTRGV SOM GME leadership and each of the GME Programs over the next year to help establish a sustainable foundation for mental health and wellness within each program.

Student Spotlight

Meet UTRGV MS2, Philippe Dentino



What inspired you to become a doctor? 

Although my interest in medicine began by closely observing the lives of my physician-parents, the desire was solidified after working as a physical therapist, where I directly cared for patients and collaborated closely with integral members of medical teams. In addition, I was inspired by the stories of resilience, healing, loss, and celebration of the individuals I met while teaching, treating, and traveling during this time.


Learn More About Dentino Here.

Faculty Focus:

Academic Medical Minute

Academic Medical Minute with: Dr. Kelsey Baker, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean of Educational Affairs, Pre-Clerkships; Director of Medical Student Research;

Assistant Professor of Medicine



When did you join the UTRGV School of Medicine? September 2020


What brought you here?

In 2018, my husband finished his residency in podiatric medicine. Our plan was always to stay in the Cleveland, Ohio, area since I was getting established there, but he couldn’t find a good job. So, I told him to open his search outside of Ohio. He applied to several positions throughout the US. When he interviewed in McAllen, I joined him on the trip. I fell in love with the area. Thus, when he was offered the job in McAllen, I told him we needed to move to the Rio Grande Valley and that I would do my best to find a new job. I was fortunate to join the UTRGV family two months after moving to the Rio Grande Valley in the Summer of 2018. It has been such a pleasure being here for now almost five years!


What do you enjoy about working in Academic Medicine? 

I love interactions with medical students and potential medical school-bound undergraduate students. Helping students continue their journey and achieve their long-term dreams is the highlight of my work.  


Why is academic medicine important to our community?

After living in the Rio Grande Valley for five years, I have seen the impact academic medicine has had on improving the healthcare of so many community members. Many of my friends and family were able to rapidly get vaccinations during the pandemic because of the footprint of UTHealth RGV. As a clinical researcher, it brings so much joy that I can study and invite patients to receive state-of-the-art research approaches to potentially improve clinical care who otherwise would not have access to these technologies without driving four hours away. Within medical education, our student service-learning involvement in the community has resulted in several students finishing their training in the Valley and continuing to provide much-needed healthcare to such an underserved area. Academic medicine is helping improve the healthcare of individuals in the Rio Grande Valley (and beyond)!



How do you spend your free time? 

I love building things! During the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I made a pergola and fireplace in our backyard. We have also done several interior house builds, including a bookcase, wainscotting, and an entertainment center. Lately, I’ve found a love for cycling/spinning, and it can be found most nights on my Peloton bike.

In the News

Taking care of mental health has greater impact than we think

Alcides Amador, M.D.

Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health

UTRGV SOM Signs MOU With Valley Grande Institute

The UTRGV School of Medicine signs a memorandum of understanding on Dec. 12 with Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies, at the VGI Campus in Weslaco. 

Research Corner

Here's a look at what our UTRGV School of Medicine faculty have been working on relating to life-changing research and discoveries.

Candace Robledo, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Associate Professor

Department of Population Health & Biostatistics

Title: Social Connectedness, Physical Distancing, and Anxiety in Complying with Shelter-In-Place Orders and Advisories during the Once-In-A-Century COVID-19 Pandemic in the US: A Study of Social Media and Internet Users


Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.  ...


Read More Here.

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Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
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