UTMB NEWSLETTER • JULY 2019
‘The godfather of sleep’ Night in the Life of sleep technician Anthony Azagidi
Employees recognized with Best Care in Action honors Unique procedure helps patients to breath easier Get to know Dr. David A. Brown, dean of the School of Health Professions
Arnold
Chavarria UTMB President Dr. David Callender recently presented the President’s Way To Go Award to Amie Arnold, surgical technologist on the League City Campus, and Susie Chavarria, manager in the Department of Sterile Processing on the Galveston Campus. Arnold came to Galveston and worked closely with Chavarria to develop an internal certification program to train nine new technicians for the department. Arnold taught the two-week classroom portion for these new employees and then moved to the Sterile Processing Department for a four-week practicum. Chavarria worked closely with the existing staff to ensure the new hires had strong preceptors and thorough education and Arnold continued to work with the group during the practicum. After the six-week orientation, the nine technicians were added as full-time staff members in the department.
Dr. Gulshan Sharma, chief medical and clinical innovation officer, was recently named one of “100 Hospital and Health System CMOs To Know,” according to Becker’s Healthcare. The list features physician leaders dedicated to strengthening their organizations through leadership development, patient safety initiatives, health information technology and quality improvement. Many have served as department heads and continue to practice medicine, while others focus on process improvement and patient advocacy. As proven leaders in their field, the physicians highlighted on this list have extensive experience building clinical and administrative teams, as well as building a positive culture for their organization. Becker’s editorial team accepted nominations for this list and selected CMOs and other equivalent titles through an editorial review process.
Dr. M. Kristen Peek, professor, vice chair for education and graduate program director for Population Health Sciences in the department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, and Dr. Dawnelle Schatte, professor and director of undergraduate education in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Peek Schatte Sciences, were named recipients of the 2019 UT System Board of Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award. The award recognizes extraordinary classroom performance and innovation in education at the 14 UT System academic and health institutions.
Each year, the Good Samaritan Foundation honors excellence in nursing in six categories, awarding nursing’s “best and brightest.” The award recognizes nurses who are leaders at the bedside and offer extraordinary and compassionate care and service. Nurses are nominated by their peers for their passion, leadership, mentorship and service to our Texas communities. Kudos to UTMB Nurse Michelle Karsten, who cares for patients in the Recovery Room in Jennie Sealy Hospital, for her recognition as a Silver Awardee in the Large Hospital category. Seventeen additional UTMB nurses were recognized with the Bronze Award: Shana Cobos, Kendall Glasgow, Paula McPhee, Melody Reiss, James Bozeman, Marre Dang, Kelli Gonzales, Melissa Gonzalez, Mary Hill, Yolanda Leyva, Katheryn Mazoch-Henson, Sara Niebuhr, Kelly Oliver, Charmaine Shannon, Jacquelyn Svoboda, April Vaughan and Andrea Wirt. Our nurses will be formally honored by the Good Samaritan Foundation at a luncheon on Sept. 5.
Tilly Clark, assistant director of UTMB’s Special Use Facilities and current chair of UTMB’s Employee Advisory Council, was elected chair of UT System’s EAC, beginning in FY2020. Clark, who has worked at UTMB for more than 28 years, was elected to lead the group during this year’s annual systemwide EAC meeting, which was hosted by UTMB June 4-5 in Galveston. The UT System EAC is a representative advisory group that meets with the Board of Regents to present information and make recommendations regarding issues of importance to the employees of UT System. The mission of the EAC is to provide a forum for communicating ideas and information between employees, the Board of Regents, and the executive officers of UT System.
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From the President Welcome to the latest issue of Impact.
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The most recent Town Hall meeting on July 18 provided an opportunity to discuss several subjects, including the latest financial results, construction projects on our campuses and recent accolades awarded to a trio of faculty members.
Unique lung volume reduction procedure helps patients breathe easier
During the meeting, we also considered what’s driving the significant amount of change at UTMB and academic medical centers across the country and discussed the strategic objectives that UTMB should consider to address the evolving market trends we are facing now and into the future. If you weren’t able to attend the Town Hall meeting, you can watch the full video and a brief recap at https://www.utmb.edu/president/town-hall.
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This issue of Impact features “A Night in the Life” of Anthony Azagidi, a sleep technician who works an evening shift in the John Sealy Hospital Sleep Lab on the Galveston Campus. Mr. Azagidi has dedicated his career to improving health for patients who are struggling to get the sleep they need.
Night in the Life of a UTMB sleep technician
Other stories in this issue highlighting our people are:
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• Employees recognized for their efforts at providing Best Care in our hospitals and clinics; • A Best Care in Action spotlight featuring the Emergency Department’s efforts to improve patient throughput and shorten length of stay; • A lung volume reduction procedure that is helping patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder to breathe easier; • A profile featuring Dr. David A. Brown, senior vice president and dean of the School of Health Professions; • Numerous accomplishments and kudos in the Working Wonders column and throughout the newsletter.
Fulfilling a moral obligation to be a mentor Page 10
As always, send your story ideas, nominees for the Hidden Talents column and trivia answers to the Impact team. And thank you for all you do to serve UTMB. Getting to know Dr. David A. Brown, senior vice president and dean, School of Health Professions
Thank you!
Dr. David L. Callender UTMB President
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Impact is for and about the people who fulfill UTMB’s mission to improve health in Texas and around the world. We hope you enjoy reading this issue. Let us know what you think!
Vice President Marketing & Communications Steve Campbell
ON THE COVER:
Editors Stephen Hadley Shannon Porter Jessica Wyble
Anthony Azagidi, a polysomnographer in the John Sealy Hospital Sleep Lab on the UTMB Galveston Campus, conducts sleep studies in the four-bed lab three times a week.
P R I N T E D B Y U T MB G RAPHIC D ESIG N & PRIN TIN G SERVICES
Associate Vice President Marketing & Communications Mary Havard
Art Director Mark Navarro
CONTACT US Email: impact.newsletter@utmb.edu Phone: (409) 772-2618 Campus mail route: 0144 U.S. Postal address: UTMB Marketing & Communications 301 University Boulevard Galveston, TX 77555-0144
B E S T C A R E I N AC T IO N
Whether working on the front lines in patient care or in another role at UTMB, everyone contributes to Best Care. Here are a few examples of employees in different roles who are demonstrating Best Care. These employees were recent recipients of the Best Care in Action Awards.
Rajesh “Raj” Kumar Rajesh Kumar, senior nuclear “Chloe Cecilia was one of the nurses assigned to care for my sister in the intensive medicine technologist on the care unit. We were blessed to have this wonderful caring and professional nurse Galveston Campus, was rec- for three days during our time here. Chloe exhibited a great deal of empathy, ognized by a patient’s family which was a welcome relief during this very difficult process. Chloe has always member for providing a mem- been upbeat and positive, and there has never been a time that I felt she was orable patient experience. The not sincere in her interactions with my sister or me. Chloe has always responded daughter of the patient sub- quickly to my requests and concerns. It was a blessing to have met Chloe.” mitted the following: “We checked in at the desk and a few moments later, Rajesh Kumar arrived to take my mother to testing. He was so reassuring with my mother that she again felt at ease. After testing, my mother looked so relaxed. She explained to me how Raj had taken such good care of her. After he gave her the dye for her scan, he put her in a quiet room and brought her a warm blanket. My mother said this was just what she needed to unwind from her drive down to Galveston. She showed me a business card that Raj had given her and told me that he let her know to call him if she had any questions. He had personalized his card by writing his name and number on it so that it could be easily read—a small gesture that made a big impact!”
Chloe Cecilia Chloe Cecilia, registered nurse in the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit on the Galveston Campus, was recognized for the compassionate care she delivers each day and for her uplifting demeanor. Every month, the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit holds an Employee of the Month drawing. Chloe places comment cards in the box for her colleagues to thank them for the smallest or the biggest thing they have done, or simply because she felt like telling them thank you for who they are. When the cards were collected recently, there was a handwritten letter in the box from a patient’s family member about Chloe.
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Karen Baires Karen Baires, registered nurse in Internal Medicine on the Galveston Campus, was recognized for Best Care because she always goes above and beyond when it comes to patient care needs and being a strong team member. The following was submitted by one of Karen’s colleagues: “One day a young adult female was admitted who also happened to be homeless. The patient was tearful and very concerned about being discharged because she had no appropriate clothes or shoes, and the weather at the time had been cold (she had been taken from a friend’s home by EMS and now had only paper scrubs). Karen reassured her that we would do all we could to ensure she didn’t have to leave without appropriate clothing. That night, Karen returned to work with a bag filled with appropriately sized clothes including a sweater and a pair of tennis shoes for the patient, who through tears explained with gratitude that this was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her. This, along with countless other sweet gestures of kindness to many patients, places Karen in the realm of nurses that are truly called to this profession. As an excellent team member, she is always ready and willing to help any colleague with any task without hesitation. I most frequently see her as the one who is willing to help others on the team. Her advocacy and skills are constantly on display as she seeks ways to make her patients comfortable and helps move them closer to wellness.” n
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RESEARCH
Dr. Shawn Nishi, professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at UTMB, talks with Jimmi Raze following a procedure to insert a one-way valve into one of his lungs.
UTMB is one of only two medical institutions in the state to offer a unique lung volume reduction procedure BY CHRISTOPHER SMITH GONZALEZ
Jimmi Raze remembers when he would go on long walks—two or three miles at a time—along the Seawall in Galveston. A former Houston police officer, Raze also used to enjoy a visit to the gun range and his face lights up when he thinks about how he used to dance. Now retired and living in Galveston, Raze can’t do any of those things since he suffers from the effects of emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
“Suddenly you feel like you are barely taking a breath in because you don’t have any more room. That’s what these patients are dealing with on a daily basis. They are struggling just to breathe.” Nishi leads the interventional pulmonology team at UTMB. Until recently, the only treatments for severe hyperinflation were drugs, surgery to removed damaged parts of the lung or a complete lung transplant.
Instead, it has been a struggle to just take a breath. A conversation with a loved one is exhausting. A walk down the hall is like running a marathon.
Now, patients at UTMB who go through the evaluation process and qualify for the new valve procedure have another option.
“I couldn’t walk as far I was able to walk previously, and I just forgot about going up the stairwell,” Raze said.
Endobronchial lung volume reduction is a minimally invasive procedure in which the health care team uses a bronchoscope to insert one-way valves into the damaged areas of the lung. The valve allows air to leave the damaged part of the lung but blocks air from entering. This allows healthier regions to expand and function better.
But Raze has a chance at doing some of his favorite activities again thanks to a specialized team of health care providers at UTMB. The team recently installed small valves in Raze’s lung that should make a big difference.
UTMB, recognized as a Joint Commission COPD Center of Excellence, is only “If we can induce a controlled collapse on the part of the lung that is not working, the second center in the state to offer a unique lung volume reduction proce- we can let the air preferentially be diverted to those areas of the lung that are dure using an endobronchial valve only recently approved by the Food & Drug working,” Nishi said. “Overall, the goal is the patients will feel much better. Their breathing will feel much less like exercise. Hopefully, they can walk a Administration. There is no cure for emphysema, and COPD kills more than 140,000 Americans little more and their quality of life is better.” each year. With the illness, parts of a patient’s lung will become diseased and not work properly. Air is trapped in damaged areas and the lung becomes hyperinflated, putting pressure on the person’s diaphragm and leading to difficulty breathing.
Just a few days after his lung volume reduction procedure, Raze was already breathing easier. He was having longer conversations on the phone with family members, eating more and looking forward to getting up and walking around.
“Imagine taking a deep breath in and only letting out like a third of it and then “There is a noticeable change,” Raze said. “I just got off the phone with my you have to take another breath and can only let out a third of that,” said Dr. daughter in London, England. She said I sound better. Everybody seems to Shawn Nishi, a professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at UTMB. think that I sound better.” n impact
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BY: JESSICA WYBLE
AS THE SUN SETS OVER UTMB’s Galveston Campus and the majority of employees who work traditional office hours head home for the day, Anthony Azagidi, a polysomnographer in the John Sealy Sleep Lab, prepares to start his next shift at work. Azagidi, who is more commonly referred to as a sleep technician, is typically scheduled to work from 6:30 p.m. until 8 a.m. three times a week. Alongside two team members, Azagidi conducts sleep studies for a wide variety of patients within the four-bed lab on the 10th floor of the hospital.
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“At this location, we can see anyone who needs a sleep study,” says Azagidi, who mentions that it’s not
“This part of the process is very important,” says Azagidi. “It’s how we ensure we record accurate readings.”
part of Azagidi’s job is ensuring the 15 sensors each patient has to wear are properly applied and secured on the head, face and legs.
A team member with the sleep lab for nearly two decades, Azagidi knows the job well.
uncommon for the group to conduct a study for Texas Depart- As Azagidi goes through this part of his routine, he makes sure ment of Criminal Justice patients or even pediatric patients as to carefully describe what he’s doing every step of the way and young as 2—a fact that sets them apart from the UTMB sleep frequently asks if the patient has any questions or concerns. labs located in Angleton and Webster. The mother of an 8-year-old recent patient greatly appreciated his Despite the differences in patient population, the function of thoroughness, as did the patient himself, who calmly sat as Azagidi the sleep technician is the same across all UTMB labs, so Aza- went through the motions of his work. After he’s done with this gidi can cover any location when necessary. He does spend the step, he’ll have the patient run through a series of arm, eye, leg majority of his work time at the Galveston Campus. and head movements to get a baseline reading for each sensor. On a recent night in John Sealy, Azagidi works to prepare his “It’s so important to explain what the wires do and why you’re cart before patients arrive. It’s a part of his routine every shift, placing them where you are,” says Azagidi, who notes that some stocking up on tools such as cleansing gel, adhesive, sensors patients arrive completely unaware of what a sleep study entails. and wires he’ll need to perform the night’s studies. Like most nights, all four beds will be occupied, so Azagidi and his team In addition to keeping patients informed throughout the process, ensuring they are comfortable is another top priority for Azagidi. work to have everything ready early. Used to diagnose and identify what may be causing an individ- “We try to have them follow their regular nighttime routine as ual’s sleep troubles, polysomnography measures and records a closely as possible, so that falling asleep comes easily and natuperson’s brain waves, heart rate, the oxygen level in the blood rally,” he explains. “Some folks like to read a book, watch TV or and breathing patterns, as well as eye and leg movements. A big pray. Whatever it is they need, we try to accommodate.”
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“He is like the Godfather of sleep,” says Daniel Wig-
need, Azagidi credits the support he’s received from his boss, gins, supervisor for polysomnography at UTMB. “He has been Denise McElyea, as a big reason he’s stayed at the lab. here longer than any of us and knows almost everything about “I admire her,” he says. “She’s the best boss and really cares the hospital.” about her team.” It’s hard to believe, then, that this job was not his first—or even The feelings of respect are mutual, as McElyea has nothing but his second—career choice. positive things to say about him, too.
Originally from Nigeria, Azagidi had plans to work as an accountant in the U.S. and he did just that shortly after graduating from college. However, a lackluster economy led to his eventual layoff and ultimately a change of plans..
“He really has everyone’s best interests at heart,” says McElyea, director of UTMB Respiratory Care Services and Pulmonary Diagnostics. “He’s always calm and even-keeled and he’s constantly offering his assistance. That makes for a great patient experience. ” “After losing my job, I was determined to never be in that situation again,” says Azagidi. “So, I explored my options and decided Ally Kieng, one of the newest sleep technicians with the Galto go back to school to become a respiratory therapist. Health veston Sleep Lab, echoes McElyea’s sentiments. care seemed like a smart choice and I could see myself really “He is always willing to lend a helping hand,” Kieng says of loving the job.” Azagidi. “He’s someone you can always depend on.” A few years after making that decision, Azagidi had not one Given the reputation he’s built over the years and his passion for but two bachelor’s degrees to his name. He also had a wife who his work, Azagidi knows he’s found the place where he belongs. works as a nurse, and the couple had a son and another one on What’s more, the nontraditional schedule Azagidi keeps does the way. As he and his wife weighed the options they’d have for not impact his sleep, as he’s found a routine that works for him daycare for not one but two children, Azagidi explored the idea and his family. of working nights to allow him to care for his sons during the day. “On my last night of work for the week, I make myself stay up “Luckily they had an opening in the sleep lab,” says Azagidi. “And once I arrive home the following morning so that I can then I’ve been here ever since. I love my job.” transition to sleeping at night and being awake during the day Besides loving the work and the feeling of fulfillment he gets until I’m scheduled again,” he says. “Miraculously, I have no when he hears someone say they’re finally getting the sleep they issues sleeping, so I see no reason to stop what I’m doing.” n
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E D UC AT IO N
How the bond between a recent UTMB School of Medicine graduate and a second-year medical student is helping shift a trend for minorities pursuing careers in health care BY JESSICA WYBLE
On e’s t im e in s ch o o l is a period of discovering, exploring, learning and developing. Often, this process is focused on one’s self and personal field of choice; however, for Ben Amagwula, a 2019 UTMB School of Medicine graduate, the experience has been as much about his peer Xavier Rice’s journey as it has been about his own. Rice, a second-year medical student at UTMB, first met Amagwula at Prairie View A&M University while the two worked toward completing their undergraduate degrees. Rice remembers encountering Amagwula through PVAMU’s Undergraduate Medical Academy—a program that aims to funnel minority students into medical school by providing them necessary resources and support. Amagwula, who was an upperclassman at the time, was already a member of the academy and took then-freshman Rice under his wing almost immediately after meeting him. “We just came together naturally,” said Rice, who gives Amagwula a good bit of credit for his now being enrolled at UTMB. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t be here without him, but there’s a good chance I might not have been.” The pair’s bond is a strong one that has stood the test of time and distance. When Amagwula graduated from PVAMU and began his studies with UTMB’s School of Medicine, he made a point to regularly check in on his younger peer. This was especially true during stressful, crucial times such as when Rice was preparing to take the MCAT (the Medical College Admissions Test)—a standardized test used to assess applicants’ science knowledge, reasoning, and communication and writing skills. “I tried to keep up with what he was doing and encourage him every chance I had,” says Amagwula, who was among the more than 230 UTMB School of Medicine students who walked across the commencement stage at Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston on June 1. Fiercely aware of and grateful for the impact and influence Amagwula has had on his life, Rice has made an effort to follow his mentor’s lead by now paying it forward with a new round of med-school hopefuls at PVAMU. “I think it’s important that these types of relationships continue, especially for black and Hispanic men,” said Rice. “We’re the least represented demographic in the medical field, but mentorships and friendships like the one I have with Ben will surely help change that.” This isn’t the first time the bond between Rice and Amagwula has caught people’s attention. PVAMU shared a story (http://www.pvamu.edu/blog/pvamutakes-the-lead-in-texas-in-graduating-black-men/) on the pair back when Rice graduated with his bachelor’s degree. The story discussed just how special and important connections like theirs are in shifting the trend of African American and Hispanic males starting college but not completing their degrees. Reflecting on his choice to become Rice’s unofficial mentor and lifelong friend all those years ago, Amagwula gives the bulk of the credit to PVAMU. “When I was working toward my undergraduate degree, the professors and leaders there made a point to help us meet and see people in the fields we were pursuing,” the Missouri City, Texas native says. “It’s almost like they saw it as their moral obligation to help the people who were following in their footsteps and that’s always stuck with me.”
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Ben Amagwula, left, with Xavier Rice at the 2019 School of Medicine graduation. While Amagwula embarks on the next chapter of his educational journey as a radiology resident with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in California, Rice is working as hard as ever here at UTMB. He’s a member of the Student Government Association and a student worker with the Department of Anesthesiology, on top of the challenging coursework that comes with being a second-year medical student. He’s also participating in a preceptorship with a seasoned anesthesiologist, gaining vital on-the-job information he hopes to one day use in his chosen specialty. Despite the geographic distance that will be between them in the coming years, the pair plan to stay in touch—just as they always have. n
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrates graduates The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences held its commencement ceremony May 17, awarding 28 master’s degrees, 34 Doctor of Philosophy degrees and three MD-PhD combined degrees. Dr. John Papaconstantinou, professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, served as mace-bearer. GSBS awardees this year were: Distinguished Teaching Award: Dr. Xiaoying Yu, assistant professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health Distinguished Faculty Service Award: Dr. Pomila Singh, professor of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy Distinguished Faculty Research Award: Dr. Rakez Kayed, professor of Neurology Distinguished Alumnus Award: Dr. Anthony Nicholas, class of 1987 Global Impact Award: Dr. James LeDuc, professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and director, Galveston National Laboratory Edith and Robert Zinn Professorship for Excellence in Mentoring: Dr. Victor Reyes, professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology and Immunology
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EDUCATI ON
A focus on collaboration
Getting to know Dr. David A. Brown, senior vice president and dean, School of Health Professions BY CORTNEY MARTIN
As UTMB’s focus on interprofessional education strengthens, it’s fitting that one of the institution’s newest leaders says some of his proudest achievements have come from interdisciplinary collaborations. David A. Brown, PT, PhD, FAPTA, joined UTMB as senior vice president and dean of the School of Health Professions on March 1. Renowned for his contributions to the rehabilitation science community, he says collaboration has been a key component of his career. “The things I am most proud of in my career happened in the context of teams of people, all of whom were dedicated to our success,” he said. His career as a physical therapist, researcher and educator has taken him to institutions across the country. Brown joined UTMB from University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was a professor of Physical Therapy, director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program and co-director of the University-wide “I have learned so much from my mentors, and I have also mentored people who Research Center on Disability Health and Rehabilitation Science. have gone on to do great things,” he said. “I know that I can’t solve everybody’s Now, he’s excited for what’s next as he takes on leadership of SHP’s diverse problems, but I can mentor others who will go out and do good work, and through set of professional and scholarly programs. Since arriving at UTMB, he said them I can have an impact on even more patients.” he has been impressed by the caliber of work being done in education and in He sees potential for the School of Health Professions to expand its impact moving research, citing the SHP’s current NIH funding ranking of 11th nationally and forward, as well. Since the Physician Assistant Studies Program moved into the the prevalence of translational research with potential to make a direct impact School of Medicine last year, there is an opportunity to develop a new program on patient care. and enroll more students in the School of Health Professions. “Our faculty are leaders in their fields,” Brown said. “I see faculty who are “We are really engaging in a deep dive to find out what are the needs out there? committed to the success of UTMB and their students. I see people who are How can we create a program that serves UTMB’s overall mission and develops selfless and who make sacrifices for the good of their commitment to patient more skilled health care professionals who will go out and provide the services care and the students’ learning.” that are needed?” Brown said. He certainly understands that inclination. Early in his career as a physical If it’s not apparent, Brown has an ambitious to-do list. He’s eager to cultivate therapist, he said, he felt he needed to do more to be as effective as possible relationships with the School of Health Professions’ strong, supportive alumni in helping patients—so he made a commitment to go back to school for his network, and to work with School of Nursing Dean Dr. Deborah Jones to identify PhD, which he earned at the University of Iowa. opportunities for their schools to collaborate. Brown went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University and worked as a research scientist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, where he first connected with engineering professionals and discovered opportunities to collaborate on translational solutions. His clinical knowledge and the engineers’ mechanical insights complemented one another in ways they found could be advantageous to patients. Later, at Northwestern University, he engaged in another successful collaboration with engineers. He said it was especially productive because the engineers came into the project asking, “What clinical problems can we help solve?” The team applied for and received a grant to start a company that would develop new products and get them to market. Although Brown and his partners sold the company in 2011, one of their products, a gait and balance recovery device called KineAssist, is being used to help patients in rehabilitation centers today. It is one of four patents Brown holds for robotic devices that support gait and balance rehabilitation. He is working on a fifth. His career journey has been “a long arc,” he said, and it has not been without its share of challenges. One constant has been the role that mentorship has played at all stages in his career. He appreciates the value that UTMB leadership places on mentoring and looks forward to seeing the benefits of mentorship in action at UTMB. impact
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He’s also excited about finding opportunities to engage with his new community. The area is a great fit for him, Brown said. He is a fan of the arts, dance and classical music; in fact, his son is a classical violinist who trained at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. And his wife, who is from China, is excited to connect with the large Asian community across the Houston area. Brown is also an avid runner. After just a week on the job, he found himself lacing up his running shoes and heading up the Galveston Causeway, as the School of Health Professions hosted its largest annual fundraiser, the Causeway FunD Run. It was a fun event, he said, a good opportunity to connect with his team. As a new leader at UTMB, Brown wants the people he works with to know a few things about him. One is that he’s not afraid to be challenged—he thinks the most productive interactions always have an edge of conflict to them—and another is that he’s not afraid of failure. As a child in kindergarten, he was tasked with choosing a personal slogan. With his father’s help, he settled with “onward and upward”—and it’s stayed with him ever since. “No matter how dire or how hopeless a situation may seem, I ask myself, ‘How can I learn from this and move forward?’” he said. “If you were not afraid to fail, what great things could you achieve? I’ve learned from my father and other great mentors, when you take away the stress and anxiety of being afraid to fail, you open up a lot of possibilities.” n
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Tips for beating the relentless summer heat By Dr. Patricia Beach, professor of Pediatrics and director of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics
As we enter the dog days of summer here in Texas, it’s important to follow a few tips to stay as cool as possible while the heat is on. • Avoid the peak time of warm temperatures each day. Whenever possible, avoid spending time outside during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Choose outdoor activities that you can enjoy in the early morning or evening. • Wear lightweight clothing. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing will help sweat evaporate easily and keep you cooler in hot, humid climates. Look for shirts and pants with a tight weave and avoid dark colors, which can absorb heat. Top it off with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB spectrum light. • Find the shade. Avoiding direct exposure to sun rays can prevent heat rash, heatstroke, sunburn and other heat-related illnesses. If you want to spend time outdoors but your patio or deck area is not covered, try using movable umbrellas or awnings to create shade.
• Drink plenty of water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. In hot and humid weather, it’s more important than ever to ensure everyone in the family—from children and pets to parents and grandparents—get enough water. When it is hot and you are active, the rate your body can absorb fluids is less than the rate it loses water due to perspiration. • Take care with warm-weather workouts. Reduce the intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more. If you are just beginning an exercise program, the intensity and duration of outdoor activities should start low and then gradually increase over a two-week period to acclimate to the heat and humidity. • Watch for warning signs of heat-related illness. Signs of heat exhaustion include confusion, dizziness, fatigue, headache and fainting. If you start to feel under the weather, don’t ignore your body, and head indoors to cool off. If hydration and cooling do not work, seek medical attention immediately.
UTMB TRIVIA In late April, UTMB’s School of Nursing held its 130th commencement ceremony at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston.
How many graduates participated in the ceremony this year? Answer to the June trivia question: This year’s Employee Service Day ceremony honored more than 22,000 years of total service. Congrats to Terronica Wilson, coordinator in Quality Assurance at UTMB’s Angleton Danbury Campus, who won the June trivia!