The President's Cabinet eNewsletter - Spring 2023

Silent and unseen, women unable to access preventive health care are often forced to go without — putting them at risk for serious illness.

“In the past, I was not able to access my preventive health screenings because it was expensive to go to the doctor,” said one woman who found the care she needed at St. Vincent’s Clinic, a free primary care clinic in Galveston for underserved populations.

Her words highlight the sobering reality for many women like her on the island.

To help meet this urgent need, UTMB began providing essential women’s health services at St. Vincent’s. However, a significant lack of clinical resources greatly inhibited the team’s quality of care and ability to make a more meaningful difference in the community.

The clinical need was so great that at times providers had to use towels or bed sheets to cover patients instead of gowns.

That is where the President’s Cabinet stepped in.

In 2022, building upon the work of UTMB’s gynecology team at St. Vincent’s, the cabinet awarded $12,000 to

help establish the St. Vincent’s Women’s Wellness (WoW) Program.

“Prior to the award, there were multiple occasions where instruments and supplies were unavailable, limiting clinical services,” said Jacob Moran, a UTMB MD-PhD student and WoW Program student leader.

“Now, inventory has been restocked and standard operating procedures have been established so that no patient has to consider receiving an uncomfortable exam or forgo an exam due to supply shortages.”

Regular preventative screenings mean that potential health issues can be detected and managed earlier, reducing the risk of more serious health issues.

In addition to standardizing care by helping secure much needed instruments and supplies, the WoW Program also aims to increase screening rates for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and intimate partner violence, which disproportionately affect women in underserved populations.

After six months of operation, the WoW Program team has already provided care for 72 patients, not including the general gynecology visits.

Additionally, the award has served as an invaluable morale boost for the team, encouraging them to reorganize supplies and equipment for all of St. Vincent’s Clinic. This project resulted in the launch of a new inventory control system managed by the gynecology team’s full-time clinic coordinator.

Facutly members and students at the St. Vincent’s OB/Gyn Clinic.

2022 Awards Celebration...

The President’s Cabinet celebrated twenty-two UTMB faculty, staff and students at an awards celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Levin Hall. Eight awards, totaling $204,987, were given for projects that recognize and address health needs in our community. Awardees were presented with certificates and special wooden pediments from PC Awards Chair Vivian Kardow, UTMB President, ad interim, Dr. Charles P. Mouton, and PC Chair Fred Raschke.

President’s

Spring 2023

Cabinet

Scan to view the 2022 President’s Cabinet Awards or visit https://utmb.us/8mz

Improving Hurricane Preparedness in Galveston County Homebound Seniors

Dr. Zach Carson (faculty), Jessica den Herder (staff), Dr. Tammie Michael (staff) and Jennifer Young (staff).

Garden Beds at Holland House to Empower Residents Tuan Pham (MS1 student) and Kathleen T. Nguyen (OT doctoral student).

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Clinic at St. Vincent’s House Dr. Daneen Nastars (faculty), Dr. N. Miles Farr (faculty) and Melissa Yanes (faculty).

Saving Sight: The Expansion of Eye Care at St. Vincent’s House

Dr. Matthew Yang (resident) and Dr. Ardalan Sharifi (resident – not in photo).

St. Vincent’s Preventive Heart Failure Program: Expansion Project Frederick Ditmars (MS3 student) and Dr. N. Miles Farr (faculty).

SMART Heart Partners – Starting Early to Build Healthy Adult Hearts

Elizabeth Turner and Dr. Abe DeAnda (faculty).

Learn Together to Work Together: Saving Lives Through Interprofessional Collaborative Care Dr. Erin McGoff (staff).

St. Vincent’s Women’s Wellness (WoWw) Program Martha T. Garcia (MS3 student), Jacob Moran (MD/PhD student), Ayeesha Mohammed (MS4 student), Dr. Otto Pantoja (faculty – not in photo), Nathan Smith (MS4 student – not in photo), Dr. Jerome Yaklic (faculty) and Dr. Lucy Villarreal (faculty). 2

... & Member Appreciation Reception

President’s Cabinet members and guests were treated to a special Mardi Gras themed appreciation event on Wednesday, February 1. This event, held on campus at Levin Hall, featured live music by student-group Music in Medicine and included a set with UTMB President, ad interim, Dr. Charles P. Mouton on the saxophone. Guests were draped with special PC Mardi Gras beads as they exited the awards celebration and entered the reception that included a New Orleans buffet.

From left, Chris Webber, Sheila Lidstone, Mike & Beth Shriner show off their special PC Mardi Gras beads.

Mark Staskauskas (left) and Susan Califa (right) attend the event with their special guests.

Guests were treated to a specialty drink, a Cajun buffet and live music.

UTMB student-group Music in Medicine and Dr. Charles P. Mouton provided live entertainment for the evening.

VJ Tramonte, event emcee, dons Mardi Gras gear as he concludes the awards ceremony and invites guests to parade with him to the reception.

In Case You Missed It

SAN

LUIS SALUTE

Laissez Temps WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

30 years

60 years

Dr. Janet Southerland and Dr. Charles P. Mouton (members since 2017).*

Jessica and Hal Rochind (members since 2016).*

Nicholas, Nickie and Johnny Smecca (members since 2013).*

Fred & Kim Raschke* (members since 2004)

Ross & Seal Grief* (members since 2002)

The President’s Cabinet congratulates and extends special wedding anniversary wishes to…

Several Galveston events

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Several PC members were spotted at various events during February celebrating

MOMUS PRESIDENT’S MARDI GRAS BALL

JOHNNY SMECCA

DR. KARNATH

In November 2022, Dr. Bernard Karnath was named the recipient of the UTMB Commitment to the Art of Medicine Faculty/Staff Award. Dr. Karnath serves on the PC Awards Committee.

President’s Cabinet member, Johnny Smecca, was honored with the 30th Annual Leonora Kempner Thompson Community Enrichment Award on April 22, 2023.

Beth Scribner, Dr. Tom Kimbrough (members since 1995), Tom and Debra Perich (members since 1998).*

(members 2013).* Diane and Fred Burns (members since 1995).*

Mardi Gras.

Cabinet Updates

Welcome to our

New Members

Since September, we have welcomed these new members to the Cabinet:

Mr. Michael P. Dany and Mrs. Kathleen M. Bucher-Dany

Mrs. Kelley Delesandri and Mrs. Lauren N. Gamble

Mr. J. Peyton Elliott

J. Sean Funston, MD

Mr. Robert Koch

Mr. and Mrs. Bud Kulesza

Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow

Mr. and Mrs. William Sealy

Ms. Christine M. Stephans

Sullivan Environmental Services, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. William W. Sullivan

Mr. and Mrs. John R. A. Sullivan

Mr. and Mrs. Todd P. Sullivan

Ms. Catherine M. Wall and Ms. Donnette Line

Mrs. Kimberly A. Yaklic

Coffee

President’s Cabinet members are invited to come to campus for special tours to get close-up views of some of UTMB’s most innovative programs. This March, members toured the MakerNurse Medical MakerSpace, the Dr. Truman G. Blocker, Jr. History of Medicine Collections, and were treated to coffee and conversation with Dr. Charles P. Mouton, UTMB President, ad interim.

During the tour Dr. Mouton provided updates on university initiatives and quizzed guests on their knowledge of UTMB. UTMB Police Chief Kenith Adcox, a PC member, was also on hand to talk about the university’s police department.

More than 20 members and guests participated.

These special PC tours are normally offered in the spring/ summer of each year.

CABINET CHAIR AWARDS COMMITTEE

Steven J. Baines

Lisa M. Cox

Kelley Delesandri

Lt. Col. John P. Elwell

Ingrid Gonzalez

Jason M. Hardcastle

Bernard M. Karnath, MD, FACP

Robert D. Kline

Bud S. Kulesza

Sara E. Martin

Norma A. Perez Raifaisen, MD, DrPH

Fred D. Raschke

Patricia M. Rennick

Edwin H. Smith, Jr., RN, MSN

Susan E. Syler

V.J. Tramonte

John F. White III, MD, MBA

Majka B. Woods, PhD

Tour and & Conversation March 2023 COMMITTEE REPORT

The 2023 awards application process opened on April 1 and the committee is now accepting applications. All proposals will be based on the theme UTMB Health –The Community and Beyond: Working Together for Our Future.

The Awards Committee, comprised of community members and UTMB employees, will meet this summer to review, rank and make recommendations on applications that merit an award.

Winning projects will be announced in the Fall.

Vivian Diaz Kardow, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR Chair

Fred D. Raschke

IN MEMORIAM...

Dr. Josette Armendariz-Batiste 1968 – 2023

UTMB Vice President, Regional Hospitals & Systems Chief Nurse Executive, Dr. Josette Armendariz-Batiste, passed away on April 9. Dr. Armendariz-Batiste, a President’s Cabinet member since 2019, was an organ donor. Her organ donation has touched 75 lives. Because of her gracious act, some recipients will have their lives saved and others will have their quality of life improved.

WALL OF HEROES ORGAN DONOR MEMORIAL AND RECOGNITION

This artwork, a 2011 President’s Cabinet award, is a permanent memorial recognizing and honoring organ donors who have given the gift of life at UTMB. This beautiful display was recently moved from John Sealy to a more prominent space in the main corridor of the Jennie Sealy Hospital.

Meaningful difference

Moran notes that the structure provided by the WoW Program will facilitate additional services soon and promote sustainability for these vital resources. The program will enhance the training and education of students serving in the clinic, he added.

The cabinet’s investment in women’s health is an inspiring reminder of the power of community support to

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address local health disparities and make a real difference in lives of those who need it most.

The President’s Cabinet award allowed for the purchase of much-needed supplies for the St. Vincent’s OB/Gyn Clinic.