President’s Cabinet Awards 

For more than 30 years, the President's Cabinet has provided a vehicle for UTMB and the community to work together to support these promising initiatives to improve health and well-being.

  • An Evidenced-Based, Nurse-Led Family Life and Sexual Health Education Intervention for Fifth-Graders in Galveston County

    Dr. Tammy Cupit
    Dora Kuntz
    Nursing Service

    In an effort to educate students about the high rates of teen births and sexually transmitted diseases in Galveston County, this two-phased project is aimed at providing evidence-based, nurse-led family life and sexual health education for select fifth-graders in Galveston County. UTMB nurse clinicians and nursing students will teach the Family Life and Sexual Health (FLASH) curriculum to a select group of students who have parental consent to participate in the program. FLASH includes units on family, self-esteem, gender roles, puberty, pregnancy and much more.

  • Be a Hero-Hire a Hero: A Collaboration for Transitioning Veterans into the UTMB Clinical Workforce

    Ruth Ann Marr
    UTMB Healthcare Systems Staffing Leadership
    Healthcare Systems Staffing

    This partnership between the “Be a Hero-Hire a Hero” organization and UTMB will promote the recruitment of high qualified military veterans prior to discharge for clinical and continuing education opportunities and career growth in the UTMB School of Nursing. In addition to funding on-site seminars and promotion of the program at military bases nationwide, this award will also provide a portion of short-term supplemental housing costs to support the transition from military to civilian housing for qualifying veterans.

  • Burn Survivors' Journeys: Real Stories of Challenges, Strength and Triumph

    Amy Barrera-Kovach
    Dr. Michelle Sierpina
    Blocker Burn Unit and OLLI

    This collaboration between burn survivors and members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) writing group will facilitate the creation, publication and distribution of an anthology of 20 to 25 short stories outlining the recovery process in an effort to offer hope and inspiration to other survivors. These stories of resilience and challenges will outline the struggles, vulnerability, gratitude and healing process of each survivor and will be distributed to patients admitted to the UTMB Blocker Burn Unit.

  • Cardiac Anomaly Screening for Athletes (CASA)

    Cintia Roman
    Tamer Dafashy
    OB/Gyn Perinatal Research and School of Medicine

    Sudden cardiac death is a recurrent tragedy in sporting events and athletic training. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that more than 2,000 people under the age of 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. With a goal to increase awareness of the importance of cardiac screening prior to any strenuous activity, free heart screenings will be available two Saturdays this October at St. Vincent’s Clinic for young athletes in Galveston County. Using a mobile echo machine, UTMB students will work closely with skilled cardiologists to examine and screen high school students. In year two, the program will be expanded to include other young athletes attending Galveston College and Texas A&M Galveston.

  • Engagement of the Community in Burn Education

    Odette Comeau
    Jamie Heffernan
    Blocker Burn Unit

    According to the American Burn Association, there are 4,000 deaths and 600,000 injuries from fire and burns each year nationwide. While these numbers are staggering, the resources needed to provide education on burn prevention and recovery is inadequate or lacking. Through the collaboration of survivors and healthcare professionals, this project will fund the development, implementation, publication and distribution of booklets relating to burn prevention and treatment. These materials will be used to educate patients at UTMB and throughout our local and regional communities.

     

  • Patient Driven Self-Management Data in the EMR: Blood Glucose Capture

    Mara Wilson
    Dr. Mark Kirshbaum
    Stark Diabetes Clinic

    Through the implementation of an electronic interface that includes software and cable for data downloads, diabetic patients will have the ability to upload their glucose meter data to caregivers at Stark Diabetes Clinic and receive feedback and care suggestions through their MyChart account or by phone. By partnering with patients in this manner, caregivers can interact with them outside of the clinic setting and free up schedules for appointments needed by other patients.

  • Providing Dental Run Services at St. Vincent's Student Run Clinic

    Tyler Bliss
    Tracy Cable
    Taylor Surles
    Jacqueline Posada
    Dr. William Glenn
    Dr. Roger Throndson
    Dr. Vic Sierpina
    Family Medicine

    Research shows that Galveston County is lacking in dental care options for the indigent, uninsured and underinsured. To serve this population, this project will provide non-urgent basic dental services such as tooth extraction, drainage of periodontal abscesses, and treatment of gum and mouth infections at the St. Vincent’s Clinic. This award supports the initial investment for the purchase of supplies, instruments and equipment to be installed in a dedicated area of the clinic. The continuity of the clinic will then be provided through the existing St. Vincent’s budget and leadership.

Awards by Year