President’s Cabinet Awards 

Aisen Chacin, PhD
Jacqueline Meyer, PhD, CNE, RN-BC
Charlene Nieten, MSN, RN, CCRN
TDCJ Hospital Galveston

Code Zen is a designated private space within the hospital for staff to retreat to when experiencing challenging, emotional, or stressful work-related situations. In response to staff burnout –especially in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic – President’s Cabinet funds will allow the creation of three additional spaces on the Galveston campus (TDCJ, Jennie Sealy and John Sealy). Each private area will be outfitted with mindfulness tools and calming resources (diffuser, essential oils, music, plants, chimes) to help staff reconnect and practice mindfulness and in turn create a care environment that better supports patients.

Jordan Burdine, PharD, MBA, BCCPS
Tammy Bush, BSN, RN
Courtney DelBosque, BSN, RN
Maria Franco Fuenmayor, MD
Monica Huff, MD
Karen Shattuck, MD
Teri Tullous, OTR, CNT
Keleigh Warnke, DNP, NNP
Pediatrics / Neonatology

To improve the safe discharge home of babies cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UTMB, this project supports the creation of bilingual educational materials, classes, and support groups to promote parental involvement and bonding. Parents will also be taught how to be active, confident participants in their baby’s care throughout their hospital stay. Funds will also support training for the care of children who have special needs for feeding or for specialized equipment.

Aurdria Berringer, RN, BSN
Latha Joy, FNP
OB-GYN

To improve the administration rates of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for mothers before discharge, this project allows for the purchase of two special freezers to be installed in postpartum units at UTMB. Lack of adequate stock is a contributing factor to low Varicella vaccination rates and these freezers will provide readily available inventory that can be administered prior to patient discharge.

Jed Assam, MD
Karima Khimani, MD (PGY-4)
Misha Syed, MD
Ophthalmology

A 2019 President’s Cabinet Award revitalized ophthalmology service at St. Vincent’s House Clinic and as a result patient volume has increased four-fold in the past year. To help manage growth and create a fully- equipped glaucoma diagnostic service center, this expansion will allow for the purchase of a human field analyzer, a handheld fundus camera and a slit lamp. These additional diagnostic tools and screening equipment will open more exam lanes and provide quality ophthalmic services to Galveston’s underserved community.

Miles Farr, MD
Jacob Moran, student MD/PhD Program
Abhijit Rao, student MD/PhD Program
Office of the Provost

St. Vincent’s House Clinic will partner with UTMB Care Management to establish a Care Transition Clinic (CTC) to serve uninsured patients upon discharge from hospital. The CTC will see patients within one week after discharge to triage and help obtaining follow up care via St. Vincent’s and UTMB. Additionally, a Hospital to Home (H2H) team—led by a UTMB social worker and staffed by UTMB students— will be created to connect with patients prior to discharge to review care plans, identify barriers to adherence of plans and report findings directly to the CTC.

Blair H. Brown, MS, RD, LD, CNSC
Crystal C. Douglas, PhD
Chris Messenger, PhD, RD, LD, CNSC
Nutrition and Metabolism

Noting an increase in the volume of food distributed by the St. Vincent’s Clinic food pantry throughout the pandemic, graduate students in the School of Health Professions Nutrition and Metabolism department plan to restore and augment the clinic’s HOPE Garden to provide a source of fresh fruit and vegetables. This project will reinforce and expand the ability of St. Vincent’s House to provide food and comprehensive nutrition education for Galveston’s vulnerable population.

John W. Davis, MS2 Student
Loree Pryor, OTD, OTR
Internal Medicine / PMPH / Occupational Therapy

To better educate uninsured patients about heart failure (HF), its complications and how best to manage the condition, this project will support the infrastructure of a comprehensive care clinic at St. Vincent’s House Clinic in Galveston. Post-discharge HF patients will be provided bi-weekly interprofessional services (medical, respiratory, nutrition, occupational therapy, etc.) by supervised UTMB students who will also monitor vitals, confirm medication adherence, discuss diet, and engage in supervised exercise. This project provides comprehensive care for heart failure patients as well as substantive practice experience for students across multiple education programs.

Rebecca Castro, LCSW
Savannah Parks, MEd, LBSW
Care Management

Building upon the success of a 2018 President’s Cabinet Award, this project seeks to establish similar Care Closest at UTMB’s Angleton-Danbury, League City and Clear Lake campuses. Patients and families experiencing unexpected and long hospital stays will have access to clean clothing, personal hygiene products and food. Dedicated spaces at each campus have been identified and will be sustained by clothing and food drives and partnerships with community agencies.