Will McWhorter named chair of UT System Employee Advisory Council McWhorter’s appointment as chair reflects a commitment to employee recognition, engagement, and collaboration throughout the UT System. Read More
From basketball court to crisis and back UTMB Health guides a young athlete’s healing journey from a brain bleed to the basketball court
For Galveston retiree, compassionate cancer care close to home is key to recovery Charles Meyer navigated his treatment plan with the support of family and his surgical oncologist Dr. Raj Vaghjiani. Read More
UTMB News McWhorter appointed as chair of the UT System Employee Advisory Council July 24, 2026 • 8:40 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner After serving on the UT System Employee Advisory Council’s Resources and Support Committee and as vice chair of the executive board, Will McWhorter now leads the systemwide employee advisory group. How AI is changing disease diagnosis and why physicians still matter July 23, 2026 • 10:26 a.m. by Katherine Adams Artificial intelligence is transforming medical diagnosis, but bioethicists at UTMB say technology should support, not replace, physicians. Beyond speed and accuracy, they say diagnosis is about trust, patient care, ethics, and protecting privacy. From basketball court to crisis and back: UTMB Health guides a young athlete’s healing journey July 22, 2026 • 8:53 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner and Tristen Kersh When an ordinary basketball play left 9-year-old Jonah with a hidden brain bleed, UTMB Health pediatric experts guided him from a frightening diagnosis to a full return to the sport he loves. Therapy dogs lend a healing paw in teen's recovery at UTMB Health July 21, 2026 • 8:43 a.m. by Katherine Adams Following two major spinal fusion revision surgeries, 16-year-old Lilly Tucker spent six weeks at UTMB Health recovering from temporary partial paralysis. During her rehabilitation, visits from dogs in the pet therapy program provided comfort, eased anxiety, and motivated her to walk farther and faster during physical therapy. Shifts in pain management focus on safer, nonopioid treatments July 20, 2026 • 2:35 p.m. by Katherine Adams Patients seeking pain treatment are increasingly asking about alternatives to opioids. Physicians at UTMB Health emphasize personalized care that targets the source of pain through procedures, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and psychological support. Weight loss is one battle. Keeping it off is another. July 17, 2026 • 8:33 a.m. by Katherine Adams Weight loss and weight maintenance are two different biological processes, according to UTMB endocrinologist Israa Ali, MD. While losing weight requires creating a calorie deficit, maintaining that loss requires overcoming the body’s natural responses, including a slower metabolism and increased hunger signals designed to restore lost weight. Nishi named chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at UTMB July 15, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams Shawn Nishi, MD, has been appointed chief of the UTMB Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. A UTMB alumna and longtime faculty member, she aims to expand research, education, innovation, and access to specialized pulmonary care. UTMB to hold active shooter drill at Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center July 14, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Police Department will conduct an active shooter drill on Saturday, July 18, at UTMB Health Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center in League City and will not affect patient services. UTMB animal research program receives recommendation for continued AAALAC accreditation July 13, 2026 • 9:47 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner The recommendation follows an extensive site visit in June that evaluated all aspects of the institution's animal research program, including veterinary care, facilities, safety programs, regulatory oversight, and research operations. For Galveston retiree, compassionate cancer care close to home is key to recovery July 10, 2026 • 8:58 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson After Charles Meyer's wife died, his grief was compounded by the diagnosis of ampullary cancer. Working with Dr. Raj Vaghjiani, a surgical oncologist at UTMB Health, Meyer completed immunotherapy and prehabilitation before undergoing the Whipple procedure, a complex surgery to remove the tumor and reconnect the digestive system. More UTMB News Search Categories Awards & Accolades Education Faculty/Staff News Health Care In The News Innovations News Releases Top News UTMB Research Contact Media Team UTMB Experts
McWhorter appointed as chair of the UT System Employee Advisory Council July 24, 2026 • 8:40 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner After serving on the UT System Employee Advisory Council’s Resources and Support Committee and as vice chair of the executive board, Will McWhorter now leads the systemwide employee advisory group.
How AI is changing disease diagnosis and why physicians still matter July 23, 2026 • 10:26 a.m. by Katherine Adams Artificial intelligence is transforming medical diagnosis, but bioethicists at UTMB say technology should support, not replace, physicians. Beyond speed and accuracy, they say diagnosis is about trust, patient care, ethics, and protecting privacy.
From basketball court to crisis and back: UTMB Health guides a young athlete’s healing journey July 22, 2026 • 8:53 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner and Tristen Kersh When an ordinary basketball play left 9-year-old Jonah with a hidden brain bleed, UTMB Health pediatric experts guided him from a frightening diagnosis to a full return to the sport he loves.
Therapy dogs lend a healing paw in teen's recovery at UTMB Health July 21, 2026 • 8:43 a.m. by Katherine Adams Following two major spinal fusion revision surgeries, 16-year-old Lilly Tucker spent six weeks at UTMB Health recovering from temporary partial paralysis. During her rehabilitation, visits from dogs in the pet therapy program provided comfort, eased anxiety, and motivated her to walk farther and faster during physical therapy.
Shifts in pain management focus on safer, nonopioid treatments July 20, 2026 • 2:35 p.m. by Katherine Adams Patients seeking pain treatment are increasingly asking about alternatives to opioids. Physicians at UTMB Health emphasize personalized care that targets the source of pain through procedures, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and psychological support.
Weight loss is one battle. Keeping it off is another. July 17, 2026 • 8:33 a.m. by Katherine Adams Weight loss and weight maintenance are two different biological processes, according to UTMB endocrinologist Israa Ali, MD. While losing weight requires creating a calorie deficit, maintaining that loss requires overcoming the body’s natural responses, including a slower metabolism and increased hunger signals designed to restore lost weight.
Nishi named chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at UTMB July 15, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams Shawn Nishi, MD, has been appointed chief of the UTMB Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. A UTMB alumna and longtime faculty member, she aims to expand research, education, innovation, and access to specialized pulmonary care.
UTMB to hold active shooter drill at Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center July 14, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Katherine Adams The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Police Department will conduct an active shooter drill on Saturday, July 18, at UTMB Health Primary and Specialty Care, Town Center in League City and will not affect patient services.
UTMB animal research program receives recommendation for continued AAALAC accreditation July 13, 2026 • 9:47 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner The recommendation follows an extensive site visit in June that evaluated all aspects of the institution's animal research program, including veterinary care, facilities, safety programs, regulatory oversight, and research operations.
For Galveston retiree, compassionate cancer care close to home is key to recovery July 10, 2026 • 8:58 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson After Charles Meyer's wife died, his grief was compounded by the diagnosis of ampullary cancer. Working with Dr. Raj Vaghjiani, a surgical oncologist at UTMB Health, Meyer completed immunotherapy and prehabilitation before undergoing the Whipple procedure, a complex surgery to remove the tumor and reconnect the digestive system.