The Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB HealthLeading Aging Research Since 1995

UTMB Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Melissa (Missy) Morrow as Director of the Sealy Center on Aging. A renowned rehabilitation scientist and expert in aging and disability research, Dr. Morrow brings deep experience in translational science, biomechanics, and health technology. She currently serves as Co-Director of the NIA-funded Pepper Center at UTMB and will lead the center’s involvement in the new $5 million Healthy Aging and Technology (Age-Tech) Initiative. We thank Dr. Alan Landay for his exceptional service as interim director and look forward to the center’s continued growth under Dr. Morrow’s leadership.

Galveston's only senior healthcare resource fair. FREE event for people age 55+ and family caregivers. Expert Speakers: Sandy Ard, Elder Law Attorney and Geriatrician Dr. Lee Grumbles. Free Health screenings, flu shots (with Medicare card), box lunch for seniors, musical entertainment with Juan Carlos, vendor fair and door prizes. Don't miss it!

Join us on October 16th for the 28th Annual Forum on Aging. The event provides a platform for faculty members, fellows, and students to share their ongoing aging research with the UTMB community. It is also an excellent opportunity for networking and learning about the research services offered by the Sealy Center on Aging. Each year, monetary awards are given for the best student and fellow posters. Stay tuned for a call for abstracts!

Congratulations to Dr. Hani Serag and Dr. Hanaa Sallam on their new publication. This study looked at the challenges faced by people with diabetes who receive care at St. Vincent’s House Clinic in Galveston, Texas, a place that serves many patients who don’t have a lot of resources. The goal was to understand what non-medical issues, like financial or emotional stress, might make it harder for them to manage their diabetes.

Students presented work in the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program. Topics ranged from delirium prevention to dementia diagnosis and metabolic health. Award winners included Matthew Phan, Annika Nambiar, and Hamid Koroni. Congratulations to all!

A new study by Dr. Goodwin, Dr. Xu and colleagues finds that lifting federal visitation restrictions in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to a significant increase in resident infection rates. Researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 nursing homes across 27 states using a difference-in-differences framework, comparing COVID-19 infection rates before and after the federal policy change on September 17, 2020. Results showed that infection trends in nursing homes largely followed patterns in their surrounding communities, with no statistically significant change linked to the end of the visitation ban.