UTMB Media Relations

Welcome to UTMB Media Relations. Our Media Relations team can help to identify the best sources for your stories about UTMB patient care, research and education. We also can help you find expert commentary for breaking medical, science and health policy stories.

The team has access to pager numbers, cell phones and assistants to help you reach the right people when you are on tight deadlines. Media relations officers also can provide complete logistical support for broadcast and photography shoots, and serve as field producers for video or radio interviews, and for video B-roll and photographs.

UTMB Media Hotline: (409) 772-6397

Media relations officers use e-mail and fax to distribute news releases, advisories and tip sheets about published research, new clinical programs, procedures and technology, and unique patient stories. Contact Public Affairs to add your name or news organization to our distribution list.

The media relations staff provides general patient condition information within the limitations imposed by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A patient name is required. Release of detailed information or information about minors requires written consent of the parent, guardian or legal representative.

Any patient who will be interviewed, videotaped or photographed within a UTMB medical facility must first sign a UTMB-approved, HIPAA-compliant consent form. Media relations officers are authorized to obtain consent.

Patient privacy is a priority at UTMB's hospitals and clinics. All journalists must be escorted by a media relations officer when reporting inside any UTMB hospital, clinic or patient care facility.

In order to protect patient confidentiality within federal HIPAA guidelines, members of the news media, including photographers and video crews must be escorted by a member of the media relations staff while visiting UTMB hospitals and clinics.

The media relations team can provide specific directions and secure free campus parking for journalists. Maps and directions to UTMB hospitals and clinics are available online.