Skip to main content↵ Go to site menu↵ Jump to page footer↵
Patient Care at UTMB Health Information and resources for our patients
Explore UTMB
  • Health Care
  • Education
  • Research
  • UTMB Support Areas
  • Giving
  • Contacts
  • Alerts
  • Search
UTMB Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
    • UTMB Locations
    • Interactive Map and Tours
    • Hospitals and Campuses
    • Parking
    • Food and Dining
    • Gift Shops
    • Pharmacy
    • Contact Us
  • I am a...
    • Patient
    • Visitor, Family or Friend of a Patient
    • Referring Physician/Health Care Professional
    • Student or Trainee
    • Job Seeker
    • Journalist or Media
    • Community Member, Supporter, Donor
  • Patient Care
    • All Health Care Services
    • Urgent & Emergency Care
    • Primary Care
    • Children
    • Women
    • Men
    • Hospitals
    • Health Blog
  • Online Tools
    • All Online Services
    • Make an Appointment
    • MyChart Information
    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Clinic Near You
    • Patient Referrals & CareLink
    • Billing and Insurance
    • Contact a Nurse
    • Request Medical Records
    • Health Resource Center
    • Contact Us
  • Why UTMB?
  • MyChart
Menu
Skip Menu
  • Latest Blog Articles
  • Videos
  • Support Groups
  • News
  • Awards
  • Events

There's very little risk of catching hantavirus on a flight

May 7, 2026 • 9:09 a.m.

Robert Cross, an associate professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch's department of microbiology and immunology, said there's virtually no risk of transmission on airplanes within the United States, but travelers heading to certain parts of South America where the Andes virus strain is endemic are at slightly more risk. But, he added, it's still a rare disease.

Seven people stand in two rows in front of a UTMB‑branded backdrop, flanked by balloon columns in navy, white, and orange.

$4 million Sealy & Smith Foundation gift launches nursing scholarship and workforce program at UTMB

May 7, 2026 • 8:17 a.m. by Melissa McDonald

A $4 million gift from the Sealy & Smith Foundation to UTMB is launching the ISLAND Promise, a program that covers tuition, housing, and living support for nursing students while creating a direct pathway into high-need roles at UTMB Health. In exchange for a two-year work commitment after graduation, the initiative aims to reduce financial barriers, expand access to nursing education and strengthen the long-term workforce pipeline.

Can AI be a hospital revenue generator? 8 key thoughts

May 7, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

“As reimbursement pressure continues to mount, healthcare’ future will be defined less by volume and more by quality, value and patient experience,” said Jochen Reiser.

A dangerous experiment is playing out on a cruise ship with hantavirus

May 6, 2026 • 2:00 p.m.

Virologists have long assumed “that the virus just is not very efficiently transmitted human to human, because the small outbreaks that have occurred in the past have always involved either family members or health care workers who have prolonged, very close contact with infected patients,” says Scott Weaver, a professor of human infections and immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch and director of the Global Virus Network Center of Excellence.

Cruise ship hantavirus outbreak may be due to rare human transmission

May 6, 2026 • 10:00 a.m.

“This incident is not indicative of a widespread travel risk, but it is a clear example of how zoonotic viruses that come from wildlife exposure can surface in confined or connected settings,” said Scott C. Weaver, a network Center for Excellence director and chair in Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Banner image split vertically between two modern hospital buildings. . Centered over the split is a green badge reading “A Spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.”

Clear Lake, League City Hospital campuses earn ‘A’  safety ratings from The Leapfrog Group

May 6, 2026 • 7:39 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Both the UTMB Health Clear Lake Hospital Campus and League City Hospital Campus received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, the highest rating for patient safety in the nation.

Clinician in a white coat with a stethoscope reviews a clipboard while seated beside a patient in a clinical exam area with glass-walled rooms in the background.

Sports physicals for kids — what parents need to know

May 5, 2026 • 1:45 p.m. by Kaitlin Brennan

Sports physicals don’t have to be a last‑minute scramble. Learn when to schedule, what to expect, and how a simple visit can help keep your child safe, confident, and ready for the season ahead.

Two clinicians seated side by side at microphones against a studio backdrop, one wearing a white lab coat and the other wearing maroon scrubs. Both face forward participating in a podcast.

Why primary care is the key to weight loss success: A conversation with Drs. Sarah Samreen, Andrea Stark, and Angela Raimer

May 5, 2026 • 12:38 p.m. by Carly Boers

Weight loss success isn’t built in a clinic, or an operating room, alone. Drs. Samreen, Stark, and primary care leader Angela Raimer explain why a strong primary care relationship is the foundation of safe, sustainable weight loss—before, during, and long after treatment.

Five people in professional dress stand in a group wearing large hanging badges for the XGM event they attended at Epic headquarters.

UTMB specialty pharmacy team presents workflow innovations at Epic XGM

May 5, 2026 • 10:38 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson

A multidisciplinary team from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) recently traveled to Verona, Wisconsin, to share their specialty pharmacy innovations with health systems from across the country at Epic’s Expert Group Meetings (XGM).

Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship highlights ongoing zoonotic risk and the need for vigilance

May 5, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

"This incident is not indicative of a widespread travel risk, but it is a clear example of how zoonotic viruses that come from wildlife exposure can surface in confined or connected settings," said Scott C. Weaver, PhD, director of the Institute for Human Infections & Immunity at UTMB.

Four women in business casual clothing stand close together in front of a blue background.

‘Salute to Nurses’ program recognizes 6 members of the UTMB nursing community

May 4, 2026 • 10:19 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson

Five nurses and one nursing student from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) have been recognized in the Houston Chronicle’s “Salute to Nurses,” an annual awards program that honors the contributions of nurses across the Greater Houston healthcare community.

Association of Tirzepatide with clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

May 4, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

In this interview with the Journal of Invasive Cardiology, Dr. Ibrahim Mortada shares insights on his study, "Association of Tirzepatide Use With Clinical Outcomes After TAVR in Obese Patients: A Propensity-Matched Real-World Study," presented at the 2026 SCAI Scientific Sessions.

A group of 11 leaders from the UTMB Information Technology Services department stand in a group as one person holds the plaque they were awarded for being named a Most Wired healthcare institution.

UTMB recognized as digital health leader through CHIME Most Wired program

May 1, 2026 • 8:20 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson

UTMB continues to strengthen its national standing as a leader in digital health through its participation in the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ (CHIME) Digital Health Most Wired program, one of the healthcare industry’s most respected benchmarks for technology maturity.

Why digital health initiatives fail: 35 healthcare leaders weigh in

May 1, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

UTMB Marketing Director Gerrit von Wenckstern is one of 35 healthcare executives and clinicians from across the country Becker’s asked to reflect on the digital initiatives that underdelivered at their organizations — and what they learned from the experience.

Close-up portrait of a man with salt-and-pepper hair and a short beard, wearing rectangular glasses and a light purple striped button-down shirt. He rests his chin on his hand, showing a large ring, and looks thoughtfully toward the camera.

Nikos Vasilakis appointed associate editor of international journal on viruses

April 30, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Vasilakis is vice chair of research in the UTMB Department of Pathology, a fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and a nationally recognized expert in viruses like dengue and Zika that are spread by mosquitoes and other insects.

What are the health benefits of peppermint?

April 30, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

One of the strongest effects of peppermint is its ability to reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults, according to Dr. Samuel Mathis, an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UTMB.

Female doctor with brown hair and tablet smiling while talking to an older female patient.

Don’t wait until something feels wrong—why you need to schedule annual wellness visits

April 29, 2026 • 2:33 p.m. by Chloe Chapel

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Learn how annual wellness visits at UTMB Health support preventive care, early detection and personalized long-term health planning.

Kayla Polidori points to her leaf on the tree of life with her left hand and her mentor's leaf with her right hand.

Donors, recipients, supporters celebrate the lifesaving legacy of organ donation at UTMB Health

April 29, 2026 • 9:11 a.m. by Leslie Sanderson

On April 10, the gathering by the Tree of Life at Jennie Sealy Hospital drew not only casual onlookers, but people whose lives had been irrevocably changed. Each leaf on the Tree of Life is an engraved nameplate that represents the ultimate act of generosity: organ donation.

Help spread awareness during Child Abuse Month

April 29, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

"The modern study of child maltreatment continues to evolve. The more we know about abuse, the better we as a society can ensure safety, provide services and hopefully prevent it." - Sally Robinson, clinical professor of pediatrics at UTMB.

An apple a day… and a shingles vaccine exceed expectations

April 28, 2026 • 12:00 a.m.

Drs. Megan Berman and Richard Rupp address a recent study of more than 240,000 adults age 50 and older with underlying heart disease that found that those who received a shingles vaccine had about a 46 percent lower risk of serious cardiac events.

Categories

  • Allergy
  • Behavioral and Mental Health
  • Cancer
  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery
  • Colorectal Health
  • COVID-19
  • Dermatology
  • Ear, Nose and Throat
  • Emergency / Urgent Care
  • Endocrinology
  • Eye Care
  • Family Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Geriatrics
  • Gynecology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Infusion Therapy
  • Kidney Care (Nephrology)
  • LGBTQ+
  • Lung Health
  • Meet the Team
  • Men
  • Neurosciences
  • Neurosurgery
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Orthopedics
  • Patient Stories
  • Pediatrics
  • Physical & Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
  • Rehabilitation
  • Safety & Illness/Injury Prevention
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Sports Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Urogynecology & Pelvic Health
  • Urology
  • Vaccine
  • Videos
  • Weight Management
  • Women

Contacts & Resources

Helpful Links

  • Maps and Directions
  • Información en Español
  • Resources for Community Physicians
  • UTMB Careers
  • FAQs and UTMB Contact Information
  • Clinical Trials at UTMB
  • Price Transparency

Important Numbers

Expand All Collapse All
  • UTMB Operator

    UTMB FAQs and Contact Information website

    • Galveston / League City: (409) 772-1011
    • Angleton Danbury: (979) 849-7721
    • Clear Lake: (832) 632-6500
  • 24/7 Access Center

    Access Center website

    • (409) 772-2222
    • (800) 917-8906 Toll Free
  • MyChart Support Desk

    MyChart website

    • (409) 772-4278
  • Billing Customer Service

    Insurance & Billing website

    • (877) 463-0103
    • (409) 515-7049
Expand All Collapse All
  • Medical Records

    Medical Records website

    • (409) 772-1965
  • Pharmacy

    Pharmacy website

    • Galveston (409) 772-3498
    • League City (832) 505-3170
    • Clear Lake (832) 632-7970
  • Parking

    Parking website (by campus)

    • (409) 266-7275
  • UTMB Police

    UTMB Police website

    • Emergency 911
    • Non-Emergency (409) 772-2691
    • or (409) 772-1111

Patient Resources

Expand All Collapse All
  • Patient Services & Support

    Patient Information website

    • (409) 772-1191 (Hospital Operator)

    Patient Services/Advocates website

    • (409) 772-4772
    • Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): (409) 772-4200

    Patient Navigation website (guidance/assistance for patients at UTMB)

    • (409) 266-9956
  • Health Resource Center

    Health Resource Center website

    • (409) 266-7542
  • Pastoral Care

    Pastoral Care website

    • Galveston (409) 772-3909
    • League City (832) 505-3377
    • Angleton (979) 848-6060
    • Clear Lake (832) 632-7094
  • Volunteer Services

    Volunteer Services website

    • (409) 772-2549
Navigate
Explore UTMB
  • Health Care
  • Education
  • Research
  • UTMB Support Areas
  • Giving
  • Contacts
  • Alerts
Back to top
UTMB.eduUTMBHealth.comMaps & DirectionsPrivacy Policy & Required LinksAccessibility
© The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston   Member, Texas Medical Center®
UTMB Web:  WWW Login | Intranet Login
UTMB