Raise a glass to your health. Beer has some health benefits when ingested in moderation, writes Dr. Samuel Mathis. Studies show that beer may help reduce cognitive decline, that it could be beneficial to our bones and one study even found that men who have had a previous heart attack were less likely to die of heart disease if they occasionally had beer.

Scientists from Canada, the U.S., Australia and Argentina have spent six years trying to understand more about celiac disease, write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel in their latest column. If untreated, celiac disease could lead to intestinal damage, diabetes, osteoporosis and autoimmune disorders.

A major new study led by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch suggests that standard treatment for hypothyroidism may not fully protect patients from long-term risks such as dementia and premature death—even when thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are within the normal range.

Becker’s also quoted Dr. Jochen Reiser in a separate story on access to care. “In addition to hiring more providers, we have refined the functionality of Fast Pass in our Epic appointment system to make better use of the automated wait list for patients,” Reiser said.

In a guest column for the Daily News, Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System, wrote about the recently ended 89th Legislative Session in Austin and some of UTMB’s legislative wins. “At the University of Texas Medical Branch, we are thankful for these investments, both for the legislature’s vote of confidence for our Healthy Aging and Technology Initiative within our institution, and the broader establishment of the research institute, to fund competitive and thoughtful grants, for the betterment of all Texans,” Reiser writes.

Juneteenth holds a profound place in Texas and American history. For many across UTMB Health, the holiday is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a reflection of heritage, a reminder of progress, and a connection to the community that continues to shape our institution.

The University of Texas Medical Branch has been ranked among the top 100 hospitals for cardiac care in the United States as listed in the 2025 edition of Newsweek/Statista’s America’s Best Specialized Hospitals.

Dr. Salim Hayek has always been driven by a fundamental understanding: not everyone has equal access to health and safety, and those who can make a difference have a responsibility to act.

“This distinction reflects the exceptional dedication of our multidisciplinary teams and our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and patient-centered care,” UTMB’s Dr. Hani Jneid tells the Daily News. UTMB was ranked among the top 100 U.S. hospitals for cardiac care in the 2025 edition of Newsweek/Statista’s America’s Best Specialized Hospitals.

“Receiving the Marilyn G. Farquhar Lifetime Research Achievement Award is an immense honor — one that symbolizes the decades of work by my team to advance our understanding of podocyte biology and kidney disease,” said Dr. Jochen Reiser president of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System upon receiving the prestigious award.

“Cold water immersion is more than just a wellness trend,” writes Dr. Hasan Yasin. Submerging the body in cold water offers a range of physical and mental benefits, from accelerating recovery to enhancing circulation and boosting mood, Yasin writes.

“When a child is interested in an activity or learning something new, he or she will forget their pain, sickness or boredom,” Sheryl Bucsanyi tells the Daily News. Bucsanyi is a pediatric hospital teacher at UTMB and she brings laughter and smiles to her patients and coworkers with her elaborate costumes.

“Hidden among those microbes in our mouths and guts, are thousands of virus-like entities,” write Drs. Norbert Herzog and David Niesel. Scientists have named the entities – flat rod-shaped loops of RNA found in bacteria – obelisks but don’t know if they influence our microbiome, affect our immune system or any other processes in our bodies. “It seems that Mother Nature still can surprise us, and hopefully, more science will enlighten us,” write Herzog and Niesel.

Texas has allocated $50 million to fund clinical trials of a psychedelic reported to help those with PTSD and Galveston County is in a good position to lead the way in that research, writes UTMB’s Dr. Jarrel De Matas. “Galveston stands at a critical intersection of education, public health and innovation,” De Matas writes.

UTMB’s Dr. Scott Weaver spoke to USA Today for this story on NIH budget cuts. UTMB receives about $150 million in NIH grants annually and has already lost about $19.3 million due to cuts, Weaver told USA Today.

Researchers at UTMB have been awarded nearly $5 million in grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to forward their work as well as $2 million to recruit Dr. Xun Sun.

UTMB’s League City and Clear Lake Campuses are highlighted in this news roundup by Community Impact. Updates in Clear Lake include new clinic openings as well as the comprehensive stroke center. In League City, the hospital began seeing oncology patients on the ambulatory side.

Dr. Jochen Reiser, president of the University of Texas Medical Branch and CEO of the UTMB Health System, has been awarded the Marilyn G. Farquhar Lifetime Research Achievement Award at the 15th International Podocyte Conference, held June 10 to 13, 2025, in Hamburg, Germany.

The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing has received full 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the maximum term awarded, following a rigorous evaluation process and a multi-day site visit.

The University of Texas Medical Branch has opened a new Care Coordination and Referral Center at the UTMB Health Primary Care Pavilion on Harborside Drive in Galveston, further expanding access to care for patients across the island.