Health care provider in a white coat seated in an exam room, speaking with a patient whose back is to the camera. Medical posters, a sink, and a window with blinds are visible in the room.
Medicare GLP-1 coverage just changed: What to know about the new $50-a-month program

By bridging the gap between specialized clinical care, integrated pharmacy support and expanded coverage, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program is changing how obesity treatment is delivered. Learn how UTMB helps streamline the process so patients can focus on their health rather than paperwork.
Tammy Jimenez and Aimee Jackson stand together at a UTMB Health WIC clinic, smiling for the camera near the clinic’s reception area.
UTMB secures record $10.3 million to expand WIC services across Southeast Texas

UTMB Health secured a record $10.3 million in USDA funding for its WIC program, nearly $1 million more than last year. The funding will expand nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthy food resources across Southeast Texas.
Open lunch container with a sandwich and sliced apples on a table, with a banana nearby and hands reaching toward the food.
Smart school-day nutrition: Breakfasts, lunches and snacks that help kids learn and thrive

Balanced breakfasts, lunches, and after-school snacks can help children stay focused, energized, and ready to learn. Get practical school-day nutrition tips from UTMB Health.
A female health care provider in a white coat sits across from an older man at a table during an office visit. The man rests a hand on their chest while the provider takes notes on a clipboard.
Talking to your primary care provider about mental health

You don’t need the perfect word — or a crisis — to start the conversation about stress, anxiety, or depression with your primary care provider.
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Staying connected after bariatric surgery and understanding new obesity treatment options: A conversation with Drs. Sarah Samreen and Andrea Stark

Following positive feedback from patients and viewers, Sarah Samreen, MD, and Andrea Stark, DO, returned for another discussion about obesity care, long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery, and the rapidly evolving treatment landscape.
Two children with backpacks travel down a tree-lined residential street, one riding a bicycle and the other on a scooter while wearing a helmet.
Bike and scooter safety: Back-to-school tips for safe rides and outdoor play

Help kids ride safely this school year with bike, scooter and helmet safety tips from UTMB Health, including helmet fit, visibility, riding rules and when to seek care after a fall.
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UTMB is redefining what it means for Texans to live long, healthy lives

Through programs that support healthy living to innovative heart health studies, the institution shows that healthcare starts long before treating an illness.
Hands rinse a head of leafy green lettuce under running water in a kitchen sink while fresh vegetables sit nearby on a countertop. Thoroughly washing produce and practicing good hand hygiene can help reduce the risk of Cyclospora infection.
More than a stomach bug, Cyclospora can cause weeks of severe illness

Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite that can cause weeks of severe diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps after consuming contaminated produce or water. UTMB Health experts urge early testing, treatment, hydration, and safe food handling to prevent complications.
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A Little Happy Light: Pet Therapy Brings Comfort to Pediatric Patients at John Sealy Hospital

For children in the hospital, healing can come in many forms. Sometimes, it looks like medicine, physical therapy or another step in a care plan. Other times, it arrives on four paws.
Dr. Alberto Aparicio stands at the front of a classroom, speaking to students during a bioethics lecture on longevity at the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. A podium with computer monitors and a chalkboard are visible in the classroom.
The new science of aging is zeroing in on living healthier, not just longer

Scientists at UTMB are exploring whether slowing the biology of aging could help prevent chronic disease and extend healthspan. Their research also examines the ethical questions surrounding longevity, access to future therapies, and healthy aging for all.
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UTMB receives historic $180 million commitment for the Sealy Heart & Vascular Institute

The Sealy & Smith Foundation’s record-setting philanthropic investment, including a new $130 million commitment, will fund expansion for the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute at UTMB.
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Rethinking correctional healthcare

The Center for Correctional Healthcare Excellence at UTMB is advancing research, innovation, education, and clinical care for one of the nation’s most medically vulnerable populations.
Five adults are standing in a fitness class holding colorful resistance bands while exercising together in a bright room.
Strong at any age: UTMB Health strength-training program helps older adults improve health and independence

Community-based Geri-Fit classes were linked to healthier cholesterol levels, better mobility, and greater independence among older adults.
Dr. Sura Alqaisi stands in the hallway outside a UTMB Medicine Specialists clinic wearing a white lab coat. She faces the camera with a welcoming expression near the entrance to the clinic suite
The role hormones play in women’s midlife weight gain

Midlife weight gain isn't simply about how much you eat. UTMB Health endocrinologist Dr. Sura Alqaisi explains how hormonal changes, metabolism, sleep, and body composition affect weight during menopause and what women can do to stay healthy.
Two people seated at microphones in a podcast recording setting, one wearing a white clinical coat and the other wearing burgundy scrubs, against a blue background.
What patients should know about the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program: A Conversation with Drs. Sarah Samreen and Andrea Stark

Dr. Sarah Samreen and Dr. Andrea Stark discuss the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, a new federal program that may expand access to certain GLP-1 medications for eligible Medicare Part D patients being treated for obesity.
Dr. Randa Abdelmasih, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist at UTMB Health, reviews a patient information form in a clinic exam room. Wearing a white lab coat, she sits near an exam table while holding paperwork.
The hidden link between obesity, inflammation, and chronic disease

Obesity is about more than excess weight. A UTMB Health obesity medicine specialist explains how chronic inflammation can damage organs quietly, raise the risk of serious diseases, and why even modest weight loss can improve long-term health.
Gloved hand holding a blood sample tube labeled “Rickettsia” next to a rapid test cassette labeled “Rickettsia” with one visible line in the result window, against a background of multicolored specimen tube caps.
UTMB study shows flea-borne murine typhus can become life-threatening

Researchers urge early recognition and treatment as murine typhus continues to reemerge along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Health care provider in a white coat seated in an exam room, speaking with a patient whose back is to the camera. Medical posters, a sink, and a window with blinds are visible in the room.
Expanding access to weight management: What the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program means for you

Medicare beneficiaries may now be eligible for GLP-1 weight management medications at a capped cost of just $50 per month. Learn who qualifies for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program and how UTMB can help you navigate the process.
Two women wearing matching workout gear laugh while enjoying cold drinks.
Sustained weight loss of 130 pounds powers patient’s love for exercise

After years of losing and regaining weight, Lynda Patrick turned to UTMB Health for help. Working with the weight management team, she underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2024 and has since lost more than 130 pounds, dramatically improving her health.
Alarm clock on a bed in the foreground with a child sleeping out of focus in the background.
Why healthy sleep routines matter for school success

Healthy sleep routines help children focus, learn, grow, and feel ready for school. Learn how families can reset bedtime routines and support better sleep before the school year starts.
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Back-to-school germs: Practical ways to reduce illness this school year

Back-to-school season brings new learning opportunities—and plenty of germs. Discover how small daily changes can help keep children healthier, minimize missed school days, and support a stronger start to the school year.
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Is it bad to eat cheese at night?

Family Nurse Practitioner Alma Chavez answers this and nine of the other most-Googled health-related questions in Texas.
Healthcare provider examines a young child seated on an exam table in a medical exam room. Medical equipment is visible on the wall in the background.
Back-to-school anxiety is common — here’s how parents can help

Back-to-school jitters are more common than many parents realize, and anxiety can show up in surprising ways. Learn how to recognize the signs, support your child through the transition, and help them build confidence for a successful school year.
Young patient wearing a hospital wristband sits on a bed next to a healthcare professional in scrubs with an ID badge in a clinical room. Medical equipment and a bed are visible in the background.
From basketball court to crisis and back: UTMB Health guides a young athlete’s healing journey

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.
A teenage patient smiles from her hospital bed as a therapy dog wearing a blue service vest rests beside her. The dog provides comfort and emotional support during her hospital stay, helping create a calmer, more reassuring environment.
Therapy dogs lend a healing paw in teen's recovery at UTMB Health

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.
A man wearing a white UTMB Health lab coat stands with his arms crossed in a clinical procedure room. Medical imaging equipment, a patient monitor, and shelves stocked with clinical supplies surround him, highlighting the healthcare setting.
Shifts in pain management focus on safer, nonopioid treatments

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.
Dr. Israa Ali, wearing a brown outfit, smiles while speaking with a female patient in a blue shirt during a weight management consultation in her office.
Weight loss is one battle. Keeping it off is another.

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.
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Water safety starts before you get in: Pool, beach, and swimsuit visibility tips for families

Before your next pool or beach day, learn how water watchers, life jackets, beach warning flags, rip current awareness, and swimsuit visibility can help families stay safer.
A woman stands smiling in a white UTMB Health lab coat while holding a stethoscope with her arms crossed.
Nishi named chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at UTMB

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.
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For Galveston retiree, compassionate cancer care close to home is key to recovery

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.
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Creating a New, Hopeful Future at UTMB

The institution's gene therapy work gives children like Knova a chance at a life that, until recently, wasn’t possible.
A woman wearing a white lab coat and glasses is standing indoors, with a blurred background that includes a plant and soft lighting.
Think you’re allergic to penicillin? You might not be.

Many penicillin allergy labels begin in childhood and stay in the chart for years. UTMB Health specialists offer safe, simple testing that can confirm whether the allergy is real — and help you get the most effective treatment when you need it.
Two adults stand side by side in a hospital room near a patient bed, with medical equipment and wall-mounted controls visible in the background.
Where the Heart Tells its Story at UTMB

A new heart institute is redefining care by blending innovative AI tools with the simple power of listening.
Clinician uses a handheld otoscope to examine a seated patient’s ear in a clinical exam room.
If you're always 'fighting something off,' it might be time for an immune checkup

Some infections are expected — especially in kids — but patterns of severe, persistent, or unusual illness deserve attention. UTMB Health experts provide gentle, thorough assessments to understand how your immune system is working and what steps can improve your family’s health.
A woman wearing glasses and a white UTMB Health lab coat is standing indoors against a softly blurred background. A plant and large windows are visible behind the person.
Bee stings: An annoyance? Or a life-threatening emergency?

Most bee stings are harmless, but some can trigger dangerous reactions that require immediate care. Knowing the difference between normal swelling and signs of anaphylaxis can help you act fast and stay safe.
A medical professional in a white coat gestures toward a three-dimensional digital model of a human heart floating in a hospital hallway.
UTMB breakthrough cuts heart scan times by 35%

By redesigning how cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is managed and streamlining the clinical workflow, average scan times dropped by 35.1% over seven months — from 94.7 minutes down to 61.4 minutes at UTMB Health.
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UTMB core innovation team codevelopment initiatives improve patient care and outcomes

At UTMB Health, algorithms are used to advance patient care in high-demand specialties, including nephrology, endocrinology, infectious disease, and rheumatology, helping determine which patients should be prioritized. The UTMB ITS core innovation team codevelops and implements these projects.
Large golden fireworks burst spreading across a dark night sky, with bright streaks radiating outward and smaller sparkles trailing below.
Fireworks safety: How to prevent burn injuries this Independence Day

Fireworks can cause serious burn injuries in seconds. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) Blocker Burn Unit encourages simple safety steps and recommends attending professional displays to reduce risk.
Silhouetted crowd watching multiple fireworks bursts in a night sky. Bright explosions in gold and white illuminate smoke above the onlookers.
Fireworks safety: How to protect your family this Fourth of July

Fireworks can turn dangerous in seconds—leading to burns, eye injuries, and lasting trauma. Learn simple, expert-backed steps to keep your family safe this Fourth of July.
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UTMB researchers awarded USDA funding for projects focused on screwworm detection and response

UTMB is leading the next generation of agricultural biosecurity by combining artificial intelligence with laboratory science to detect biological threats faster, protect producers, safeguard the food supply, and strengthen national security.
A man in a suit with short dark hair and black glasses stands indoors by a window holding books, with the Jennie Sealy Hospital building visible outside.
Jochen Reiser named a 2026 Most Admired CEO by Houston Business Journal

Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, president of The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and CEO of the UTMB Health System, has been selected as one of the Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in recognition of his leadership and strategic vision.
A healthcare provider wearing blue gloves examines a patient's hand during an appointment in an exam room. Medical equipment, a sink and exam supplies are visible in the background as the patient and provider discuss care.
What women should know about scleroderma, and why early signs matter

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that affects women far more often than men, causing the skin and, in some cases, internal organs to harden as excess collagen builds up. During Scleroderma Awareness Month, a UTMB Health expert highlights the importance of early diagnosis, self-advocacy, and emerging treatments, including CAR-T therapy, which offer hope for improved outcomes.
Badge graphic reading “Patient Experience” with a banner that says “Compassion in Practice.”
UTMB Health recognizes Compassion in Practice Award winners for 2026 second quarter

The Patient Experience team at UTMB Health is honoring two teams with the Compassion in Practice Award, which celebrates one inpatient team and one ambulatory team whose efforts help shape positive experiences for patients and families across the health system.
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Smooth sailing starts with smart preparation

Dr. Miguel Cabada recommends cruise travelers plan ahead with vaccines, insurance, medications, handwashing, and an awareness of health risks at each destination.
Four adults stretching in a park, each performing a forward lunge on a paved path with trees and fall foliage in the background.
The most dangerous words in men’s health: ‘I’m fine’

From ED to depression to sleep apnea, the symptoms men avoid talking about with their primary care providers may be the ones that matter most.
A doctor in a white coat sits in an exam room speaking with a young man seated across from him beside a computer workstation. Both are smiling and engaged in conversation during a medical appointment.
Men who delay preventive care face risks they don't see coming

Men’s Health Month highlights the importance of prevention, yet many men still delay routine care, allowing silent conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity-related diseases to go undetected until serious complications arise.
Five women wearing name badges stand together smiling beneath a balloon arch in blue, orange, and white inside a large office or clinical space. Boxes and supplies are visible in the background, suggesting an organized workspace or event setup.
UTMB nurses bridge distance to deliver care from ocean to polar stations

At The University of Texas Medical Branch, a 24/7 Access Center and specialized maritime team coordinates global care for cruise ships and Antarctic stations, supporting providers with expert consults.
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Texas Brain Economy Summit 2026: Catalyzing a new wave of innovation and economic growth

The high-impact summit will convene more than 600 senior executives, innovators, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore one of the most significant opportunities of our time: building a thriving global brain economy.
A physician wearing a white coat and stethoscope sits across from a patient during an appointment in a medical exam room. The doctor appears engaged and attentive while speaking with the patient beside a computer workstation.
Primary care helps you stay a step ahead of your health at every age

Primary care physicians say regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings are essential at every stage of life, helping patients identify risks early and make informed decisions about their health. Alicia Monroe, MD, with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UTMB Health, said preventive care should evolve over time.
A woman wearing a brown dress and a UTMB lanyard stands at a clear podium addressing seated attendees at round tables, with a projected slide reading “HCID Frontline Response: HHS Region 6 Training” behind them.
UTMB strengthens frontline preparedness for special pathogens

From advanced biocontainment care to regional training, UTMB is strengthening readiness to protect patients, healthcare workers, and communities from emerging infectious threats.
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