The May 11th Commencement Ceremony for our inaugural class of medical students marked a major milestone for the UH Tilman J. Fertitta College of Medicine. It was the culmination of almost 9 years of work for me, and it was a joy to witness the graduation of 22 of our amazing students! They started their medical studies at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on July 19th, 2020, and most of their classes during their first year were held online. They were willing to take a risk and enroll in a new medical school with a different kind of mission and curriculum. I have been fond of saying that “we are building the airplane as we are flying it”, and they have had major input in helping our faculty adjust and improve our curriculum and teaching during our first four years. They have demonstrated perseverance, grit and resilience, traits that will help them through their years of residency training. All did well in the residency match: 57% matched in primary care residency programs (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics), and 52% matched in residencies in the state of Texas. I am very proud of our graduates, and excited to follow their careers over the years to come. I am grateful to our faculty, both full-time and voluntary, who taught them, and to our staff, who played key roles in our educational process. Congratulations Class of 2024, we wish you every success throughout your careers as physicians!
Read more about the Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony.
- Steve Spann
"I started at the College of Medicine in May of 2020 during the Pandemic, and I have watched this University grow over the last 4 years. I love working with students and was teaching a student success course at Lone Star College prior to joining UH. The mission of the College of Medicine spoke to me and as a first-generation college student myself, I understand the complexity of supporting students to achieve their goals. Watching how our students grow and support each other through their medical school journey has taught me a lot as well. I love traveling and taking regional cooking classes during my trips."
Congratulations to the Inaugural Graduating Class of 2024!
Read more about the commencement.
The applicant workshop series, sponsored by the Office of Admissions, in partnership with the student organizations My Doctor Is A Black Woman and VOICES, provided individuals interested in pursuing medicine with sessions on navigating the medical school application, personal statements, interviews, and finding your mission match with many opportunities to engage with current medical students. Dr. Carroll Turpin would like to give kudos to Kennedi, Sidnee, Jada and all the medical student volunteers for all their efforts to make the workshops exceptional!
The Medical Student Research Association (MSRA) received the Outstanding New Student Organization Award for their commendable efforts in fostering student research within the College of Medicine and demonstrating remarkable potential for the growth and development of medical students. Thank you to their advisors, Amber Zulfiqar, M.D., M.Ed. and Lola Adepoju, Ph.D., M.P.H., who also won the Outstanding Advisor Award.
This event is designed to help faculty flourish as teachers, scholars, leaders and colleagues in a stimulating and sustainable academic environment. It will be held June 8, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the UH Student Center South. Register here.
Ben King, Ph.D. and Winston Liaw, M.D., M.P.H. developed an advanced elective for the medical school in Environmental Health, emphasizing active, problem-based learning techniques. They presented this at the 2024 Innovations in Health Science Education Annual Conference at Austin, TX.
Winston Liaw, M.D., M.P.H. led a student trip (13 first-year medical students) to Santa Ana, Honduras where they provided medical treatment and care to the local population. Stephen Spann, M.D., M.B.A. and Donald Briscoe, M.D. were the two other College of Medicine faculty who accompanied the group and provided clinical teaching and supervision to the students. The group provided care for 255 patients with medical problems, and the students assisted an optometrist who is a graduate of the UH College of Optometry who provided care for 184 patients with vision problems.
We continue to grow our dynamic team of consummate professionals. Let us welcome the newest members to join our college:
The College of Medicine & Humana Institute hosted the 2024 Health Policy Conference on May 17, 2024. We brought together experts from academia and industry to deliberate on the ramifications of consolidation and private equity acquisitions in health care amidst the transition towards population health and value-based care. Kudos to Kenneth W. Janda, J.D. for leading the efforts on this conference.
We had the best time at the Community Block Party with Houston Area Urban League! Activities included blood pressure checks, a fun giveaway, seeing the Healthy Connections team and UH Health Family Care Center team, and encouraging healthy living in the community.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2nd Annual Black Men’s Wellness Day with African American Male Wellness Agency! Our team enjoyed giving free health screenings, speaking more about our UH Health Family Care Center, and helping to improve outcomes of African American men in physical health, mental health, financial health, fatherhood and research.
Steven Starks, M.D., M.B.A., DFAPA has been appointed speaker of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Assembly of District Branches. Read more here.
Omolola E. Adepoju, Ph.D., M.P.H. received the Outstanding Advisor Award at the University of Houston’s 39th Annual Campus Leaders Ceremony.
Kimberly Pilkinton, M.D., M.P.H., FACOG was selected and sponsored to attend the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. and is a member of the District’s Legislative Committee.
Katelyn Velez, M.B.A., M.H.A. graduated from Texas Woman's University with two master’s degrees, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Health Administration.
Introducing our newest board member! Meet Chara L. Bowie, M.A., LPC-S, a dedicated leader with a passion for community empowerment and social justice. Chara has over 16 years of advocate experience and is the Executive Director of Operations at Harris County Precinct 2, spearheading initiatives to improve health care access and reduce disparities. She will help UH Health Family Care Center drive positive change for our UH community and surrounding neighborhoods.
Do you have something you’d like to share college wide? Email uhcomcom@central.uh.edu with details for consideration in next month’s edition of The Pulse.
