2024 NOV. EDITION
This month’s Pulse highlights one of our amazing fourth year students, Breanna Chachere, who was recently appointed to the American Academy of Family Physician’s new Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where she will work to promote health equity, reduce health disparities and foster inclusive person-centered care. Houston and the State of Texas are incredibly diverse, and it is important that the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine represent and embrace that diversity. I recently had the opportunity to speak to legislators “on the Hill” in Austin about the Fertitta College of Medicine in an effort to increase State support for our students. It was gratifying that I was able to inform them that, across our current four classes of students, 57% come from groups underrepresented in medicine, 47% are first generation college students, 38% come from urban areas, and 21% come from rural areas of our state. These remarkable numbers resonated strongly with the legislators, who want to see our College produce well-trained physicians from a broad spectrum of the state who might return to practice in their districts. Diversity truly is an important strength to celebrate. See you at the Holiday Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, December 4th!
- Jon McCullers
The Business Operations Team at the College of Medicine plays a crucial role in managing the day-to-day activities that often go unnoticed. This team supports essential functions across all departments, ensuring the success of the College. Discover more about our team and find out how they can help meet your specific needs at the College.
Mekia Amos, M.B.A., AVP of business operations, and CFO of the UH Health Family Care Center. Mekia oversees finance, annual budgeting, human resources, marketing and communications, facilities management, IT infrastructure and strategic planning for business operations. |
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Avani Dave, M.B.A., executive director of business operations and finance. Avani assists with system access requests, financial reporting and budget management, expenditure requests, HR recruitment, payroll management, procurement & travel operations, contracts and agreements. |
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Jessica Goldfried, M.B.A., director of marketing and communications. Jessica assists with college branding, external communication, editorial media outreach, e-communications, social media, and web services. |
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Marie Jeanne Nisnisan, M.H.A., director of business operations and strategic initiatives. Marie Jeanne assists with AAMC/AMA survey reporting, policies and procedures, employee relations, new program development, project portfolio management, quality improvement, standardization workflow optimization, org development, strategic alignment, training and professional development. |
Chai Demoulin, executive HC admin assistant. Chai assists with executive calendar management, meeting & events coordination, functional project supervision, procurement, and travel or financial responsibilities. |
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David Garcia, director of IT infrastructure and data analyst. David assists with artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and reporting, data governance, hardware management, information security, IT access requests, IT equipment purchasing, listserv and email groups, and software management. |
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Areli Mbaye, senior operations administrator. Areli assists with special event management, building access requests, facilities management, property management, and parking access. |
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Breanna Chachere, MS4, was recently appointed to the American Academy of Family Physician’s new Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Commission leverages diversity, equity, inclusiveness and antiracism lenses to inform and guide the Academy’s recommendations, policies and work addressing disparities in care, health and workforce. The goals of the commission are to inform, develop, promote and evaluate recommendations, policies and procedures that promote health equity, reduce health disparities and foster inclusive person-centered care.
The College of Medicine welcomed two more Moores School of Music faculty this month for our last Music and Medicine presentation of the fall. Daryl Robinson, director of organ studies, and Gavin Reed, affiliate artist on French Horn, provided an exciting opportunity that allowed the audience to take a moment to pause, reflect, and enjoy connecting with our superb colleagues from the Moores School of Music.
Jasmin Ali, MS2, attended the annual American Public Health Association conference, where she presented her poster, “A Pilot Survey of the Affordable Connectivity Program, Telehealth, Video and Audio Visits in a Racially Diverse, Lower-Income Population” alongside health services researcher and clinical associate professor, Lola Adepoju, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Ryan Wong, MS2, gave a presentation alongside a panel of researchers who study the impact of homelessness on public health as part of the American Public Health Association’s Caucus on Homelessness program. He has been helping Ben King, Ph.D., M.P.H., with the work that was presented, focusing on the impact of transitions in housing status on clients' ability to complete various types of substance use disorder treatment programs. The title of his presentation was "Transitions into and from homelessness during substance use treatment and relationship to program completion."
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section of Pediatric Trainees (SOPT) has recently named three College of Medicine students to hold national positions. Jessica Medrano, MS3, is the liaison from the Latino Medical Student Association, who will help elevate the voice of diverse medical students within the AAP and help the Academy better meet their needs to ensure the AAP is inclusive of all trainees and their experiences. Megan Vu, MS3, was named medical student assistant district representative and will lead all District activities, including district conference calls, newsletters, advocacy initiatives, and events. Nyeomi McGaskey, MS3, is now the SOPT executive coordinator of professional development & growth. McGaskey will be the primary facilitator for initiatives to promote professional and leadership development, as well as personal growth for section members.
Breana Chachere, MS4, was awarded the 2024 Harold T. Pruessner, MD Medical Student Scholarship endowed by the Harris County Academy of Family Physicians (HCAFP). Chachere received her scholarship at the HCAFP’s scientific meeting earlier this month. Mentors Donald Briscoe, M.D., FAAFP, Brian Reed, M.D., and Dr. Niño (Chachere's LPC preceptor) were able to celebrate this special day with Chachere.
Daphne Massey, M.D., adjunct faculty member, clinical and anatomical pathologist & cytopathologist for the biomedical sciences department.
Maureen Grissom, Ph.D., led an effort to author the latest edition of FP Essentials. Grissom assembled the team and steered the group towards completion of their respective parts. The November 2024 edition of FP Essentials titled Addiction Medicine has been published with co-authors: Michelle Carroll-Turpin, Ph.D., Steven Starks, M.D., M.B.A., DFAPA, and Brian Reed, M.D.
Bich-May Nguyen, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP, has received the Texas Academy of Family Physicians’ (TAFP) 2024 Diversity and Health Equity Leadership Award. She received recognition of this tremendous honor at the Annual Session and Primary Care Summit on Saturday, November 9.
We continue to grow our dynamic team of consummate professionals. Let us welcome the newest members to join our college:
The University held the Coog Docs 5K Color Run this month to raise money in support of the mental health of children and adolescents. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of race participants and sponsors, we raised an incredible $35,900.60 to help fund programs and resources that make a real difference in the lives of young people struggling with mental health challenges.
The Office of Outreach and Student Pathways kicked off the 2024 Health Career Collaborative Program at Yates High School. Medical students serve as co-directors and mentors of the program where they lead large group lessons on medical topics and administer engaging, hands-on activities.
David Buck, M.D., M.P.H. was invited to give a talk to the Cuney Homes community council on stroke and stroke prevention this past month. Medical students Mathew Mendoza, MS2, Scott Zimmerle, MS3, and Jasmin Ali, MS2, attended and engaged with the audience. This was a result of the College’s continued partnership with Cuney Homes and their food pantry and food buying club.
Congratulations to Alicia Bradley, Terence P. Ma, Ph.D., M.B.A., Amber Zulfiqar, M.D., M.Ed., Leslie Rojas, and Andrea Vallevand for winning the Halloween costume contest.
"October was crazy! Our challengers really pushed the limits! Thanks to everyone who came out to our award announcement and BIG THANKS to Neena for her leadership, support, and encouragement. Shout out to our CEF (Challenge Encouragement Facilitator) for the beautiful decor - nice job Amy, you are a challenge GEM!! We had 11 participants, and our top prize winners snagged a garment steamer, Amazon Echo Pop, and a portable blender with bottle. Make sure to congratulate all the participants."
- Ashley M. Smith, Psy.D.
| First Place: Sara Elkins, Ph.D. - 500 Points |
| Second Place: Loan Villon - 300 Points |
| Third Place: Jeri Parker - 256 Points |
| Other Champion Scores |
| Dr. Wheeler - 204 Points (New Champion) |
| Tayvia Dotch - 165 Points (New Champion) |
| Mohammed Zebda, D.O., M.P.H. - 122 Points |
| Rebecca Negri - 105 Points (New Champion) |
The UH Health Family Care Center celebrated a momentous accomplishment by increasing our provider visits by 174%. FY23 saw 2,888 provider visits and FY24 saw 6,264 visits. Congratulations to everyone that has helped the FCC grow and positively impact our community.
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.
