2025 DEC. EDITION
As the year comes to a close, the holiday season invites us to reflect on our achievements from 2025, express our gratitude, and look forward to the possibilities that the new year holds. This year has been especially momentous for the UH Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine as we continued to upgrade the curriculum, with great impact on student success, expanded our faculty, and were granted “look-alike” status for our Family Care Center as an FQHC.
Reflecting on the past year, my first full year at UH, I am profoundly grateful for the incredible contributions of our students, faculty and staff. Your dedication to advancing our mission of improving health and health care is the foundation of all that we achieve together. This issue of The Pulse highlights many of those accomplishments by looking at our year-end awards.
With 2026 just ahead of us, there is so much to look forward to as we build upon this strong foundation. I extend my heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness and success.
- Jon McCullers
Information Technology Team
This department spearheaded the software rollout for the college this past year and did an amazing amount of work in a short period of time. They received buy-in from all pertinent departments, worked closely with them for months in the buildup and preparation before the rollout. While there are always hiccups with new software, this director and team have done an incredible job bringing this new, efficient software to the college. They are still actively assisting and finding new ways to improve it as well, many months after rolling it out.
Mynika Collins, M.S., LPC, Counselor
This person brings an energy to the College of Medicine that is radiant, uplifting and deeply genuine. She approaches every interaction with kindness, empathy, and professionalism, creating an atmosphere where others feel heard, valued, and supported. Her contagious enthusiasm, optimistic spirit, and calm confidence make even the toughest days a little brighter.
Katelyn Velez, Curriculum & Development Support Specialist
She is the hardest working person I know. She is very efficient, organized and always so helpful. She has her hands in so many pots and somehow keeps all of us organized. I do not know how any of our committees would work without her. She goes above and beyond making sure we are all on track and always with a bright smile. She makes it all seem so easy, when I know how hard it is to keep it all together.
Claudine D. Johnson, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Director Household-Centered Care Program
She promoted educational and professional excellence while also being supportive to students. She encourages them to rise to her expectations, which are high. In doing so she allows us to see potential in ourselves far beyond what we imagined. She is thorough and takes extra time to ensure we are learning and prepared at each stage of education even in classes/courses outside of the ones she directly oversees. She is not just a teacher; she inspires and elevates. She is a unique and rare find.
Jamie Everett, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Assistant Dean for Foundational Sciences
This faculty member exemplifies the true spirit of mentorship through her unwavering dedication to empowering the next generation of physicians and leaders. Her impact extends far beyond academic guidance, she inspires excellence, fosters confidence, and models the compassion and integrity that define outstanding leadership in medicine.
Riley Battenfield, M.B.A., Digital Marketing Specialist
This person exemplifies the College of Medicine’s core values of respect, integrity, servant leadership, and equity in every aspect of her work. Her professionalism, compassion, and collaborative spirit make her a cornerstone of the college’s mission and culture. Her dedication to upholding these core values makes her not only a remarkable colleague but an apt reflection of the college’s mission in action. Her contributions strengthen our culture, uplift those around her and inspire others to bring their best selves to work each day. For her unwavering commitment, professionalism, and heart for service, she is a truly deserving recipient of the rise award.
This holiday season, the UH Health Family Care Center gave care packages, books, dental kits, and H-E-B turkey coupons and gift cards to patients seen in the month of December. It was a great way to kick off the holiday and give our families some relief and joy. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave to our Giving Season initiative, and to H-E-B for their incredible support. Together, we’re able to brighten the holidays for 200 families this year.
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.
